Victorian School

In our History lessons in 3V recently, we have been learning all about life in Victorian Britain.  Today, we had a taste of what it was like to be in a Victorian classroom!

Mrs Vaqueiro and Mrs Miller (both suitably attired in mortarboards and gowns) lined the children up outside the classroom to inspect their hands and fingernails for cleanliness.  Once the children had satisfied the cleanliness test, they were allowed to enter the room.  The desks were set out in rows and the girls and boys were seated separately on different sides of the classroom.

First, we practised our best Victorian cursive handwriting.  It was very tricky!  In Victorian times, children were only allowed to write with their right hands, so left handed children had to learn to write with the 'wrong' hand!  To give the children a taste of what this might have been like, the children had to practise forming their letters with the opposite hand to normal!  It was really difficult!

During the lessons, Mrs Vaqueiro and Mrs Miller prowled around the classroom to ensure that complete silence was maintained.  Whenever they were addressed by an adult, the children had to stand to give their answers.  They also had to stand when an adult came into the room, and remember to address them correctly.  When Mr Forrester paid a visit to the room, the children had to remember to call him 'Sir' while Mrs Miller and Mrs Vaqueiro had to be called 'Miss.'  All the teachers were very stern and strict!

The children also had to chant their times tables out loud, before answering some general knowledge questions.  When one of the children got the answer wrong, she had to wear the dunce's cap!  (Luckily, she had been secretly pre-warned about it and had agreed to go along with the pretend telling off - what a good sport!).

Finally, we headed outside for a Victorian-style drill lesson.  It was very regimented and not at all like modern PE lessons.

The children really enjoyed a taste of Victorian school life, and were able to compare their experiences with modern school practices first hand!