ONCHAN SCHOOL
INTEGRITY - RESPECT - ENDEAVOUR - COMPASSION - COURAGE
INTEGRITY - RESPECT - ENDEAVOUR - COMPASSION - COURAGE
KS1 travelled back in time to the Victorian era, to explore what life was like for children at school. They were greeted by their teachers and expected to line up using separate entrances for girls and boys. Once inside they had to get ready for their hands and nails to be inspected before entering their classrooms, which were set up rather differently to what they were used to! Our desks were in rows, there was very dim lighting, they had their own workbooks, which required them to use chalk not pencil. The first lesson of the day was to learn the class rules by reciting them and writing them down in their most beautiful handwriting. Every time an adult entered the room the children had to stand and address them as Miss or Sir. We then did some arithmetic, chanting our number bonds and times tables. The final lesson before snack time was 'object exploring' - each class was shown an object from our 'Cabinets of Curiosity' and they were invited to make suggestions as to what they thought the object could be and how it might have been used. Snack today was bread and apple wedges, which I must say went down a treat with all the children. At play time, they all took part in traditional playground games - hoops, hopscotch, beanbag throwing/balancing and it was lovely to see the children creating their own games with the equipment. The morning continued with 'Drill' (PE) and then a traditional story 'Alice in Wonderland'. For afternoon lessons the boys and girls were split - girls took part in sewing and had a turn in the workhouse laundry doing the washing, while the boys did some map work. The children learnt why boys and girls did separate lessons and why it was important for them to learn these skills. Another chance to have bread and apples for snack this afternoon along with another traditional playtime before we came together to reflect on our day!
All of the staff were so impressed with how engaged the children were throughout the entire day, they took on the role of Victorian school children amazingly well and their costumes were fabulous!
