On Thursday 19th September, Year 5 travelled back in time to 1844: the Victorian era. We came to school dressed up as Victorian children. Some of us were wearing ripped trousers and muddy tops because we had just come from cleaning dirty chimneys. We all had to pay 1p to come to school as education wasn’t free yet.
After having our finger nail’s inspected, our first activity was to learn about Victorian artefacts. We were fortunate enough to have a selection of artefacts from Richmond Museum including a hot water bottle, a metal iron and a curling tong.
“I was surprised to discover that a metal bowl (which looked like a cereal bowl) was actually a chamber pot! This was used by Victorians as a toilet and stored under their beds because most houses did not have an indoor toilet ,” Brogan and Katerina explained.

After exploring the artefacts, we enjoyed learning a Victorian dance routine and had a special visit from Queen Victoria herself! Did you know that Queen Victoria had a favourite child? Her least favourite child was Edward. After her beloved Prince Albert died, she didn’t go out in public for 3 years and wore black as a sign of mourning.
In the afternoon, the boys learnt how to scrub potatoes and polish cutlery while the girls learnt to sew. This was so that they could mend their clothes because poor Victorians weren’t able to just buy new ones when they became ripped.

Our favourite activity was experiencing a Victorian classroom. Miss Walker turned into a very strict teacher, who punished Annabel for writing with her left hand. She had to stand in the corner and wear the Dunces’ Hat! Meanwhile we had to silently practise our handwriting using chalk. Interestingly, boys and girls were not allowed to sit next to each other.
It was fantastic to experience what it was like to be a Victorian child. We are looking forward to sharing with you all of our learning during our Victorian assembly in a few weeks time!
Written by 5W
Would you like to go to a Victorian school? Let 5W know in the comments below.
It looks fun I am looking forward to it
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it was fun only 40% because :
.the teachers were strict (really strict)
.we wrote on chalk boards with chalk
.in the morning, the teachers would check your nails, you would not be able to speak and girls and boys sat separately
REMEMBER TO BRING A SHILING (a 1p coin) AND BE CAREFUL OF THE CANE !
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That looks realy cool
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it sounds great and interesting I would like to do that myself.
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It looks cool and interesting
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Thank you will be learning about it in year 5 .
Are you looking forward to it ?
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Such a fabulous day was had by all the children and the staff. Looking forward to next year already! Miss Brown
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Its fun but watch out for the cane!
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this was such an amazing day!
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I liked dressing up as a Victorian child!
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it is really fun . whatch out you might get caned.from lilly 5b
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It was so much fun! We loved it! Olivia and Marielle 5B
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I was there,it was really fun and interesting. Have fun current year 4!
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We had so much fun and we liked doing sewing 🙂
Evie and Deanne
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The Victorian day for us was so fun! Don’t talk, or you will either have detention, the Dunce’s hat or the cane.
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we really enjoyed Victorian day but we wouldn’t really want to go to a Victorian school as we might get caned and it really hurts if you are caned !!!
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VICTORIAN DAY WAS AMAZING.Girls got to do sewing whilst boys scrubbed potatoes and cutlery
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I loved it! But I didn’t like the mean Victorian teachers!
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If you are left handed you would wear the dunes hat.
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yes it was really fun even though the teachers were very strict.
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i loved victorian day
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It was not fun being a Victorian . Marielle 5B
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it was fun
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Freya 4k
i can not wait to be in year 5 next year but i will miss Miss Klever very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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What was your favourite thing what the topic ?
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I can’t wait to learn about the Victorian era! thank you Y5 for telling us more about it.
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Being a victorian must be so hard if you’re not even a victorian.You can’t even show your ankles!
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It’s very different to life today.
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I can’t wait to do that topic
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