Hello, Parents!
This week, our Year 6 students took a trip back in time to experience life as it would have been for children in Victorian England. As part of their curriculum on history, they participated in a hands-on Victorian workshop that gave them the chance to act, explore and learn about the daily lives of children over 150 years ago. Here’s a little insight into what your children experienced—and some highlights from this unforgettable day!
One of the highlights of the workshop was recreating a traditional Victorian classroom experience. Led by a “Victorian” teacher, the students got a taste of the strict discipline and formality typical of that time. They sat up straight, stood when answering a question and learned the importance of addressing their teacher as “Sir” or “Ma’am.” Many of the children were surprised at the differences between modern classrooms and Victorian ones—especially the very strict rules!
This experience helped bring history to life for them, allowing them to compare their own school life with that of children from the past. They quickly realised how fortunate they are to be in today’s classrooms, with far more freedom to express themselves and even a bit of fun and creativity.
Another part of the workshop involved learning about the types of jobs children would have done in Victorian times. Our students discovered that, for many children, school was not an option at all- they were sent to work in factories, as chimney sweeps or even went mud larking, to help support their families. The workshop included creative role play where the children had to act out certain job roles a child would have had.
The Victorian workshop allowed our Year 6 students to step into the shoes of children from another era, and they came away with new insights, empathy, and gratitude for the life they lead today. It was an opportunity not only to learn about history but to live it for a day—and many of them were still buzzing with excitement and reflections about the experience even days later.
We hope this immersive day has sparked a new level of curiosity and understanding about history for your children. Thank you for supporting this unique learning opportunity; it’s one they’re sure to remember for years to come.
Warmest regards,
The Year 6 Team
