FIRST school pupils were given a taste of Victorian school life as part of a living history day. Pupils from Roman Way First School, in Burns Road, stepped back in time for a day of Victorian lessons and games. Youngsters dressed head-to-toe in Victori

FIRST school pupils were given a taste of Victorian school life as part of a living history day.

Pupils from Roman Way First School, in Burns Road, stepped back in time for a day of Victorian lessons and games.

Youngsters dressed head-to-toe in Victorian garb - the girls in starched blouses and bonnets, the boys in buttoned-up shirts and cloth caps.

They even swapped their pens and pads for chalk and black paper.

Pupils were also given an insight into their ancestors' school days with a number of lessons that included mental arithmetic and copying passages from books in their best handwriting.

Playtime was also taken back to the late 19th century, with skipping ropes, hoops and hopscotch.

However, it wasn't all fun and games, as pupils were put through a hand and clothing inspection and a daunting Victorian drill.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "The Victorian day helped summarise the history topic for the Year 3 and 4 pupils, who have been studying the era over the last term.

"It was a great day, that combined everything they have learned - we tried to make it as real for the children as possible and I think they had a lot of fun.