Pupils 'visit' Victorian seaside

WE DO like to be beside the seaside was the refrain on the lips of pupils at Steeple Morden Primary School. Children in Year 2 took part in a Victorian and Edwardian seaside day, which saw them dress up in period costumes and undertake a host of activit

WE DO like to be beside the seaside" was the refrain on the lips of pupils at Steeple Morden Primary School.

Children in Year 2 took part in a Victorian and Edwardian seaside day, which saw them dress up in period costumes and undertake a host of activities.

Class teacher Angela Scrivens said: "We've had the History Off the Page group in school, and they brought a lot of authentic Victorian items with them.

"It's sometimes difficult to bring a topic like history to life, so it's really helpful for the children to be able to see such a wide range of actual artefacts.

"They had to come up with their own outfits though - and there were some wonderful costumes," she said.

The day was organised to round off the class's history topic of the last term, which was the seaside during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

During the morning, the pupils acted as museum curators, examining items such as photographs and toys, and putting them on display.

In the afternoon, they were treated to a Punch and Judy show, as well as taking part in a re-enactment of a traditional seaside pier.

Penny Bright, from History Off the Page, said: "We set up some old-fashioned games, and some of children act as stall holders. The others are given pre-decimal coins and can decide which stalls they want to spend them on.