Year 5 pupils at Danesfield School in Williton enjoyed a Victorian Day as part of their Humanities topic.

The children arrived at school in Victorian dress with boys lining up at one door and girls at the other.

The youngsters had to wait in silence until their teacher rang a handbell to indicate the start of the school day. Pupils were all given Victorian names and sang the national anthem.

Lessons in the morning consisted of handwriting practice with chalk, arithmetic, learning the countries of the Empire and memorising the kings and queens of England.

The children were taught in separate boy and girl classes, and the teachers were strict - children were not allowed to speak without permission and had to stand whenever an adult entered the room.

Youngsters were checked for lice and had their hands and nails inspected for cleanliness.

At break time, pupils played with hula-hoops and took part in skipping games.

In the afternoon the boys did technical drawing, while the girls learnt cross-stitch.

The children had a great deal of fun while also learning about the Victorian school day.