LVS Ascot – Junior School Pupils Learn Strict Lesson From Return To Victorian Times

24 Apr 2017

Young pupils at LVS Ascot swapped ipads and computers for quills and chalkboards last week as they took a trip back to Victorian times as part of an entertaining and enlightening Humanities Week.

All 174 junior school pupils made a trip during the event to the Reading Museum to help them discover historical information in the week themed ‘How life has changed since 1803’. The interactive sessions saw pupils at the independent all-ability school take part in Victorian school room or Victorian child at work sessions. They dressed in uniforms of the times and were shown exactly what life was like for children of that era, with volunteers experiencing what it was like to be stood in the corner in a dunce’s hat and even to be caned by the teacher in front of the class.

Another highlight from Humanities Week was an assembly on the history of Licensed Victuallers’ School, which opened in 1803 and has been honoured by the patronage of the reigning monarch since 1836 when a Royal Charter was granted by King William IV. The Queen has been patron since she ascended to the throne in 1952.

Pupils also received a lesson on ethics from LVS Ascot Senior School Head of Philosophy & Religion Simon Martin, created timelines to put major historical events in order and did role plays on what life was like in past times.

The week ended on a high for children and parents alike as all pupils from Reception to Year 6 took part in class presentations to their families. Pupils exuded confidence as they each talked about what they had learned and displayed their work from Humanities Week, to the delight of their audiences.

Principal Christine Cunniffe said: “One of our aims is to develop caring, confident citizens for the future and our children as young as four demonstrated the confidence they are building here during some excellent presentations.  These are skills they will be able to take forward to the LVS Ascot senior school when they become involved in technology competitions, debating, and performing arts productions”.

Parents wishing to find out for themselves how LVS Ascot builds confidence in young pupils at the school’s junior school and reception class tour on 22ndApril. Google LVS Ascot Open Days for more information.

Photo: An LVS Ascot pupil tries out the dunce’s hat in a Victorial classroom at the Reading Museum