CHILDREN took a trip back in time to the days of Dickens when they donned Victorian clothing for a day at school.

Thankfully, the experience for Yorkley Primary pupils was far more enjoyable than Nicholas Nickleby’s time at Dotheboys Hall.

And while learning about the corporal punishment meted out for as little as talking in class by Wackford Squeers and his ilk, the worst they had to endure was writing on slates, chanting out times tables and gobbling down gruel.

Teacher Emma Smith, who donned a teacher’s gown and sported a cane in class, said: “The children thought going back in time was a great way to learn about the past and understand what life was like.“

And pupil Alfie Smith added: “Acting like we were in the past made the Victorians seem real, and I now understand how hard life was for children then.”

Former Yorkley Primary teaching assistant Kate Fyffe, who helps with publicity at the school, said: “The children and staff came dressed in costumes of the era and spent the morning experiencing a typical Victorian school.

“They wrote on slates, chanted out their times tables, practiced calligraphy and copperplate handwriting and learned about corporal punishments.

“The children spoke about how this helped them to empathise with how difficult life would have been for Victorian children and appreciate how much more fun school life is today.

“They also made and played traditional games like skipping and marbles.

“The children made shortbread and gruel from Victorian recipes and the whole event was showcased with parents coming to join during the afternoon, when the children were able to share their learning experiences,” she added.

•For more photographs see this week’s Review.