< Back to Blog

Bringing history to life

Three girls sqTo support their study of the Victorian period, the whole of Year 6 spent a morning at school, but not a day as they know it! The teaching staff team re-created a school day, as it might have looked during the reign of Queen Victoria.     

To start with, each pupil came to school dressed as a Victorian child, either as a boy or a girl, and was asked to bring a penny with them to pay for their education.   

The teaching staff have also been in character to help demonstrate the difference in teaching styles. We do know that the teachers used to be very strict, and that school was often a grim place.   

They have then led a traditional school curriculum which included:   

  • singing and hymns  
  • the three R’s (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic)  
  • cross-stitch, and  
  • PE (which was called drill in Victorian times).  

Because the school classes were so big, everything used to be done in a regimented way. The teacher would write things on the blackboard for the children to copy onto their chalk boards and learn. A lot of teaching was repetition, learning the names and dates of kings and queens, or reciting the times table by rote.   

Today, at Redmaids’ High Junior School, and in keeping with tradition, the girls have been taught as one big group, while sitting at individual desks, in rows facing the front. Their teachers have also role-played being stern, serious and scary (… to the slight amusement of the girls)!   

Of course, we know that many children had to go to work in Victorian times, and work was sometimes very dangerous as it included tasks like climbing up chimneys, cleaning factory machines or travelling down dark mines.   

We certainly didn’t make our girls do that, but we do hope they’ve had fun experiencing a very different kind of school day!   

Book a visit

Date Posted: 20 November, 2021

Articles for:

British orienteering champions  | Redmaids' High School

British orienteering champions | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 19 November, 2019
READ MORE
WOW! What a day

WOW! What a day

Date Posted: 18 October, 2021
Last week, every pupil in the Junior School had a break from normal lessons, to enjoy an action-packed, highly...
READ MORE
National finals here we come! | Redmaids' High School

National finals here we come! | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 9 March, 2020
READ MORE
Our school production is a creative collaboration

Our school production is a creative collaboration

Date Posted: 3 December, 2019
READ MORE
It's double pointes for our Year 5 twins

It's double pointes for our Year 5 twins

Date Posted: 4 October, 2021
Two of our Junior School pupils, Evelyn and Isla, have recently been invited to join The Royal Ballet School’s Junior...
READ MORE
Shortlisted for excellence in the performing arts

Shortlisted for excellence in the performing arts

Date Posted: 9 July, 2021
We are delighted to announce that the Redmaids’ High Junior School has been shortlisted for an Independent School...
READ MORE
Sorting Hat Ceremony

Sorting Hat Ceremony

Date Posted: 15 September, 2021
On Friday, our new Junior School girls enjoyed the traditional ‘Sorting Hat’ ceremony to determine which of the four...
READ MORE
National Orienteering Success

National Orienteering Success

Date Posted: 26 November, 2021
Both the Junior and Senior School orienteering teams swept the board at the British Schools’ Orienteering...
READ MORE
Awesome astronomy

Awesome astronomy

Date Posted: 29 November, 2021
Our Junior School girls took full advantage of an astronomy evening held at the senior school recently.
READ MORE
Our very own Junior School Election!

Our very own Junior School Election!

Date Posted: 4 July, 2024
READ MORE
New Head Girls Announced | Redmaids' High School

New Head Girls Announced | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 22 March, 2021
READ MORE
Bristol Old Vic perform Macbeth for juniors | Redmaids' High School

Bristol Old Vic perform Macbeth for juniors | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 5 February, 2020
READ MORE
Junior School cross-country event

Junior School cross-country event

Date Posted: 23 September, 2021
Last week the whole Junior School took part in the first major House event of the year; the Cross-Country run.
READ MORE
Father Christmas pays a visit | Redmaids' High School

Father Christmas pays a visit | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 8 December, 2020
READ MORE
Presenting ‘Puss in Boots’ the Opera | Redmaids' High School

Presenting ‘Puss in Boots’ the Opera | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 19 February, 2019
READ MORE
Junior girls sing out  | Redmaids' High School

Junior girls sing out | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 27 January, 2020
READ MORE
Talented actress returns to school

Talented actress returns to school

Date Posted: 7 July, 2021
This week we welcomed alumna and actress Stephanie Houtman back to school.
READ MORE
A nativity tale for Year 3 | Redmaids' High School

A nativity tale for Year 3 | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 11 December, 2020
READ MORE
Support for our Junior School Library

Support for our Junior School Library

Date Posted: 5 January, 2022
By all accounts our Year 5 librarians are doing a sterling job.
READ MORE
Creative arts workshop  | Redmaids' High School

Creative arts workshop | Redmaids' High School

Date Posted: 14 February, 2020
READ MORE
Click here to view all news articles