Editor's choice July 2008

Victorian School

Local primary school pupils took a step back in time swapping computers for chalkboards, with the re-launch of the Victorian Schoolroom, which aims to give students an exciting interactive learning experience.

Clifton Primary School pupils took part in an afternoon of historic learning, enabling them to get into character the students dressed up in traditional Victorian costumes and adopted Victorian names during the lesson. They were taught in a specially renovated classroom, which is a direct replica of a traditional Victorian school-learning environment. The schoolroom displays photographs and artefacts from the Victorian period and is equipped with chalkboards, wooden chairs and desks. The children undertook an English lesson that consisted of writing in calligraphy style with dip pens under the strict guidance of Miss Green, the Victorian Schoolroom’s very own teacher.

The pupil’s visit coincided with their lessons about the Victorians which forms part of the curriculum, the trip allowed them to mix theoretical and practical learning. The schoolroom was created by the Balsall Heath Local History Society and is based in the Clifton Building of St Paul’s Community Development Trust.

Azra Bi, year 4B teacher said, “The children have taken away a lot of new knowledge from this experience and the classroom is amazing. I’ve definitely seen a positive change in their behaviour due to the direct contact with the teacher”.

“We are very pleased with the re-launch of the Victorian Classroom. We aim to give young people a hands on experience, differing from their everyday routine lessons. We seek to give the young participants a realistic view of how life of a Victorian child would be,” added Chris Sutton, Balsall Heath Local History Society; Development worker.

If you would like to find out more about the Schoolroom please contact: Chris Sutton, at Balsall Heath Local History Society on 464 1888 / 1890.