Year 5 trip to the Ragged School

Year 5 were transported back to 21^st November 1887, to the East End of London, to attend Dr Barnardo’s Ragged School on Copperfield Street. Dressed suitably in a misfit of Victorian ragged clothing, all grubbed up, our 21^st Century Latymer Pupils faced the 19^th Century stern Miss Paul in a copycat Victorian lesson, complete with slate boards and cane, where they learnt how it felt to be a poor Victorian child in one of London’s free Ragged Schools. Arithmetic by rote, some verbal gymnastics, some copperplate gothic script writing and a revision on the Victorian money system of farthings, pennies, ha’pennies and guineas brought the children to stunned silence. Later, the classes were able to investigate and identify a range of Victorian household mystery items including a hot water bottle and a pair of fancy French hair curlers! Doffing caps and curtseying, Year 5 were relieved to return to the 21^st Century at the end of a fascinating and fun day!