NOW, are you paying attention, mummy?

Little Hester Perry was among youngsters who got to take charge for the day when they showed off their tour guide skills.

Pupils from Year Two at SS Philip and James’ Church of England Primary School, in North Oxford, have been learning the tricks of the trade.

They have visited the city’s Museum of the History of Science three times to learn about what is on display.

They certainly had a lot to choose from as the Broad Street attraction is the world’s oldest surviving purpose-built museum.

Current exhibitions include a celebration of 500 years of astronomy, including a celestial globe that belonged to German polymath Johannes Schöner.

Among those taking a tour was Balliol College senior tutor Nicky Trott, of North Oxford, with a little help from daughter Hester.

Ms Trott said: “She loved it. Clearly they were very proud of what they were doing and very inspired by the museum.”

North Oxford’s Nikki Mac-michael, was shown round by daughter Christabel Brook.

The 45-year-old said: “It was fantastic. I hope it gets rolled out in other museums in Oxford.”

Assistant headteacher Ann-Marie Wortley said pupils chose to learn about items such as a massive Gregorian telescope and a pastoral drawing of the moon that took 30 years to complete.

She said: “It was brilliant. They absolutely loved it.

“The parents were really impressed with how much the pupils knew.

“The children were chuffed there was an audience for everything they were doing.

“It taught them about working as a team, independent research, working with adults and also selecting what information they want to give to other people.”

Museum spokesman Laura Ashby said: “The museum would love to do the same project with other schools in the future, and are looking at ways to do that.”

Education officer Michelle Holloway said: “I was thrilled by how engaged the children were.

“Many brought their families to give practice tours before the project was even finished.”