“CHILDREN should be seen and not heard”.

That was the message echoing around the classrooms of Wootton St Peter School, near Abingdon, as pupils journeyed back in time to the Victorian era to celebrate the school’s 140th anniversary.

Yesterday marked the beginning of a week-long celebration of the school’s milestone, with children and teachers coming to class in Victorian attire, with their lunches wrapped up in a napkin.

The normal curriculum was thrown out the window, as youngsters were made to recite tables, practise handwriting on slates and stitch samplers.

There was a hand inspection after each lesson, and modern toys were cast aside in favour of old-school skipping ropes and hoops.

History co-ordinator Sally Heyden said: “The children have been really enthusiastic about it and the dressing up has been fantastic.”

The school started with about 60 pupils and one teacher. It now has a roll of 114 and a staff of 20.

Teacher Tricia Kraftl, who started work at the school in 1991, said the biggest changes she had seen were the new buildings and the advent of technology. She said: “I remember the first computer arriving — today we have a computer in every class, a laptop trolley and interactive whiteboards.

“When the computers first came we were learning together.

“I think for the most part the changes have been for the good. Today children are respected and valued, whereas what happened then was children were quite frightened of their teachers.”

She admitted that being strict yesterday had been difficult — but said experiencing some of the lessons children would have had in 1869 brought the period to life.

Hannah Woods, seven, said: “It is very different to what we normally do. I think it was harder then.”

Fyn O’Shea, eight, said: “I found all the writing on the slates was difficult.”

Emily Cross, 10, said: “I found it surprising how your hands had to be so extremely clean.

“I think the work was easier in Victorian times but it’s not as strict now as it was.”

Today, former pupil Carol Cross, 67, who started her school days in 1947, will talk about her experience as a Wootton St Peter’s pupil.

She told the Oxford Mail: “We didn’t have electric lights and we didn’t have inside water, just one tap outside the school.

“It’s far more colourful and exciting today.”

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk