A Suffolk primary school has celebrated its 160th birthday but taking pupils back over a century and a half to experience what education would have been like in the Victorian era.

Bedfield CE primary school, near Woodbridge, told the pupils about the debt of gratitude they owed to the Rev John Day, who raised the initial £433 for the school to be built.

The original building still stands and currently accommodates the school's youngest learners in Reception and Years One and Two in Maple Class.

The original plaque is still on the wall, commemorating the opening of the school.

The children had slates to write onThe children had slates to write on (Image: Bedfield school) The celebrations took place on October 24, beginning in the morning when staff and children arrived to school dressed in period costume.

The costumes included chimney sweeps, maids, school mistresses and ladies and gentleman of the manor.

As in Victorian times, the children started their day using blackboards and chalk. They were not allowed to speak unless spoken to and they obeyed their teachers’ instructions immediately.

Children wrote lines in a copybook in their best joined-up handwriting, whilst younger children used sand trays to form their letters.

The children then completed observational drawings from botanical sources, read a Bible story and played Victorian games such as hoops, stilts and hopscotch.

A Victorian lunchA Victorian lunch (Image: Bedfield school) In the afternoon, the children congregated at St Nicholas’ Church to perform a section of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, sang songs and hymns from the period and performed a poem.

Ex-pupils, previous headteachers and parents who were former pupils were also in attendance.

Iris led the procession on her ponyIris led the procession on her pony 

The service was led by Reverend Chrissie Smart, who, as a woman, could not have a been a vicar 160 years ago as the church would not have allowed it.

The children then returned to school in a procession, just as their forebears did 160 years ago, led by Iris (Year 4) on her pony with her mother and sister in attendance.

The day ended in the school with a Victorian high tea of cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and Victorian sponge cake, which was greatly appreciated by all.