Pupils and staff at a Moray primary school have celebrated its 140th anniversary by taking part in a Victorian theme day.
To mark West End Primary School’s historic occasion yesterday, youngsters donned clothing similar to that which pupils would have worn when classes began there in 1875.
The majority of the school’s 220 children sported humble attire such as flat caps and pinafores – but some made the most of the day by dressing as Queen Victoria herself.
As well as looking the part, the children sampled life as it was in the late 19th century.
Lessons were carried out in the strict style that the pupils’ Victorian counterparts were used to, and children learned traditional hymns and songs from the time.
The pupils also learned about a different stage in the school’s history and delivered speeches detailing each period during an assembly in the afternoon.
The school’s headteacher, Gordon Barron, wore imposing black robes and a mortar board hat in homage to past holders of the role.
He said: “Learning about the Victorian period in this interactive way helps make it seem more relevant and interesting to the children.
“It means a great deal to them to understand the history of their school.”
Pupil Euan Donaghy, 11, said learning about the now-outdated Victorian classroom customs was fascinating.
Euan said: “I’m left-handed myself, and, back then, left-handed pupils were forced to use their right hands.
“I also thought it was interesting how if you were naughty, they made you wear a dunce’s hat and placed you in the corner.
“I’m glad it isn’t like that today.”
Six-year-old Finlay Bruce said he enjoyed finding out about the food his Victorian forebears ate and liked seeing their toys.
Mr Barron was himself a pupil at the school during the 1960s and has served at its helm since 1993.
The head has spent the last 18 months collating anecdotes and facts for a book documenting the school’s 140 year history – which he proudly unveiled during yesterday’s events.
The headteacher added that he had uncovered several surprising incidents lurking in the school’s past.
In the 1920s, education chiefs sought to amalgamate West End with Elgin’s East End and Bishopmill primaries, and the plan was only narrowly rejected.
“If that had happened, Elgin’s school system would have been completely different”, he added.