Lessons looked a little different for pupils at Dame Janet Primary Academy yesterday (January 25) as they celebrated all things Victorian in honour of the birthday of Dame Janet Stacomb-Wills.
Dame Janet was born on 25 January 1854.She became was the first woman mayor of Ramsgate, an office which she held from 1923–24, and she was also the first person to receive, in 1922, the Freedom of the Town.
She bought land for a new elementary school in Ramsgate, which was named in her honour, the Dame Janet Community Junior School. In December 2012 it was merged with the infant school next door to become Dame Janet Primary Academy.
To mark the birthday, children were transported back in time, dressing in traditional Victorian attire, using chalkboards, playing traditional games like marbles and hopscotch, making peg dolls and learning facts about Dame Janet.
Head of school Gemma Sherwin said: ‘Every year, we look forward to our Victorian Day. Marble playing, writing with chalk and even standing to attention when adults enter a classroom have been highlights for the children.
“The support of Dame Janet Primary Academy parents in sourcing costumes really brings the day to life.”