Falkirk’s oldest school is celebrating its 140th birthday later this month (Tuesday 13 September) by taking its pupils back to its very first day in 1876.
Slamannan primary will see all its pupils dressing up in Victorian costume and taking part in lessons that would have been taught at the end of the 19th Century as the school celebrates its role in the local community.
Around 130 pupils and their teachers are taking part in the day with a range of activities and classes planned with a Victorian theme.
- Pupils will have a chance to learn about school dinners from the 19th Century at lunchtime as the school cook prepares a menu close to that typically eaten during that period.
- Pupils will also be able to take part in Victorian children’s playground games delivered by Active Schools.
- Falkirk Community Trust are bringing along artefacts and taking the children back in time to a lesson from 1876.
- Parents and carers as well as local partners will be invited to the school to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment. Local author and historian, Ian Scott, will say a few words about the school’s history and everyone will be invited to have tea and birthday cake, provided by the Parent Council.
Headteacher Mrs Sharon Wilson said: “This is the launch of a yearlong study into the life of our school and local community over the past 140 years. The entire school community, including our partners, has been behind the project and we are grateful for the enthusiasm and support we have received to ensure this is a big success.
“Our partner school, Limerigg Primary School, will be celebrating with us as they are Falkirk’s second oldest school, opening only weeks behind Slamannan.
She added: “Bringing history to life, through role play, allows children to truly experience what school was like in the past through the eyes of a child living at that time. We will be working with our children to decide what legacy they would be leaving behind for people in 140 years from now.”
Councillor Alan Nimmo, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Education said: “Slamannan Primary is our oldest school and the staff and pupils have to be commended for bringing together their own history and learning in such and innovative and inspiring way.”
Other plans for the school to celebrate its birthday over 2016/17 include:
- A display using locally sourced photographs and information form the local library to show the history of the school;
- Local artist Liam Symes has been painting murals around the school building
- Running a community café in the school in the style of a Victorian tearoom.
Research on how Victorian children would have enjoyed their school day has been carried out by history experts from nearby Callendar House.