Rayleigh children stepped back in time to experience life at a Victorian school.
Pupils dressed up, took part in old-style classroom and PE lessons, and made old-fashioned wooden toys during Edward Francis Infants' Victorian Day.
Deputy head Sandra Herring said the day - which followed weeks of study on the Victorian era - had been a great success.
The morning started with a Victorian lesson, complete with slates, and was followed by PE and a play session with hoops, wooden balls and traditional games.
In the afternoon, more than 30 parents and grandparents - mainly in costume - turned up at the school to take part in a craft session.
Mrs Herring said: "They made wooden boats, lavender bags and all kinds of things that children in Victorian times would have made to use themselves.
"It was a real community success - the children had a wonderful time."
Mrs Herring added that a cane and dunce hat were put into the classroom but were assured they would not be used.
Apple - David Baker, five, presents his gift to teacher Sandra Herring
Hard at work - Pauline Mackenzie-Moore watches Lydia Hearn, five, at work
Pictures: MIKE BELLENIE
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article