Victorian Schoolroom

This small room depicts a typical schoolroom from the late 1890's. It is full of souvenirs from the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897 when she celebrated 60 years on the throne.

The schoolroom was one of a suite of rooms situated at the top of the house away from the rest of the family. Most schoolrooms were converted bedrooms, usually filled with old oddments of furniture. The floors were bare except for a few rugs. Fitted carpets were regarded as dust traps.

Although school attendance became compulsory in 1880, a governess taught many middle-class children at home.

Governesses were usually middle class ladies who had fallen on hard times and needed to earn some money. They were often a distant relative of the family. The governess held an unusual position in the house. She was neither a servant nor one of the family.

The Governess was expected to teach the 3 R's (reading, writing, and arithmetic) plus history, geography and often French and Latin. Religious teaching was also seen as very important. Lessons were learnt by rote (verbally repeated many times).

Children learnt to write on a slate before progressing to dip pen, ink and paper. It was very difficult to write neatly without blotching. Good handwriting was regarded as very important. Many hours were spent daily practising writing in large copybooks. The letters had to be neat, regular and well formed. Everyone was expected to use the right hand even if naturally left-handed.

Children were punished for even the slightest mistake usually by a ruler over the knuckles. The Victorians believed spare the rod and spoil the child. Children were expected to be seen, and not heard. In the schoolroom, they were only allowed to speak when spoken to. They had to always sit up straight no slouching, and were expected to stand up when answering a question.

Lessons were taught for up to six or seven hours a day. The children would spend the rest of the day in the nursery.