VICTORIAN values were back when a Poole middle school was transported back in time for a day.

History lessons were brought to life at Branksome Heath Middle School in Parkstone as pupils dressed up and took part in a drama.

Ben Lindsey-Clark of Bournemouth-based Treehouse Theatre led the children through the era. He has previously joined Egyptian Day and Tudor Day at the school.

Head teacher Stuart Fox said: “The children have a great experience through drama. Every child in the year group took part.

“They come away having that love of history. It hooks them into the lessons back in class.”

Pupils came in home-made costumes and ate Victorian-style lunches.

“We had one or two fairly wealthy Victorian families. We had street urchins, chimney sweeps and Florence Nightingale-style nurses,” said Mr Fox.

“We’ve found the costumes are getting better and better. That’s something Ben from Treehouse Theatre has mentioned.”