Victorian London brought to life for Newham pupils

Victorian London was brought to life for pupils at St Bonaventure’s School during a visit to the London Metropolitan Archives.

Pupils Bogdan Cainamisir, left, and Christopher Hallidey, of St Bonaventure�s School, take part in a science workshop at the London Metropolitan Archives about the environment and disease in Victorian London. - Credit: Archant

The year eight and nine pupils used magnifying glasses to look at old maps and documents and learn how living conditions and disease in the 19th century led to the construction of London’s sewerage system.

Pupil Marcus Napa, of St Bonaventure�s School, takes part in a science workshop at the London Metropolitan Archives about the environment and disease in Victorian London. - Credit: Archant

They also played the roles of Victorian engineers campaigning for new sewers in the city.

The pupils’ visit was part of a week-long set of activities about the River Thames organised by Thames Tideway Tunnel, focusing on science engineering, technology and maths (STEM).

Sinead Larkin, KS3 teacher and STEM co-ordinator, said: “The children have been asking some really interesting questions and it’s been a fantastic way to engage them in science and engineering.

“We are trying to implement more engineering into the KS3 curriculum, and the support of Thames Tideway has been a really good example of what’s going on in their city at the moment.”