Darcey’s top school work has a Twist!
Pupil praised for child labour text
TEN-YEAR-OLD Darcey Farrow is top of the class after writing a thought-provoking text about the life of Victorian era-child labourers.
Darcey and the rest of her year six classmates at St Filumena’s Catholic Primary School in Caverswall have been learning about Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist and the living conditions of children in the 19th century.
She was shocked by the way thousands of children lived in Britain throughout the Industrial Revolution.
And after researching the living conditions of youngsters their age, year six pupils were asked to produce a discursive text, based around Oliver during the Victorian times.
Acting head of school, Sarita Bailey, selected Darcey’s piece, which is reproduced here, as the winner of the school project after she was awarded the highest mark.
Mrs Bailey said: “We as a class have been reading the novel by
Charles Dickens – Oliver Twist.
“We have researched the children’s living conditions during the Victorian times and discussed Oliver’s life similar to a child in the Victorian times.
“Children in my class were shocked by the treatment children received in those days and were sympathetic.
“They also learned about the law in 1833 where children working in factories was made illegal.
“They empathised with the children who worked as chimney sweeps and were glad to hear about the law passed in 1864 making it illegal for children to work as the former.
“Darcey is a very bright and conscientious student. She always works hard and does her best in all subjects.”
Darcey’s dad, John, said: “She absolutely loves reading, she devours books and I think that’s what makes her such a good writer. She writes with such maturity and I loved the way she’d written this text, it really shows her voice.
“She does it all on her own, I am extremely proud of her.”