TARDEBIGGE pupils will be stepping back in time for a week of celebrations to mark their school's 200th anniversary.

They will get a taste of the past on Monday, July 6, when they dress in traditional period costume to enjoy a Victorian themed day of lessons to find out what school life was like when Tardebigge CE First was founded.

School caterers Alliance in Partnership (AiP) will cook baked ham and hotch potch - a vegetable stew - finished off with sticky gingerbread.

On Wednesday, July 8, they will have a "Dig for Victory" lunch, when the children will pick vegetables from the school's own vegetable patch and help catering manager and chef Nicola Jones to cook a wartime lunch.

On the menu will be "off the ration" toad in the hole, Lord Woolton vegetable pie, which was named after the Minister For Food, as well as the school's own vegetables.

Pudding will be a wartime recipe syrup loaf.

Later, in the school barn, there will be a wartime food tasting session for parents and pupils, presented by AiP's showcase chef, Jean Marc Bernard.

Then, on Thursday, AiP will bake traditional Victorian afternoon tea, to be served in a marquee on the school field to pupils, staff, friends and family.

Julie Cutler, school headteacher, said: “Our school community is very excited about the forthcoming events to celebrate the bicentenary.

"The children have really enjoyed growing their own vegetables and are looking forward to having the opportunity to help prepare food in the school kitchens.”