PRIMARY age pupils in St Albans built a Tudor house in the school hall last Thursday as part of history week.

Children at St Michael’s primary school in St Michael’s Street learnt about 16th century building techniques before constructing the one-third size house.

Hampton Court historical interpreter, George Calman, also visited the school to teach pupils how paints were made.

The school’s history co-ordinator at St Michael’s School, Kirstene Cutler, said that the annual history week “starts the academic year with a bang.

“The best way to find out about periods in the past is to get involved,” she added. Children in Years 1 and 2 played Tudor games whilst the juniors learnt about Tudor food and drink. Older children also learnt about crime and punishment, finishing the week with a Tudor crime investigation.

St Albans Museum lent costumes so that the whole school - including teachers - could dress up Tudor-style.

Ms Cutler explained that the area was such a fantastic location to do history as St Albans had a rich Tudor past.

Previous year’s themes have included the Victorians and the Romans.

St Michael’s School history week coincides with the national Heritage Open Days initiative which allows access to historic buildings usually closed to the public.