History lessons came to life with a bang at St Peter's RC Primary School,Winchester, with musket fire echoing round the buildings and a pike charge in the playground.

It was all part of the school curriculum, as excited Year 3 and 4 pupils learned about the 16th century, especially its weaponry and warfare. A wealthy Elizabethan couple, played by two actors, demonstrated the firearms as part of a presentation on Tudor times, not forgetting the kings and queens.

The children also got the chance to dress up in period costume, stage a play and even taste a typical lunch of potage, cheese and apple - school dinner with a difference. J4135B

Photograph: Jon Mackintosh