GALLERY: Dickensian birthday celebrations at Gravesend school (From News Shopper)

GALLERY: Dickensian birthday celebrations at Gravesend school

3:08pm Monday 13th February 2012 in Gravesham news By Kelly Smale

SCHOOLCHILDREN have celebrated the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens by dressing up as characters from his novels.

Pupils at Riverview Junior School, in Cimbar Wood, Gravesend, spent a week learning about the famous author by studying Victorian life, creating plays and producing art work.

Members of the Rochester and Medway Dickens Society also gave a talk to the seven to 11 year olds about the author's life, his books and characters.

Staff took part in the dressing up and the school cook put on a special menu of Pickwick mash and Artful Dodger's bangers.

Headteacher Rosemary Dymond said: "It was a fabulous day. The children have made such an effort to dress up. We even had the dog Bullseye, owned by Bill Sikes.

We have all taken part and the children have learnt so much about Charles Dickens. It’s amazing.”

View our gallery for more pictures of the children in Charles Dickens costume.