Pupils at Beckstone Primary enjoyed getting the measure of the origins of pancakes yesterday in a pancake themed day.

Vicar Rev Julia Rowley, from St Mary’s Church, came in on Monday to lead an assembly on Lent in the build up to the day, and the theme was being kind to each other.

Headteacher David Warbrick said: “We asked the children to choose something off the kindness calendar over Lent, which runs until the end of school term.”

Children can choose from a range of activities such as telling someone why they are special to them; giving a smiley face picture to someone; or thanking an adult for something they do.

Mr Warbrick said children were told about Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and were very excited about the pancake element.

They began yesterday by singing songs about pancakes, such as changing the words to ‘thank you lord for this new day’ to ‘thank you lord for pancake day’.

He said: “In the maths class children were able to learn real life skills by learning the ratio of pancake recipes.”

Eleven-year-old pupil Jason Hodgson said: “It made maths a bit more fun than usual maths learning about ratios.”

In nursery the children were able to combine learning with fun. They were doing maths, by measuring the ingredients out, science - by making a liquid change into a solid, art - by colouring pictures of the ingredients, whilst also enjoying weighing out the ingredients, learning sequencing of how to make a pancake and having the fun of drawing the toppings that they want and then the best part, eating them.

Three-year-old Lottie McCallister, from Harrington, was looking forward to the eating part. She said she has tried pancakes before and likes them.

Vicki Forster, nursery teacher, said: “The kids love pancake day and they get to understand the cleanliness side too by washing hands, and learning how to take turns. There will be a few messy faces.”