Pupils take over stately home for the day

Nearly 100 schoolchildren swapped the classroom for a day working at a stately home in Derbyshire as part of a careers initiative.

Pupils from Cavendish Junior School, in Chesterfield, were invited to Chatsworth House for Takeover Day, a national scheme that gives children and young people the opportunity to carry out jobs usually done by adults in museums, galleries and heritage sites.

At Chatsworth, near Bakewell, this involved scanning tickets, greeting visitors at the house, petting farm animals and tending to the gardens.

Head teacher Nicola Marlow said the school "jumped" at the opportunity to take part in the event on Thursday.

"It's about aspiration, it gives them [the children] the opportunity to access different jobs," she added.

"There are so many opportunities here, it opens their eyes to a broader world."

Heleema, 10, enjoyed a busy morning tending to the estate's gardens, watering the greenery and potting fresh plants.

She said: "It's really fun because I get to do all the jobs people at Chatsworth get to do.

"At school all you do is learn, but at Chatsworth you get a different experience."

Her fellow classmate, Oliver, also 10, said: "I think we are the only ones in the UK who are doing this, and it's really fun."

While nine-year-old Grace said the day had been "special".

She added: "I loved handing out the pamphlets and telling people to have a marvellous day."

Ms Marlow believes the day had an impact on the children's life skills.

She said: "There's a child who really struggles with her confidence, and she has just been at the front of house welcoming people in.

"At first she didn't want to speak to anyone, but within half an hour she was handing out pamphlets."

She said the school would be keen to take part in another Takeover Day in the future.

"It's so important that the children are exposed to as many experiences and jobs as possible."

Kerry Fernandez, arts and engagement manager at Chatsworth House, said the day gave children the opportunity to explore jobs that "might not even be on their radar".

She said: "A lot of these children also may never have visited a historic house, this is a great cultural experience for them."