Eclipse comes to life with 'pretend professor' at Old Windsor school

The solar eclipse was brought to life in the classroom at St Peter's Church of England Middle School in Old Windsor.

A special assembly was held, hosted by visiting ‘Pretend Professor Wood’, who gave a lively talk with videos and audience participation, to help explain what was happening.

The ‘professor’ was Dave Wood, of Burfield Road, a dad and supporter of the school.

Dave said: "The school wanted to find a way to bring the eclipse to life and let the students experience the event."

Head boy, 11-year-old Eben Thomson, said Becky Simpson, nine, held up a huge ball to act as the sun and then someone holding a tennis ball ran around the hall between the 'sun' and the students.

"We were the earth, as he said we were the closest to intelligent life he could find," he added.

"It was great fun, even though the actual eclipse wasn’t brilliant!"

After the assembly, the students went outside to see if they could spot Friday’s eclipse through the clouds.