A school competition has launched to commemorate 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria.

The Isle of Man Victorian Society (IOMVS) will close the competition, which offers a total of £1,000 in prizes for primary and secondary school pupils, on the late monarch’s birth date - May 24.

Primary schools have been invited to take part by entering a class display. Individual high school students will write an essay on the subject: ’How the Isle of Man changed during Queen Victoria’s Lifetime 1819 -1901’.

Bob Stimpson, chairman of the IOMVS, said: ’We wanted a fun and memorable way to celebrate the society’s namesake and to help promote the importance of Manx Heritage with our school children and students.’

Year 5 and 6 students (aged nine to 11) will go head-to-head for the first prize of £150, second prize of £100 and third prize of £50, which will go towards their school as book vouchers.

The winners will hold the Victorian Society Jonathon Green Trophy for a year

Pupils in year 7 to 9 (aged 11 to 14) will win £150 for first place, £100 for second and £50 for third place. Years 10 (age 14) and over will win £175 for first place, £125 for second and £75 for third place. All winning students will receive a certificate recognising their achievement with ’Highly Commended’ certificates being handed out for outstanding entries.

The society has 12 starter sheets to help them with their research, which cover topics of sweets and confectionery, buildings, food and shops, health, hospitals and doctors, schools, wages costs and coinage, land transport, clothing, sea transport, toys and games, farming and industry and tourism and entertainment.

’The changes during Queen Victoria’s lifetime - 1819 to 1901 - here in the Isle of Man were substantial and we are hoping these starter sheets will give pupils a better understanding and enjoyment of that shared heritage and the importance of learning about it,’ Mr Stimpson said. ’

There are many aspects of Manx life which the pupils may be unaware of, including the sometimes drastic changes which took place on the island which influenced the lives of children and adults over that period.’

Jo Callister, advisory teacher for the Manx curriculum at Department of Education, Sport and Culture, said: ’It’s imperative that we work with local organisations such as the IOMVS, as the wealth of knowledge and expertise they have really helps to promote and support our national heritage and culture in our schools. These bespoke information sheets will be invaluable for both teachers and children when researching and teaching about our important Victorian heritage, and will support the amazing history teaching that already goes on in our primary and secondary schools.’

Ask teachers at participating schools for details.