A Roman road was recently discovered underneath a primary school near Wallingford, giving the pupils a real life history lesson. 

The Brightwell-cum-Sotwell History Group teamed up with the Wallingford Historic and Archaeological Society for a dig at Brightwell Primary School, in which they found a Roman road.

Other items, such as coins and brooches, were also discovered.

Brightwell Cum Sotwell Church of England Primary School is a small village school of just over 150 pupils.

READ MORE: Ancient Roman road discovered in village near Wallingford

Headteacher Sue Potts said: "The children have absolutely loved watching the digging work progress.

"Whilst we have put up a safety barrier to keep the children out of the actual digging site itself, we haven't stopped them from being able to see what has been happening, and so they have been able to approach the area and talk to the archaeologists during their break and lunchtimes.

"I have often gone out there to find a group of children asking questions or looking at any of the finds that may have been uncovered.

"Right from our youngest to our oldest, they have all been curious to see what was happening."

Lindsey Bedford, head of the Brightwell-cum-Sotwell History Group, with other team members (Image: Jason Debney)

Ms Potts said the dig involved careful planning to ensure it wouldn't impact the school and the children too much.

A year four pupil said: "I thought that having a Roman service station that was 2000 years old was fascinating and right under our playground - who would have thought?"

The groups found the road to stretch under two of the school classrooms as well as a whole row of houses in the village.

Ms Potts added: "This experience gave the children an opportunity to see real history appearing before their very eyes.

"Our year four children studied the Romans earlier in the school year and so were able to apply some of their knowledge and understanding to talk about the Roman road.

"They saw just what it takes - and how long it can take - to uncover even the smallest piece of history.

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"I'm sure it has inspired some of the children to want to learn more about archaeology.

"As the project comes to an end, the whole school were invited out, a class at a time, to get up close and personal to the road and the amazing finds that were uncovered in the process." 

Speaking to the Oxford Mail previously, Jason Debney, chair of the Brightwell Village History Group, said: "We’ve always known there is a roman road through the village.

"It's believed to be one of the first roads in England from 43AD which is the year the Romans invaded.

"It's pretty special and quite good for a little village."

Mr Debney added: "Thank you to Brightwell School.

"The children have really loved having the archaeologists in."