To support Year 9’s exploration of War Poetry in English along with their study of the First World War in History, we were delighted to take 36 students to Ypres for a full day of immersive learning on Friday 21 November.
The day began early, with students assembling at school at 03:45 before travelling to Folkestone to catch the shuttle to Calais. Spirits were high despite the early hour, and pupils were eager to experience the historical sites they had been studying.
Our first stop was Lijssenthoek CWGC Cemetery, where students learned about the long-term causes of the Great War, the early battles of 1914, and the ethos of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Discussions also explored the contributions of Empire troops and the vital roles played by women during the conflict.
We then travelled to the Bayernwald trench system, where students walked through reconstructed German trenches. Here, they examined the development of trench warfare, including trench construction, daily routine, the use of terrain, and the technological and physical challenges faced by soldiers on all sides.
At Langemarck German Cemetery, pupils reflected on the contrasting ethos of German commemorative sites, the tragic “Slaughter of the Innocents,” and the cemetery’s connection to Hitler’s 1940 visit. This led naturally into discussion about the legacy of the First World War, the causes of the Second, and themes of remembrance and reconciliation.
The afternoon took us to the Hooge Crater Museum, once the site of an Advanced Dressing Station (ADS). Students were guided through a hands-on demonstration of period battlefield medicine, including the triage process and the development of new technologies such as x-rays, blood transfusions, and the Thomas Splint, which dramatically improved survival rates.
At Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest CWGC cemetery in the world, pupils spent time reflecting on the immense scale of loss and the human stories behind the names stretching across the memorial.
At Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest CWGC cemetery in the world, pupils reflected on sacrifice, remembrance, and the final stages of the war.
We concluded the historical part of the day at the Menin Gate, where our group had the honour of laying a wreath in memory of Hugo W’s great-great-grandfather—a particularly meaningful moment for all present.
With the formalities complete, the group enjoyed some well-earned Belgian chocolate shopping before beginning the journey home.
It was a full and deeply memorable day, enriching students’ understanding of the First World War and giving them a powerful connection to the human stories behind their studies.
Written by Mrs Darshan Bahbra, Head of English
