Debate on Great War for pupils
BRAMHALL High School hosted 200 GCSE and A-level students who travelled from across the north west to take part in a debate on the First World War – the first of a series being held across the UK in 2017/18.
With studies showing an increasing detachment between young people and the world wars, the debates have been created by the Department for Education to increase young people’s appreciation of the lasting legacy of the First World War on today’s society.
Students at the event learnt about the war’s impact on medicine, accelerating everything from our understanding of containing infection to the life-saving practice of giving and storing blood.
The debate took on a Question Time-style format, with young people putting their questions to a panel of experts chaired by historian David Olusoga, co-presenter of Civilisations and regular contributor to The One Show.
He was joined on stage by Jack Davies, assistant curator of medicine at The Science Museum and Louise Bell, researcher at The National Archives.
David said: “We can’t afford to let a whole generation lose their connection with the world war.
“It has shaped every aspect of our society today and we, as historians, have a duty to communicate its lasting legacy to the next generation.
“The energy, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives the young people brought to the debate was really inspiring.”
Aimal Chaudhry, from Bramhall High School, said: “I’ve never been to a big debate like this. Hearing the views of hundreds of other students as well as expert historians and getting to look at artefacts has really helped bring to life some of the issues we’ve been discussing in class.”