Youngsters get insight into
HISTORY PROJECT PUPILS ALSO PLANNING TOUR OF ARNHEM BATTLEFIELD
A history project was brought to life for students at a Wearside school.
People from across the country travelled to Washington School to give students and their families a greater insight into the Second World War.
Thirty students at the school, in Spout Lane, are currently involved in this year’s Second World War Airborne Forces project and are planning a battlefield tour of Arnhem in June.
The Battle of Arnhem took place in and around the Dutch towns of Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze, Driel and the surrounding countryside from September 17–26, 1944.
Nicola Williamson, community engagement officer at the school, said they were thrilled that so many people gave up their time to travel to Wearside to spend a weekend giving pupils an insight into the battle.
Among them was veteran John Jeffries, who served in the 1st Airborne Divisional Signals during the war.
Ms Williamson said: “It was amazing for the students to be able to speak to someone who was there and to get a first-hand account of what happened.
“It was an amazing day and we had brilliant feedback from all of the students and their families and from the groups who came along, telling us how interested and engaged the students were. We are very proud of them.”
War experts, including historians and authors, from all over the country travelled to the school to talk to the children and there were two reenactment groups as well as living history groups.
There was a huge range of memorabilia for the young people to see, including equipment, uniforms, vehicles and battle footage.