Belgium 2019

Forty-eight Year 9 students embarked on a unique opportunity to visit the First World War battlefields of Western Europe the week before half term. With a very keen uptake for the trip, students had shown an excitement to visit Belgium and France for a range of reasons.

Students had the opportunity to get a taste of what Belgium life was like as well as the chocolates and were able to explore the Medieval town of Ypres that was situated on the Allied front lines during World War One. Students were able to take in the many aspects of Ypres and in particular the splendour of the Medieval Cloth Hall. Students had time to buy souvenirs on the days we were in Ypres and explore the Menin Gate monument.

Students were able to go in reconstructed trenches at a variety of places such as Hill 62, Ploegstreet where the 1914 Christmas Truce took place and also Bayernwald trenches where Adolf Hitler served in the First World War. Students were also able to demonstrate their maturity and empathy as we visited the largest Commonwealth war graves cemetery in the world at Tyne Cot.

All in all, students had a valuable educational experience and feedback to the members of staff on the trip were extremely positive which was great to hear. It has been another worthwhile trip which has allowed another 48 students a chance to see the devastation and tragedy caused by war but also how a country has rebuilt itself and become such an open and inviting place for all people to learn about this important part of our history.