Y9 WW1 Battlefields trip – 10-12 June

All the students who joined us on Calthorpe Park’s WW1 Experience have been great throughout the trip. Despite some challenging weather at times, they engaged brilliantly with our guides, asking thoughtful and insightful questions, and showing genuine curiosity about what they were seeing and learning. When things did not go entirely to plan, our students showed real resilience and kindness, supporting one another brilliantly. They have shown respect, integrity, and reflection throughout.

Over the course of the trip, students experienced a wide range of First World War sites and themes. They visited a variety of cemeteries, from Commonwealth War Graves Commission sites to German cemeteries, as well as memorials that commemorate those with no known grave. They explored the underground tunnels at Wellington Quarry, walked through preserved trenches at Bayernwald, and stood in key locations such as Sunken Lane. Alongside visits to Vimy Ridge, these experiences allowed students to engage with the complexity of the war, covering a broad range of topics and gaining a deeper and more personal understanding of the experiences of those who fought.

A particularly meaningful part of the trip was the opportunity for individual pilgrimages, where students visited the graves or memorials of soldiers connected to their own families or local community. These moments were incredibly powerful, allowing students to move beyond the wider history and make a personal connection with the past. To stand at the grave of a relative, or to see a name on a memorial, brought a profound sense of reality to their learning. These are often the moments that have the greatest impact, helping students to fully appreciate the human cost of the war and ensuring that remembrance becomes something deeply personal and lasting.

The ‘Last Post’ ceremonies and our acts of remembrance were powerful and moving highlights. A big thank you to Mr Walker, Bella, Toby, Josh and Kris for playing the Last Post. A key message shared during our final act of remembrance is one I hope will stay with all students: that the memory of those who fought lives on through us, through the stories we tell and the way we choose to remember. These were soldiers who never came home, and it is now our responsibility to ensure their stories continue to be told. They never returned home, but we did.

While their immediate memories may include time spent with friends, laughter, and shared experiences, I hope something far more lasting remains. This trip is more than a history visit; it is a real opportunity for personal development. It is about understanding the true meaning of sacrifice and remembrance, recognising the scale of loss, and reflecting on the lives of those who gave so much.

My sincere thanks go to our guides: Andy, Ed and Dickie, who we have worked with for many years, as well as Brendan, Tim and Tom, who I hope enjoyed working with us for the first time. Their knowledge and passion bring the battlefields to life, and without them this trip would only be half of what it is.

Thank you also to our bus drivers and my colleagues, who worked tirelessly to support our students throughout the trip, both in the lead-up and during these demanding few days.

Calthorpe Park’s WW1 Experience will return in June 2027, when we will once again take students on this important journey of understanding, reflection, and remembrance. Please keep an eye out after the October half term for further details.

Mr M-J