Last week, Year 9 pupils took part in a Battlefields trip to France and Belgium – an incredible and deeply moving experience filled with visits to significant historical sites such as Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Thiepval Memorial, and Newfoundland Memorial Park.
At Tyne Cot Cemetery, the sight of rows upon rows of graves, along with thousands of names of soldiers whose bodies were never found or identified, was both eye-opening and deeply saddening. It brought home the immense human cost of World War One in a powerful and unforgettable way.
The group also visited Langemark German Cemetery, which provided a stark and sombre contrast to the pristine white graves and colourful flower beds of Tyne Cot. With its dark headstones and mass graves, Langemark illustrated how differently the Germans commemorated their fallen soldiers.
Another significant stop was the Lochnagar Crater, a striking testament to the ferocity of the battles fought—particularly the Battle of the Somme. Standing at the crater’s edge offered a visceral reminder of the destructive power of war and the vast scale of the engineering efforts involved.
“This was a great honour as I had the unique opportunity to represent the school while honouring my relative, as well as the countless others who lost their lives in World War One.”Bella, Year 9 pupil
