To conclude their WW1 learning, Y6 had a very special (only at Copthill!) experience of life in the trenches. Under the command of Captain Teesdale, Sergeants Willson and Campbell and Army Nurse Corporal Hesford, the platoons were immersed in the experiences of life on the front line. They cooked trench stew (which they then were able to taste at lunchtime) and dug further trenches, recognising how hard this was! The soldiers filled sandbags under the threat of artillery attacks and gas, whist keeping below the parapet. They also role-played treating some casualties in no-mans land, understanding how hard transporting stretchers were and how horrific some of the injuries may have been- many soldiers dying from their wounds and sustaining multiple injuries. They learnt how to apply first aid on the front line. They morning finished with a re-enactment of ‘going over the top’ complete with soundscape, smoke bombs and each child being given a playing card to mark how many steps they could take before being killed. This was a poignant reminder of the horrors and dangers of war, and the huge sacrifice so many gave.
Please see this link for more photos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CaLyyR2kvRX43wa17
