Year 5 and 6 pupils at Willow Tree Primary School were whisked back to the 1940’s to celebrate the end of their recent World War Two topic. The children took part in an immersive World War 2 themed day focussing on what life was like on the Home Front. They were asked to come into school dressed in era- based costumes so the corridors were filled with evacuees, land girls, air raid wardens, and even a few soldiers from the Home Guard!
The children took part in a carousel of different activities with everything from using watercolours to create a piece of art depicting London under attack during the Blitz; learning about the key role Alan Turing played at Bletchley Park when cracking codes and understanding more about rationing. Rationing proved a popular topic which they found both intriguing and a little bewildering as realised how different life was for people during wartime compared to how we live today. They even got the chance to make their own potato chocolate spread and put into practice the need for absolute accuracy when it came to making the most out of treasured ingredients.
In the afternoon, they enjoyed a typical VE Day celebration. The school hall was transformed into a VE Day street party, with bunting, balloons, 1940s-era music and some fun games. The children then sang along to ‘We’ll Meet Again’ by Vera Lynn and enjoyed a taste of some Victoria sponge cake.
Upper Key Stage Two Tom Perkins commented “The whole day was a brilliant success – it was the perfect end to a fascinating topic.”
