CHILDREN at Peatmoor Community Primary School spent their last two days of term remembering those who fought in the First World War.

To mark the centenary, staff decided to hold a whole school two-day focus, with visitors including Frontline History and local historian Mark Sutton, who brought with them lots of artefacts for the children to study.

From tasting typical trench food such as corned beef and jam and crackers to trying on soldiers uniforms, the children were able to get a glimpse of a soldier’s lot 100 years ago.

Joy Morton, history co-ordinator, who led the project alongside headteacher Andrew Henstridge, said: “It’s been really exciting. The children and staff have all come in dressed up, so we’ve had lots of tank tops, the boys have all been wearing shorts and long socks with caps, and the girls are wearing pinafores with their hair in plaits. Some of the teachers are dressed as nurses and some are wearing aprons and long dresses.

“The guys from Frontline History came in and then Mark Sutton visited and showed us lots of helmets and weapons and taught the children a lot about the local soldiers who went to war.”

All age groups were involved in the two-day project, and Joy said the children benefited from lots of interaction.

“The children really enjoyed it,” she said.

“There were lots of different activities throughout both days so some of them would say they enjoyed trying on the clothes the most, some enjoyed tasting the food and some enjoyed learning about the toys the children would have played with.

“The focus is usually on World War Two so it has been really interesting to learn about WW1, and the youngest children have enjoyed it too because there have been so many things for them to look at.”

The school is currently putting the finishing touches to a memorial plaque to be erected in the school hall in time for the remembrance service in November.

Each class has made a poppy using different craft techniques which will then be mounted on the plaque.