PRIMARY school pupils took a trip back in time yesterday with a 1940s-themed day.

East Wichel Community Primary School in Wichelstowe commemorated Britain’s finest hour as part of its celebration of history for the term.

It was a step back in time to the sights and sounds of the 1940s with music from Forces sweethearts Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields serenading pupils.

Tea dresses, soldiers’ uniforms and a cardboard plane costume were spotted among the 374 pupils throughout the course of the day, with a certificate awarded for the most creative and authentic costume.

Year 2 teacher Donna Hardy helped run the day. She said it was about teaching the children more about their heritage.

“I want them to realise that it wasn’t that long ago. We learn about the Romans, the Aztecs and that was thousands of years ago," she said.

“This happened so much more recently and it’s important for them to know about the sacrifices made.

“We’ve always had a strong focus on history here, Year 2 are studying famous people from the past, which includes Anne Frank, and Year 4 has studied the Aztecs.

“A lot of the children didn’t know much about Remembrance Day so this is giving them a context too and now it means something to them.

“The boys love learning about the war because of the fighting and the girls are always interested in different subjects.”

Donna said the children had been excited to wear the 1940s costumes.

“We’ve all been really impressed with the costumes the children have worn; lots of the staff members have dressed up as landladies," she said.

"It seems the pupils have really been encouraged in dressing up, some of the costumes are absolutely fantastic with the amount of effort the kids have gone to. It’s gone down really well with all the children."

The day started with Key Stage 1 students being taken into the main hall and re-enacting an evacuation.

“They were told they were being evacuated and mixed in with other year groups so they had an idea of what it may have felt like for children who had to go to different homes during the war,” said Donna.

Pupils then took part in a series of 1940s-themed activities including making flags and celebrating Victory in Europe Day at the end of the school day.