Bringing the past to life

Pupils and staff at Witchampton First School held a World War II Day, in which they learned about the history of the conflict and finished the day with the performance of a play and singing for parents.

Pupils and staff at Witchampton First School held a World War II Day, in which they learned about the history of the conflict and finished the day with the performance of a play and singing for parents.

A village school transported its pupils back in time when it took them to the 1940s and the Second World War.

Witchampton First School held a World War II Day to teach the children what it was like to live in a war-torn Britain.

All the children and staff wore 1940s style clothes and were tasked with organising a tea party using rationing – just like their great grandparents would have done seven decades ago.

Head of Witchampton First School, Cathie Bolton, said: “We feel it is very important that this generation learns about this momentous time in our country’s recent history.

“Our day showed that although times were tough for our grandparents and great grandparents there was also a show of immense resilience and spirit.”

The World War II Day started with the children making their own ration books.

They then had to create a shopping list of what limited ingredients they could buy for a tea party under rationing.

Using their maths problem solving skills they tackled their small budget and worked out the ratio and proportions they could buy.

Groups of children then went to the local shop with their ration books to buy the items needed for the tea party.

Joining in with the spirit of the day, the shop staff stamped the children’s ration books and used authentic scales for weighing the required loose ingredients.

The children then helped cook and prepare the food for a tea party that was attended by their parents who also joined in the fun by dressing in 1940s clothes.

This special day culminated in a WWII-themed performance from the children.

Teacher Emma Richardson added: “It was really quite eerie walking around the school that day as it really looked like time had stood still. It was a moving occasion for all.”

Witchampton First School is in the village of Witchampton, which has a population of just 398 and is situated five miles north of Wimborne.

It is one of seven First and Middle schools in Wimborne Academy Trust (WAT), along with Allenbourn Middle School, Colehill First School, Hayeswood First School, Merley First School, St Michael’s Middle School and St John’s First School.

WAT was formed in March 2015. All of its academies are rated either Good or Outstanding.

 

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