Year 6 Reflect on Remembrance through Powerful Learning Experiences

This week, Year 6 have deepened their understanding of Remembrance through two incredibly moving and thought-provoking experiences.

As part of their ongoing history and RE learning, the children took part in a virtual workshop with the National Army Museum, where they explored the significance of the poppy and its many forms. They learned about the different colours of poppies—including the purple poppy, which honours the service and sacrifice of animals in war, such as horses, dogs, pigeons, and even camels. The black poppy recognises the contributions of Black people in past and present conflicts, and the white poppy symbolises peace and a commitment to resolving conflict without violence.

They also discovered that in Scotland, the traditional poppy has four petals, and that other countries use different flowers to remember their fallen: the daisy in Belgium, marigold in India, forget-me-not in Germany, and the blue cornflower in France.

The session sparked rich discussion, including the question "Should everyone wear a poppy?" Pupils responded with thoughtful and respectful viewpoints, showing maturity and awareness of different perspectives.

The workshop also introduced the stories of four individuals who lived through or were affected by WWI:

• Sergeant Major Arthur Harrington, a decorated soldier who never met his newborn daughter after being recalled to the front.

• Worker Margaret Caswell, a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, killed during a Zeppelin air raid while sheltering in a trench.

• Sepoy Mohan Singh, a Sikh soldier who served with bravery during the Gallipoli campaign.

• Rifleman Frank Stupple, who survived the war but lived with lifelong injuries and challenges after being wounded.

On Monday, Year 6 visited Stonefall Cemetery for a guided tour with a representative from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. They learned about some of the hundreds of service personnel buried there, including one 17-year-old and many others in their early twenties. The guide shared powerful stories of courage, sacrifice, and the global scale of loss during the First and Second World Wars.

It was a deeply moving and humbling morning. The pupils left filled with gratitude and compassion, having walked in the footsteps of young people who gave so much for others.

As always, we are proud of the respectful and thoughtful way Year 6 engaged with such significant learning.