IWMN collaboration brings studies to life
Earlier this month, Year 8 students deepened their understanding of ‘WWI Poetry and Propaganda’ through an engaging collaboration with Imperial War Museum North (IWMN). This unique learning experience provided valuable historical context to support their study of wartime texts, helping students appreciate the powerful ways in which language and imagery were used during the conflict.
To enhance their learning, students were visited by Peter Higson, who provided a deeply personal insight into the realities of war. He shared original letters written by his great-grandfather, Private Arnold Ridings, who grew up in Walkden, worked in the Little Hulton mines, and ultimately lost his life at the Battle of Passchendaele. These first-hand accounts gave students a poignant connection to the emotions and experiences often depicted in war poetry, helping inform their class discussions and creative writing exercises.
In addition to the guest talk, students visited IWMN and later had the opportunity to engage with a First World War inspired kit bag, provided as a free learning resource by the museum. This specially curated kit contained a selection of real and replica artefacts, including:
- Gas masks
- Teddy
- Defaced army biscuit
- Items of uniform
- Communications from home.
Each of these objects could be handled and explored, providing a powerful interactive experience that allowed students to examine their significance within a historical context. This hands-on approach helped bring the reality of WWI to life, giving students a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by soldiers in the trenches over a century ago.
