Millbrook Primary School Represents UK In Battle Of The Somme Education Programme

Millbrook Primary School, Newport has been selected to represent Wales and the UK in a special education programme to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As living memory of what was one of the deadliest battles of the First World War fades, the programme – designed by the British Council – aims to raise awareness of the significance of World War One and the importance of UK-France relations in continuing peace and stability in Europe today. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Millbrook Primary will forge partnerships with schools in the Somme region in France to allow pupils from both countries to discuss their shared history, build friendships and to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Battle of the Somme, 100 years on. The highlight of the programme will be a face to face workshop for all of the schools involved in July 2016. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Lindsey Watkins, Head teacher said: “We are honoured to be chosen to take part in this special event to commemorate those who lost their lives 100 years ago. The children have worked alongside their French school partners questioning, researching, designing and sharing. The children have learned so much about the First World War even helping to reconstruct their own WWI trench within the school grounds. The work has brought learning to life and has really helped the school to embrace the recommendations of The Donaldson Report and the new curriculum in Wales. We are very grateful to The British Council and The Department for Media and Sport for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It has truly moved and inspired our whole school learning community.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Julia Handelman-Smith at the British Council, commented: “The Battle of the Somme is one of the most tragic battles of the First World War, in which more than one million men were lost. By engaging young people with their shared history, they can build understanding, skills and friendships for the future. These are essential elements for a peaceful and prosperous Europe.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

‘Councillor Gail Giles, Newport City Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, said: “It is so important that our young people appreciate our history. This is a fantastic way of sparking their interest in a fun and inspiring way and ensures not only an understanding of such important events but also keeps the memory alive for future generations. I am delighted that a Newport school has been chosen to take part in this exciting programme and congratulate Millbrook Primary School and Head Teacher, Lindsey Watkins.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The programme is financed by the Department of Media and Sport and delivered in partnership with the French Académie of Amiens and the Mission for the Centenary of the First World War. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The British Council has also created a special education pack for schools to commemorate the Battle of the Somme. The pack contains resources to help students develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the conflict. It covers topics including experiences of the Somme from around the Commonwealth, Pals Battalions, conscription, recruitment and remembrance today. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​