Our history department recently took 35 Year 9 students on a trip to Beamish Museum, where they explored a range of historical settings including the Victorian street, the 1950s town, and the pit village. As part of the visit, students also participated in a “Call to War” workshop designed to deepen their understanding of the First World War.
The workshop was highly engaging. Students were set the task of interviewing the villagers in the pit village to investigate why a young boy had chosen to enlist and fight on the front line in WW1. They threw themselves into the activity, asking thoughtful questions and piecing together the motivations and pressures faced by people at the time.
They also took part in a light‑hearted drill exercise, which certainly caught the attention of other visitors and added a fun, dynamic element to the day.
Our students had a fantastic experience and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to explore history in an immersive and hands‑on way that truly brought the past to life. They were an absolute credit to the academy throughout the visit.