GCSE History WWI Battlefields Trip to Belgium – September 2024

Early Friday morning, 42 Year 11 History students travelled to Belgium and France to visit Ypres and the Somme to learn about and see the key battlefield sites they are studying in History.

We were accompanied by a WWI expert teacher and a veteran army officer, who gave incredible insights into the history of each battle and brought to life the reality for men and women on the frontline in the trenches, the support trenches and the hospitals.

At the end of the trip we visited Thiepval War Memorial, we searched out Cyril Groome, an alumnus of KEVI, killed on the Somme. Following a thoughtful speech from our military veteran, Rick; Jack Law laid a wreath on behalf of all the students and staff at King Edwards and we all held a minutes’ silence. It was a very emotional and poignant moment for everyone.

We couldn’t have been prouder of our Year 11s on this trip: they were an absolute credit to the school. Many of the students vowed to return to the battlefields with friends and families to explore it further and ensure that the names of those who died here are never forgotten by King Edward VI School.