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Battlefields Trip to Ypres, Belgium – May 2025
At the beginning of May, a group of 36 Year 8, 9 and 10 students travelled to Ypres, Belgium, on what would be a memorable and moving history trip to deepen their understanding of the First World War. The trip began with a visit to Langemark German Cemetery, which offered a poignant contrast to the Commonwealth cemeteries that we had passed on our way. With its dark stone, mass graves and solemn atmosphere, it provided a sombre reminder of the war’s impact on all sides.
Students then visited the In Flanders Field Museum, where students explored powerful interactive exhibits that brought the realities of trench warfare to life. Personal stories, original artefacts, and immersive visuals gave each pupil a deeper appreciation of the scale and human cost of the conflict.
In the evening, we attended the Last Post at the Menin Gate, a monumental memorial to the missing soldiers of the Ypres Salient. Here, we paused to reflect on the thousands of names inscribed on the walls—each representing a life lost without a known grave.
On our second day we began by holding our memorial service in honour of the school’s Old Boys who died in the war at Tyne Cot cemetery. A wreath was laid following the tribute paid by the students to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice paid by our Old Boys.
Later, students explored the preserved trenches at Hill 62, which gave them an insight into the daily conditions faced by soldiers on the Western Front.
The day concluded at the Passchendaele Museum, where reconstructed trenches and detailed displays helped students to further visualise the harrowing conditions soldiers endured.
The trip provided a powerful and unforgettable insight into the First World War, leaving students with a renewed sense of respect and remembrance.
Written by Mrs Eccles