News

History Club Celebration Evening

Thank you to all the parents, teachers, and members of the public who joined the History Club to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our remarkable students on Wednesday night. Over the past year, students have been hard at work researching the local history of the First World War — and the results were nothing short of outstanding.

Each group spoke to our audience, sharing their research and stories with enthusiasm. It was a fantastic opportunity to speak in front of an audience, and the students were able to put nerves to one side to proudly present their projects. After the presentations, there was time to explore the exhibitions and to discuss with the groups what they had learned. A number of members of the public approached me to comment on how impressive the students were: how engaged they were, and how deeply they had explored their topics, rather than simply scratching the surface. Our students also enjoyed having the opportunity to chat with members of various local history groups.

Working in groups, students explored a range of themes: the changing roles of women, the challenges of food and rationing, the experiences of different nationalities at home, and the role of the Warwickshire Regiment. Using a mixture of contemporary and secondary sources from original letters and newspapers to photographs and personal accounts, they demonstrated impressive research skills and a real passion for uncovering hidden histories.

Their commitment to genuine historical research has been commendable, as has their ability to work well with one another. Each group included students from a range of different year groups, which allowed them to collaborate, share ideas, and support one another. The quality of the research, the creativity of the displays, and the thoughtfulness behind every panel and object were exceptional.

Most importantly, our students have shown a real love of history. They’ve demonstrated that history is not just about kings and queens, dates and battles — it’s about people, stories, and connections. And through their work, they’ve shown us how the past still resonates in our local area today.

The projects have been submitted as part of the Western Front Association’s Malcolm Doolin Memorial Award for Local History. We are awaiting the results, but regardless of the outcome, it is clear how much the students have gained from the experience.

Mrs Palmer