Pupils experience life as an evacuee (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Pupils experience life as an evacuee

12:00am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Andover

PUPILS from Portway and Anton junior schools travelled back to the Second World War to experience an evacuation day.

The Year 6 pupils, who are studying Britain since the 1930s, were sent to each other’s schools for the day.

Dressed in 1940s costume with their lunch, gas masks and evacuee name labels they experienced life in a wartime classroom – participating in 1940s-style lessons and experiencing frequent ‘air raids’.

Vicky Windross, deputy headteacher at Portway, said: “Planning this kind of day is a thoroughly worthwhile activity and gives the children a real chance to understand how it might have felt to be evacuated to an unfamiliar environment.

“Both schools enjoy strong partnership with each other and staff are committed to finding inspirational ways for their pupils to learn in order to make subjects come alive.

“Staff at both schools commended the pupils for their exemplary behaviour, enthusiasm and friendliness.

Jon Nice, Portway teacher, said: “Year 6 had a fantastic time as evacuees.

“They took part in some authentic song singing, played traditional games, sketched their surroundings and followed orders from their PT drill instructor.”