PUPILS were transported back to the past when they took part in an event to mark Armistice Day.

The students from Brighton Hill Community School participated in a range of activities throughout the day on November 11 which were linked to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

Staff wore period dress and adapted the entire curriculum for the day to fit the WW1 theme. Lessons included making lead solder bullets in science, writing letters home from the trenches in English, and looking at co-ordinates and code breaking in maths.

The performing arts faculty organised a poster- making workshop, acting out World War One scenes and learning traditional wartime songs.

Veterans from the Royal British Legion and visitors from Milestones Museum were welcomed, and took part in an assembly to remember those who lost their lives during the war. A two-minute silence took place at 11am, led by David Buttle, president of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

Each student then spent time writing a message of peace on a symbolic poppy, which were used to create a memorial display at the school.

Headteacher Charlie Currie said: “We wanted to create a day which appropriately marked the centenary whilst also being meaningful to the students.

“They enjoyed seeing the staff dressed up, and the 1914 themed lessons gave the students a sense of what life would have been like at the beginning of the 20th century.

“The involvement of the entire school helped to underline the importance of this solemn and momentous occasion.”

Amy-Claire Willis, head of citizenship, added: “Whether studying Edith Carvell in history or learning how to waltz in dance, the WWI Centenary has been the theme to all of the lessons. Staff and students fully embraced the day, whether during drills and the assault course in PE or making pencil cases and creating a tapestry in technology – even the canteen served a themed lunch.

“Not only was it an enjoyable day, but it also completely engaged the students who now have a far greater understanding of that era and what it meant for the country to be at war.”