Pupils at the Island Free School were recently joined by 20 members of the Ventnor and wider community for a special event to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.
A group of pupils from the school have been working with Lisa Kerley from Carisbrooke Castle Museum and Estelle Baker from the Isle of Wight Council’s Heritage Service this year during their enrichment lesson on a Tuesday afternoon to learn about the Second World War on the Isle of Wight.
As part of the project they have visited the IW Military History Museum and explored the archive at Ventnor Heritage Centre.
Bridging the age gap
Pupils hosted a 1940s reminiscence session at the Wellbeing Cafe in the Green Room in Ventnor using objects from the collection of Carisbrooke Castle Museum, meeting people who lived through the war.
The project also provided the opportunity for them to conduct a recorded oral history interview with older people who shared their memories of growing up as a child during the war.
A celebration of their work
The event held in school was a culmination and celebration of the pupils work on the project and an opportunity to share memories sparked by objects and photographs from the museum’s handling collections.
Special guests were invited along to share their own personal stories and family experiences of wartime with the pupils. So many wonderful stories were shared – the sound of doodlebugs, having your school lessons in the shelter, getting hit by shrapnel on a trip to get your sweet ration and celebrating VE Day in Trafalgar Square.
Memorabilia shared
Many of the guests brought their own memorabilia along to show the children including a Victory tankard, Victory spoon, National Identity Card and photographs of relatives who served in the war.
The guests were also treated to live music from the school jazz band and a Victory style afternoon tea served by the pupils.
One participant said,
“This has brought history alive for the children and for us older people it was a chance to go back into our memories.
“School is very different now to when we were young. It’s been lovely to be invited into a school to meet the pupils, they are so smart, polite and just lovely.”
Boyd: Moments like those are incredibly special
Joanne Boyd, lead teacher for the project at the Island Free School, said,
“It was so lovely to see how the children engaged so thoughtfully and warmly with the visitors, sharing stories and memories.
“Moments like those are incredibly special and will stay with the children for a long time.”
Kerley: This kind of work really helps to break down stereotypes
Project manager, Lisa Kerley, said,
“I’ve been delighted to see the children grow in confidence about interacting with older people. This kind of work really helps to break down stereotypes – on both sides.
“These pupils have shown a genuine care and curiosity about the lives of the older people they’ve met through our project.
“This in turn has made the older people feel respected and valued. The children have developed new skills and also learned so much about this time in history from the very people who lived through it.
“One of the best outcomes is that the project has inspired is that the children want to do more intergenerational activities in their community.”
This activity was taking place as part of the VE Day 80 project at Carisbrooke Castle Museum funded by Arts Council England and the Museums and Schools Programme.
News shared by Lisa, in her own words. Ed
