Basildon schoolchildren visit battlefields in trip to France

Pupils in year 6, from Lee Chapel Primary School and Greensted Primary School, took part in a memorable and poignant five-day excursion to Northern France.

Visit - Pupils in Northern France (Image: Lee Chapel)

The students visited battlefields from the First World War and towns of Northern France as part of the Basildon "Forget Never" Project.

The schools said the trip included visiting an array of surviving trench systems, exploring the vast bomb craters, riding the Somme Train as well as visiting several fascinating museums.

Education - Pupils paying respect (Image: Lee Chapel)

Pupils searched for soldiers from Basildon at the Thiepval Memorial – the final resting place of more than 35,000 Allied soldiers in the war.

Learning - Part of the Basildon Forget Never Project (Image: Lee Chapel)

They also took part in a memorable ceremony at Loghnagar Crater by laying a wreath on behalf of the schools in front of more than two thousand people paying their respects.

Visit - Children at the Thiepval Memorial (Image: Lee Chapel)

During the evenings, the schoolchildren toured towns and villages of Northern France including Albert where the actual Battle of the Somme took place.

They even sampled several local restaurants where the children impressed with their flourishing linguistic skills.

Respect - Children laying a wreath (Image: Lee Chapel)

Ian Hampshire, executive director of learning at Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust, said: "This was a truly memorable educational trip for all involved and special praise must be given to the Lee Chapel and Greensted children whose maturity and attitude ensured they experienced something that will live long in their memories.

France - Pupils from Lee Chapel Primary School and Greensted Primary School (Image: Lee Chapel)

"Thanks must go too to Bob Sheridan and the Forget Never Project who organised and funded this superb trip."