For four days in October, the entire UIV year group explored Northern France and Western Belgium in a joint French and History trip that aimed to deepen their understanding of the First World War, while also allowing them to experience French culture.

We set out in the early hours on Monday morning through pouring rain but made quick progress to the charming city of Ypres in Belgium. This was the only city in this country not conquered by the Germans in 1914 and would be held by the British and Empire forces for the next four years, against repeated German attacks. The scale of the fighting was so immense that one quarter of all British losses in the war fell in the fields around this small city, that was erased from the landscape by German shellfire. The last 110 years has seen the city rebuilt and the students enjoyed exploring the historic sites and eating the wonderful food!

Over two days of improving weather, trenches were walked through, bunkers were looked into, uniforms were tried on and the experience of the young men who fought in Belgium was hopefully brought vividly to life for the UIV students. This was massively helped by our two wonderful battlefield guides, John and Julian, whose expertise and enthusiasm made sense of the sites that we visited. Many of the girls had come to Flanders with the names of relatives who had fought and died in the region. We made a point of visiting specific graves and memorials on the Ypres, Arras and Loos battlefields, so that these students could pay their respects to their relatives. We also remembered the young men and women of all nations who were caught up and destroyed in this global conflict. Three students, Delphina, Cosima and Bea, laid a wreath at the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres, as part of the daily service of remembrance.

Beyond the battlefields of the First World War, the students also got to experience life, entertainment and retail in contemporary Belgium and France. There was the opportunity to go bowling, eat in a range of restaurants and explore the market of Arras and the city centre of Lille. French students completed a quiz in Arras, using clues in the architecture and civic sites to complete tasks. They also got to enjoy the wonderfully summer like weather and appreciate French café culture, as the entire population of Arras seemed to bask in the evening sunshine. Lille was less sunny, but the imposing architecture and impressive shopping districts made up for the lack of warm weather, as the girls worked through a treasure hunt in groups, again exploring the city centre and interacting with local retailers.

The Eurotunnel brought the UIV students quickly home on the Thursday evening, eager to have a restful Half Term, after an action packed and culturally stimulating activities week. 

Mr Adrian Stoten - History Teacher