Trip to RAF Cosford
On a Sunny Tuesday, we went to RAF Cosford to learn about World War I and II. We got on the bus at 09:00 am and got there at 09:50.
On arrival, we waited for the other two schools who were also taking part in the Evacuee Day. Once they got there, we were taken into an auditorium where all the children sat and were told that we were now evacuees from World War II. Then, two teachers from each school were called on to the stage. The Billeting Officer walked up and down inspecting them saying which ones were scruffy or had nits and which might be selected to go to live with a host family. It was funny but also made us think how the children may have felt.
After that, we went on to the first Workshop during which we learnt about how and where the children were evacuated. Using our maths knowledge, we worked out the time that it took to get there and how far they had to travel. We then did some geography work, using large ordnance maps, and a compass to explore how far the children travelled.
Then, we explored some of the planes, we tried to find some facts about them.
After lunch, we went to the next Workshop which was a school classroom. When we got there, we were told not to open the desks but some people opened the desks and got a detention. Matias and Harrison T were identified as German spies. We learnt more about life as an evacuee, learning that some got sent abroad whilst others went to the country and never returned home! We also learnt that some of those on boats got torpedoed and many people were killed.
Before leaving, we were able to explore and try the artefacts such as gas masks and military clothing. We also looked at children’s toys and games. Eva said it was an interesting day which gave us an idea of life as a child during the war.
Written by Harrison T and Freddie