Beyond the battlefields: how to get the most from your school trip to Ypres & Somme

The battlefields of Ypres and Somme are powerful and poignant destinations for history school trips, offering students the opportunity to learn about and honour the sacrifices of the past.

Located on the borders of Belgium and France, respectively, these areas were the sites of major battles during the First World War and are home to a number of memorials, cemeteries, and museums dedicated to preserving the memory of those who lost their lives.

There are several ways to enhance your battlefields trip to France and Belgium even further, however. In this blog, we’ll outline how your group can get the most out of your visit to Ypres and Somme – at no additional cost.

Commemorate the fallen soldiers of WWI at Menin Gate’s Last Post Ceremony

A visit to the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres is an essential stop to allow students to reflect upon the events of World War I in a meaningful and educational way, as one of four in the region dedicated to the missing soldiers in Belgian Flanders. This is made all the more poignant at 8pm each evening when the surrounding road is closed, allowing buglers of the Last Post Association to sound the Last Post Ceremony in the roadway under the Memorial’s arches.

Reveal personal connections to the battlefields and connect present to the past

We know that one of the most difficult aspects of a school trip to the battlefields is making it relatable and memorable to your students on a more personal level. However, there is one powerful resource can really help drive home the collective efforts of soldiers from all over the world: the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

This incredible collection of records offers your class the opportunity to trace soldiers from the First World War who were their ancestors, or soldiers from their hometown. This can be a deeply personal and emotional experience for students, as they connect with the past in a very real way. What’s more, many of the memorials and cemeteries are organised by country or region, making it possible for students to easily search for and pay tribute to those who hailed from their own communities.

Inspire your students through soldiers’ daily life in the trenches

Even in the most sombre and unexpected of situations, the soldiers of the First World War sought a level of enjoyment during their time in the trenches. This is no better documented than in The Wipers Times: a satirical newspaper created by soldiers after they found a damaged – but operational – printing press in Ypres.

Brimming with gallows humour, the newspaper (named after the army slang for Ypres) offers a unique perspective of the war and the soldiers who fought in it; its original copy from 12 February 1916 can be found at the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres.

By exploring the content of the newspaper and the context in which it was produced, students can deepen their understanding of the realities of war and the role that humour played in the lives of soldiers on the front lines.

Uncover the beautiful regions of Ypres and Somme

In addition to the benefits of education and emotional intelligence your students will gain from a school trip to the battlefields of Ypres and Somme, your group will also have the opportunity to explore the region’s beautiful and historic cities and towns. While Ypres is, in its own right, known for its medieval architecture and cultural attractions, Somme is home to a number of charming villages and beautiful countryside – as well as the historic town of Amiens.

Look beyond the battlefields to boost your students’ understanding of this key time in history

A school trip to the battlefields of Ypres and Somme is always an excellent way for students to learn about and honour the sacrifices of the past, while also exploring the beauty and culture of Belgium and France. No wonder it’s one of our most popular school trips!

However, uncovering the soldiers’ connections to your students, as well as exploring their day-to-day lives in the trenches, add a meaningful touch to trips, inspiring students to consider their own place in history, as well as the world around them.

To find out more about our history school trips to Ypres & Somme, or enquire about a battlefields trip of your own, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.