On Friday, our Y6 children will embark on our highly anticipated annual visit to London, where they will take part in a variety of exciting activities, including a tour of Parliament. While this visit encompasses a broad range of learning, it also serves as a conclusion to our study of the Second World War, specifically focusing on the key history curriculum threads of Monarchy & Governance and The Story of Britain. Standing at the despatch box where Winston Churchill delivered his iconic "We shall fight on the beaches" speech, the children will be able to bring to bear a wealth of knowledge accumulated over several weeks.
Throughout this unit, we have explored the complex chronology of the war, as well as the roles of the Treaty of Versailles, the 1929 Stock Market Crash, and Neville Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement in bringing about its outbreak. The children have analysed pivotal turning points such as Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa and the attack on Pearl Harbour. As well as this the children have engaged in sophisticated debates, tackling deep historical questions such as whether the war was inevitable without Hitler’s influence.
To better understand the moral implications of the Nazi regime and its devastating effects on Jewish communities and other minorities in Europe, we also visited the National Holocaust Centre and Museum. This interactive journey followed the life of a young Jewish boy in 1930s Berlin, illustrating the intensifying persecution under Hitler’s policies. We were also incredibly fortunate to meet John Fieldsend, who shared his moving story of escaping Nazi-occupied Europe via the Kindertransport. John eventually found a home right here in Sheffield, fostered by a couple in Handsworth. His reflections on the loss of his family left a real impact on the children, who were highly praised by museum staff and John himself for their thoughtful, incisive questions.
This unit has not only built upon prior historical learning but has set a vital foundation for understanding modern history. To record this journey, the children have produced beautiful pieces of work that serve as a lasting testament to their hard work and and knoweldge.
