PUPILS at a Northwich primary school paid their respects to soldiers past and present at a special Remembrance service. 

On Friday, November 10, youngsters from Kingsmead Primary School, on Duke’s way, left their classrooms after a one-minute silence at 11am, then processed to Kingsmead War Memorial.

Ninety students from years five and six then laid wreaths made from recycled paper, to tie in with the new design of this year’s plastic-free poppy by the Royal British Legion.

Alex Harper, who teaches brass instruments at the school, played the Last Post on his trumpet, followed by another two-minute silence before the children made their way back to class.

Northwich Guardian: Ninety pupils attended the ceremony at Kingsmead War Memorial on November 10Ninety pupils attended the ceremony at Kingsmead War Memorial on November 10 (Image: Kingsmead Primary School)

This was the first Remembrance Day for the school under new head teacher, Lisa Rutter-Brown, who took up the reins in September, making her the school’s second ever head.

She said: “It’s so important the young ones understand what’s happened in our history.

"There are things we don’t want to repeat, which make it important we remember.

“It helps us to look forward.Northwich Guardian: Each child at the school - 320 in all - made a poppy for the wreathsEach child at the school - 320 in all - made a poppy for the wreaths (Image: Kingsmead Primary School)

 

“We have children whose great grandparents fought in those wars, and they’ve been able to come into school and share some of their stories, which has been wonderful.  

“As this year is the first time in 30 years the design of the Royal British Legion poppy has changed, all 320 puils at the school made one each from recycled paper, which were then used to make the wreaths. 

“As an environmentally friendly school, this really supported our own ethos, which is all around caring for the environment.

Northwich Guardian: Remembrance themes had play a big part in the students' learning in recent monthsRemembrance themes had play a big part in the students' learning in recent months (Image: Kingsmead Primary School)

“Years five and six were very much able to engage with the ceremony because they’ve been studying a topic on conflict.

“As part of that, we were able to find out about people living locally who died in the First and Second World Wars. We found out what happened to them, and which regiment they were in, and things like that.

“They then presented what they had found out, and this now on displayed in our school hall.”