Pupils experience life in World War 2

Pupils experienced mock air-raid shelters and food rationing during a World War 2 event.

Head of Design and Technology Stuart McKenzie ran the event at Holly Lodge School in Smethwick in a bid to highlight the significant contribution made by the Smethwick community during World War 2.

As well as experiencing mock air-raid shelters which featured realistic noises from the war, the Year 8 pupils also got to sample ration food and view war-time artefacts donated by the Smethwick Heritage Centre such as hand grenades, ration food tins, gas masks, air raid patrol bells and ammunition.

Pupils also learnt about local Smethwick heroes including William Savage who was an able seaman in the Royal Navy during World War 2 and also a recipient of the Victoria Cross.

The day concluded with pupils being taught about the Smethwick Spitfire and then went on to make their very own Smethwick Spitfire ornaments.

Latanya Campbell, Year 8 said: “Mr McKenzie put all of this together to make us learn about the war that happened in the 1940s and I think that’s amazing. I really enjoyed learning about the war and making the Spitfire ornament.”