On Thursday 12 November 2015, Gateways to the First World War and the First World War in Schools Commemoration Project held a Continuing Professional Development event for teachers at the University of Kent. It included participation from outside speakers, including a representative of the government funded First World War Battlefield Tours programme at the Institute of Education, and the In Flanders Field Museum in Ypres. The event was attended by 15 teachers from the South East, as well as from Belgium.
The event lasted a day and included a lecture by Professor Mark Connelly on ‘Teaching the First World War in the Humanities’; a workshop taken by Dr William Butler on finding and using primary and local sources for teaching the First World War, and a session by Simon Bendry of the Battlefields tour programme on ‘Utilising First World War sites outside the classroom’. A short session was delivered about resources available to teachers and students at the In Flanders Fields Museum, when on battlefield visits to Ypres; as well as by the Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War project, run by the Maritime Archaeology Trust and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The event also provided teachers with a networking opportunity, and will contribute to the ongoing process of creating the First World War Teacher Network.
Feedback from the day was excellent with all participants rating the day as 4 or 5 out of 5, particularly commenting on the breadth of sessions, and their relevance to teaching the First World War in schools, as well as the opportunity for networking that the day permitted. When noting ‘ways to improve’ some commented that more regular events should be held, and that it would be useful to be shown and provided with additional teaching resources.
Downloadable resources:
'Primary Sources and Local Studies' by Dr William Butler (First World War Schools Project)
'Using First World War sites outside the classroom', by Simon Bendry (FWW Centenary Battlefield Tours Programme)
'Educational Services and Programmes: In Flanders Fields Museum Ypres 2015' by Femke Soetaert
'Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War' by Jose-Oscar Encuentra
