My school days

Sean Webster – Liverpool street artist

The Royal British Legion, together with the National Literacy Trust, has launched a range of free teaching remembrance resources to help children and teenagers understand the importance of remembrance and its relevance to all of us today.

For 100 years, remembrance has reminded us of our shared history and the Legion’s new teaching resources will enable students from all backgrounds and communities to learn about the service and sacrifice of past and present generations.

Designed for use in school and at home, pupils can discover how Britain’s national remembrance traditions have evolved, engage in different community and national commemorations, and be encouraged to imagine what remembrance might look like for them in the future.

Strengthening an existing line of remembrance resources, the RBL’s 2021 teaching kits include new assembly plans, whole school projects and stories featuring award-winning authors Terry Pratchett and David Olusoga, each coming with helpful notes for parents and educators. The academic resources will enable students to learn how the poppy has become an enduring symbol of support for our armed forces, and can also be used in school assemblies to observe the twominute silence on 11 November.

Available in English and Welsh, the resources for key stages 1-5 are linked to the national curriculum to develop core reading skills and are differentiated for students depending on their age, interests, and ability.

Catherine Davies, head of remembrance at The Royal British Legion said: “The RBL’s new Remembrance teaching resources will help children to understand why people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds come together to remember the service and sacrifice of the armed forces community.

“For 100 years, remembrance has been part of the fabric of society and teachers can use these lessons, activities and assemblies to show the next generation why we remember not only those from past conflicts, but those who continue to protect us today.”

Fay Lant, head of school programmes at the National Literacy Trust, said: “We are proud to have developed a variety of new teaching resources for schools and parents that offer a range of creative, engaging ways to mark remembrance. Whether it’s taking part in the book club with stories from authors including Terry Pratchett and David Olusoga, or working with everyone in your school to develop a unique audio time capsule, there’s an activity to get everyone involved in remembrance.”

The Royal British Legion’s free teaching remembrance resources can now be downloaded on the RBL’s website: www.rbl.org.uk/teachingremembrance.