Cheadle Academy Students Pay Tribute to WWI Soldiers at the Menin Gate

July 2017

38 students from The Cheadle Academy travelled to Ypres, Belgium 14th-17th July to pay tribute to fallen WWI soldiers. Three students, Peter Walford, Jessica Hyde and Evan Tighe, were selected from the group to lay a wreath on behalf of The Cheadle Academy at the Menin Gate on Saturday evening. These students were selected based on their outstanding application letters. Peter Walford, Year 8, said, ‘it’s the best thing I have ever done.’ All students were proud to represent the Academy on this momentous occasion. Jessica Hyde exclaimed that she felt, ‘privileged and extremely proud.’

Laura Allsopp, Head of Humanities commented, ‘I was so proud of our students and how they conducted themselves. All students wore their uniform with pride and demonstrated, as we would expect, the highest levels of behaviour.’

Students also had the opportunity to visit the surrounding battlefields of the First World War, where they reflected upon the consequences of war and the importance of remembrance. All involved felt that they had gained a much deeper insight into the horror and complexities of war and although this was, at times, a thought provoking and emotional experience, they are very much looking forward to their next history visit to Dunkirk and Normandy next year.