STUDENTS from The Skipton Academy have recently returned from Belgium and France where they visited several battlefields and memorials of the First World War.

So much more than an educational trip, it was an immersive experience for the students who were brought closer to the realities of the past and were given a perspective on the terrible costs of war which far exceeded what they can learn from textbooks.

First stop for the students was Ypres, Belgium, and the Essex Farm Cemetery, the resting place of more than 1,200 soldiers, including Lieutenant-Colonel Dr John McCrae, a Canadian physician and poet who wrote 'In Flanders Fields'.

Written after the death of a close friend, the poem became one of the most iconic pieces of literature from the First World War, embodying sentiments of loss and remembrance. Students observed how the simple beauty of the surrounding poppy fields inspired McCrae, creating a poignant atmosphere that endures to this day.

Essex Farm also served as an advanced dressing station during the Great War, located as it was, a short distance from the front line. The students learnt how soldiers received first aid at the station before being returned to combat, or transferred to field hospitals.

There was also a visit to the St Julien Canadian Memorial, a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by Canadian forces during the second battle of Ypres. It was there where chemical warfare was first introduced, with mustard gas drifting across the fields towards allied forces in 1915. Without gas masks, the Canadian soldiers displayed immense bravery, learnt the students, holding their ground despite overwhelming casualties. It brought home the grim realities of war tactics and highlighted the sacrifices made by young men far from home.

At Langemark, students were introduced to a different perspective on war. Known as the 'student cemetery,' it was the final resting place for more than 44,000 German soldiers, including 3,000 student volunteers who lost their lives in 1914.

The dark gravestones and overhanging trees gave the cemetery a distinctly sombre tone, contrasting with other cemeteries, and it was a powerful lesson in understanding how both sides endured immense loss, prompting the Skipton students to reflect on the universal impact of conflict.

In the Somme sector, students explored the Thiepval Memorial, the largest Commonwealth memorial to missing soldiers. Constructed between 1928 and 1932, the towering structure bears the names of more than 72,000 soldiers with no known graves. Walking beneath the arches of the memorial, students gained a sense of the staggering scale of loss that the Battle of the Somme represented.

A visit to Vimy Ridge provided insight into the contributions of Canadian forces during the war. Here, the Canadian Corps employed innovative tactics, such as the “creeping barrage,” to secure victory. The site commemorates the nearly 3,600 Canadians who died taking Vimy Ridge, a pivotal moment in Canada’s military history that became a symbol of national pride and sacrifice. Students observed that each fallen Canadian is honoured with a maple tree, a living tribute that underscores the lasting respect for those who served.

A spokesperson for The Skipton Academy said: "This trip left a profound impact on the students and fostered a deeper appreciation for the cost of war and the importance of remembrance. It provided them with a personal connection to the history they study in the classroom, encouraging empathy and a sense of global citizenship. Standing on these historic grounds, surrounded by silent memorials, the students were reminded of the resilience of those who endured unimaginable hardship and were inspired by the message of peace that these sites represent today.

"As students returned, they carried with them not just facts and figures, but a newfound respect for history and a responsibility to keep the memory of the past alive. We thank the dedicated teachers and organisers for making this meaningful experience possible."