CHILDREN have been writing about their experiences at First World War battlefields in Belgium.

A group of year eight and 10 pupils from Cloughwood Academy visited sites surrounding the town of Ypres, which was the focus of sustained battles during the war.

The trip was undertaken by the school in recognition of the centenary of the outbreak of The First World War.

The aim of the visit was to help pupils to learn about what happened during the conflict and to understand the hardships and experience the soldiers went through.

During the trip pupils visited the battlefield sites at Hill 62, Bunkers and Battlefield Relics at Pond Farm (St Julien), the Preserved Trenches Museum, Memorials Ypres Ramparts Cemetery and the Menin Gate.

Since returning to school they have been researching the conflict in more detail and writing about their own experiences and how the trip has made them feel.

“Students have commented on how humbling the experience was, and how much more they appreciate their lives today, compared with those of the young soldiers,” said the school.