Spotlight on Ypres & the Somme: A Study of War on the Western Front
A region of First World War battlefields, cemeteries, memorials and war museums, there are few places in Europe better suited for studying WWI than Ypres and the Somme. However, with so many excursions to choose from, we know it can be difficult to choose between them all. Fortunately, that’s where we come in!
At Equity, we’ve several years’ experience sending school groups to France and Belgium to further their history studies, and can recommend landmarks and sights to align with the specific educational goals of your class.
In this blog, we'll provide you with all the information you need to plan a school trip to these historic regions, so you feel best informed when it comes to crafting your itinerary and budget. We’ll explore the learning objectives covered, provide suggestions for cost-effective activities to fill your schedule, and outline some anticipated everyday expenses. Read on to find out everything you need to know about a school trip to Ypres and the Somme.
Learning objectives covered by school trips to Ypres & the Somme
GCSE History
Our school trips to Ypres & the Somme cover several learning outcomes that align with the AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, or OCR specifications for GCSE History, including the following:
AQA: Conflict and tension: the First World War, 1894–1918
- The Western Front – military tactics and technology, including trench warfare; the war of attrition; key battles, including the Somme and Passchendaele, the reasons for, the events and significance of these battles.
Pearson (Edexcel): The Western Front during the First World War and the Battle of the Somme (1916)
- The nature of trench warfare and war of attrition; reasons for the outcome of the Somme; role of General Haig.
Eduqas: Empire, Reform and War: Britain, 1890-1918; Development of Warfare in Britain
- The Western Front – What was life like on the Western Front during the First World War? Tactics on the Western Front.
- Changes in tactics and strategy – The development of entrenched warfare in the First World War.
OCR: The First and Second World Wars
- Types of war: trenches, battles, the sea, the air, different fronts in the First World War
By walking in the footsteps of the brave soldiers who fought in battlefield sites across France and Belgium, your students will take on a new perspective of the roles in these catastrophic events, promoting better learning outcomes and understanding within your class.
Free things to do in Ypres & the Somme for schools
Ypres offers several free activities and attractions that schools can enjoy:
Ypres: Menin Gate & the Last Post Ceremony
A prominent symbol of the First World War, Menin Gate has the names of almost 55,000 missing British soldiers engraved on its walls. We recommend visiting with your students in the evening; at 8pm each night, buglers of the local fire brigade play The Last Post as a ceremonial final salute to the fallen soldiers of WWI, providing a humbling experience for your students.
Ypres: Yorkshire Trench and Dugout
Discovered within a modern industrial site in 1992 using a metal detector, Yorkshire Trenches exhibit the horrors of war and provide school groups with unique insights into the realities of life at war. Here, student groups are presented with a poignant reminder of the terrible conditions endured by soldiers during WWI, and an educational experience they won’t forget.
Ypres: Tyne Cot Cemetery
The largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world – for any war – Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing commemorates British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander and South African soldiers lost in the First World War. Buried here are several recipients of the Victoria Cross – the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system.
Ypres: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Designated as a strategic site for the wounded in the Ypres Salient, Lijssenthoek played a crucial part in the First World War. We recommend downloading the official smartphone app to accompany your students’ walk through the cemetery, which will deepen their understanding of the site through real examples of people such as Nurse Jane and gardener Tom.
Ypres: Poperinge Death Cells
A moving experience for students, the Poperinge Death Cells will give your group an insight into the terrible treatment of soldiers who were kept here prior to their execution for reasons of cowardice and desertion. The cells also offer a unique opportunity to discuss the unimaginable impact of fighting on the frontlines among your students, and how our understanding of this has changed over the last century.
Ypres: Langemark German Military Cemetery
Behind the monumental gate of rosy sandstone at Langemark German Military Cemetery are the graves of over 44,000 German soldiers who fell in vain in October 1914 during military attempts to approach Ypres. During your visit, students can learn about the journey and the lives of the fallen soldiers, 3,000 of which were cadets and student volunteers of the 22nd to 27th Reserve Corps.
Somme: Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park
Dedicated to the Dominion of Newfoundland forces members who were killed during the First World War, the Beaumont-Hamel Memorial encompasses the grounds over which the Canadian province’s regiment made their unsuccessful attack in the Battle of the Somme. Here, students can learn about the regiment’s first major war engagement, while paying their respects to the fallen soldiers.
Before planning any of the above activities, it's a good idea to check if there are any specific requirements or restrictions in place – especially considering the historical significance of sites in Ypres and the Somme.
How much do every day items cost in Ypres (2024)?
- Coffee: €3.10
- Burger and fries in a fast food restaurant: €9.20
- Belgian waffle (takeaway): €2–5, depending on toppings
- Belgian fries: around €3-5
Ready to book your next school trip to Ypres & the Somme?
Give your students’ textbook learning further context with a history-focused visit to Ypres & Somme, where they can inspect artefacts, pay tribute to the fallen at the mass graves, and visit the remnants of the First World War that still scar the landscape today.
By focusing on the nature, process, and conclusion of the First World War, our history school trips to these regions seek to further students’ understanding of WWI, and the sheer volume of lives impacted by it.
To find out more about our school trips to Ypres and the Somme, or enquire about booking a school trip, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.
