Marking VE Day across the Trust

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, students in academies and the College learnt about the Second World War, how it came to an end and the experiences of family members. Here is a snapshot of some of the activities that took place.

Hillingdon Hospital Supported Intern students

To commemorate VE Day, interns on the College’s Hillingdon Hospital Supported Internship programme watched a short film of Winston Churchill’s famous speech and other scenes from the 1945 celebrations. They followed this with a board game that tested their knowledge of World War II.

The day ended with a traditional British tea party, enjoyed alongside colleagues from the hospital including The Overseas Department, HATS Transport, Porters, and Outpatients teams. It was a meaningful opportunity to come together and celebrate events of 80 years ago.

Bedelsford School Picnic and Military Historian visit

Bedelsford School transformed the school car park into a special picnic spot to celebrate Victory in Europe Day- and what a celebration it was!

Classes came together with specially made tablecloths and place mats, a tasty themed school dinner and plenty of community spirit. It was a joy to see so many of the school community dressed in red, white and blue, honouring history while creating happy new memories.

Pupils also had a visit from a 20th-century historian who focuses on the period 1910-1960. He brought his collection of military artefacts and classes enjoyed learning about how camouflage, helmets and hats had helped protect soldiers.

Pupils spent a hands-on, multi-sensory morning exploring remarkable artefacts that brought history to life. They examined the sturdy helmets worn by soldiers during the tumultuous years 1939-45, each piece telling stories of bravery and resilience.

They also got to see first-hand how tarpaulins could be used individually as a cloak or joined together to make shelters from the elements. Pupils were also fascinated to try on backpacks and look at tin mugs and water bottles.

The Skills Hub VE Day Window Display

Students at The Skills Hub created a stunning window display to mark the anniversary of VE Day. Visitors to the school were greeted by the display which decorates the windows above the main entrance as a reminder to the momentous events celebrated 80 years ago.

Supported Intern students at Hillingdon Council

Supported Intern students from the College who are working at Hillingdon Council embarked on a project to explore their own family histories.

They researched what life was like for their relatives during World War II, uncovering personal stories and gaining a deeper appreciation for the experiences of those who lived through that time.

You can read their fascinating findings below: