School pupils mark centenary at new Memory Bench

During the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday the school took part in an Art Day, where teachers helped the children use their creative skills to create poppies and to understand the significance of the poppy.

They also invited in Palace Theatre actor Jacks Burrows to deliver a whole school assembly and class workshops, so they could learn about the impact of the Great War.

This activity supported an earlier presentation by local resident, Jo Riley who came to talk to years three and four about local young people who volunteered during the Great War.

The children learned how local MP Sir Arthur Markham instigated a change in the law.

He ensured underage recruits were sent home and were unable to fight in future overseas conflicts. Jo told them about her exhibition this year in the Four Seasons Shopping Centre so they could come and see it to learn more.

The children also held a minute's silence at the school’s new Memory Bench, which holds a plaque to commemorate the local people who lost their lives in the Great War.

This bench was funded by a Nottinghamshire County Council Commemoration grant.

Kate Watson, Oak Tree Primary School Consultative and future Head, said: “We were pleased to be awarded a Nottinghamshire County Council Commemoration grant to install a Memory Bench on our school site.

"Our children learned a great deal about Remembrance from Jo Riley’s talk, the Palace Theatre workshops and our Art Day.

"We hope they will think about the things they have learned, on Remembrance Sunday, about the meaning of the poppy and what it signifies.”