Across Learning Blocks 7 and 8, Year 4 children enjoyed a trip to Waddesdon Manor to learn about the lives of young World War II evacuees there.

The children were astonished by the manor house and the size of the gardens, some even wondering if the King lived there!

Inside, the children used their knowledge of World War II from earlier this year to answer questions about what happened, when and where as well as who it affected.

It was revealed that Waddesdon Manor hosted 140 children aged five and under and were only given three days notice to get the house ready.

Photos from the time were shared, showing the children around the grounds of the house. The Year 4s learned that the young children, who were primarily rom nurseries in London, did a lot of walking to burn energy every day.

They also learned about the Cedar Boys, a group of teenage Jewish boys who were brought over from Germany in 1939 and stayed in a house just outside the Waddesdon Manor grounds.

After lunch, the chidren participated in some fun Word War II-era themed activities, including playing Happy Families, designing a World War II food mascot and even looking at the contents of an evacuee’s suitcase.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip for all, who gained an appreciation for learning about a real place that hosted so many evacuees.

Some of the children commented:

“It was great to see inside the house. It was massive!”

 

“There were so many big art paintings inside!”

 

“I loved the garden, the flowers were beautiful!”

 

“There were so many evacuees here!”