Prep 6 Step Back in Time at The Western Approaches War Museum

This week, Prep 6 visited the Western Approaches Museum in Liverpool for a fascinating and immersive exploration of life during the Second World War.

The day began with a tour of the underground bunker that once served as a real command centre during the war. Pupils explored a reconstructed street of Liverpool, comparing which shops stayed open and which closed during the Blitz, and were amazed to see a real bomb on display. They learned about the vital roles women took on while men served overseas and tried their hand at decoding Morse Code. The highlight of the morning was visiting the Main Operations Room, where the map used to track Allied and enemy movements remains preserved exactly as it was in 1945.

After lunch, pupils examined artefacts to infer whether the items belonged to an evacuee, submariner, warden, fire guard, soldier or home cook. They also watched the declaration of war and a news reel explaining what to do in an air raid, before learning about rationing and testing their knowledge in a wartime food quiz – discovering, to their surprise, that sawdust was sometimes used as a food substitute.

The day concluded with a walk to a nearby building that still bears bomb damage from the war. Pupils reflected on Liverpool’s resilience and courage during this period and left with a deeper appreciation of the city’s role in the Allied victory.

It was an inspiring and memorable day of discovery and learning.