“Our young lads and lasses are doing their bit for the war effort. Scouts and Guides serve as messengers and fire-watchers, keeping a steady watch for danger. School children carry on with their lessons. School rooms may be crowded, blackout curtains drawn tight and air-raid drills a daily routine – but it’s business as usual for Britain’s brave youngsters.“
George and his friends are still going to school, but things are very different because of the war. There are air-raid drills every day and everyone has to wear a gas mask to practice being prepared for an attack.
Embed from Getty ImagesSchool might be crowded with fewer teachers, as many have joined the war effort and some lessons are even held outside or in different buildings like churches. Robbie, who’s been evacuated to the countryside, shares in a letter that his school is so full with evacuees that they’ve had to take lessons in shifts.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt school, Mrs. Cass, a teacher who used to teach there years ago, has replaced Mr. Smart, who was called to the navy. But even with all the changes, there are some fun moments, like when the class learns about “Digging for Victory” and a huge marrow brought in by Hector. However, things take an unexpected turn when Duke, Peter’s dog, sneaks into the classroom and eats the marrow! The whole class laughs, and even Hector finds it funny since he’s had enough of marrows at home.
There are some lighthearted moments about school life, like Peter joking about carrying his gas mask everywhere, even to the toilet! But despite all the changes, the kids are making do and keeping their spirits up.
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorge writes in his journal…
“It was gas masks for all – 38 million were given out – one for every adult and child – they even made special ones for babies. And horses too! That was quite a sight! Some were quite colourful, like the red and blue ‘Micky Mouse’ mask given to little children. Over 2,000 school buildings were taken over for war use, and with one in five of the country’s schools damaged by bombing, classroom space got smaller and smaller. Air raids would stop lessons, sometimes for hours and that meant some kids just stopped turning up. And what about the stationery? Good luck finding a pencil! It’s no wonder that by the end of the war many children just hadn’t learned as much as they should have – and some never would catch up.“
Next time: The Blitz Kids will be “Digging for Victory” at home, helping increase food production during the war.
Do this…
School life continued throughout the war but with big changes including shared classrooms, fewer teachers, gas mask drills and lessons in unusual places like churches or outside! This activity explores what it was like to be a wartime pupil. Get started here!
Can you spot this?
This strange looking object is the remains of a fireplace. It was part of a row of cottages that were obliterated and stands as a reminder of the Blitz.
See if you can spot it in Vincent Street, SW1P in Westminster.
