Windsor High and the Battlefields

14th October 2025

In mid-September, students from Windsor High School and Sixth Form embarked on a memorable journey to the Battlefields of Belgium. This is a cherished tradition, beloved by the staff and students that get to embark upon the adventure. The trip, designed to enrich students' learning and cultural understanding of the First World War, saw students from years 10 and 11 start the day, bleary-eyed, at 4am, setting out for France and Belgium. By midday, we’d ventured through three countries.

The adventure began and ended in Ypres, where students stayed for the duration of the trip. They explored the In Flanders Field Museum and ended the day with the poignant Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate, where Windsor students respectfully laid a wreath as hundreds watched on in silence.

Day two took us across the battles of the Somme after we’d explored an underground museum, said to have been built hundreds of years ago. We then got to explore Thiepval War Memorial and Newfoundland Park, a site of immense sacrifice for Canadian soldiers, before resting in anticipation of day three.

The final day involved visits to a number of cemeteries, including Essex Farm, where John McCrae penned "In Flanders Field," and contrasting experiences at the Langemark German Cemetery and the vast Tyne Cot British Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world. By 8pm, after a quick stint on the ferry, we’d made it back to Windsor.

The trip was an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impression on both students and staff