A must-see exhibition

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 13th of October 2014

The newly refurbished First World War galleries at the Imperial War Museum are a must-see for anyone interested in the centenary of this landmark conflict. For Upper Fifth students at St Benedict's School, who are writing their GCSE controlled assessments on the two world wars, a visit was even more essential.

The topic studied 'The British People at War' - is beautifully presented using all the artefacts for which the museum is famous, but placed in new displays which make clever use of available technology. In combination with the exhibition on family life in World War Two, students were able to examine the reasons why soldiers went off to fight, the experiences of the men, women and children who stayed behind, the impact of bombing, and the government's use of propaganda and censorship. Many students also took the opportunity to visit the exhibitions on the Holocaust, the Cold War, and conflicts in the present day.

Yet again we were reminded of how lucky we are to live in London, where great museums like this can enhance so vividly the work we do in the classroom.