Two Swindon primary schools brought history to life this week as pupils and staff came together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with song, dance, and community spirit.
At Orchid Vale Primary School, children from Years 4, 5 and 6 took centre stage with a rousing 1940s-style dance performance, choreographed by Emily Heath of Fusion Dance. With the whole school getting involved, the day saw pupils enjoying a traditional picnic and a sing-along to popular wartime tunes that would not have felt out of place on a 1945 wireless.
Meanwhile, over at Red Oaks Primary School, children dressed in red, white and blue to honour the occasion. The day began with an assembly helping pupils understand the historical significance of Victory in Europe Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Throughout the morning, classrooms buzzed with themed activities. From creative artwork to discussions about wartime resilience, the school took a thoughtful yet celebratory approach. A two-minute silence was observed in classrooms at noon, with parents and carers invited to join in this moment of reflection.
This was followed by a heart-warming family picnic on the school field. Grandparents, parents, siblings and friends joined pupils and staff to enjoy traditional games such as Snakes and Ladders, Jacks and Tic-Tac-Toe — a nod to the past and a celebration of simpler times.
As the picnic drew to a close, children led the crowd in a heartfelt rendition — and British Sign Language performance — of wartime classics Bless ’Em All, Pack Up Your Troubles, and We’ll Meet Again. Parents were encouraged to sing along, and many didn’t need much persuading.
To round off the day, every child at Red Oaks was handed a red, white and blue cupcake as a sweet keepsake of a day that blended history with happiness.
