Remembrance 2024: teaching resources and activities

Remembrance activities for schools

We're proud to be partnering with Royal British Legion again this year on a remarkable programme of events and resources to support Remembrance teaching and learning in schools.

These will include:

• Poetry workshops on Tuesday 1 October 2024, supported by learning sequences to use both before and after the event.
• A live assembly on Monday 11 November 2024 at 10.20am

Poems for Remembrance with Nikita Gill

On Tuesday 1 October 2024, working with acclaimed poet Nikita Gill, we're inviting your class to explore the power of poetry in marking Remembrance through live workshops taking place during in the week of National Poetry Day.

Through two separate, age-differentiated workshops, Nikita Gill will share her poem 'Who You Are' to explore Remembrance and will introduce pupils to a variety of different poetry writing techniques.

Both events will take place as live online workshops and will be part of a four day learning sequence where pupils will be invited to create their own Remembrance poem, with the chance to feature in the Remembrance live assembly on Monday 11 November.

Workshop for ages 7 to 9

Date: Tuesday 1 October

Time: 10.00am

Recommended for: pupils aged 7 to 9 (LKS2 Years 3 and 4/P4 tp P5)

Workshop for ages 9 to 11

Date: Tuesday 1 October

Time: 11.00am

Recommended for: pupils aged 9 to 11 (UKS2 Years 5 and 6/P6 to P7)

Remembrance live assembly

On Monday 11 November 2024, in partnership with the Royal British Legion, we will host a live-streamed online assembly for ages 9 to 14 (years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9).

This event will bring together art, music, poetry, veteran interviews and more to create a unique, interactive, live-streamed experience helping students understand why we continue to remember.

You can get a taster of how the event will run by watching this recording of last year's 2023 Remembrance live assembly on YouTube.

Book club Remembrance resources

Our book club resources have been based on age-appropriate stories to help children explore themes of Remembrance, and to develop core reading comprehension skills. They include teacher guidance along with discussion questions and learning activities. Learning is linked to literacy outcomes many of which are universally applicable, so please do explore resources for the relevant age group whichever curriculum you use.

However, do note that resources will also incorporate specific curriculum links based on the National Curriculum for England, or Curriculum for Excellence Scotland as detailed below.

Now or Never by Bali Rai

Primary: for Upper Key Stage 2 and including National Curriculum for England links to the Year 5 and 6 English Programme of Study.

Ava's Poppy by Marcus Pfister

Early years: including Early Level (Scotland) Curriculum for Excellence links.

Flo of the Somme by Hilary Robinson and The Day War Came by Nicola Davies

Primary: including First Level (Scotland) Curriculum for Excellence links.

Remembrance resources from the Royal British Legion

To access a range of resources for teaching around Remembrance for both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, visit the Royal British Legion Teaching Remembrance page.

These free resources are linked to the National Curriculum. They include using creative writing, music, poetry, art, film and photography to inspire learning, relevant books and reading, and developing discussion and reflection skills.