Artistic students at Ruislip High School have worked tirelessly to create a replica WW1 trench which now sits inside the school building.
The whole school project had been a year in the making with art teacher Kerry Ferris working alongside Senior Aircraftman Adam Bruerton, stationed at RAF Northolt, and the Sector Z Operations Room Restoration Team at the airbase to research, design and create the trench.
The school, in Sidmouth Drive, has the highest intake of RAF service children in the borough being the closest to its airbase in West End Road, Ruislip.
For the first two weeks of July, the life-size trench will sit in the school’s studio space and will be used in history lessons, for poetry readings, drama workshops and WW1 lessons.
The trench has tunnels and different layers and is enhanced by a backdrop of WW1 era music and sound effects as well as a First World War artefacts room with memorabilia donated by RAF Northolt, including replica uniforms for students to try on.
Ms Ferris said: "As the school has the highest number of RAF children in Hillingdon I wanted to create a project that would appropriately commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
"Creating a trench experience which involves all of our students, local primary schools, RAF Northolt and the local community seemed like the perfect idea.
"It has been an incredible project to work on and the students have really enjoyed creating all the different parts of the trench during their lessons."
The trench was officially unveiled in front of the Mayor and Mayoress of Hillingdon, councillor Catherine Dann and Rita Kilroy.
RAF Northolt station commander, Group Captain Andy Bacon joined RAF personnel and members of the Sector Z Operations Room Restoration Team, parents, governors and staff for the grand opening on July 2.
Ruislip Gardens Primary School students had created a puppet horse inspired by the stage production based on Michael Morpurgo's moving novel War Horse which they brought along to the secondary school.
Guests and students enjoyed WW1 drinks and nibbles made by students and parents during a family learning food workshop, before taking tours of the trench.
Students at Vyners School in Warren Road, Ickenham, are also working on a replica trench to commemorate the WW1 centenary.
The school there has been planning to dig a lifesize trench in the school grounds to give students a real idea of what trenches would be like for soldiers fighting in the First World War.
