A whole school assembly reflected on the significance of the occasion while, at midday, a two-minute silence was observed across the school site in line with a national tribute. Throughout the day, students were also given an opportunity to speak with members of staff who had shared the wartime stories of their relatives on posters around the school.

Meanwhile, six students, accompanied by welfare coordinator Paul Whittaker, represented the school during an 11am service at Withernsea’s ‘new’ war memorial. The school was one of a number of organisations, including the town council, Withernsea Primary School and Withernsea Lions, who laid a wreath at the event.

Ahead of VE Day, Year 7 students had been tasked with designing a wreath centre as part of a competition organised by Darren England - president of the town’s branch of the Royal British Legion. Around 50 designs were created, which included the winning entry from Maisie F. The remaining centrepieces, along with creations from the neighbouring primary school, were subsequently displayed in shop windows around Withernsea.

Clare Atkin, second in humanities and head of history, said: “The VE Day 80 commemorations provided us with a valuable opportunity to connect our students with this pivotal chapter in history. Through personal stories from our staff, involvement in community events, and the sharing of important historical information, we helped to ensure that the significance of VE Day and the sacrifices made during those challenging years were remembered and understood.

“Our whole school assembly addressed the importance of the occasion through a number of themes, including the celebration of peace, democracy and British values. It also highlighted the importance of standing up for displaced and invaded people, and standing by our allies – themes which are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago. Within history you always have cycles - and war, quite predictively, has similar effects, whether happening in the 1930s or today.”

Bringing the theme of the occasion closer to home were the wartime stories shared by staff members. These included experiences during the evacuation of Dunkirk, and the surrender of Japan in September 1945.

Mrs Atkin added: “We know that students relate well to personal stories in history, and sharing the wartime contributions of our family members, no matter how great or small, was a great way of us commemorating the significance of VE Day. 

“The impact of war in our locality was also covered in the morning’s assembly where we celebrated the resilience of essential workers, such as farmers and dock workers, who played a vital role in this area’s war efforts. The strength of civilians and their resilience through uncertainty, plus the efforts of the Home Guard, were also recognised.” 

VE Day was also marked in school with the sale of commemorative pin badges which raised over £120 for the Royal British Legion. Meanwhile, a themed lunch menu included fish and chips, corned beef and potato pasties, and Woolton pie - a vegetable pie served widely during WW2.

ABOVE: Withernsea High School students lay a wreath and attended a service in the town. Front row (left to right): Maisie F, Gracie H, Lorien W, Harvey D, and Lucy H. Back row flag bearers (left to right): WHS students Bessie S and Isobel W with Darren England (president of Withernsea Branch of the Royal British Legion) and Ian Blowes who was representing the town’s Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club.

ABOVE: Admin support assistant, Kim Wallis, helped to organise the school's VE Day commemorations. She is pictured with Darren England - president of the town's Royal British Legion. Mr England had approached the school to ask if students would be willing to design a wreath centre as part of the commemorations. The duo are pictured with the winning design by Year 7 student, Maisie F. 

ABOVE: A close-up Maisie's winning wreath design. 

ABOVE: Over 50 designs were drawn and submitted by Year 7. These were subsequently displayed in shop windows around the town.  

ABOVE: The sale of commemorative pin badges helped to raise over £120 for the Royal British Legion. 

ABOVE: "We will remember them".