GCSE History students from a Runcorn school won the opportunity to visit the famous battlefields of World War One in Belgium.

Two pupils from year 11 and two from year 10 at St Chad’s Catholic and Church of England High School all competed for a place on the trip and won through to gain the coveted places.

The focus of the trip was to consider the effect on both soldiers and local people and to reflect on The Battle of the Somme and whether it was a disaster for the British Army.

During the four-day trip the students visited some of the many battle sites on the French-Belgian border with their teacher Katherine Kane. The first stop was at the Passchendaele Memorial Museum where they were able to experience the trenches and the reality of life experienced by the local people affected by the war. The group also visited Lijssenthoek and Tyne Cot Cemeteries where they learned about the role of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, before visiting Langemark; the German commemoration place of the war dead.

There were lots of questions posed to the group's serving soldier Stan, who gave the students a real insight into life in the Army.

There was also the chance to see the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate wo which the students were humbled by - each commenting on the importance of Remembrance routines 100 years on.

The following days of the trip were just as busy, visiting Beaumont Hamel Memorial Park and Sunken Lane, where the group walked in the footsteps of the Lancashire Fusiliers from their famous attack on the 1st of July 1916.

Thiepval Memorial was the highlight of the trip, which really shaped the Remembrance of the Somme and emphasised just how ruthless and challenging the battle was.

It was here where the students found the name of local soldier, William Spruce, and spent time in quiet reflection at the graves of the unknown soldiers, many of whom were listed there from the Cheshire Regiment. Of course, no trip to Belgium would be complete without chocolate!

The students and Miss Kane thoroughly enjoyed visiting the chocolatiers, sampling some provincial delights.

The final day saw students analysing source materials and orienteering their way around the Australian Commonwealth Memorial in France.