Year 6 travelled to Ouseburn to visit the Victoria Tunnel as part of their learning about World War Two. The trip helped bring this topic to life and gave the children a deeper understanding of what life was like during the war.

The Victoria Tunnel is a 19th-century tunnel beneath Newcastle. It was originally built to transport coal from Spital Tongues Colliery to the River Tyne, before later being converted into an air-raid shelter in 1939 to protect local people during World War Two.

The day began with a classroom session where the children learnt about life on the Home Front. They explored key themes such as evacuation, rationing, air raids and everyday life for children during the war.

Afterwards, Year 6 headed into the tunnel itself. Armed with torches, they explored a section of the tunnel running from Ouseburn towards Byker. As the air-raid siren sounded, the children experienced what it may have felt like to shelter underground. They listened to real memories from people who lived in Newcastle during the war and saw replica wooden beds and benches used by families seeking safety during bombing raids.

The visit was an exciting and memorable experience that helped Year 6 better understand the challenges faced by local people during World War Two.