PUPILS and staff at South Craven School played their part in commemorating the outbreak of the First World War.

Displays of poetry and creative writing by year 11 students were on display in the school's sixth form lounge yesterday evening. (October 1) These were accompanied by memorabilia such as maps, medals, prayer cards, and old newspapers, which were lent for the occasion by school staff members.

There was also a remembrance book and a "history corner" where pupils learned about soldiers from their own local areas who fought in the war.

The school's Dales science lab joined in by featuring information on the bacteria and diseases which First World War soldiers endured.

Later that evening, South Craven's Fells Theatre hosted a showcase of singing, dancing, drama and European poetry. This part of the evening was based on work the pupils had previously done in performance and dance, language and music lessons.

The evening finished with a poignant rendition of The Last Post, which was played by a year 10 student.

Explaining the background to the event, South Craven assistant head of English, Hannah Bridge, said: "Last year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who in the autumn term, so in the summer I began to think about what we could do as a replacement. "The First World War centenary seemed a key area to focus on despite being tonally very different. We wanted to contribute something alongside all the other events that have been happening locally.

"Our commemoration has inspired our pupil's performing arts work, as well as tying in well with English Literature work with year 11. "Dance students devised performances both in lessons and in their own time to fit in with the theme. "German language students have explored war poetry as a reminder that poetry was written on both sides of the conflict. "And a group of our key stage three students worked in their own time with Amy Rawson from our history department to explore our local war history. They were fascinated to find out about soldiers who lived on the very streets where they now live.

"The pupils were really engaged and happy to be part of something that has been so widely talked about on a national level this year. "It was lovely to be able to organise an event which brought together different year groups and different curriculum disciplines."