Windy Nook: a school and community at War
1914-1918
WW1 Project and its Legacy
At Windy Nook Primary we have always valued the history of our locality, so we are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund First World War; then and now grant to help us investigate Windy Nook: A School and Community at War 1914-18.
In 1914 the village was a still a distinct Edwardian community, ‘occupying’, according to Whellan’s 1894 Directory, ‘an elevated and exposed position’ within Felling Parish. The largest employers were local mines and quarries. Our school opened in 1883 and played a prominent part in local life. During the summer term 2018 our Year 6 children, led by Mr Hawdon and Mr Brown explored the impact of that terrible conflict on local people.
This project had a profound and lasting effect on everyone at Windy Nook Primary School; therefore, and quite rightly so, we have decided to continue to contribute to this page. It is our tribute to the fallen men and women who sacrificed theirs lives to give us the British values that we cherish: democracy; the rule of law; individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths.
Explore & Research
Learning through…
Field Trips
We have field trips planned to Heugh Battery, Hartlepool, Newcastle University and St Alban’s Church.
Local Archives
We’ll be looking at the old school log books and using military service records, CWGC resources, newspapers, maps and census materials.
Expert Visitors
Artist Kate Hancock, ICT expert Martin Bailey and WW1 re-enactor Sgt Chapman will be visiting school to help our Y6 children.
Project Resources
Trade
Directories
Windy Nook
Hero
Finding John
Brown King
Leading Up
To WW1
School Log
Books
WW1 Links
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Goodbye Mr Brown
Thank You and Good Luck, Mr Brown! There are some people who leave a mark on a school, and then there are people like Mr Brown, whose influence will be heard echoing through the corridors for years to come, probably in perfect harmony and with a few actions thrown in...
Anne hangs up her mop!
After years of keeping Windy Nook sparkling, shining and looking its very best, Anne has decided it is finally time to hang up her mop, park the vacuum and retire! Anne has spent her time at Windy Nook tackling more than her fair share of spills, splashes and muddy...
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Community Day @ Gateshead Community Church
Come down to Gateshead Community Church on Saturday 18th July 10am-12noon for a fun filled family day.
LKS2 Fundraisers Visit Brysons Animal Shelter
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Summer Concert 2026!
This July, we held our superb Windy Nook Primary Summer Concert in the school hall. Parents and carers were treated to excellent recitals, brilliant singing and expert signing by our amazing Sign Squad. Brass, violin, woodwind and drums were all sounding tip top! The...
Fresh Air, Fresh Fruit and Fantastic Learning in Nursery
This week, Nursery enjoyed two fantastic Outdoor Days on Thursday and Friday, making the most of the warm weather and learning in the natural environment. The children lay on their backs looking up at the sky and used an I Spy Nature identifying frame to spot and talk...
Image credits
Banner image: Imperial War Museum Photograph Archive Collection
Response Memorial: Photograph by Jacqueline Banerjee from the Victorian Web
Inside Heugh Battery: Paul Buckingham [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons