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
From Leaves to Lupins: Another Week of Discovery
This week, our nursery children have been busy continuing their autumn topic with lots of hands-on exploration and creativity. They closely examined branches, leaves, and acorns collected last week, then created beautiful drawings for our oak tree wall display in the...
Bluebells Homework 10.10.25
Bluebells homework this week is as follows: CGP Books English – Pg 20 & 21 - Conjunctions with main clauses Maths - p25 - Written subtraction Daily reading – diaries will be checked on Mondays. Homework club is available for all children to access if needed on a...
Subitising Superstars: Exploring Numbers 1 to 4
This week in Reception, children have been developing their early number sense through exciting activities focused on numbers 1 to 4. Using flashcards, finger patterns, and everyday objects, they practised subitising, recognising small quantities without counting....
Designing Robot Routes!
This week in Computing, Year 2 explored how programming isn’t just about writing code — it can also involve designing and creating artwork to support a project. The children worked in groups to design their own robot mats, choosing a theme and drawing six pictures to...
NumBots – KS1
We’re excited to let you know that ks1 are using NumBots, a fun and interactive online programme designed to help children build strong foundations in number sense, addition, and subtraction. NumBots is all about helping children develop quick recall of number facts...
KS1 explore the Torah
KS1 have been exploring a very special book in Judaism — the Torah. We began by learning that the Torah is the most sacred text in the Jewish faith. It contains stories, teachings, and laws that guide how Jewish people live their lives. We discovered that the Torah is...
Year 5/6 Homework 10.10.25
This week, homework will be in CGP Books. Year 5 Y5 Oaks – Maths- p.24 – Written Multiplication and p.25 – Written Division Y5 Oaks – English- p56 - Apostrophes for Missing Letters and p57 - Apostrophes for Singular Possession 1x arithmetic paper (optional)...
Elms Homework 10.10.25
Elms homework this week is as follows: CGP Books English – p57 & 58 - Possessive Apostrophes Maths – p21-22 - Multiplying and Dividing by 10,100 and 1,000 Reading Plus – 5 texts to be completed by Thursday. Time is given in class and children are usually able to...
Reception Class – Phonics & Reading Information
Thank you to all the parents who attended our recent Reception reading meeting in school. To support you further at home, we’ve attached a helpful information pack covering phonics and early reading. You can download the presentation as a PDF, which includes QR codes...
This Week in Reception: Creative Christmas Sparkle!
It might still be autumn outside, but inside Reception, the festive cheer has well and truly arrived! The children have been busy designing their 'Cauliflower Cards' with a burst of creativity and sparkle. Using their handprints to shape Christmas trees, they...
London’s burning, London’s burning!
Key Stage One had an amazing (though slightly wet) day when we saw first hand how destructive fire can be. We listened to Mark's safety talk and knew how to stay safe around fire. Mark then set up our houses to recreate Pudding Lane before we watched from a safe...
Bringing History to Life!
This week, Year 2 stepped back in time to 1666! Through drama and freeze frame activities, the children acted out key moments from the Great Fire of London. These powerful scenes helped us imagine what it might have felt like to live through the fire, and gave us...
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