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Children from Brent School attend Civilian War Readiness Committee |
Delegates meet at the Cabinet War Rooms to advise Mr Chamberlain's Government about preparations needed for the imminent war. Each delegate group is given a brief to research at school beforehand including such issues as:
- What should be done to protect civilians from the expected bomb and gas attacks?
- What plans should be made in case of food and fabric shortages?
- What can be done in the case of invasion?
- What plans could be laid to cope with worker shortages?
Each delegate group presents their findings to the Civilian War Readiness Committee, followed by questions from other delegate groups. After a break for lunch the delegates inspect the facilities being prepared by the government in case war should come (also known as the Cabinet War Rooms). The day closes with a Plenary session led by our educators, and issues such as cost, and who should pay for the measures agreed by the Committee, are dealt with. The plenary session can also be held by video conference, see the Global Leap website for further information.
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This project is available for schools to use and adapt, either at school or incorporating a visit to this historic site. It provides opportunities for students to work in groups, and to collaborate, over several days, on research and preparation for the presentation of their report to the Committee. Discussion of how the threat of war will affect both communities and individuals provides excellent opportunities to consider 'Citizenship' issues, and to introduce such questions as 'who should pay?' and 'to what extent should the people be able to decide their own actions?' It also provides an unusual way of introducing or revising the subject of the Second World War.
For more information:
Telephone: 020 7766 0130/ 0132
Email: cwr-edu@iwm.org.uk
Download the Briefing Papers:
