This Thursday 8th May is the 80th anniversary of VE day, an important milestone in remembering the end of World War II.
As the time passes, we have less and less veterans and survivors to speak out on their experiences and the impact that the War had on their lives, taking the time to introduce the concept of remembrance at your setting will help honour the memory of those who fought and preserve it for future generations. With a host of events, pageantry and ceremony planned for the day, we thought we would offer a quick list of ways you could mark this special date with the pupils and students at your setting.
“V for Victory” School Display Project
“To commemorate VE Day and inspire the next generation of growers, we invite schools to take part in our “V for Victory” display project. This engaging initiative encourages students to learn about history, healthy eating, and gardening while celebrating the spirit of victory and unity.
Project Details
Participating schools will create a vibrant display in the shape of a “V” using red, white, and blue fruits and vegetables they would love to grow. This could include strawberries, radishes, blueberries, cauliflower, or any other colourful produce that fits the theme.
How It Works
- Schools design and craft their “V for Victory” display, either as a physical model, artwork, or digital collage.
- Entries should highlight the chosen fruit and veg and why students want to grow them.
- A panel will select the most creative and thoughtful displays.”
Find out about how to join here: https://ve80.com/victoryveg/
In the classroom:
- History Lessons: Dedicate classroom time to learning about World War II, the events leading up to VE Day, and its significance in ending the war in Europe. Discuss the impact of the war on daily life, including rationing and evacuations.
- Documentary Screenings: Show age-appropriate documentaries or historical footage of VE Day celebrations in 1945.
- Creative Writing: Encourage students to write stories, poems, or diary entries from the perspective of someone living during World War II and experiencing VE Day.
- Newspaper Creation: Challenge students to create newspaper pages announcing the end of the war, including headlines, articles, and images.
- Research Projects: Assign students research projects on different aspects of World War II and VE Day, such as key figures, battles, or the impact on specific countries.
For the whole school/setting:
- School Assembly: Hold a special assembly to explain the meaning of VE Day, share historical information, and perhaps include a moment of silence.
- Themed Dress-Up Day: Encourage students and staff to dress in 1940s attire.
- Wartime Singalong: Teach students popular songs from the 1940s and hold a singalong. Provide lyric sheets to encourage participation.
- Art and Poster Displays: Have students create artwork inspired by propaganda posters or VE Day celebrations. Display these around the school.
- Make and Mend Activities: Explore the concept of “make do and mend” during the war years through hands-on activities.
- Three-Minute Silence: Observe the national three-minute silence at 3 pm on May 8th as a mark of respect.
Arts and Crafts:
- Bunting Making: Get students involved in making their own red, white, and blue bunting to decorate classrooms and communal areas. This could even involve a “make-do-and-mend” element using old fabric.
- Paper Crafts: Engage in paper hat making or creating paper flowers, reminiscent of street party decorations.
- Cooking Rationed Meals (Simplified): Explore wartime recipes and perhaps have a tasting session of simplified versions of dishes from that era.
- Design a VE Day Medal: Have students design commemorative medals.
References:
“How can schools celebrate VE day and what resources are available?” Education Hub 2025. https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2025/05/how-can-schools-celebrate-ve-day-and-what-resources-are-available/
VE Day 2025; https://ve80.com/
Murthy RS, Lakshminarayana R. Mental health consequences of war: a brief review of research findings. World Psychiatry. 2006 Feb;5(1):25-30. PMID: 16757987; PMCID: PMC1472271.