A SCHOOL took its students to learn about war heroes as part of a special project that recognises the sacrifice by servicemen and women.

The group of children from Greensted Junior School, Basildon took part in a poignant trip to Ypres in Belgium as part of the Basildon Forget Never Project.

The pupils spent two days taking in a number of sights.

The highlights included visiting a surviving trench system from the First World War as well as several museums.

The children also took part in the Last Post held nightly since 1924 at the Menin Gate with two pupils laying a wreath on behalf of the school in front of more than two thousand people paying their respects.

They also searched for soldiers from Basildon at the Tyne Cot Memorial – the last resting place of more than 35,000 Allied soldiers in the war.

A group of German children from Basildon’s twin town in Heiligenhaus, Germany, took part and the two sets of pupils spent an enjoyable two days getting to know each other.

A football game recreated the match played during the Great War with gifts exchanged.

Headteacher Ian Hampshire said: “This was memorable for all and special praise must be given to the Greensted children whose maturity and attitude ensured they experienced something that will live with them for the rests of theirs lives.”