After our visit to the Mosque and a quick lunch break, Year 6 headed to Ouseburn to The Victoria Tunnel to support the children’s learning in their history unit of World War Two.

The Victoria Tunnel is a preserved 19th-century waggonway under Newcastle, stretching from the Town Moor to the Tyne river. It was originally built to transport coal from Spital Tongues Colliery to the river and operated between 1842 and the 1860s. The Tunnel was converted in 1939 into an air-raid shelter to protect thousands of Newcastle citizens during World War 2.

The children enjoyed a session in the classroom finding out more about The Home Front during the war including evacuation, air raids, rationing and what life was like for children.

After that, it was time to head into the tunnel. The tunnel stretches for over two miles but we only had time to explore a small section which runs from Ouseburn towards Byker. Once the air raid siren sounded, the children, armed with torches, ventured into the tunnel. They learned how tough life could be during World War Two and heard the memories of people who lived through this period in Newcastle’s history. They also saw the rough wooden replica beds and benches, just like those slept or sat on by frightened citizens during bombing raids.