D-Day for young people and schools

The 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings was on 6 June this year. Those landings were pivotal in drawing the Second World War to a close as well as being one of the most ambitious attacks in military history.

The D-Day invasion is an ideal opportunity to look at the complexity of the Second World War through a single event. Men and women from many nations took part in the preparations for the attack, in the landings and in supporting the attack in the days and weeks that followed. New technology was developed to allow the landings to take place, whilst the propaganda and civilian resistance took on increased levels of importance.

Follow the D-Day landings on this site, with information especially written for young people.

• 20 things you need to know about D-Day
• The steps that led to D-Day – following the final preparations leading up to the Day itself.
• Assemblies to remember D-Day

NB: The Second World War is a statutory component of the KS3 National Curriculum for History. The information on these pages and available free of charge in The Royal British Legion education resources can help schools and students to learn about that time.

Poppy Travel tour to Normandy

Poppy Travel took 80 children from schools around London and the South East to Normandy as part of their 'Travel and Learn' D-Day 65 excursion.

On the beach at Asnelles, they helped to plant 12,000 flags which have been sent in by Legion supporters with messages of thanks and they met with D-Day veterans to learn about their wartime experiences. 

Here are some comments from those who participated.

"What a fantastic weekend. Thank you again for such a wonderful opportunity. The students have been buzzing since the trip and made some really insightful/ heartfelt comments during their presentation to staff on Wednesday. The other staff have commented on the maturity of the students and couldn't believe how well a group of children understood the importance and significance of D-day itself and the commemorations at the weekend." Teacher, Sittingbourne Community Colleg, Kent.

"It was such an honour to be there. It really was one of the best experiences of my life so far. I’ll never forget it. What the men did for us was remarkable really." Jake, Year 10, Sittingbourne Community College.

"The best thing about the trip for me wasn't meeting the prime minister or the fireworks, it was speaking to the veterans, real people with amazing experiences. It's humbling really to think they risked their lives for us. We laid wreathes in a British Cemetery on the last day of the trip and our school wrote that "we will always remember those who fought and died, sacrificing their tomorrows for our todays" and that says a lot. We can't forget that we wouldn' live our lives the way we do if it wasn't for the men on D-Day and others in the war." Fern, Year 10, Sittingbourne Community College.

"I made a scrap book the day after we came back from Normandy. It took me 3 hours but now I will always be able to remember everything about the trip. It was amazing." Amy, Year 10, Sittingbourne Community College.

"Being on the trip, we didn't just see it, we felt it." Charlotte, Year 10, Sittingbourne Community College.

If you or your school are interested in a trip to learn more about past battles and war-time experiences, contact Poppy Travel for Schools or visit the website - www.poppytravelschools.org.uk.