GLF Schools

GLF Schools

GLF Schools was founded in 2012 in order to enable the federation of Glyn School (an academy in 2011) and Danetree Junior School. Together, we began our journey to become a MAT of more than 1000 talented staff working with over 10,000 children in 40 schools across 5 regions in southern England.

Our Schools

Banbury Region

Banstead Region

Berkshire & Hampshire Region

Caterham Region

Crawley Region

Didcot Region

Epsom Region

London Boroughs

Redhill Region

Sunbury & Camberley Region

Autumn 2

How Have Structures Influenced Our Lives?
Big Question: Why were shelters important in WWII?

Overview

This term, Year 6 will explore World War II, focusing on its impact on Britain and the role of shelters in protecting civilians. Children will learn about key historical events, evacuation, and life on the Homefront. They will then apply their knowledge in Design & Technology by designing, building, and testing air raid precaution (ARP) shelters—starting with small-scale prototypes and culminating in a life-sized class shelter.

What Will Children Learn?

History:

  • Why WWII began and its impact on Britain
  • The Blitz, evacuation, and the role of women during the war
  • How shelters contributed to civilian safety

Design & Technology:

  • How to design and construct strong, reinforced structures
  • Joining techniques and material selection
  • Costing and planning for large-scale projects

Global Perspective:

  • Conflict resolution and whether war can ever be justified

Key Experiences

  • Investigating historical sources and first-hand accounts
  • Designing and building scaled-down ARP shelters
  • Testing prototypes for strength and practicality
  • Collaborating to construct a life-sized shelter
  • Debating the question: “Is war ever justifiable?”

Why This Matters

This project helps children understand how historical events shape society and develop practical skills in engineering and design. It also encourages critical thinking about ethics, conflict, and social change.

How You Can Support at Home

  • Share family stories or local history linked to WWII
  • Explore books such as Goodnight Mister Tom or Letters from the Lighthouse
  • Talk about how shelters were designed and why they were important
  • Encourage your child to share what they’ve learned about the Blitz and evacuation

The Final Outcome

By the end of the term, children will:

  • Demonstrate historical understanding of WWII and its social impact
  • Design and build a scaled prototype and a life-sized ARP shelter
  • Evaluate their designs and debate whether war can ever be justified