Key Stage 1 | Imperial War Museums

The Battle of Britain

The battle begins, summer 1940
The battle begins, summer 1940

After defeating France in June 1940, Hitler assumed Britain would sue for peace but ordered his armed forces to prepare for invasion. Hermann Goering assured him that a sustained air assault would destroy the RAF, winning the air superiority needed.
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940
A Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over London, September 1940

July 1940 saw German planes target shipping in the Channel, drawing the RAF into combat, before radar stations, communications centres and airfields faced round-the-clock bombing in August. The battle reached a climax with attacks on London in September.
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)

Joan 'Elizabeth' Mortimer, Elspeth Henderson and Helen Turner of the WAAF. All three received the Military Medal for courageous conduct during attacks on Biggin Hill airfield. Biggin Hill suffered a total of ten major attacks between 30 Aug and 5 Sept.
Non-British personnel in the RAF
Non-British personnel in the RAF

A group of pilots of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron RAF return from a sortie. The first Polish squadrons were formed in the summer of 1940. Pilots came from several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand and the USA.
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford
Sector 'G' Operations Room at RAF Duxford

RAF Duxford was a Sector Station in 12 Group, responsible for defending the Midlands and East Anglia. As the fighting intensified, Duxford's squadrons were called on to support 11 Group's defence of London and the south-east.
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF
Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF

Despite incessant attacks, the RAF's defences held. The Luftwaffe could not continue, and in the autumn switched to 'nuisance' raids and night operations. The failure to defeat the RAF convinced Hitler to postpone his invasion plans indefinitely.

Americans at Duxford

Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth are greeted by Brigadier Frank Hunter and Major General Ira Eaker of the 8th US Army Air Forces on a visit to Duxford, 26 May 1943. (© IWM CH 19214)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Pilots from the 78th Fighter Group, US 8th Army Air Force relaxing outside the Squadron 'ready room', late summer 1944. (© IWM HU 31937)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Republic P-47C and D Thunderbolts of the 78th Fighter Group lined up on the airfield, winter 1943. (© IWM HU 57985)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Bob Hope, accompanied by Francis Langford, sitting in the cockpit of Captain R E Eby's Republic P-47C Thunderbolt 'Vee Gaile' (82nd FS/78th FG), during their USO show visit to Duxford, 2 July 1943. (© IWM HU 57979)
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945
Americans at RAF Duxford 1943-1945

Wing Commander S L Matthews, Station Commander at Duxford, at the handover of the station to the US 8th Airforce, 1943. (© IWM HU 51427)

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Manchester
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IWM Duxford
Cambridgeshire
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Summer 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm

Winter 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3pm

Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
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Churchill War Rooms
London
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
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HMS Belfast
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
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Assembling an Aeroplane

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
How Things Fly

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
Remembrance

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
Toys and Games

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
Transport

Find out more about this session from the list below and then call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.

Key Stage 1

A visit to IWM Duxford can support programmes of study in History, Literacy, Science, Technology and Mathematics, as well as broader cross-curricular topics such as Flight and Transport.

Children can discover how the past is different from the present, why we remember the World Wars, how things fly and all about materials and aircraft.

Choose from this list or browse through the images above to see the sessions available

Assembling an Aeroplane

60 minutes

A practical activity where children learn about the different parts of an aeroplane and their purpose. Children then assemble a large-scale wooden 'sit-in' model, which requires a brave pilot to test.

Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking

How Things Fly

60 minutes

Come and find out how things fly. We use simple materials and flying models to demonstrate the main forces governing flight. Children join in with hands-on activities. The level and detail is tailored to each group, and a follow-up pack is provided.

Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking

Remembrance

Year 2 - 90 minutes

Join in our poignant remembrance activities during a special week in November. Children explore the reasons why people go to war and why we should remember. They also learn about memorials and examine some of ours on-site.

Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking

Toys and Games

60 minutes

Have fun sorting old and new toys into two sets, explaining similarities and differences. Then explore books and play with additional toys and games to develop further skills. This activity works best with an adult to each small group of children.

Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking

Transport

60 minutes

Children investigate vehicles such as bicycles, motorcycles, jeeps and trucks, plus aircraft and helicopters, and then spot the similarities and differences. All this takes place in our inspirational AirSpace exhibition.

Call 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking

Sessions take place in our Learning Spaces and in the galleries, taking the museum’s artefacts, both small and large, as an inspirational starting point. Our sessions inspire, enthuse and extend knowledge and key skills.

To be kept up to date with new sessions or special days, subscribe to Learning e-news.

How to book

Check our current charges and cancellation policy in our Terms and Conditions.
Call the Department for Learning on 01223 499 341 to make a provisional booking.
Confirm the arrangements by completing our Booking Form.

Key concepts include

Chronological understanding
Knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past
Historical interpretation and enquiry
Speaking with confidence, listening to others, group discussion and interaction
Scientific enquiry
Materials and their properties
Physical processes
Knowledge and understanding of materials and components
Evaluating processes and products

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Learning Resources

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From the World Wars to the Cold War, IWM gives teachers and students in UK schools everything they need to explore the course, causes and consequences of conflict from the First World War to today.

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