I was introduced to the Heligoland39 Project in November 2023 at a reunion lunch in Ely, at the invitation of Jack Waterfall H39 Project Leader. The project was well established by then with an extensive network following the publication of Daylight to Darkness: Remembering the men that flew in The Battle of Heligoland Bight 18 December 1939. Initially, ‘wingwoman’ to Jack I learnt more about the project, as we visited locations and met those in the network.  As my curiosity grew I questioned why I hadn’t heard of The Battle of Heligoland Bight and it’s significance. Having had a career in education I saw the potential of how this human story could be used in schools and other educational institutions to enhance learning through research based projects, through exploring a local story, and through enhancing the history curriculum.

 

Over the last year I have met many people who shared their knowledge, understanding and personal stories of the Battle of Heligoland Bight 1939. I am delighted to be able to share the outcome of the work undertaken in the autumn term of academic year 2024/25, which I hope you will consider including in your curriculum or sharing with those you know in education.

 

The national curriculum sets out programmes of study for both primary and secondary education, with the scope for maintained local authority schools and academies to design and enrich their school curriculum. Schools are encouraged to design a curriculum which is grounded in their vision and values, and relevant to the local community. I worked with St Peter at Gowts Primary School, Lincoln, which chose to look closely at the story of the RAF crew of Wellington aircraft N2983.

 

The educational resources which have been developed, and are easily accessible, can be used in a range of ways and promote the inclusion on The Battle of Heligoland Bight 1939 in both the primary and secondary curriculum.

 

Curriculum enrichment can be enhanced through:

​

•    Secure subject knowledge to enable learners to question and

     explore the impact of an event.

​

•    Shared stories, including the human stories behind the facts and

     statistics, stories passed down from veterans, families and others.

​

•    Use of archive materials including film clips and photographs,

     artifacts and educational visits to engage learners.

​

•    Considering the relevance and importance of learning about the

     past in today’s world.

​

•    Developing the ability to empathise and to consider a range of

     views.

​

•    A deeper understanding of the concepts of remembrance,

     recognition and reconciliation; and how these can be explored

     through the wider curriculum including the arts.

​

•    Contributing to spiritual, moral and cultural understanding.

​

•    Considering and comparing the research model used in the writing

     of ‘Daylight to Darkness: Remembering the Men that Flew in The

     Battle of Heligoland Bight ‘ against other methods.

 

The following educational resources regarding The Battle of Heligoland Bight 1939 are freely available to use.

Please click on the links below: ​

​

• Notes for teachers

​

​

• Guidance Notes for using the following educational resources

​​

​

• Knowledge Organiser: The Battle of Heligoland Bight 1939 ​​​

​

• Knowledge Organiser: The Battle of Heligoland Bight 1939: Aircraft, Aircrew &     Recruitment​

​

• Knowledge Organiser: Let’s talk about the Battle of Heligoland Bight 1939

​

• Knowledge Organiser: The Battle of Heligoland 18 December 1939: Daylight to Darkness

​

• Piecing Together The Story of N2983

​

• Fred Sinclair and the Trawler Erillus: Archive Pack

​

• Jigsaw Template