Albany Primary School’s Military Hospital – 30 Oct 2017 

Each year, as part of the Made in Roath festival, Albany Primary School’s year 6 pupils learn about their school’s history as a military hospital. 

When the First World War broke out in 1914 the school was temporarily converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers and was used for this purpose throughout the war. 

The pupils spend the first part of the autumn term finding out about the history of the school, and create an exhibition to share their discoveries with the local community. 

Each year the exhibition is different – reflecting the different ideas of pupils – and this year included poetry inspired by Hedd Wyn, a performance of a war songs medley, and computer games that the pupils had learned to programme themselves. 

A highlight is always the tour of the school buildings with ‘nurses’ and ‘soldiers’ from the war, and this year was no exception. A group of year six pupils took me round the school and I enjoyed my visit to the ward where some of the wounded soldiers told their stories, while nurses demonstrated the sort of treatments they would have been administered. 

I’m always impressed by Albany Primary School, which is always a friendly and welcoming environment to children from all over the world – many of whom have only recently arrived in Cardiff – all learning and working together. 

Thank you to my tour guides and to Headteacher Wil Howlett for the warm welcome.