Leeds Trinity University
Brownberrie Lane • Horsforth • Leeds • LS18 5HD • UK
Tel: +44 (0)113 283 7100 • Twitter: @leedstrinity
Media Release
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2015
Leeds Trinity University students return from World War One battlefields
Students from one of the UK’s top universities for employability and student satisfaction, Leeds Trinity University, have returned from a trip to Belgium, where they visited World War One battlefields and laid a wreath at the Menin Gate.
In a first for the institution, Leeds Trinity University partnered with the University of Cumbria to take undergraduate Primary Education students to the battlefields in Belgium. As well as commemorating the recent World War One centenary, the trip aimed to give students a unique opportunity to extend their own knowledge about the conflict, by visiting the sites of some of the fiercest fighting witnessed throughout the War.
The wreath laid at the Menin Gate was a tribute to fallen soldiers whose bodies were never found. Emily Elsworth, a level six Primary Education student, who represented Leeds Trinity University in laying the wreath, commented:“I felt honoured and humbled to represent the University. I found it quite overwhelming and emotional to be part of such a moving experience.”
Jessica Petch, a level five Primary Education: Later Years student at Leeds Trinity University, added: "I'm so glad I had the opportunity to do this – it has really enhanced not only my professional development as a teacher, but also my personal understanding of the conflict.”
The students followed the story of soldiers from the Yorkshire region as researched by tour guide Steve Jolly from Gesta, who said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the opportunity to work with a wide range of trainee teachers from the primary and secondary range. To be able to support trainees is a privilege and to hear how they would engage children in learning about World War One on the back of this trip is equally rewarding.”
The students were based in Ypres, which was the centre of intense and sustained fighting throughout World War One. Their trip included visits to sites such as Tyne Cot Cemetery and the trenches of Sanctuary Wood. One student was even able to visit the grave of his great-great-grandfather in Bedford House Cemetery.
Speaking about the visit, Bev Forrest, associate principal lecturer in Primary Education at Leeds Trinity University, said: “The visit was a success on so many levels. Students spoke of forging friendships with other students they had previously seen on a daily basis but had never spoken to. The visit ignited a passion for history among the students, leading them to begin immediately researching further into this period.
“We feel that all primary teachers should undertake a visit such as ours so they can truly understand the nature of the conflict at that time and the level of sacrifice of those involved.”
More information about the trip can be found on the Leeds Trinity University website.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Beattie Communications
T: 0113 213 0300
E:
About Leeds Trinity University
In fewer than 50 years, Leeds Trinity University has transformed itself from two small Catholic teacher training colleges to an acclaimed university with an excellent track record for launching the careers of its students.
Employability
One of the first universities to include compulsory professional work placements with every degree, Leeds Trinity now work closely with over 2000 businesses across all sectors, regionally and nationally, who offer students placements that are relevant to their degrees. These partnerships also ensure that the University embeds into its curricula the skills required for students to secure graduate-level jobs in their field. The results speak for themselves, with 94% of our graduates employed or in further study within six months of graduating.
Industry-leading
Whilst maintaining a reputation for excellence in the training of teachers, the University has diversified to offer Foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a range of subjects including Business, Education, Humanities, Media, Psychology and Sport. In particular, the University has a long-established reputation for being one of the leading providers of journalism training in the country.
Research excellence
The University is becoming increasingly renowned for research excellence, particularly in the Arts and Humanities, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Psychology, Education and Social Policy. It is home to the internationally-acclaimed Leeds Centre for Victorian Studies, and has also enhanced its reputation in pedagogic research by creating an Institute for Childhood and Education. By pooling the expertise of its acclaimed departments of Primary Education, Secondary Education and Children, Young People and Families, the Institute will collaborate with sector agencies operating in Children’s Services and Education to develop innovative, research-based approaches to practice in this challenging area. Leeds Trinity is also expanding its postgraduate research provision and offers a number of fully-funded PhD Studentships each year.
A name, not a number
We’re proud to have some of the most satisfied students in the country, evidenced by our most recent NSS results which revealed 88% of our 2014 graduates were satisfied with their course, against a national average of 86%. These scores reflect our commitment to offering a truly personalised university experience where every student is treated as a name, not a number. This isn’t just marketing speak; it’s an ethos that underpins all that we do enabling students to benefit from personalised one-to-one support