Second World War 80th Anniversary Box

2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Key moments in this history will be commemorated throughout the year, presenting ideal opportunities for engaging pupils with the topic. There is an expectation that all schools, across all key-stages, will engage with and raise awareness of this important history.

The 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day will be marked with a series of events paying tribute to the millions of people across the UK and the Commonwealth who experienced the war, from the front line to the home front and beyond. It is vital that children understand the important roles played by their forebears. Whether through activities in schools, conversations in the home with older relatives, or the work of some of our fabulous museums… I wholeheartedly agree that living history is a hugely powerful way for children to gain an understanding of the past. I am very clear that that should be incorporated into how schools, and we more broadly, mark these important 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day.

Baroness Twycross, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Jan 2025)

  • Are you marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in your school?
  • Are you looking for an interactive, entertaining, informative, and educational experience for your pupils?
  • Do you want your pupils to interact with genuine items from the Second World War?
  • Do you want something ‘ready to go’ that you can deliver straight out of the box?

You need a Historybox!

What is in the Box?

We have curated a special Historybox designed for the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It has everything you need to deliver a stand-alone 90-minute interactive lesson using original historical objects.

Suitable, straight out of the box, for all primary key-stages and fully adaptable for secondary key-stages.

What you will get in you 80th Anniversary Historybox:

  • 10-15 genuine historical artefacts from the 1940s, all of which can be freely handled by the pupils.
  • Laminated A4 overview cards, one for each learning theme.
  • Laminated A5 object information cards, one for each object.
  • Laminated A4 task cards, one for each task.
  • Lesson guidance and ideas.
  • Introductory context PowerPoint slides.

Assemblies and Lessons

We can also deliver an interactive assembly (20-30 mins) to introduce the historical topic and the concept of using objects as evidence, and/or we can facilitate the whole lesson.

How does it work?

Step 1

Complete our Booking Enquiry Form with your preferred dates and any requests for assemblies and lessons.

Step 2

We check availability and confirm your booking. You then pay online, or on collection, or we can invoice you.

Step 3

You collect your box from our location in New Cross, London. Due to high demand, the rental period for the anniversary box is one week.

Step 4

You deliver exciting interactive lessons and, when you’re done, you pack up the box and return it to us in New Cross.

Price List

Anniversary box rental (1 Week) = £50

Anniversary box rental + 20-30 minute assembly = £100

Anniversary box rental+ 60-90 minute facilitated lesson = £175