History students in Year 12 recently had the exciting opportunity to see primary materials first-hand and up-close, in Kew's National Archive.

In a hands-on workshop, students explored Britain’s transition from the end of the Second World War to the early stages of the Cold War (1945-51), focusing on analysing the nature and extent of British preoccupations. Guided by an expert in the field, students handled and worked with a range of original documents, including ‘Top Secret’ prime ministerial and cabinet papers and telegrams.

These materials brought the Cold War module to life, and applied it to a British context where the effects of the war were felt differently to continental Europe, such as in Berlin, which the students visited last term. This trip to the National Archive gave students a unique insight into British concerns during this period.

Students reflected that the variety of perspectives and attittudes was helpful to contextualise secondary sources they have analysed in the classroom, and Fabio, Year 12, enjoyed finding out more about how important historical documents are preserved - and being able to handle a few original documents himself, and "touch history first-hand - some of the same documents that Winston Churchill had touched!"

There were a range of sources prepared for students to examine - such as telegrams, public propaganda posters, and letters - all of which helped them to appreciate the nature of communication in this period and how messages were disseminated to the public and between key political figures.

Sophia summed up the whole visit, saying, "our trip to the National Archive was an amazing opportunity to experience history in a tangible and exciting way. It allowed us to further develop our studies into the Cold War and ignited our interest and curiosity in a way not possible in the classroom. I had so much fun!"