Schools Tours
Piers has been guiding school groups from the State and Private sectors since 1985. He wrote the blue print for the MoD/Big Lottery initiative 'Their Past Your Future' directed at schools. For example he has for twenty years guided groups for KIngs Chester - from Belgium to Berlin.
“Of the many schools I have guided around the battlefields Kings School Chester does stand out. Partly due to the thorough preparation and commitment of the teaching staff but crucially because of the eagerness of the students to derive maximum benefit from the few days on the battlefields and in the museums. The questions the students posed were well thought through and relevant. They also demonstrated politeness, punctuality and smart turn-out.
The age range was considerable with the younger students benefitting from the encouragement of their elder peers; and the older students from additional responsibilities given to them. The teachers were excellent role models always ensuring that the students gained from the experience and aware that the knowledge would constructively contribute to their future exams.
I guided groups from Kings Chester to Normandy, Arnhem, The Somme, Ypres, Vimy, Italy and Berlin and worked extensively with the History and English Departments in advance of all tours. The whole experience was most rewarding for me too.''
Piers in Sanctuary Wood trench system. He is next to one of a handful of original trees to be still standing from the Ypres Battles
“Over the course of many years, Piers Storie-Pugh guided innumerable King’s students on visits to the battlefields and cemeteries of both world wars. That he is an expert and thoroughly professional guide almost goes without saying. What really marks Piers out, though, is the rapport he strikes up so quickly and without fail with every new group. He soon becomes part of the team, taking great care to ensure that everyone on a tour is involved, whether visiting the graves and memorials of former pupils or learning about how people in the past faced the challenges war presented. And his great ability to connect with an audience made for a very moving remembrance assembly to both junior and senior schools at King’s some years ago. With Piers, we have run, we have stood still, we have laughed, we have shed a tear. We have always returned from a tour enriched by the experience and each is etched on the memory. Piers is one of the longest-serving battlefield guides, and it shows.”
Seb Neal, Deputy Headmaster, Kings School Chester
Seb Neal and Piers Storie-Pugh walk across the Somme battlefields.
I am delighted to have been asked to write a foreword to The King’s School, Chester’s photographic record of the Western Front Tour to Ypres and The Somme. Furthermore I am very pleased indeed to have been involved in the King’s history department’s tours since 2000; from Belgium to Berlin, Albert to Anzio and from Vers-sur-Mer to Verdun. The purpose of these tours has been to enable students of various ages to participate in the experience by appreciating the ground over which the battles were fought, the decisions facing the commanders, the bravery and endeavours of ordinary soldiers, the poetry, the humour, the effort and ultimately the sacrifice.
Over the years I have been impressed by the attitude adopted by King’s students, whether it has been in reading poetry, laying wreaths or rushing out of trenches at Serre. All of these activities enabled, I hope, the students to appreciate the point of offering these trips; to enable you the students to write about what you have seen and experienced, articulating it all in your own words and, hopefully, so doing better in your exams. In addition, these experiences prepare us all better for the life ahead, its difficult decisions, the ups and downs, and ultimately might inspire some thought for others; in other words just a little sacrifice. It also gives everyone a choice; after all, that is why they fought; to give you the freedom to choose. Take what they gave by their dying and prove that they did not do so in vain.
I myself have gained an enormous amount from my tours with The King’s School, Chester – from speaking with teacher and student alike. I hope that those who have travelled on one of these tours will look back with fondness on the laughter, fun as well as the education and remember just how hard this was won on the field of battle, in the air or on the high seas by those who were in many cases just out of school themselves.
Piers Storie-Pugh
Wellington Tunnels, Arras. Piers about to lead King's School underground!
"Leonidas Ieper has been helping Piers' battlefield remembrance groups for over 30 years."
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