Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams, has launched new bilingual resources for schools based on Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated First World War film, ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Using modern production techniques, the 14-18 NOW arts project have collaborated with the Imperial War Museums (IWM), BBC and Peter Jackson, to restore and colourise previously unseen footage from IWM’s extensive archive.
The Welsh Government has supported the project through its Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 programme of commemoration for the centenary of the First World War with a £25,000 grant. This helped ensure that supporting materials for the film would also be available in Welsh.
Aberdare Community School tested the learning resources in their History lessons, enabling 14-18 NOW to adjust and finalise them before they were circulated to all schools across Wales.
Kirsty Williams today joined pupils in Aberdare Community School to find out more about their involvement in the project and to see the new film.
Speaking at the launch today, she said:
“I have been encouraged by the way in which people have engaged with the First World War commemorations and particularly the number of projects that have been undertaken by young people across Wales.
“I’m pleased we were able to support the 14-18 NOW project to develop resources which accompany this documentary and engage schools. It’s so important we continue to recognise the sacrifice made by those young men a hundred years ago.”
They Shall Not Grow Old will be screened in cinemas and schools across the UK, before being broadcast this Sunday 11th November at 9.30pm on BBC2.
We’ve supported the project to provide resources to schools to accompany the film: