Holcombe Brook Primary School pupils recognised for First World War project

As part of the project, youngsters at Holcombe Brook Primary School learned about the life of Walter Tull, one of England's first black professional footballers and the British army's first black infantry officer.

Born into a mixed-race family in Folkstone, Kent, Tull was orphaned at a young age. His footballing prowess saw him go on to play for Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town before war broke out in 1914.

He signed up to fight and quickly rose through the ranks to become an officer, defying the then-rule that they be exclusively of 'pure European descent'.

Tull lost his life on a French battlefield in March 1918, a month short of his 30th birthday.

Classes carried out research into Tull's pioneering legacy, and used their findings to create art work and a short film, which was made using a green screen.

Parents, Royal Navy veterans, and residents from nearby Hewlett Court residential home were then invited into school to view the pupils work.

Children dressed up especially for the event and wore black armbands to commemorate those who lost their lives in the war.

They finished the day by hosting a Walter Tull: ‘No Barriers’ football tournament throughout the school.

In recognition of their work, the school has now been presented with a 'Walter Tull: No Barriers' medal, which is one of just 29 handed out across the country.

Dave Bradshaw, the deputy headteacher at the Longsight Road school, said: "You could see the passion and impact it had on the pupils.

"I think they realised what people put on the line at the time; I don't think they had realised just how many people lost their life.

"Learning about Walter Tull's experience, and how he was racially abused by a lot of fans, rang true for the kids because of all the stuff that has gone on with Raheem Sterling recently,

“One of the children also lost his dad recently, so it really hit home learning about how Walter Tull lost his parents at a young age."