Do mention the War

14th April 2000, 1:00am

Share

Do mention the War

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/do-mention-war
SCHOOLS have two months to register for a Second World War essay competition to be judged by Tom Hanks, that will see the winners fly to Washington DC.

US senator Bob Dole and broadcaster Sir David Frost will join actor Hanks in judging the competition, which aims to improve teenagers’ knowledge of the Second World War.

The contest, revealed last week by The TES and launched on Tuesday by Education Secretary David Blunkett, will ask 14 to 16-year-olds to investigate the wartime relationship between America and Britain.

Philip Lader, the American ambassador to Britain who devised the contest, said:

“It is impossible for a history book to convey the depth and breadth of the British-American friendship.”

Pupils will interview relatives and neighours or conduct local research in order to write a 1,000-word essay on Anglo-American relations.

Three winners will fly to Washington DC for a tour of the White House and Capitol Hill while 12 runners-up and the teachers who nominated them will win computers.

The competition is open to all pupils at state and independent schools in Years 10 and 11 in England and Wales, S4 and 5 in Scotland and Years 11 and 12 in Northern Ireland.

It is one of several schemes to commemorate the Second World War supported by Tom Hanks since his appearance in the film Saving Private Ryan

Schools who want to enter must register at the Department for Education and Employment website www.dfee.gov.ukusalliance by June 16. Essays must be submitted by July 21.


Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared