ALTRINCHAM Grammar School for Boys and St Ambrose College, were two of the schools from across the North West attending a conference about World War One last Thursday.

Hosted by Bramhall High School in Stockport, the conference took the form of a debate.

In the chair was TV presenter and historian David Olusoga, co-presenter of Civilisations and a regular contributor to The One Show, The Guardian and BBC History magazine.

He was joined on stage by Jack Davies, assistant curator of Medicine at The Science Museum and Louise Bell, Researcher at The National Archives.

David Olusoga, said: “We can’t afford to let a whole generation lose their connection with the world war. It has shaped every aspect of our society today and we as historians have a duty to communicate its lasting legacy to the next generation.”

The debate series, which is in its second year, has already involved hundreds of young people from across the UK.

Organised by the Department for Education it is free and open to all state schools and is aimed at students between the ages of 15 and 18.

The event on October 12, which took the format of a ‘Question Time’ style debate, saw TV presenters, military personnel and scientists, join students in debating the legacy of WW1 on surgery, medicine and treatment today.

Students had travelled from as far as Liverpool to take part.

Students at the event learnt how the war had an impact on everything from our understanding of containing infection and the importance of adopting hygienic practices to our life saving practices of giving and storing blood.

David Olusoga commented:“The energy, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives the young people brought to the debate was really inspiring.”

The WW1 debates series will now visit schools in London, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol and Cambridge.