School's replica WW1 trench to mark centenary

Haileybury College has built a replica trench to give students an insight into life on the front line. Credit: ITV News Anglia

A college in Hertfordshire has created a replica battle trench in the school grounds to give pupils an insight into the First World War.

It's 100 years since the start of the war and in schools across the country many pupils have been learning about the conditions endured by the soldiers.

At Haileybury College, near Hertford, more than 500 of the school's former pupils fought and died in the Great War. Their replica trench will allow students to experience life on the front line.

589 former pupils and members of staff at the school died in the First World War. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Haileybury is an independent boarding school which opened in 1862.

Some pupils are members of the Combined Cadet Force. At the official opening of the trench they were addressed by Armed Forces minister and Essex MP Mark Francois.

In total, 589 former pupils and members of staff at the school died in the First World War and they are remembered on a set of plaques.

The official opening of the trench with Armed Forces minister Mark Francois. Credit: ITV News Anglia

The above-ground replica of a trench was built with the help of military historian Andrew Robertshaw, who worked as an advisor on the 2011 film War Horse.