A small group of Barnard Castle School pupils enjoyed an enriching co-curricular experience on 20th November, attending A Gun Through Time. This was a compelling talk by historian and broadcaster David Olusoga exploring the history and impact of firearms.
Held in a beautiful theatre setting, the event offered pupils a rare opportunity to engage closely with historical artefacts, examining guns “close up and personal”. They also learned detailed technical information about how and why they were made.
Through personal stories about their inventors, Mr Olusoga brought the subject vividly to life. This encouraged students to think critically about the technological, social, and political consequences of these weapons.
The talk provided strong cross-curricular links, dovetailing beautifully with pupils’ studies of military history, including the world wars. Students also discovered how firearms have shaped everyday language, with phrases like “a flash in the pan” and “half-cocked”.
One of the highlights was a thought-provoking political discussion around the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, prompting pupils to consider how historical decisions continue to influence the modern world.
In an interactive twist, pupils were invited to use their phones during the talk to respond to questions posed by Mr Olusoga, adding a dynamic and contemporary element to the experience. Members of the wider audience commented positively on the pupils’ presence, noting what a delight it was to see school students so actively involved in a public cultural event.
Reflecting on the experience, Daniel from Year 7 said:
This show gave many different angles on gun effects throughout history. This talk was incredibly insightful as he not only talked about the gun’s technical history, but its social history as well.
Experiences such as this exemplify Barnard Castle School’s commitment to promoting academic excellence beyond the classroom. We offer pupils opportunities to deepen their understanding and engage thoughtfully with complex topics in the wider world.
