TO celebrate their 60th anniversary, St Cuthbert’s High School have used the funds from their special celebrations to purchase and install its own Tommy silhouette statue.

The figure, which stands outside Berrys Lane school, is part of the “There But Not There” centenary commemoration to mark the end of the the First World War.

The scheme aims to place a representative figure for every name on local war memorials around the country, into their place of worship, their school, their workplace or wherever their absence was keenly felt - and can be seen in various forms across the borough.

Headteacher Catherine Twist, said: “Remembrance has always been an important annual event in our school calendar. As the centenary period draws to a close we wanted a real focus with which to educate younger generations on the level of sacrifice made by British and Commonwealth men and women in the First World War, and the impact this war had on our society and culture today.

“We hope by installing a Tommy at our front door we may symbolically be bringing a member of our community back home.”

Head of humanities, Holly Brown, added: “In the lead up to Armistice Day we will be exploring lots of different aspects of the end of the First World War including an exciting piece of work with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Events will include a week-long series of assemblies for five days starting on November 5 and culminating with our annual Service of Remembrance for the community in our school grounds.”

Funds raised from the sale of the Tommies will go to: Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, Help for Heroes, Combat Stress and Walking with the Wounded.

The Tommies are made by the Royal British Legion Industries by ex-Service Veterans.