Students at Sidmouth College paid their respects to their predecessors by starting to create a field of 4,000 poppies.

Sidmouth Herald: Sidmouth Community College students pulled together to sow over 4000 poppy seeds in the college grounds to mark this year's centenary of World War One. Oliver Moore-Jones joined the team of helpers. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref shs 2559-21-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo OrdersSidmouth Community College students pulled together to sow over 4000 poppy seeds in the college grounds to mark this year's centenary of World War One. Oliver Moore-Jones joined the team of helpers. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref shs 2559-21-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders (Image: Archant)

Youngsters from the school council wanted to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One and led the planting effort, on history teacher Mary Dean’s suggestion.

Sidmouth Herald: Sidmouth Community College students pulled together to sow over 4000 poppy seeds in the college grounds to mark this year's centenary of World War One. Kezia Egargo sprinkles the seeds in the beds. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref shs 2593-21-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo OrdersSidmouth Community College students pulled together to sow over 4000 poppy seeds in the college grounds to mark this year's centenary of World War One. Kezia Egargo sprinkles the seeds in the beds. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref shs 2593-21-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders (Image: Archant)

Modern languages teacher Katie Hindmarsh said she is hopeful the flowers will bloom over the summer and thanked Sidmouth Garden Centre for offering a good deal on the seeds.

Pupils have also marked the centenary with a trip to Auschwitz, and another is planned to the battlefields in July.

The school also has a programme of events planned to help the students understand the realities of conflict.