Former Stockton schoolboys who lost their lives in the First World War will be the subject of a major new research project by today’s students.

A group of 11-18 year-olds will look into the past lives of 69 ex-Stockton Secondary School boys who fought and died in the conflict.

Stockton Sixth Form College has been awarded £7,000 towards the project from the Heritage Lottery Fund, it was announced on Monday.

The research will be carried out with The Grangefield Academy, in Stockton.

The secondary school is the successor to the one attended by the 69 and has commemorative plaque featuring the names of the fallen.

Up to 30 young people will participate in various research over the next year, including travelling to Northern France where they will visit a former battlefield.

Grangefield principal Nikki Gibb said: “At the time of the First World War, The Grangefield Academy was known as Grangefield Secondary School and was the old grammar school for Stockton.

“It is fitting that in this special First World War centenary year which will see many events taking place throughout the UK to mark the end of the conflict, that our students can be involved in this exciting research project into the every-day lives of these brave Stocktonians.

“The opportunity to visit battlefield sites and war graves will not only remain with them throughout their lives, but will provide the kind of experience many would not be able to share without this project.”

The research will be recorded as a film which will be as part of the Stockton Council’s commemoration of the centenary of the end of the war this November.

It will be screened online for free.

Stockton Council chief executive Neil Schneider said: “This is a great project which fits perfectly with our on-going plans to remember and learn about residents from Stockton who fought in the First World War, so I’m delighted Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded funding for it.”