This week, pupils and staff across Pontefract Academies Trust have honoured the annual Remembrance period through a wide range of events and activities, both within and beyond school.
Pontefract Remembrance Day Parade
On Sunday, representatives from across our schools took part in a parade at Pontefract’s War Memorial. Spencer and Isla, Head Boy and Head Girl from Northfield Primary School, laid a wreath on behalf of their school. Two pupil ambassadors from The Rookeries Junior, Infant & Nursery School delivered readings during the church service, representing their school with pride and respect. Many other pupils and staff attended, paying tribute and acting as ambassadors for the Trust. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who gave up part of their weekend to represent their schools and Pontefract Academies Trust at this important event.
Remembering Through School Activities and Conversations
At Halfpenny Lane Junior, Infant & Nursery School, pupils were fortunate to welcome several special guests throughout the week. Mr. Pullin, an Afghanistan veteran, spoke about his experiences serving as a Commando Engineer between 2008 and 2012. The school also hosted Mr. Michael Bower, a Navy veteran and badge of honour recipient, as well as Mr. Godfrey Brooks, a 106-year-old Royal Engineer veteran. Pupils were invited to bring in family photographs of relatives who served in the armed forces, which were shared in a touching slideshow during assembly. This provided a unique and unforgettable opportunity for pupils to learn from and engage with remarkable individuals, making this year’s Remembrance period particularly meaningful.
On 11 November 2025, Carleton High School welcomed members of the Royal British Legion and a group of veterans who shared their personal stories with Years 7, 8, and 9. The visitors recounted powerful memories of their time in service, including what life was like at school during the Blitz. Two of the veterans were former teachers at Carleton High, back when it was an all-boys secondary modern school in the late 1950s and 60s, making their visit especially memorable. Pupils from Years 7 and 8 read poems, and Carleton High’s own Mr. Hawkhead performed a moving rendition of The Last Post, followed by the two-minute silence at 11 o’clock. This experience offered students a profound opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many young people to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.
It has been wonderful to see the events and activities shared across all our schools on X (formerly Twitter). This year’s Remembrance period has been a truly heartfelt time to honour those who served in past conflicts and to reflect on those still ongoing.
Please continue to share school news with me at cking@patrust.org.uk