The Power of Education

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The Power of Education

In the heart of Pontefract, a group of nine schools are making waves in the education sector. Pontefract Academies Trust, comprising of seven primary schools and two secondary schools, was once struggling with underperformance. However, thanks to a significant shift in its leadership and culture, the Trust has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, it stands tall as an outstanding success story of school improvement, with staff and students playing a vital role in its journey to success. In 2018, the primary schools’ performance across the Trust was amongst the weakest in the country. But this year, the primary schools’ performance… Read more

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Pontefract Academies Trust work boost children’s attendance and achievement through teacher performances.

May and June can be particularly stressful times in schools when children are preparing for exams. It as these times, more than any, that children may need an additional reason to love going to school. At Carleton High teachers rewarded students with their take on the ‘Masked Singer’ while at Carleton Park Primary the teachers surprised the pupils with a Staff Flash Mob Dance in their interpretation of ‘Carleton’s Got Talent’. Joe Ayre, Headteacher at Carleton Park Junior and Infant School said “The atmosphere in the school was euphoric. We began with two teachers doing the Cha Cha Slide and… Read more

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Pontefract Academies Trust gives life changing opportunities to students.

The Pontefract Academies Trust provides children in the Pontefract area outstanding life opportunities academically, socially, culturally and on the sports field. In 2022 both Carleton High School and The King’s School boasted GCSE results that placed the students in the top 15% nationally in terms of progress. This holiday teenagers from both schools experienced lifechanging opportunities in New York, Italy and Switzerland that extended beyond the curriculum to create memories and life skills that will last a lifetime. Shaheen Shariff, Headteacher, Carleton High School noted “School trips are special; they create lifelong memories for students and staff, there is always… Read more

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Plans revealed for Carleton High School’s rebuild under the government’s flagship School Rebuilding Programme

Carleton High School, part of Pontefract Academies Trust, has today, Thursday 22nd December revealed the plans for the replacement of its school’s multiple teaching blocks with an entirely new 3-story building, securing the future of the school and high educational standards for all of its pupils for decades to come. Under the government’s flagship School Rebuilding Programme, all costs are being covered for the work to create the new building, which is expected to meet all of the latest environmental and education standards. Work is expected to begin August 2023 and to complete over a period of 12 – 18… Read more

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Pontefract Academies Trust Choir Debut Performance

On Saturday 17th December, our fabulous Pontefract Academies Trust choir put on their first-ever performance at Wakefield Cathedral with the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir. A big thank you to the students who represented all eight of our schools and Mr Parkinson, Headteacher at De Lacy Primary School for directing the choir. Thank you for all of the time and effort that has gone into rehearsing for this special event. The performance was stunning, and we couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved. For some of the students, it was the first time they had ever performed for an audience. Well done. Read more

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Pupils Helped Judge the Annual Christmas Display Competition in Pontefract

Chosen by 13 pupils from across six primary schools, Cartner’s No.5 new bar on Shoemarket in the town has scooped first place. More than 50 businesses entered the competition and were judged by pupils from Carleton Park Junior and Infant School, De Lacy Primary School, Halfpenny Lane Junior, Infant & Nursery School, Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School, Larks Hill Junior and Infant School and St. Giles C. E Academy. Paul Cartwright, chair of Pontefract Civic Society said: “We were delighted by this year’s response with over 50 decorated businesses, which was understandably slightly down on last year, though the… Read more

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The Prince of Wales Hospice Spread Festive Cheer

Over the next two weeks, pupils in all of our primary schools will be visited by representatives from The Prince of Wales Hospice. They will gain an understanding of what happens at the hospice and why it’s such an integral part of our local community. The hospice will also be launching its annual Reindeer Run and Santa Dash. A fun activity for everyone to take part in to help spread some festive cheer. Read more

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A Local Student Has Been Chosen to Represent Girlguiding

Lucy Farrar, a Year 11 student at The King’s School, part of Pontefract Academies Trust, has beaten 100’s of other applicants to become a National Advocate for The Girl Guides. Advocates are a group of Girlguiding members aged 14 to 25 that lead the advocacy and research. They act as Girl Guide spokespeople and represent the voices of girls and young women, talking to MPs and other decision-makers, speaking to the media, going to events, and more. Lucy started her journey to being a Guide at just five years old when she became a Rainbow. She is in Rangers now and has been… Read more

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Children In Need

On Friday 18th November, we celebrated Children in Need across all eight of our schools. Staff and students raised money with various activities including bun sales, toy sales, sponge the teacher, drop the ball, performances, a non-uniform day, and more! Our students gained more understanding about how their fundraising will go towards supporting children and young people living in poverty, providing emergency support to families in crisis, providing comfort to children feeling sad, lost and alone, helping children overcome social injustice, and supporting children to feel safe and secure again. Read more

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Pontefract Academies Trust Invests in Outdoor Learning and Play

Pontefract Academies Trust is delighted to announce that they have invested a substantial amount of money into outdoor learning facilities for De Lacy Pontefract Primary School. Children and staff are now able to take advantage of state-of-the-art playground equipment which includes planting areas, den making apparatus, and textured multi-coloured flooring to help heighten the senses and encourage creative play. The brand new areas also have an outdoor stage for performances, waterplay equipment designed to help strengthen problem-solving skills as well as bird and ladybird boxes to study their local natural surroundings and wildlife. The areas at the school have been… Read more

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