News
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
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.… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
From Pontefract to Representing Yorkshire
After only 5 years of playing Badminton competitively, Eva Hursthouse, a 14-year-old student at Carleton High School, part of Pontefract Academies Trust, has been chosen to represent Yorkshire in the… Read more
Over 350 Pupils and Staff from Orchard Head Junior, Infant & Nursery School Have Walked 16 Miles to Raise Awareness of the Motor Neurone Disease Association
Pupils and staff from Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School held a fundraising event to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease Association. The school community have walked… Read more
The Rookeries Junior, Infant & Nursery School are Making Music Accessible for Deaf Children
Wakefield Music Education Hub has secured funding to run a new project called Vocalise at The Rookeries Junior, Infant & Nursery School in Pontefract. The project provides an opportunity for… Read more
Local 9-Year-Old Receives an Award From the Mayor
George, a 9-year-old from Carleton Park Junior & Infant School part of Pontefract Academies Trust, has been awarded a “Mayor says thanks” recognition award for fundraising over £1,750 for children’s… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Secondary School Students Delivering Phenomenal Results
Carleton High School and The King’s School, both a part of Pontefract Academies Trust have achieved incredible performance in their 2021/22 GCSE Examinations, as verified by The Department for Education… Read more
Trust Supports World Mental Health Day
The initiative, led by the Mental Health Foundation and recognised by the World Health Organisation, is held every year on the 10th October. The theme for the day changes each… Read more
Walk for Rob
Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School are holding a fundraising event to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease Association starting in the week commencing the 10th of October. Most of… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Announce Secondary School Open Evening’s
Pontefract Academies Trust are delighted to announce that Carleton High School and The King’s School will be opening their doors to prospective students and parents for their annual Open Evening.… Read more
Huge Success for Pontefract Students in GCSE Results
The King’s School and Carleton High School, both members of Pontefract Academies Trust, are celebrating GCSE success today. Eight students from Carleton High School achieved an incredible set of results… Read more
King’s Fest was a Sell Out!
Over 1,000 parents, carers, students and community members turned out in the sunshine to support The King’s School’s annual event King’s Fest! It was an incredible evening showcasing talent of… Read more
Primary School SATs Success
Message from Julian Appleyard OBE, CEO: A huge congratulations to the incredible 10 & 11 year olds across the primary schools within Pontefract Academies Trust. 81% of our pupils have… Read more
Two New Mascots In Town
Pupils at Pontefract Academies Trust primary schools have been given an important task this week. They have been given the challenge of naming the brand new mascots from The Prince… Read more
Carleton High School Student Dances Her Way to the Main Stage
Francesca Scholes, a Year 7 student at Carleton High School, part of Pontefract Academies Trust, has landed a role in The Nothern Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at Leeds Grand… Read more
Burrow Family Scoop Up Awards At Yorkshire Choice Awards
10-year-old Macy, 7-year-old Maya, and 3-year-old Jackson Burrow were amazed and excited when they won the Young Achiever Award at the Yorkshire Choice Awards held at Elland Road. The three… Read more
Professional Athletes Deliver Inspirational Assemblies To Pontefract Children
Nicola Minichiello, leading member of the Great Britain Bobsleigh team from 2001-2011 and Rachael Mackenzie, World Thai-Boxing champion visited all six primary schools in Pontefract Academies Trust this week to… Read more
Young Fundraisers Receive Special Mayor Award
Pupils from 6 primary schools in Pontefract, all part of Pontefract Academies Trust, were invited to a special awards ceremony at the Mayor’s office on Thursday to celebrate the incredible… Read more
Local Children Involved In Remembrance Day In Pontefract
Both of our secondary schools were delighted to welcome Mr Brian Berry MA from the Ackworth and Pontefract branch of The Royal British Legion along with other ex-veterans. They gave… Read more
Children In Need 2021
Every year, all eight of our schools find fun ways to raise money for Children in Need. Whether it’s baking, running races, raffles and much more. The Rookeries Junior, Infant… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Pledge Support for The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract
Pontefract Academies Trust has announced that for this academic year their eight schools as well as the central office, will be fundraising for The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract.… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Raise almost £20,000 In Their Phenomenal Fundraising Efforts
All eight schools who are part of Pontefract Academies Trust have received the totals that they have collectively raised for The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract and Motor Neurone… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Staff Felt The Freeze
Staff including teachers, lunchtime supervisors and housekeepers across the eight schools in Pontefract Academies Trust have each endured at least 92 seconds of ice cold water on their feet to… Read more
HUGE SUCCESS FOR PONTEFRACT STUDENTS IN GCSE RESULTS
The King’s School and Carleton High School, both members of Pontefract Academies Trust, are celebrating GCSE success today. Two students from The King’s School achieved an incredible set of results… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Phenomenal Fundraising Week
All eight schools who are part of Pontefract Academies Trust have had a busy few days packed full of fundraising activities to raise money for both The Prince of Wales… Read more
Castleford Tigers Player Inspires Local Children with Wellbeing Session
Professional Super League player and Castleford Tigers player, Pete Mata’utia, held a mindset and wellbeing talk and workshop with pupils from Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School this week.… Read more
Pontefract Food Bank Thank Pontefract Schools for their Support
Together the 3,900 pupils and over 300 staff members of Pontefract Academies Trust collected 315kg of food which has been donated to Pontefract Food Bank. The amount collected is enough… Read more
Pontefract Caped Crusaders will be celebrating Red Nose Day
Wearing red, telling funny jokes and dressing up as their favourite superheroes are just some of the ways that the children at Pontefract Academies Trust schools plan to celebrate Red… Read more
Masked Readers celebrate World Book Day at Pontefract Academies Trust
Teachers, pupils and parents didn’t let lockdown stop them from celebrating this year’s World Book Day as they enjoyed an action packed agenda to enjoy their love of storytelling and… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Support Children’s Mental Health Week
Pontefract Academies Trust has been embracing Children’s Mental Health Week and encouraging all their students to find activities that help them feel good about themselves whether that be art, drama,… Read more
Pontefract Academies Trust Donate to Pontefract Food Bank
More than 500 teachers and staff from Pontefract Academies Trust are collecting tins of food and urgent items to donate to the Pontefract food bank. The Trust are pleased to… Read more
Pontefract Primary Schools Light up a Life for The Prince of Wales Hospice
Children from six schools in Pontefract have recorded themselves singing a Christmas song and message to be played as part of The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract, Light up… Read more
Creative Pontefract Children produce 200 Poppies for Remembrance Day
Primary school children from Pontefract Academies Trust have made around 200 poppies to be displayed opposite Valley Gardens in Pontefract Town Centre for all to come and see and mark… Read more
Thousands of Pontefract Kids Took Part in the Cross Country Challenge
Around 3500 children in Pontefract put their best feet forward to take part in the Trust’s first Cross Country Challenge competition. Each child raced against their individual class mates along… Read more
Full Marks for Pontefract Academies Trust – Top 10% of Education Trusts in the Country and 3 Schools in the Top 10 of all Wakefield Primary Schools
Pontefract Academies Trust has been named in the top 10% of education trusts in the country in the Department for Education Performance Tables for primary schools, published last month. The… Read more
Orchard Head J, I & N School graded a ‘Good’ School by Ofsted
Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School has reason to celebrate after being rated as ‘Good’ in its latest Ofsted inspection. The result has been even more pleasing for the… Read more
Key Stage 2 SATs Success!
The recent publication of the the Key Stage 2 SATs results is proving that the Trust is continuing to transform the quality of education for the young people of the… Read more
Orchard Head J, I and N School rated “Good” by Ofsted
Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School has announced that a recent Ofsted inspection has rated the school as good. The school which is part of Pontefract Academies Trust was… Read more