Ofsted – Outstanding in all five categories!

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Ofsted – Outstanding in all five categories!

We are delighted to share the results of the recent Ofsted inspection at Larks Hill Junior and Infant School (March 2025). Larks Hill has achieved Outstanding judgements in all five categories: Quality of education Behaviour and attitudes Personal development Leadership and management Early years provision This milestone reflects the exceptional education that pupils receive during their time at Larks Hill. Report Highlights The Ofsted report celebrates that, “pupils love coming to school. Attendance is impressively high.” The report also emphasises that, “pupils achieve exceptionally well” throughout their time at Larks Hill. Praise was given to the school’s curriculum, “The curriculum… Read more

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PAT Primary Maths Championship

At the end of March, Pontefract Academies Trust had the pleasure of hosting the very first PAT Primary Maths Championship, bringing pupils together from across our seven primary schools for a day of fierce competition. This event was a celebration of the mathematical talent within our Trust and an opportunity for our brightest young minds to showcase their skills. Each of our seven primary schools entered a team of six students who were carefully selected for their outstanding abilities in Mathematics. The pupils competed in three challenging rounds: Relay Round, Puzzle Round, and Buzzer Round, which determined the two schools… Read more

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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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Yvette Cooper MP visits Larks Hill

Yvette Cooper MP visits Larks Hill to meet Christmas card competition winner Larks Hill Junior and Infant School had a special assembly on Friday 1st December to celebrate Oliver, a Year 3 pupil, who won the Christmas card design competition organised by Rt Hon Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP for Normanton, Pontefract & Castleford. At the assembly, Yvette Cooper MP presented Oliver with a certificate and a prize to celebrate his winning entry. Mrs Adams, Headteacher at Larks Hill J & I School, expressed her delight, saying “I am over the moon to learn that Oliver, one of our Year… Read more

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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 children, who all attend Orchard Head Junior, Infant & Nursery School, part of Pontefract Academies Trust, are used to fancy award ceremonies and being in the limelight as their Dad, Rob Burrow is an English former professional rugby league footballer, who spent 16 years playing for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League, before retiring in 2017. Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019 and has since… Read more

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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 of Wales Hospice. Hospice hero boy and hospice hero girl are the new representatives of the hospice, based in Pontefract. The six schools include Carleton Park Junior & Infant School, De Lacy Pontefract Primary School, Halfpenny Lane Junior, Infant & Nursery School, Larks Hill Junior & Infant School, Orchard Head Junior, Infant & Nursery School and The Rookeries Carleton Junior, Infant & Nursery School. The mascots, together with a representative… Read more

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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 deliver an inspirational assembly with a strong focus on resilience. Rachael spoke to the pupils about how her career wouldn’t have been what it is today if she hadn’t have had the perseverance to keep on going, and made the point about how every single person has the same skill set, no one is unique, we just have to train hard and have dreams and aspirations. The assemblies were organised… Read more

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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 fundraising effort they and other schools in the local area contributed to. Organised by The Prince of Wales Hospice, the ceremony celebrated £61,000 being raised from one event alone – a Reindeer Run. In December, children were encouraged to run, dance, skip or hop and get sponsored for doing so. The schools invited included Carleton Park Junior & Infant School, De Lacy Primary School, Halfpenny Lane Junior, Infant & Nursery… Read more

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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 an inspirational presentation about their stories of serving in the war. They also spoke about the significance of the poppy. Both schools were also very fortunate to hear the bugle played live, which marked a very significant point in their assembly. Students from Carleton High School and The King’s School were also invited to be part of the Pontefract Remembrance Parade to remember those men and women who lost their… Read more

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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 & Nursery School featured on Look North and the Children In Need programme as they attempted to break the world record of how many wet sponges can you throw at someone in 30 seconds! A big thank you to Headteacher at The Rookeries, Mr Grogan for nominating himself to have the sponges thrown at! The pupils loved it. Overall our schools raised a staggering £4,000. Amongst the fundraising methods, Children… Read more

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