News

Carleton Park is Outstanding in all five inspected areas!

Carleton Park Junior and Infant School has been praised by Ofsted as an ‘Outstanding’ school in all five inspected judgement areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development,… Read more

School Games Gold Level Mark Award

We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2023/24 academic year. The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched… Read more

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

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… 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

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… 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

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

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

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

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

Martial Arts Black Belt Awarded To Carleton Park Pupil

Edward, an 11 year old pupil at Carleton Park Junior & Infant School, has been awarded with his Black Belt after only 3 years of participating in Karate. Black symbolizes… 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

Christmas Is On The Cards For Yorkshire MP

Yorkshire’s MPs have turned to local school children to help design their Christmas cards this year. They set a competition that any age children could enter across the region. Shadow… 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 Wildcats Donate Brand New Kit to Local School

Carleton Park Junior & Infant School have kindly been donated a brand new Nike football kit from local girls football club, Pontefract Wildcats. The kit which proudly showcases the school… 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

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

Super Seven-year-old Cycles 174 miles in a month for charity

A super impressive seven-year-old boy called Leo from Carleton Park Junior and Infant school is inspiring all his family and classmates by cycling a staggering 174 miles throughout the month… 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

Super Seven-year-old Cycles 174 miles in a month for charity

A super impressive seven-year-old boy called Leo from Carleton Park Junior and Infant school is inspiring all his family and classmates by cycling a staggering 174 miles throughout the month… 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

Carleton Park ranked within the Top 10 primary schools in Wakefield

Carleton Park has been ranked the 3rd best primary school out of 100 in the Wakefield Local Authority for attainment in reading, writing and maths. To read an article published… Read more

Outstanding Ofsted Boost for Carleton Park Junior & Infant School and Pontefract Academies Trust

Carleton Park Junior & Infant School and Pontefract Academies Trust has been awarded the highest “outstanding” grade for leadership and management by Ofsted – making it one of the most… 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