Celebrating our strongest SATs results to date across Pontefract Academies Trust

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Celebrating our strongest SATs results to date across Pontefract Academies Trust

We are incredibly proud to be celebrating our strongest SATs results to date, with pupils across our primary schools achieving outcomes that place our Trust significantly above national averages. Across Pontefract Academies Trust, 90% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics – 27 percentage points above the national average of 63%. These results represent a significant milestone for our Trust and reflect the dedication, ambition and hard work of our pupils, staff and families. Our success reflects the strength of our Trust family and the impact of working together with a shared ambition: to provide the… Read more

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National Recognition for Our Commitment to Staff Development

We are proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for the 2026 MAT Excellence award for Staff Development (1-12 schools). “Staff development at Pontefract Academies Trust has been transformed into a culture where learning, wellbeing and growth are woven into their every day. Through initiatives including their Everyday Development model, three development days, succession planning, and professional learning hub, they have created personalised development, strengthened retention, built leadership pipelines, and achieved high engagement and satisfaction.” The MAT Excellence Awards celebrate excellence and impact across multi-academy trusts, and the Staff Development award highlights trusts that provide exceptional opportunities for colleagues… Read more

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Reindeer Runs: Supporting the Prince of Wales Hospice

This year, PAT schools proudly took part in the annual Reindeer Run, raising funds for the incredible Prince of Wales Hospice. The charity holds a special place within our Trust, and we were delighted to, once again, support them over the Christmas period. One of PAT’s core values is that we are Stronger as One. By coming together to support local charities that serve our community with such dedication, we strengthen the very communities we are part of. We are thrilled to share that, across December 2025, we raised an incredible £11,565.75 across the Trust. These funds will help The Prince of Wales… Read more

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Pontefract Academies Trust Ranked 1st in the North and 6th Nationally for KS2 Attainment

We are incredibly proud to share the exceptional Key Stage 2 (KS2) outcomes achieved across our Trust. Pontefract Academies Trust is 1st in the North of England and 6th across all England for KS2 attainment, based on DfE data. Across our Trust, 86% of pupils achieved the expected standard – 24% above the national average. By default, this also puts us 1st in Yorkshire and the Humber region for KS2 attainment. Strong Outcomes for Disadvantaged Pupils The DfE figures show that our outcomes for disadvantaged pupils are significantly above the national average for non-disadvantaged pupils. 73% of disadvantaged pupils across… Read more

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Top 10 in the country for staff feedback – Edurio Staff Survey

We’re proud to be part of Pontefract Academies Trust, which was recognised with the Trust Value Award for Excellence in the 2025 Edurio Awards – placing us among the top 10 performing trusts nationally, based on staff feedback. Edurio is a national education survey platform used by over 1,300 schools across the UK. They help organisations to gather honest, anonymous feedback, providing insights into everything from culture and wellbeing to leadership and pupil behaviour. Pontefract Academies Trust achieved fantastic results in the survey, with 85% of staff across the Trust saying they would recommend it as a good place to… Read more

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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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