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Commemorating VE Day 80 across our family of schools

From themed menus and music to moments of reflection, on Thursday 8th May 2025 pupils and staff from across our family of schools proudly celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day.

Bowbrook Primary School

“Celebrating and remembering VE Day with our friends from Shrewsbury School. A day of hope and liberation!”

Coleham Primary School

“We enjoyed celebrating the 80th anniversary of ‘Victory in Europe’ in true Coleham style. The children visited our air raid shelter, enjoyed a celebratory outdoor lunch and made commemorative plates and hats.  Our two-minute silence honoured the soldiers and people of the past who all contributed to the war effort and a reminder of why peace and kindness are so important in the world we live in.”

Read more at: VE Day Celebration – Coleham Primary School

Hodnet Primary School

Letter from Charlotte, age 6
Letter from Grace, age 7

“Hodnet Primary School participated in the VE mail project to celebrate VE Day 80. We received a letter from veteran Commander John Eskdale, aged 101. Our children wrote reply letters to him which we will send next week. This is a wonderful project connecting future generations with our war heroes. Our pupils were delighted to receive a personal letter and wanted to reply to thank Commander Eskdale for his service.”

Read more at: https://hodnetschool.co.uk/ve-80th-anniversary/

John Wilkinson Primary School and Nursery

Pupils from John Wilkinson Primary School and Nursery took part in the local community’s VE Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration Service at Broseley Memorial Gardens. The children sang White Cliffs of Dover alongside pupils from Broseley C of E School.

Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery

“VE Day is more than a celebration. It is a moment of reflection and gratitude. At Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery, we marked this special day not just in spirit, but through meaningful learning. Our assembly centred around remembrance, and our afternoon lessons helped children understand the significance of this historic day. Through stories, discussion, celebration and quiet moments, our pupils came to appreciate the past—and the peace they enjoy today.”

St Martins 3-16 School

“Primary children from St Martins School enjoyed a full day of celebrations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The children enjoyed a picnic lunch on the field followed by an afternoon of singing songs. Nursery children sang a lovely rendition of You are my Sunshine. All primary children shared songs that were popular 80 years ago including a rousing rendition of We’ll Meet Again.”

The Priory School

Celebrating VE Day in the canteen at The Priory School. 

Thomas Adams School

“Staff and students came together to commemorate VE Day with a themed lunch from the school’s catering team at Thomas Adams School. The special menu provides a fun and fitting way to mark the occasion: Cottage Pie, Homity Pie, Corned Beef Hash, Classic Trifle, Victoria Sponge Butterfly Cakes, Fruit Jelly and Orange and Ginger Cake.”

Read more about the school’s VE Day celebrations at: https://www.thomasadams.net/ve-day-celebrations/

William Brookes School

Marking VE Day with themed food at William Brookes School. 

The 3-18 Education Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) of primary and secondary schools across Shropshire, with a community of over 5,000 students.

For press enquiries, contact media@318education.co.uk.

Thomas Adams School celebrate national boarding award for innovation

The award recognises the school’s pioneering work in developing and implementing inspection triads – a collaborative peer-assessment framework that brings together boarding schools to conduct structured reviews of each other’s practices.

Thomas Adams School is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Boarding Innovation Award at the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) Supporting Excellence Awards 2025. The accolade was presented during the BSA Annual Conference for Heads at York Racecourse on Tuesday 6th May.

Lee Irwin, Director of Boarding

Lee Irwin, Director of Boarding at Thomas Adams School, has been instrumental in designing and promoting the inspection triad model. Lee said: “We are delighted to receive this national recognition for our work with inspection triads. The programme has significantly enhanced the quality of boarding provision, not only at Thomas Adams but also in the wider boarding community. It’s gratifying to see our collaborative approach making a positive impact across the sector.”

Mark Cooper, Headteacher of Thomas Adams School, added: “This award is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our boarding team. Their commitment to excellence and collaboration has set a benchmark in the sector. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the positive influence they have on the broader boarding community.”

The BSA Supporting Excellence Awards, now in their eighth year, celebrate the achievements and dedication of schools and individuals within the boarding sector. With over 300 entries submitted this year, the competition was particularly strong.

For further information about the inspection triad programme or Thomas Adams School’s boarding provision, please contact Mr Lee Irwin at lee.irwin@tas.318education.co.uk

Find out more about boarding at Thomas Adams School: Boarding | Thomas Adams School – Wem, Shropshire, UK

The 3-18 Education Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) of primary and secondary schools across Shropshire, with a community of over 5,000 students.

For press enquiries, contact media@318education.co.uk.