Remembrance service at William Howard School was a little different this year, but no less poignant. Rather than the whole school gathering together for the commemorations, last Wednesday, year group bubbles commemorated the occasion in separate observance.

In previous years, students who are members of the RAF and Army Cadet Forces would parade in their military uniforms, and usually be joined by RAF Spadeadam personnel, but this year our Sixth Form students led the commemorations instead.

At 10.15am, the Year 9 pupils gathered outside on the top yard for the first service. Year 13 student Nyah Hannah gave a reading of the poem In Flanders Fields, before Poppy Gregory and Matthew Warwick played the Last Post. Following the Exhortation, a minute’s silence was solemnly observed. Reveille sounded the end of the silence before our Head Boy, Harry Sidaway, read the war poem The Soldier by Robert Brooke.

At 10.45am it was the turn of Years 7, 8 and the Sixth Form to file out separately onto the Astroturf pitch for a repeat of the service.

Year 13 student Matthew Warwick played the trombone alongside fellow Year 13 student Poppy Gregory and woodwind teacher Andy Tugwell on trumpet. This was the second year that Matthew and Poppy had the role of sounding the Last Post during the Remembrance service. Matthew said: “It’s a bit nerve-wracking with all the school watching, but it’s still very enjoyable”. Both Matthew and Poppy have been members of the school band since they joined WHS in Year 7.

Year 10 and 11 students observed the one-minute silence at 11 o’clock in their classrooms after a special Remembrance lesson where they focused on the Forgotten War in Burma as seen through the eyes of Captain Tom. Throughout the morning, all the students took part in various Remembrance Day-related activities, including learning about the warhorses and their soldiers.

At the end of the morning, the poppy wreath was placed in the school’s memorial garden. Deputy headteacher Kath Pigdon said: “Our school community have always made us very proud with the display of their respectful behaviour on this important day and this year was no exception.”