Soldiers mark Armed Forces Day at Catterick school picnic

Cambrai Primary School welcomed parents from nearby Catterick Garrison for the picnic, celebrating their service to the country, and the school’s links with the armed forces.

(Image: Chris Barron)

Visitors included Major Sarah Williams, whose sons, George and Harry, both attend Cambrai. She said: “This is George’s third school and Harry’s second because we move around a lot, but they really like it at Cambrai – they get to do a lot of fun stuff.

“It’s a phenomenal school, so it’s really important to us to be able to support them as part of the military and come here on Armed Forces Day.”

Major Sarah Williams with her son, George (Image: Chris Barron)

Armed Forces Day is celebrated throughout the UK in June. Cambrai – which is part of the Lingfield Education Trust – has an unusually high number of pupils from forces families due to its close ties with the Garrison, and has celebrated the day every year since the school opened in 2019.

Cambrai held a variety of other events and activities throughout the week, including a military-style Physical Training Drill, and an art workshop with the charity Never Such Innocence, an organisation which helps children reflect on the realities of war and conflict.

Captain Rory Campbell with his daughter, Grace (Image: Chris Barron)

Laura Robinson, Head of School, said: “Armed Forces Day is always a highlight of our year, as it gives us chances to applaud our incredible military personnel.

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“Our links with the armed forces give Cambrai a unique perspective, and with so many of our children coming from military families, it’s important that their experiences are recognised, shared and celebrated.”

Air Specialist Richard Haines with his children, Francesca, Max, and Katelyn (Image: Chris Barron)

Nick Blackburn, Chief Executive of the Lingfield Education Trust, said: “As Catterick Garrison’s local primary school, it’s fantastic to see how Cambrai’s relationship with the base and its military families has grown stronger and stronger over the last few years.

“There’s no doubt this plays a major role in the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive from pupils and families, and contributed to our recent ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating.”