Local school seeks communities help to identify former students who died in the Second World War

Summit Learning Trust schools across Birmingham and Solihull, have marked Remembrance Day today (Monday 11th November.)

Learners at Ninestiles, an Academy took part in the two minute silence but prior to Remembrance Day, they have been making efforts to learn more about learners from the school who died in the Second World War. The school has several plaques which commemorate former Ninestiles learners who gave their lives during the war but unfortunately the school doesn’t know anything about their stories.

Staff members and learners at the school are keen to know if anyone in the local community recognises any of those named on the plaques and if could provide more information about them. Please do contact the school at Click to show email address or on 0121 628 1311 if you have anything to share.

Cockshut Hill School welcomed Deputy Lieutenant Lawrence Barton of the West Midlands Lieutenancy to attend their ceremony. Mr Barton is a specialist consultant and adviser in the skills and training sector. For over two decades he served as the Managing Director of GB Training and he is an active community leader and equalities campaigner. He is also the Festival Director for the Birmingham Pride festival.

Cockshut Hill’s head learners did some readings and some of the school’s army cadets attended in their uniform. Children from several local primaries also came along to the school, along with religious leaders from the local community, Jo and Graham Hollioake from St Thomas’ Church and Enid Seeley from St Edbergha’s. As is now tradition at the school, Claire Pilkington, a long standing member of Cockshut Hill staff, played the ‘Last Post’ on the cornet.

The previous day members of Cockshut Hill’s Student Leadership Group had attended a Remembrance Parade locally, alongside Jess Phillips MP, they laid a wreath on behalf of the whole school community.

At Lyndon School students lined up outside to participate in the two minute silence and The Last Post was played. Remembrance, at Lyndon school , is sombre but reflective. Participating in their annual Remembrance ceremony provides learners with an opportunity to consider those who have given their lives to protect our democracy, and to consider those who continue to do so now. Learners leave a legacy for future members of the Lyndon family through the planting of both real and designed poppies in the Lyndon Remembrance Garden, a permanent visual reminder of the sacrifice of others.

The primary schools in the trust, including Erdington Hall Primary School, The Oaklands Primary School, Yarnfield Primary School, Pegasus Primary School and Kineton Green Primary School also marked the day with a two minute silence, special assemblies and by making poppies in their classes.

Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust said:

“Taking part in Remembrance Day gives our learners the chance to reflect upon those who have given their lives to protect us, and to thank those who currently serve in the Armed Forces. As a trust, we have a thriving Army Cadet detachment and having been recognised with a Gold Employer Recognition Award for our support for the Armed Forces community, we are proud to have such a strong connection to them this Remembrance Day.”