CROWNING CHARITABLE ACHIEVEMENTS ON THE CORONATION

Young people across Star schools revelled in the historic occasion of the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla by celebrating the Royal Family’s selfless service and by expressing their community spirit.

Pupils and staff celebrated the once-in-a-generation event with a range of regal activities to mark the crowning of a British monarch for the first time in 70 years. Inspired by His Majesty The King’s dedication to charity, schools participated in the Star Big Help Out Challenge to volunteer their time to improve and support their communities.

Star schools decked out their halls, corridors and classrooms with royal bunting and decorations fit for a king as they celebrated with Coronation Big Lunches. Members of the community were invited into schools to join pupils and staff for Coronation banquets, with some of our younger pupils donning sparkling crowns and imperial gowns to embrace the majesty of the occasion.

In recognition of The King’s life of service and commitment to charities – and in keeping with the STAR value of Service – giving back to communities formed an important part of schools’ Coronation celebrations. In the Star Big Help Out

Challenge, pupils collectively completed over 10,000 hours of voluntary service in their local communities. This endeavour was inspired by the national Big Help Out initiative to encourage the public to lend their time to a local charity on Monday 8 May, the Coronation Bank Holiday.

Pupils at Highfield Leadership Academy in Blackpool spread the joy of the occasion by hosting a party for members of the community who live in sheltered accommodation. The event featured talented members of the school community entertaining guests with singing, dancing and games, as pupils served special Coronation cheesecakes, which were freshly made by pupils in their community kitchen.

Hundreds of pupils pledged their time to spruce up their school grounds, public parks and areas in their local community to create more welcoming environments for residents. Pupils at The Olive School, Small Heath and Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School in Blackburn took to the streets to litter pick and improve the appearance of their local streets.

Inspired by King Charles III’s passion for the natural world and the environment, pupils at The Valley Leadership Academy volunteered their time by planting a peace garden on school grounds. Decorated with royal bunting for the occasion, the area will provide a permanent and dedicated space for pupils and staff to reflect in a calming environment.

At Starbank School in Birmingham, imaginative primary pupils created 3D crowns in an art competition, with the regal creations paraded by their creators at the school’s Coronation party. In Bradford, every pupil at Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy was given the opportunity to express their artistic talents by designing portraits of the King, which were proudly displayed in a commemorative art gallery which lined the school’s corridors and hall.

Schools’ Coronation creativity also extended beyond decorations to the art of cuisine as school halls were brimming with impressive culinary displays as they held their own Big Lunch events. Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College’s Best of British theme featured the finest scones and decadent sandwiches in tribute to a British institution, afternoon tea.

Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said: “As we celebrated this historic occasion, the Star family once again reinforced its commitment to its communities. Our Royal Family, and in particular our new King and Queen, provide so much inspiration by their tireless commitment to the country and through their charitable endeavours.

“The Star Big Help Out Challenge was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to reflect on His Majesty’s life of service and to make a genuine difference to their community in his honour. By volunteering their time and resources, our pupils were able to create meaningful change while enhancing their character.”