A Taunton school has marked a special milestone with a day of celebrations.
Castle Primary School celebrated its 150th birthday with a day of festivities that brought together past and present members of the school community.
To read the full story on the County Gazette website please click here.
Castle Primary School has marked a remarkable milestone, celebrating its 150th birthday with a day of festivities that brought together past and present members of the school community.
The celebrations featured a vibrant street party, where former pupils, staff, families and local residents gathered to honour the school’s long and proud history. The event provided an opportunity for members of the community to share fond memories of their time at Castle, reminiscing about days gone by and reflecting on how the school has shaped generations of local children.
One of the highlights of the day was the reunion of former staff members with their now-adult pupils. Many enjoyed catching up and sharing stories from their time at the school, creating a truly special atmosphere that showcased the lasting connections built within the Castle community.
Adding to the celebrations was a spectacular anniversary cake, created by Bakery Roy-Al in Martock, which proved a popular attraction among guests.
Visitors also enjoyed a fascinating history exhibition hosted by the Stoke-sub-Hamdon History Group. The exhibition featured a collection of artefacts, photographs and memorabilia spanning the school’s 150-year history, providing a unique insight into how life at Castle has evolved over the decades.
The anniversary celebrations highlighted not only the school’s rich heritage but also the strong sense of community that continues to define Castle Primary School today.
Reflecting on the occasion, organisers described the event as: “A wonderful opportunity to celebrate the school’s past while looking ahead to its future.
“Castle is an incredible place, and it was amazing to see so many people celebrating its history.”
The 150th birthday celebrations will be remembered as a fitting tribute to a school that has been at the heart of the local community for a century and a half.
Due to the challenges around heat safety, as set out in the red warning alerts issued by the UK Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency, and following local risk assessments, the academy will be closed to pupils and staff on Wednesday 24 June 2026 and Thursday 25 June 2026. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back at the usual time on Friday 26 June 2026.
The decision to close has been made to safeguard the health and wellbeing of students and staff. Work will be set to enable learning to continue at home. During the closure you can contact the academy in the usual way and leave a message, which will be responded to as soon as possible.
Keeping children safe and cool at home
During this period of hot weather, we recommend the following steps to help keep your child comfortable and safe:
Stay hydrated: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Keep indoors during peak heat: Avoid outdoor activities between 11am and 3pm where possible.
Create a cool environment: Keep curtains/blinds closed in sunny rooms and open windows in the early morning or evening to allow cooler air to circulate.
Dress appropriately: Loose, light-coloured clothing is best in hot weather.
Use sunscreen: Apply a high-factor sunscreen if your child is outside, and reapply regularly.
Rest and quiet activities: Encourage calm indoor activities to prevent overheating.
Please also remain vigilant for signs of heat-related illness, such as headaches, dizziness, or unusual tiredness, and seek medical advice if needed.
Warm weather can lead to an increase in water safety issues. Please take care when around water:
It is advised not to swim in open water unless it is a lifeguarded or supervised location
Always choose recognised swimming areas where trained lifeguards are present
Enter the water gradually—avoid jumping or diving straight in, as this can cause cold-water shock
Never swim alone and stay within designated safe area.
For further Water Safety Guidance please see – https://rnli.org/safety and Water Safety Leaflet
Somerset primary school pupils recently enjoyed the ultimate sporting day out at the home of English rugby.
Children from Castle Primary School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon took part in a tag rugby tournament and stadium tour at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, after being nominated by Cabot Learning Federation PE Lead, James Mooney.
To read the full story on the Somerset Gazette website please click here.
Pupils from Castle Primary School attended a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, the home of England Rugby.
Twickenham is the largest dedicated rugby stadium in the world, with a capacity of more than 80,000 spectators, and Castle pupils were invited to take part in a tag rugby tournament on the iconic pitch.
The school was nominated by Cabot Learning Federation PE Lead, James Mooney, to provide a unique opportunity for a small school that is not located close to any major sporting stadium to gain a real-world sporting experience.
The day included an opening presentation in the stadium seating, the chance for Castle Primary School to be announced over the stadium speaker system, and the unforgettable experience of running out from the players’ tunnel onto the main pitch.
Pupils also took part in a variety of rugby skills activities, toured the home and away changing facilities, and competed in multiple tag rugby matches against other schools.
Throughout the day, the children demonstrated commitment, passion and excellent sportsmanship, embracing every moment of this incredible opportunity.
Steve Morton, Principal of Castle Primary School, said: “This was an unforgettable experience for our pupils and one that many of them will remember for the rest of their lives.
“To have the opportunity to play on the pitch at Twickenham, explore behind the scenes and experience such an iconic sporting venue was truly inspiring.
“We are incredibly grateful to James Mooney and everyone involved in making this opportunity possible. The pupils represented the school brilliantly, showing determination, teamwork and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day.”
Year 6 pupils from Castle Primary School had an unforgettable day at The Tank Museum.
They participated in two engaging workshops, explored a 1940s shop and house, and even walked through recreated World War One trenches.
Their newl- formed Home Guard particularly enjoyed discovering the tanks and learning more about life during wartime.
Located in Dorset, The Tank Museum houses the world’s largest and finest collection of over 300 armoured vehicles from nearly 30 countries. As the museum of the Royal Tank Regiment, it features interactive exhibitions, the world’s only running Tiger I tank, and ‘Tanks in Action’ displays, offering visitors an immersive experience of tank warfare history.
School leaders offered a huge thank you to The Tank Museum for delivering the fantastic workshops.
A spokesperson for the academy said: “The pupils had an incredible time learning about history in such an interactive way.
“Days like this bring history to life and inspire a love of learning that goes beyond the classroom.”
Merry Christmas from everyone at Castle Primary School. Click on the door each day to see our Christmas treats for you and your family. If you save the link onto your homepage of your phone/tablet or computer, you will have daily easy access.
Enjoy
Many of us have been planting spring bulbs this month, and the Stoke-sub-Hamdon Gardening Club was delighted to donate a box of narcissus bulbs to Castle Kids’ Patch, based at Castle Primary School.
Club members said they hope the children have fun planting them on their allotment, ready to enjoy the bright spring flowers next year.
Castle Kids’ Patch is a community gardening project for children that aims to connect them with nature, teach them about growing food, and promote sustainability.
It is a community-run initiative that began in Stoke-sub-Hamdon and offers hands-on gardening experiences through clubs and after-school programs.
The project involves activities such as planting, harvesting, and learning about the environment and healthy living.
Steve Morton, Principal of Castle Primary School, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Stoke-sub-Hamdon Gardening Club for their generous donation.
“Opportunities like this help our pupils learn where plants come from, how to care for them, and how small actions can make a big difference to our environment.
“We can’t wait to see the results blooming in the spring.”
Photo: Mark Gooch (Chairman, Stoke Sub Hamdon Gardening Club), Dusk Eastman (Castle Kids’ Patch), and Mr Steve Morton (Principal, Castle Primary School)
