To celebrate the 10th Birthday of the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust, more than 70 pupils from 37 schools across Somerset, Bath, B&NES and North Somerset gathered at St Georges Primary in Weston-super-Mare to link 1,889 school jumpers in a spectacular display.
The aim was to break the previous record of 1,570 jumpers set by a schools Trust in Gloucestershire.
In preparation for the big event the schools gathered jumpers from lost property and parents offered unwanted jumpers. The haul was then transported to St Georges for the record attempt. On the day the children worked together to link the jumpers and then spelled out BWMAT 10 on the field. After the event some of the unwanted jumpers were shared locally with schools, others were given to a charity which sends clothes to be used by children in Malawi.
The event was part of a week-long celebration of the Trust, including a teddy bear’s picnic at each school, the recording of a Trust song composed by one of the Headteachers, Sharon Bowditch, fun STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities in the schools and a special service in Wells Cathedral followed by a reception with Bishop Michael and Bishop Ruth at the Bishop's Palace. Each school also received a special teddy bear in with its own school jumper.
BWMAT CEO, Nikki Edwards said, “It was so exciting to bring children from all 37 of our schools together for this fantastic event. Linking the jumpers really symbolises how we see ourselves as a ‘Trust Family’.
“I was amazed at how everyone worked together, and the final result was just spectacular.
“This is a special week for our Trust and after 10 great years we are looking to continue to grow and support schools to give the very best education for children across our region, helping them be ‘the best version of themselves’.”
Jo Thorn, St Georges Headteacher said, “It has been a lot of work to put together such a huge event but the smiling faces of the children make it all worthwhile.”
