Mount Carmel High School pupils and staff paid respect to all who have lost their lives in service for their country.

The occasion was marked with a service attended by 800 pupils and staff in the school yard with uniformed pupils and Standard Bearers from the Accrington Branch of the Royal British Legion.

A gathering reflection was read by Deputy Headteacher Mr Dugdale and a poem about the Accrington Pals which was both written and read by Curriculum Leader for History Miss Mortensen who explained the significance of the tribute to the Accrington Pals from the East Lancashire Regiment. 

Assistant Pastoral Leader Mr Livesey, who is a former Army Warrant Officer Class One serving for over 24 years presented a poppy wreath.

The Last Post was played by Miss Javaid and was followed by a respectful two minutes silence. The Reveille was then played to end the silence. 

Religious Education Curriculum Leader Mr Davies and Head Boy Jayden read the concluding prayers.

Miss Mortensen explained to pupils that Remembrance Day is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. She explained "We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those that have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism. In Accrington we have a special connection to World War One because of the Accrington Pals."

This short poem was read to Mount Carmel pupils and staff in memory of those brave men.

Come on lads join up with your friends,
Let's bring this frightful war to an end,
Make Accrington proud
Stand out from the crowd
Stand with your friends
Stand with them till the end
When the guns roar
And the blood pours
And the losses are hard to bear
In a community where everyone cares
Where everyone loses some one
On the Somme to those terrible guns

Thank you to our uniformed pupils who took part in the service of remembrance; Alesha T. (Air cadet), Alex C. and Eleanor C.(Sea cadets), Jessica B. (Royal British Legion), Haleema H., Jayden F. and Chloe G. (Police cadets).

A special Thank You to Mr John Gallagher and Mr Andy Anderton who were Standard Bearers for the Accrington Branch of the Royal British Legion.

We also thank those pupils who have sold poppies to pupils and staff during form and break time for the Royal British Legion.