Stockport Academy Pays Tribute on Manchester Arena Anniversary

Students lined up in the playground in their year groups, with each cohort forming the shape of a bee to create a stunning effect when seen from above.

After Ms Stirling welcomed everyone to the service, Year 11 student Violet Ashby performed her own rendition of Queen’s ballad ‘Love of my Life’, which was followed by Mrs Milnes reading a poem called ‘Let there bee Peace’.

Next, students watched as our annual Bee Drop took place, with hundreds of paper bees dropped over the school, each with messages of support and remembrance that had been written by our students who have been reflecting on the events five years ago in the week leading up to the service.

Students and staff then impeccably observed a two-minute silence, before black and yellow flares lit up the MUGA to signal the end of the service.

Ms Stirling, who organised the ceremony, said: “Our Manchester Arena memorial service is such an important day on our school calendar, and it has been an honour to spend the afternoon paying our own tribute to all of those affected by that horrendous day.”