Easter Gathering has been taking place in school for close to 150 years. It is a time to relax, meet up with old friends and make new ones. Old Scholars, partners, their children and grandchildren appreciate being back in school’s beautiful surroundings, take part in long-established events (including Quaker Meeting, Quiz, Pop, Music Concert, running the Badsworth), eat (very!) well and just hang out together. There are many families who return every year and others who return alone or with family a few or many years after leaving school.

It can be daunting coming back after a long time, but it is a really friendly atmosphere and a lot of those returning have been encouraged to do so for the first time because of a formal or informal reunion for their school year. This can be at any time, but is particularly encouraged for years ending in a zero or a five!

In 2026, we encourage those who left five or ten years ago to talk to their contemporaries and come back together. Contact Sal Wright, Easter Secretary (aosaeaster@yahoo.co.uk), or Rachel Belk, Development and Engagement Manager (alumni@ackworthschool.com), to discuss your questions or ideas.

Our AOS President this year, leading the weekend, is Trudy Seed (1970 – 1977). She took over as president at Easter 2025 from Jeffrey Swales, our previous Deputy Head, who retired to Wales just a couple of years ago.