Students and staff at Queen Katharine Academy are joining Peterborough Cathedral in its celebrations of Katherine of Aragon, who is buried at the Cathedral.

Queen Katharine Academy, previously known as The Voyager Academy, renamed itself after Katherine of Aragon due to her faith and loyalty to her beliefs, her care for the disadvantaged, and her passion for the transforming power of education – all of which reflect the values of the academy.

Throughout this half term, Queen Katharine Academy is joining the Cathedral in multiple celebrations. On 24 January, a number of students laid a wreath in memory of Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, at a service at the Cathedral. Additionally, the students are attending the Katherine of Aragon service at the Cathedral to pay their respects.

Scott Hudson, Principal of Queen Katharine Academy, said: “We’re looking forward to joining Peterborough Cathedral in the Katherine of Aragon festival. It is brilliant to be involved in a city-wide event and it demonstrates how as an Academy, we are proud of our heritage and the city we are part of.”

The Voyager Academy joined the Thomas Deacon Education Trust (TDET) last year and was rebranded and opened as Queen Katharine Academy in September 2017. Julie Taylor, CEO of Thomas Deacon Education Trust (TDET), said: “It’s great to see the Academy involved in city events and their enthusiasm to become more embedded in the community.

“In culmination of the Katherine of Aragon celebrations Queen Katharine Academy is holding an official launch of the Academy for local stakeholders on Tuesday 20 February. The evening will provide the opportunity for local stakeholders to see the improvements we have already made through our partnership and to find out more about the future of the Academy.”