Posted on: 9th July 2026

Around 300 pupils from Rawdon St Peter’s Church of England Primary School marked St Peter’s Day on Monday the 29th June, by taking part in what is one of the largest school picnics in Leeds, followed by a long-standing church tradition that has been celebrated for generations.

The pupils gathered on Rawdon Billing for a large outdoor picnic, with food prepared by the school’s in-house catering team. The event gave children the chance to eat together, spend time playing with classmates and enjoy the surrounding green space.

Following the picnic, pupils attended a church service led by the Rev Rachel Ford, where they learned about the life of St Peter. As a former teacher, Rev Ford brings an educational approach to her role within the school community. This year’s celebration also coincided with the seventh anniversary of her ordination.

The tradition of church "clipping" dates back hundreds of years. The term comes from the Old English word meaning "to embrace" and involves participants joining hands to form a circle around the church as a symbol of unity, love and protection.

As part of the celebration, the pupils joined hands to completely encircle the church, while the school's headteacher, Lynette Clapham, marked the occasion by ringing the church bell.

Headteacher Lynette Clapham said: "We are incredibly fortunate that our school is surrounded by such beautiful natural spaces. Seeing all 300 children sharing a picnic together before taking part in this special tradition was a wonderful reminder of what makes our school community so special. Events like this strengthen the connections between our church, our school, and our community, while creating experiences that our pupils will remember for years to come.”

Rev Ford added: “From the church we could see the children making their way down the Billing towards us, and it was a truly special sight.

“Sharing food, time and traditions together reflects the strong sense of community we have here. This celebration was an opportunity to bless our church, our school and the wider community that supports us.”

The annual St Peter’s Day celebration continues to be a cherished part of school life, reinforcing the close relationship between the school and St Peter’s Church while helping pupils develop a stronger connection to their local heritage, identity and sense of belonging.