News & Events

News & Events / MPCT Learners Mark 80th Anniversary of VE Day with National Acts of Remembrance and a Special Role in Historic Film Project.

MPCT Learners Mark 80th Anniversary of VE Day with National Acts of Remembrance and a Special Role in Historic Film Project.

8th May 2025 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, a turning point in global history that brought an end to the Second World War in Europe. At MPCT, we are proud to honour this significant milestone across all of our academies nationwide, embedding remembrance, respect, and service into the heart of our learner experience.

Throughout May, MPCT learners from across the UK will take part in a wide range of remembrance activities, from cemetery visits and community engagement projects to educational workshops and ceremonial events, as part of our commitment to keeping history alive and relevant for the next generation.

One extraordinary contribution has come from our MPCT Liverpool learners, who were invited at short notice to participate in a powerful and poignant remembrance film project in partnership with The Royal British Legion.

Under direction from the Legion’s film crew, our learners took part in a special re-enactment, mingling with the crowd as if returning from war to watch a football match, a historic recreation of Everton vs. Accrington Stanley on 12th May 1945, just four days after VE Day was first celebrated.

Dressed in original WWII uniforms, the learners showed exceptional professionalism and resilience despite the physical discomforts, with period-correct footwear proving especially challenging. One learner noted the difficulty of walking in the restrictive shoes worn by women of the era, yet the team remained undeterred and focused throughout the long shoot.

The Royal British Legion was highly impressed with the conduct and commitment of the learners, who brought authenticity, discipline, and emotion to the scenes. The project will culminate later this year, in November 2025, with a special commemorative event and screening at Everton FC’s new Bramley-Moore Stadium.

In addition to the film work, the Liverpool learners also made a respectful visit to Anfield Cemetery, where they paid tribute to the fallen, laying flowers, observing silence, and reflecting on the sacrifices of those who served.

At MPCT, we believe that remembrance is not just about history, it’s about honouring values of courage, selflessness, and unity that still guide us today. We are incredibly proud of all our learners across the country who are taking part in VE Day 80 events, showing that the spirit of service lives on in the next generation.

Back to news articles

What to Expect on GCSE Results Day – And Why MPCT Could Be Your Next Step

GCSE results day 2026 falls on Thursday 20 August, with results released from around 8am. Whatever the day brings, it’s worth knowing exactly what to expect and that a traditional sixth form or college isn’t the only route from here. For learners who want to leave school, do something different, and still walk away with...

Read more

What Is a Military Preparation Academy? A Guide for School Leavers

Since 1999, MPCT Military Academies have helped more than 10,000 young people move into the Armed Forces, sport and fitness, further education, or other careers. If you’re a school leaver weighing up your options and a career in uniform has ever crossed your mind – even as a maybe – here’s what a Military Preparation...

Read more

Beyond Soldier, Sailor, Pilot: The Armed Forces Careers Nobody Tells You About

Say “career in the Armed Forces” and most people picture the same three jobs: infantry soldier, sailor, or fighter pilot. The British Army alone recruits for more than 100 roles across seven career areas – combat, engineering, medical, intelligence and communications, logistics and support, music, and HR and finance. With around 182,000 people currently serving...

Read more

Top 5 Exercises to Prepare You for UK Armed Forces Basic Training

Basic training doesn’t care whether you’ve trained before – it cares whether your body can keep going when it’s tired, cold, and carrying weight. Most people need 8-12 weeks of consistent training just to hit baseline entry standards, and longer if you’re aiming for a physically demanding role like the infantry or Parachute Regiment. Before...

Read more

Why Your Classroom Doesn’t Need Four Walls

If school ever felt like sitting still for six hours a day, you’re not alone and you’re not the problem. Not every mind works best behind a desk. At MPCT, the classroom isn’t a room at all. It’s a field, a fitness track, a team exercise outdoors in all weather. If that sounds more like...

Read more

Exploring Careers in the Armed Forces: More Than You Think.

When people think about careers in the Armed Forces, it’s often reduced to one image, life on the front line. But in reality, the Armed Forces offer a huge range of career opportunities, many of which don’t involve combat at all. From technical roles to healthcare, logistics to communications, there are hundreds of career paths...

Read more