Harrogate High School ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted

Harrogate High School‘s Ofsted rating has been downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ in a newly released report.

Inspectors said the quality of education had declined and older pupils in particular “do not achieve well in external examinations”.

They also said some parents had raised concerns about pupil behaviour and some students with bad attitudes were “not challenged quickly enough” and some truant pupils were “disrespectful to staff and cause disruption”.

However, the report acknowledges new school leaders understood the problems and their actions “have secured improvements in the quality of education”.

It also says arrangements for safeguarding are effective, staff are well trained and leaders have developed an “ambitious curriculum”, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities – and that pupils with additional needs are “well supported in lessons”.

Two-day Ofsted visit

Harrogate High, which was founded in 1973 as Harrogate Granby High School, has more than 700 pupils.  It is part of the Northern Star Academies Trust – a partnership of nine schools across Harrogate, Skipton and Keighley. Ofsted visited the school on April 25 and 26.

The report, which the school has released but has not yet been uploaded onto Ofsted’s website, gave it an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’ and awarded the same grade for all four sub-categories assessed: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

The school’s last full inspection was 10 years ago, when it was rated ‘good’ overall. It retained the grading following a short inspection in 2017.

‘Good’ is the second highest of four possible ratings; ‘requires improvement’ is the third highest.

The report says leaders have prioritised improving the curriculum and changed the subjects pupils study at key stage 4 to offer a more broad and balanced curriculum. But it adds “the academic experiences that pupils receive continue to be mixed” and goes on to say:

“Teachers do not consistently check if pupils know or understand what has been taught. As a result, misconceptions are not always identified and addressed. In particular, older pupils, who have not benefited from improvements in the curriculum, do not achieve well in external examinations.”

Ofsted says there is a range of extra-curricular activities but “the wider development of pupils needs to be a sharper focus for leaders”.

It adds:

“Leaders recognise the need to improve behaviour across the school. They are working with external support to implement new systems to tackle poor behaviour.”

The report highlights “there have been many changes in leadership since the last inspection”, which “has led to delays in addressing some of the weaknesses in the school” and although there have been improvements “there is much more work to do”.

 

‘Exciting time for Harrogate High’

Sukhraj Gill

Responding to the report, headteacher Sukhraj Gill said:

“This is an exciting time for Harrogate High School. Inspectors have recognised the improvements we have already made and confirmed that we are on the right track to make Harrogate High a great school. We have achieved a great deal at Harrogate High School – with a lot more to do.

“We will continue our relentless drive to make Harrogate High the best school it can be for all the young people that we educate.

“We’re especially pleased that inspectors recognised that we provide good support for pupils with additional needs. We value every young person in our school, whatever their needs. Ofsted’s findings are a vindication of our values as a truly inclusive school.”

Read more:

Jenn Plews

Jenn Plews, chief executive of Northern Star Academies Trust, said:

“Harrogate High School has made massive strides forward under its new leadership. The Ofsted report is clear: leaders’ actions have improved the quality of education. The fact that the school is full and has been oversubscribed is a testament to the work our school and our trust across Harrogate.

“Inspections are always an opportunity to learn from the inspectors’ feedback and recommendations to help us develop and improve. We welcome this report as a positive contribution to continue Harrogate High School’s continuing journey to become a great school”.

Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show set for sell-out

The Great Yorkshire Show looks set to be a sell-out for the third year in a row.

The four-day show takes place from July 11 to 14 and all tickets for the Wednesday have already been snapped up. Standard adult tickets cost £32.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the farming charity that organises the event, adopted the four-day format and capped the number of tickets at 35,000 a day during covid due to social distancing requirements but has continued with it since. Tickets are now only sold in advance too.

Allister Nixon chief executive of the society, said:

“We have seen unprecedented demand for tickets, selling out Wednesday already and our membership sold out in April.

“It shows the depth of support and love for the show and we can’t wait to welcome visitors in less than three weeks’ time. At this stage, we have tickets remaining for the Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of the show which we do expect to sell out so please, if you are planning to come along, book now to avoid disappointment.”

Huge range of activities

The Great Yorkshire Showground is always packed with stalls and activities during the event and this year will be no exception.

A new free Great Yorkshire Show app, which will be available to download next week, includes an interactive map and schedule of events. 

The Cock O The North competition in the main ring on the Thursday will feature some of the UK’s best showjumpers. The main ring will also host flying Frenchman Lorenzo, who last appeared in 2018.

The best of British livestock will be on show as the Beef Shorthorn, Charolais and Longhorn Cattle Societies all host their national competitions. The show will also feature several thousand sheep, all vying for the top title.

The pole climbing championships is returning and sheepdogs will be held each day .

Read more:

 

Business Breakfast: Grantley Hall opens Nordic Spa Garden

Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers.  At the next Stray Ferret Business Club  we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy. 

The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Luxury hotel Grantley Hall has opened a Nordic Spa Garden, which has ice baths and an outdoor steam sauna.

The garden has two ice baths where guests at the 47-bed hotel near Ripon can try cold-water immersion therapy.

The sauna, on the other hand, allows people to enjoy warmth in a picturesque outdoor setting.

Gillian McGraffin, spa and wellness manager at Grantley Hall, said:

“We have worked hard to create a relaxing outdoor area that not only looks beautiful but also provides guests with a range of health benefits.”

Dental practice takes oral hygiene message to schools

Oral health educators from Coppice View Dentalcare have been handing out free toothbrushes, tooth paste and brushing charts in local schools in support of National Smile Month.

The dental practice, on Kings Road in Harrogate, visits schools each year during the awareness-raising month to educate children on the importance of looking after their teeth and gums.  We ensure every child at each presentation received a goody bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and brushing charts.

Staff visited Rossett Acre Primary School, Oatlands Infant School and Darley Community Primary School during the latest initiative.

Read more:

 

Vandals ground canal boats in Ripon

Canal boats in Ripon were grounded when vandals drained the water between two lock gates.

Ripon Scenic Cruises skipper Jon Eyles discovered the company’s boats and all other vessels were “stuck in the mud” early on Sunday.

It appeared someone had drained the area overnight leaving the boats stuck and unable to be moved until the canal was refilled.

It took until late into the evening to refill the affected area on the canal. This meant all booked trips on the river that day had to be cancelled.

Canal boats were hampered last year when water shortages prompted the Canal and River Trust to close the locks to conserve water.

Ripon Scenic Cruises said in a statement:

“There’s been no word of whom may have done this from the police or Canal and River Trust.
“We hope that this was an isolated incident. As a small local business we struggled through last year and we don’t need it to be made more difficult by action of unthinking vandals.”
The company runs afternoon tea cruises and also has narrowboats available for private hire.
The canal will also be celebrating it’s 250th anniversary this September.

Read more:

 

Missing Harrogate boy, 12, found safe and well

Police have confirmed that a missing Harrogate boy has been found.

The 12-year-old went missing from his home in Harrogate on Wednesday (June 21).

North Yorkshire Police has since confirmed that the boy has been found safe and well.

Read more:

 

Harrogate schoolboys crash: man appears in court

A man appeared in court today charged with causing serious injuries to two Harrogate schoolboys while driving.

Benjamin Oakes, 46, of Tewit Well Avenue in Harrogate, is accused of careless / inconsiderate driving of a Vauxhall Astra on Yew Tree Lane on February 2 this year.

Two 15-year-old Rossett School students, who were walking to school at the time, had to be rushed to hospital following a collision, which occurred at 8.46am.

Today’s brief hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court was adjourned when it emerged Mr Oakes was only made aware of proceedings yesterday due to a postal problem.

Prosecuting, Melanie Ibbotson said the papers involved in the case were “extensive” and she had no objection to the defence lawyer’s request for an adjournment.

The case is now due to be heard in Harrogate on August 11, when Mr Oakes is expected to enter a plea.

Mr Oakes (left) leaving court today.

 

Read more:

 

Missing Harrogate boy found safe and well

Police have confirmed that a missing Harrogate boy has been found.

The 12-year-old went missing from his home in Harrogate on Wednesday (June 21).

North Yorkshire Police has since confirmed that the boy has been found safe and well.

Read more:

 

 

Harrogate Town to kick-off season with Yorkshire derby

Harrogate Town will begin the 2023/24 English Football League Division Two season with a Yorkshire derby at Doncaster Rovers on August 5.

Town, who today announced Motherwell midfielder Dean Cornelius, 22, as their sixth summer signing, will then entertain Forest Green Rovers in the first home league fixture of the season on August 12.

Today’s fixture list also revealed the other all-Yorkshire clashes will see Simon Weaver’s men visit Bradford City on Saturday, September 16, before Doncaster Rovers visit the EnviroVent Stadium on Saturday, January 6. The home fixture against Bradford City is scheduled for March 23.

Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, are due in town in November 28 — a Tuesday night.

Christmas in Grimsby

The festive fixture list starts with a trip to Grimsby on Saturday, December 23, before a home match against Accrington Stanley on Boxing Day.

Three days later Harrogate, who finished 19th last season, host Tranmere Rovers, before a New Year’s Day trip to face Morecambe.

Today’s new signing Dean Cornelius

Good Friday sees the side travel to AFC Wimbledon, before an Easter Monday home clash with Gillingham.

The final home fixture of the season takes place on Saturday, April 20 when MK Dons visit Harrogate for the first time.

The final away fixture is at Salford City on Saturday, April 27.

Town’s 2023/24 EFL Trophy Group has also been confirmed, with the club drawn in Group C along with Carlisle United, Accrington Stanley and Nottingham Forest under-21s.

The draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup was also made, with Town set to host Carlisle the week commencing August 7.

Read more:

 

‘I can’t ever accept the hard reality of losing you’: wife’s tribute to taxi driver killed in Harrogate crash

The family of a man killed in a crash near Harrogate in the early hours of Sunday morning has paid tribute to him.

Masum Miah, 45, died at the scene of the collision, which occurred at 1.20am on the A61 Harrogate Road at Dunkeswick, near Harewood Bridge.

It involved a grey BMW 3 Series and a black Peugeot Partner taxi driven by Mr Miah, from Shipley.

His wife Ambia said:

“With a heavy, broken heart I will have to say Allah Hafiz (goodbye) to you. I can’t ever accept the hard reality of losing you in this tragic, sudden crash.

“I can’t promise you I’ll be okay, but I promise I will bring our kids up the way we planned together. You’ll always be missed because of the way you were humble, funny, loving, caring, and most of all a wonderful husband and father.

“‘For sure it is god who created us and to him we shall return. You have gone, but will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace and our next meeting will be in Jannah. In Sha Allah.”

The scene of the fatal collision.

Dashcam appeal

North Yorkshire Police is continuing to appeal to anyone who may have seen the collision or who may have dashcam footage to come forward.

You can call 101, select option 2 and ask for Steve Hawkins or him at Steve.Hawkins@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Quote reference number 12230111568.

Read more:

 

Man admits stealing cash and alcohol at Ripon golf club

A man from Knaresborough has admitted stealing cash and alcohol from Ripon City Golf Club.

Nathan Spencer, 49, of High Street, trespassed into the building on Palace Road and stole items of an unknown value on November 4 last year.

Spencer pleaded guilty to the offence in May and was sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday.

Magistrates issued a community order requiring him to perform up to 200 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £199 to victim services and court costs.

Spencer’s guilty plea was taken into account when imposing the sentence.

Read more: