A Harrogate training centre for people in the hair and beauty industry has received praise from Ofsted in its latest inspection.

Rating Intuitions Ltd ‘good’, inspectors said the “high-quality training” was delivered by staff who have “care and passion”.

The business has recently moved to a new model of delivering training, with most of its lessons delivered one-to-one or in small groups in the salons where apprentices are training.

Ofsted inspectors said:

“Apprentices studying the level two hair professional standard, who are new to the profession, quickly develop their understanding of the high standards of professional behaviours expected in the salons in which they work.

“They behave professionally, and are mature, polite, courteous and respectful to other staff, educators and clients.

“Educators encourage learners and apprentices to take pride in their work, and this is evident in learners’ well-presented portfolios. They are effective role models and have a wide range of industry experience, which inspires learners and apprentices.

“Educators ensure that their appearance reflects professional industry standards, and this reinforces the expectation of apprentices to adhere to the expected standards of dress code in their salons.”

Inspectors said trainees were quick to improve their skills and were pleased with what they achieved even at an early stage of their training.

Read more:

• Ofsted finds ‘good’ village school near Knaresborough is ‘like a second home’
• ‘Welcoming’ Spofforth school rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

However, they recommended staff could do more to develop their other skills, such as by correcting spelling in all written work and giving more comprehensive careers guidance.

The report added:

“Targets set by educators following frequent and comprehensive reviews of work are focused, and apprentices are clear about the progress that they are making.

“Educators clearly identify strengths and areas for improvement, and apprentices know what they need to do next. They share the information with employers in comprehensive reports.

“Apprentices are supported well by their employers, which contributes to the good progress that they make.”

Now based in Wizu Workspace at Royal House on Station Parade, Intuitions was founded almost 30 years ago. It has been run by Michelle Oliver since 2000 and has grown significantly during that time.

Intuitions Ltd has a new home on Station Parade, but delivers most of its training in salons.

Following the challenges of covid, Ms Oliver told the Stray Ferret the new model of delivering training has been well-received.

“We’re enjoying delivering the new model. It’s nice to be able to go into a business and see the learners using their skills in a real setting.

“That’s what we’re here for – to create the hairdresser for the salons. That’s the beauty of apprenticeships: they’re in the workplace, earning money – not much, but it could be £200 a week, which is a lot when you’ve just left school.

“They’re seeing professional people working alongside them and learning from them all the time.”

Ms Oliver said her own experience of working in a salon while training showed her the value of learning how to behave in a workplace and how to engage with clients.

She said she hoped the supportive comments from Ofsted and the professional standards on show from the learners might encourage more people, as well as local high schools, to do more to promote apprenticeships as a potential career path for their students.

A former teacher turned holistic therapist has launched a new project designed to help children improve their mental health.

Debbie Ross spent many years working as a teaching assistant, nursery nurse and special educational needs coordinator at Spofforth Church of England Primary School.

Among her favourite memories was a trip to Bewerley Park outdoor education centre, when she and the pupils enjoyed a guided meditation session. She said:

“The children are now grown up with their own children, but I’m still in touch with some and they remember doing it. It’s something they enjoyed and they’re now using those skills as adults.”

Now a holistic therapist and reiki practitioner, Debbie, who lives in Ripon, has created her own guided meditations designed to help children aged between five and 12 to relax.

She said each of them encourages the child to visualise a scene and use their imagination to help calm their minds. Debbie has paired each meditation with a crystal to add to the experience.

She said:

“I’m really driven to use crystals with the meditation. They’re very tactile and if the children learn what the crystal can help them with, they have got something to take away with them.

“Some children take the sodalite crystal into school with them because it’s small. They’ve all said it really helps them to stay calm.”

Read more:

• Book collection launched across district to support teenagers’ mental health
• Nidderdale adventure facility says head outdoors to improve mental health

Research has shown that the covid pandemic has had a negative impact on children’s mental health, with one in six having a diagnosable mental health condition in 2021 compared to one in nine just four years earlier.

Debbie said she hopes her guided crystal meditations will help children to develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

She is speaking to local schools about introducing them for their pupils and also hopes to approach hospitals about using them for young patients.

Meanwhile, they are also available on Debbie’s website.

A gym company from Leeds is set to expand to a second site on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road this year.

North Studio is planning to open in Wellington House, the building that is already home to cycling brand Prologue.

Posting an image of the new premises on Instagram, the company said:

“We are super excited to finally announce our expansion into Harrogate at the end of this year.

“Keep your eyes out for more details over the coming weeks!”

North Studio’s existing Leeds venue in Roundhay offers a strength room with weights and cardiovascular equipment, and a cycling room where spin classes take place.

It also has a more relaxed studio for yoga, pilates and barre classes, and the gym sells shakes, smoothies, teas and coffees on site as well.

Classes are £15 each with discounts available for block bookings, and membership starts from £70 per month.

It is the third business this week to confirm plans to open on Cold Bath Road. A new pet shop will open in the former home of the Refilling Station, while plans have been submitted to create a cafe-bar and record store further up the hill opposite Valley Drive.

Read more:

• Cafe-bar and record store plans submitted for Cold Bath Road shop
• New independent pet store to open on Cold Bath Road

Police have confirmed a body has been found in the River Nidd near the viaduct in Bilton.

The area had been closed off since this morning, with numerous police vans and fire engines in attendance.

North Yorkshire Police has now issued a statement confirming that the body of a man had been seen and reported to police around 8am today.

Officers said the body was that of a white man, believed to be in his 40s, who is yet to be identified. A spokesperson said:

“Please avoid the area at this time.

“Enquiries are ongoing and further updates will be provided when available.”

Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference NYP-15102022-0081.

Read more:

• Police close Nidd Gorge viaduct in Bilton
• Arrests in Harrogate and Ripon as police target drug dealing

Police have this morning closed the viaduct over Nidd Gorge in Bilton while they deal with an incident.

There was a heavy police presence around 9am but officers did not say how long they had been on the scene.

The viaduct is closed in both directions and numerous vehicles are stationed at the southern side towards Bilton Lane, behind a police cordon.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reported to be on the scene as well.

It is not known how long the area is likely to be closed.

The gorge is popular with dog walkers, cyclists and runners.

The Stray Ferret has requested information from North Yorkshire Police but had not received a response at the time of publication.

We will update this story when further details are available.

Read more:

• Could Harrogate’s ‘little temple’ be moved to ‘neglected’ Starbeck?
• Don’t forget Wetherby Road and Skipton Road in congestion plans, say Harrogate councillors

This article is sponsored by Queen Mary’s School.

Choosing a school for your child is one of the biggest decisions you will make as a parent.

Finding the right place to nurture your child’s young mind, delivering everything from the best possible academic teaching to support for their growing talents and passions, can be tricky.

At Queen Mary’s School, that balance of academia and extra-curricular opportunities is the highest priority.

The results speak for themselves: But as all parents know, school is about so much more than numbers and letters on a piece of paper before you leave.

There’s much more to Queen Mary’s.

Queen Mary’s offers outstanding opportunities for young people from the age of four to begin exploring the things they enjoy. That might be acting, horse riding, tennis, computing, lacrosse, science, languages, dance, or any number of other skills.

Pupils are given the support and encouragement to find their passions in life and Queen Mary’s School is more than willing to adapt its offering to suit their needs.

From musicals to opera to rock band

Take music, for example.

Queen Mary’s has introduced new scholarships to enable talented young musicians to develop their skills, with contributions to paid instrument lessons included.

Budding choristers can join the Chapel Choir as part of their scholarship. The Choir, which was formed 40 years ago, has been featured on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4. Some members of the school community have performed at the Royal Albert Hall.

Former chorister Emilia Jacques was one of the BBC Young Choristers of the Year in 2018. She then went on to receive a choral scholarship to study music at Queen’s College Oxford.

Pupils are also encouraged to take exams on their chosen instruments, with many achieving Grade 8 before the age of 16.

The production of Dido and Aeneas.

Last year, one pupil who achieved the milestone with distinction on the flute then went on to achieve her Diploma. Another achieved the Diploma as a singer at just 12 years old and has her sights set on a career as a professional singer.

Queen Mary’s has also put on numerous productions including Matilda the Musical Junior, Sister Act Junior, and the opera Dido and Aeneas. This year they are rehearsing for Mary Poppins.

Head Carole Cameron said:

“Music is one of our priorities at Queen Mary’s, and not just because of the enjoyment it brings to those performing and hearing it.

“Research shows that studying music and playing instruments are beneficial to academic studies.

“It also provides opportunities for children to learn additional skills, building their confidence and giving them experience in performance which is helpful for their future careers, too.”

Opportunities in classrooms and outside

Naturally, it is not just about the music. The school excels in sports, with a brand new astro pitch and sports pavilion on site, and has a British Horse Society-approved equestrian centre.

Girls are encouraged to compete in their chosen sports both regionally and nationally.

Pupils excel at sport.

That focus on extra-curricular activities is not to the detriment of academic time: at Queen Mary’s, the focus is on learning to balance the two.

Facilities in the school are also outstanding, with planning permission granted for a brand new learning resource centre. The design will reflect the acres of countryside surrounding the school, which lies between Ripon and Thirsk.

Mrs Cameron said:

“We always say we offer academic excellence and extensive extra-curricular activities in a nurturing environment, but even knowing that, families are always surprised by the warmth of Queen Mary’s when they visit.

“It’s such a pleasure to show people what we offer and to demonstrate how our flexible approach will give the right support for their child’s future.”

Visiting Queen Mary’s allows you to experience first hand the unique atmosphere, exciting curriculum and the fantastic range of opportunities on Prep and Pre-Prep Open Day on Friday November 11, 2022 and Senior School Open Day on Saturday November 12, 2022.

A high court judge has blocked a Harrogate widow’s attempt to receive a regular income from the estate of her late husband, a well-known businessman.

Christopher Ramus was found by a coroner to have taken his own life aged 72 following the breakdown of his 48-year marriage to Elizabeth Ramus, and difficulties in other relationships.

The couple were the founders of Ramus Seafood, which operated for many years from Kings Road until the couple sold it and retired. Despite their separation, Mr Ramus’s will still made provision for his wife, entitling her to an income from his estate for the rest of her life.

However, the income was at the discretion of the three trustees, including the couple’s daughter, Claire Holt, and two family friends. Mr Ramus wrote a letter of wishes in September 2019, stating:

Read more:

• 45 former CNG staff in £210,000 tribunal win against Harrogate firm
• Knaresborough woman who refused to wear face mask unfairly dismissed, tribunal rules

Regular monthly income

Mrs Ramus, 77, had said in order to maintain her lifestyle, she would need a regular monthly income from Mr Ramus’s estate, otherwise she would use up her own assets and risk running out of money.

She submitted to the court a list of monthly outgoings which totalled more than £5,000, against income from pensions of £1,800 and other assets including bonds and ISAs.

However, sitting in Leeds, Judge Mark West found Mrs Ramus’s own assets of more than £1.6m were significantly more than the value of Mr Ramus’s estate, at just under £1.1m. He said:

“Standing back and looking at the matter in the round, this is a case of an applicant who in all likelihood would not have received anything on divorce, and who, even after the purchase of a three-bedroomed house for £750,000, would have financial autonomy and still have net assets not far short of £900,000.

“In addition, her case was that she requires a monthly income to enable her to pay her outgoings without using the capital which would be left after her purchase of a new home.

“For these reasons, and taking into account all of the relevant factors… I am satisfied that the disposition of Mr Ramus’s estate under the terms of his will is such as to make financial provision for Mrs Ramus in the circumstance of the case and that the claim fails.”

A nursery in Harrogate with 70 children on its register has received praise from Ofsted for its “homely” atmosphere and improved environment.

Rating Harcourt Day Nursery ‘good’, inspectors said the cosy den, soft play room and role-play areas have helped children to play calmly.

They said children were encouraged to become independent, from taking off their own coats to pouring their own drinks. They also found the nursery encouraged children to develop good physical skills and staff helped them to learn and become confident with mathematics.

The report said:

“Children arrive content and thoroughly enjoy their time at this homely nursery. They happily leave their parents on arrival and quickly engage in their play. Children feel safe and secure knowing that their needs will be met.

“Children are familiar with the routines of the day. They know what is expected of them. Children demonstrate good manners and remind each other if they forget. As a result, children’s behaviour and attitudes are lovely.”

During the inspection at the end of August, Ofsted said some children were joining a story part way through, after finishing lunch. This, they said, could mean they struggle to understand the structure of stories.

Inspectors also said nursery staff should communicate more clearly about which children were in different rooms in the nursery.

Read more:

• Ofsted finds ‘good’ village school near Knaresborough is ‘like a second home’
• ‘Welcoming’ Spofforth school rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

The report said the nursery, on Harcourt Road, had a “positive” partnership with parents, who were kept informed about their children’s activities via both an app and face-to-face conversations. Inspectors added:

“Managers support staff’s well-being and provide them with mentoring through regular supervision meetings. Staff share any concerns which they may have and are supported in taking appropriate action.

“They are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge by attending a variety of training courses. Management check that staff understand and can implement any new learning to improve children’s outcomes.”

The report maintains the nursery’s rating from its last inspection in 2016. Nigel Corner, who has owned Harcourt Day Nursery for 16 years with wife Charlotte, who is also the manager, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted. It has been really hard, with all the EYFS [early years foundation stage] changing, to make sure we have taken on board the changes as well as constantly trying to move forward.

“This report just confirms all the staff are doing a great job.”

A new cafe-bar and vinyl records shop could open on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road if planning permission is granted.

Plans have been put forward to convert the ground floor of 129 Cold Bath Road, which has up to now been used by a travel agency.

The proposals state that the travel agency would continue to trade from the two floors above, while the ground floor – stretching to 52m sq – would be used as a cafe, bar and shop selling records and clothing.

The business would create three full-time jobs and five part-time roles. Its proposed trading hours are 9am to midnight, seven days a week.

The site on Cold Bath Road.

The application has been made by John Caladine, who founded Audio Archtct Experience Ltd in February, along with David Swallow.

To view or comment on the application, visit the planning pages of Harrogate Borough Council’s website and use reference 22/03540/FUL.

Read more:

• Residential conversion plan submitted for upper floors of Harrogate estate agency
• New plan to convert former Harrogate post office into holiday apartments

A Pateley Bridge man has been given a 12-month community order for masturbating in a public car park in Harrogate.

Thomas Christopher Watson, 29, of Millfield Street, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court this afternoon having already pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency.

The court heard a member of the public had called police on September 3, after she had seen Watson masturbating in his car in the car park on Station Parade.

When officers arrived, Watson was compliant and admitted the offence when questioned at the police station.

Defending, Brian Nuttney of McCormicks Solicitors said it was important not to conflate Watson’s actions with indecent exposure, where the act is targeted towards someone else. He said:

“In short, he describes this as a terrible decision. It was not something that was planned and it was not something that was thought through.

“It was not something that was going on in response to anything or anybody around him… Intent isn’t something that can be shown in any way here.”

Mr Nuttney said Watson was “shocked” by his own behaviour and had done some work to address whether he needed help.

The court heard Watson, an office worker who was based mainly at home, had received a police caution for a similar offence in 2010.

Magistrates imposed the community order along with a requirement to complete 30 days’ rehabilitation activity, designed to help him address his problems.

They ordered him to complete 120 hours’ unpaid work and to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £85.

Read more:

• Crown court trial for man charged with Harrogate town centre attacks
• Suspected Ripon rogue trader receives court ban