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Jul
Call for more schools to let pupils attend Harrogate's Great Yorkshire Show
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A parent today urged a panel that included the leader of North Yorkshire Council to encourage more schools to let pupils have the day off to attend the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.
The issue of whether schools should allow children to attend the four-day show, which ends today (July 11) divides opinion. While some allow it, others mark it down as unauthorised absence.
Suzanne Vaughan, who founded Harrogate children’s entertainment company Enchantica’s, issued her plea during a panel debate organised by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce at the showground today.
Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said he used to attend every year with his school and it was “absolutely bonkers” that some children were told not to come. “It’s really important that the young generation understand where their food comes from,” he added.
John Dobson, the Dean of Ripon (standing), moderated the panel debate that featured (from left) Cllr Carl Les, Tom Gordon and James Farrar.
Fellow panel member James Farrar, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, said he grew up in Harrogate and he would “love to see it happen”.
Councillor Carl Les, the Conservative leader of North Yorkshire Council, said:
It’s about local decision making. That is up to the headteacher to decide. The council does not put any influence on the headteacher.
Speaking afterwards, Ms Vaughan said she would like schools to recognise the educational value of the show rather than making parents feel they were doing something wrong by taking their children. She said:
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society puts so much into the educational side of the show and it’s being held right here on our doorstep.
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