Harrogate primary school earns national recognition for diversity

A Harrogate primary school has earned national recognition for combating prejudice between people of different religions and ethnicities.

Coppice Valley Primary School finished second in the annual Accord Inclusivity Awards. It was one of only four schools to be praised for its work in the awards.

Accord is a coalition of organisations that includes religious groups, humanists, teachers, trade unionists, educationalists and civil rights activists, working together for inclusive education.

One of the judges, the Reverend Stephen Terry, presented the school with a trophy during a presentation assembly this morning.

After the ceremony he said:

“Coppice Valley Primary School’s effort and commitment in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment would be highly impressive were it a large secondary school.

“For instead a primary school to be embedding inclusivity into its ethos and ways of working to the extent that it is, is truly exemplary.

“The judging panel is therefore delighted to celebrate it as an inspiration for others across the country.”

Read more:

The school has given its staff gender and sexual identities training, re-examined its curriculum to address white and western bias and anonymised job applications to avoid bias.

Coppice Valley Primary School headteacher, Emma Meadus, said:

“We’re delighted to have been recognised for our work in school to promote mutual understanding and respect. It’s a wonderful achievement for the whole school community.”

Ripon netball awards go ahead despite covid

Ripon City Netball Club has held a socially distanced version of its annual awards due to covid.

The awards are the biggest event on the club’s calendar, but this year only award winners were invited to attend the presentation outside Ripon Grammar School, where the club trains. 

Some of the award winners.

The club has five teams, each named after a different bird of prey, with three trophies given out per team for most improved player, coach’s player and players’ player. 

The 2020 award winners were;

Hawks: Kerry Rich, Lindsey Stockdale, Karen Dodds.

Eagles: Carla Darbyshire, Thandiwe Mahlangu, Becky Stacey.

Ospreys: Rebecca Kirby, Claire Barnett, Jenny Addyman.

Kestrels: Kimberley Adele, Joanna Wallace, Hayley Blaymires.

Falcons: Frankie Louise, Sarah-Louise Norton, Jenna Sadler.

Other winners of individual prizes were: Lindsi Baldwin, Kirsteen Dixon, Helen Mackenzie, Georgina Roberts, Samantha Wilson, Karen Ellam, Cathy Simms, Jackie Laugher, Lindsey Virr, Rachael Clark, Suzanne Armstrong, Nicola Lymer, Louise Withy, Becky Ash and Tracy Chapman.

Nidderdale High School wins national award for pastoral project

Nidderdale High School has been recognised with a national award for its pastoral care.

In the first ever online awards run by the National Association of Pastoral Care in Education, the school was announced as the winner of the Pastoral Development of the Year category.

The recognition is for the school’s Harmony Project, which saw a group of year 10 students working on a project with pastoral leader Anneliese Walker. They made lanterns at Number 6 Studio Gallery in Pateley Bridge and went trekking with Nidderdale Llamas.

Judges praised the unique and innovative way the project supported young people, enabling them to experience the enjoyment of working confidently and collaboratively with others. They were encouraged to show and receive kindness and understanding, to make future plans together and not to be influenced by difficulties they had faced in the past.

Headteacher Kath Jordan said:

“I am so proud of the work that all of the pastoral team do in school, led by Ms Walker. This project was inspired by the students themselves and was devised by Ms Walker to take them beyond their usual experience to find common ground together.

“We were delighted just to be selected as finalists for this national award. To be announced as the winners is fantastic news and well deserved recognition of the incredible work that the pastoral team do to support all of our young people.”

Read more: