This story is sponsored by St. Aidan’s & St. John Fisher Associated Sixth Form.

St. Aidan’s & St. John Fisher Associated Sixth Form is based in the heart of Harrogate neighbouring the famous Stray. With excellent bus and rail links, it provides an easily accessible and outstanding education for students already familiar with either school and offers a welcoming environment for new students.

Ahead of the Information Evening which takes place on Thursday January 19, the Stray Ferret spoke to two talented sisters who joined the Associated Sixth Form as newcomers moving to the area from South Africa and who are grateful to the schools for helping them to achieve their dreams.

Hannah Carey studied Dance, Biology and Spanish at A Level and is now training full-time at the prestigious Rambert Dance Company in London. 

Previously at school in South Africa, Hannah had the challenge of adapting to not only a new school but a new country. She explained how she found it: 

“In the Associated Sixth Form, I did not find myself to be the only dancer in my year group (as I had been at my old school) so I was presented with an array of opportunities. 

“As I studied for my A Levels, it of course got harder and harder to manage the commitment demanded by my education and my developing dance career outside of school. 

“My dance teachers were incredible and al of the staff in the Associated Sixth Form were really supportive throughout this time, towards me and other athletes in school. Their support enabled me and other students to achieve success in academic subjects and follow our dreams, whether that was to study dance as in my case or to pursue other sports or performance activities to an elite level. 

“I can say without a doubt that I would not be where I am now, if it wasn’t for the support and encouragement I received from the Associated Sixth Form.” 

Rower Lauren Carey is a student at the prestigious Ivy League Yale University in the US, where she is studying Economics and is a member of Yale Women’s Crew. She also competes annually at the World Championships with U23 Team GB and dreams of reaching the Olympics. 

Joining the Sixth Form for Year 13 only, the invaluable pastoral support the Associated Sixth Form offers to newcomers was essential to Lauren. She studied Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A Level in the Associated Sixth Form and we asked her about the welcome she received: 

“Diving headfirst into my final year of A Levels was always going to be tricky and I had the added concern of making new friends when friendship groups had already been formed. The friendly ethos of the Association and the staff and students made this much easier. I met some amazing people who had a real impact on me.

“Furthermore, academically the institution is brilliant. I struggled a little because I was transferring my South African education to a British one, but I was met with an overwhelming offering of help.”

The Sixth Form is well known for excellent results in academic subjects but actively encourages students to get involved with the extended curriculum.  Lauren recalled how she experienced the support of the Sixth Form with her commitment to sport:  

“St. Aidan’s & St. John Fisher Associated Sixth Form was a really understanding institution when it came to my sports. Whether it was allowing me to leave class 10 minutes early so that I could sprint to the train to get training on time, or the agreement that I could use my free periods to run to the gym to lift some weights. 

The shared Christian ethos of both St Aidan’s Church of England High School and St John Fisher Catholic High School continues to thrive in the Associated Sixth Form and this is reflected in the personal qualities of the students who attend the schools, as Lauren explains: 

“The Associated Sixth Form taught me to be hard working, kind and determined. The teachers inspired me and pushed me towards my dreams, something I am forever grateful for.” 

St Aidan’s Associated Sixth Form Information Evening takes place on Thursday 19 January 2023. For further details and to book your place today, click or tap here. 

The event provides the opportunity for parents/carers of Year 11 students currently attending either of the schools and new students and their parents/carers to meet subject teachers, current Sixth Form students and key staff. There will also be a presentation at which you can find out more about the excellent academic standards and pastoral support available. 

Students in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants to fund study equipment and travel.

The grants have been made available by Haywra Crescent Educational Trust, which has around £1,000 to share, and are available to those taking post-16 education courses.

The money is available through the proceeds of the sale of a former education property in Haywra Crescent, Harrogate.

As part of the scheme, eligible students can apply for a small sum to go towards books, equipment or fund travel that relates to study.

Read more:

• Hot Seat: ‘We are a proud school, independent-minded’
• Ripon Grammar named top northern secondary school again

The fund, which is administered by North Yorkshire County Council, is available to those who are who are studying at schools, colleges and universities outside the Harrogate borough.

Further information and application forms are available by emailing post16@northyorks.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is January 31, 2023.

Ripon Grammar School has been named Secondary School of the Year for academic performance in the north – for the tenth year running. 

The school claimed the top spot – again – in Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, published online today and in print on Sunday. 

Ripon Grammar School headmaster Jonathan Webb said:

“We were delighted with this year’s results, given the disruption our students faced to their education during the two years of intermittent lockdown. They coped superbly well with the blended demands of remote learning and face-to-face schooling.

“My congratulations go to the students who worked so well and the dedicated staff this school is so fortunate to have. 

“Our results at A-level actually strengthened on 2020’s and 2021’s results, while GCSE results were on a par with those years, despite the fact that grading was recalibrated nationally to a mid-point between 2019-21.  

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, at Thorpe Underwood, was named Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North for academic performance. 

The other northern winners in the ranking were: Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley (Comprehensive School of the Year); and Sheffield High School for Girls (Independent School of the Year). 

Nationally, schools in London and the south east outperformed the rest of the country. Wycombe High School in Buckinghamshire, St Peter’s Catholic School in Guildford and Francis Holland School in London were named Secondary School of the Year, Comprehensive School of the Year, and Independent School of the Year respectively. 

Henrietta Barnett School, a grammar school for girls in Hampstead, was named the overall top secondary school for academic performance, and St Paul’s Girls’ School took the equivalent title in the independent sector. 

Read more:

• Hot Seat: ‘We are a proud school, independent-minded’
• Harrogate council approves £650,000 refurbishment of ‘eyesore’ Ripon flats

Godolphin and Latymer, Hammersmith was named International Baccalaureate School of the Year. 

The Sunday Times Parent Power guide has been published annually since 1993 and has a searchable online database of 1,600 schools across the UK. 

Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, said:

“These have been a challenging few years for teachers, pupils and their parents, and the success of many in our league table is testament to the stamina and support shown by all concerned. 

“It is also clear that more attention is being placed on well-being and mental health – from meditation rooms to counselling support, even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive changes. 

“League tables are not the only criteria a parent can use when choosing a school, but they are a good starting point. We want to celebrate excellence. We want to champion schools that are doing wonderful work.”

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to open a consultation on whether to close a school between Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Under the plan, Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School would shut in August 2023. The council will recommend carrying out a consultation into the plans at a meeting on December 13.

A council report said numbers at the school has been “falling over the past few years” and there were concerns about the impact on pupils’ education.

As of this year, nine children and one nursery pupil were on roll at the school. It has capacity for 52.

The low number has meant key stage two teaching has been taking place at Sharow Church of England Primary School, which is federated with the school.

The report added:

“The governing body have been active in their collective efforts to raise numbers at the school through many initiatives over recent years including the introduction of nursery provision in September 2019, which has attracted some children to the school, although numbers have been small.

“Marketing of the school has been a collective effort by governors, staff and parents though this has not had a long-term result.”

Read more:

• ‘Badly let down’ Woodfield school closure confirmed
• Baldersby school commemorative event to be held ahead of closure

The county council estimates pupil numbers “will not recover significantly in the longer term and may reduce still further”.

In autumn this year, the governing body of the school approached the county council to request a consultation on a closure.

The report added:

“This decision was not taken lightly by the governing body. 

“The main issue was being able to provide such a small number of pupils with the rounded education that they deserve together with little prospect of future improvement in pupil numbers.”

The council has proposed that, should the school close, then the catchment area will be taken in by Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School.

A consultation into the closure will be held from January 2023, if approved. Senior county councillors will make a final decision whether to close the school next year.

Fourth school to close?

Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School could become the fourth Harrogate district school to close in quick succession.

Kell Bank Church of England Primary School in Masham closed after 200 years in summer last year.

Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School, near Thirsk, closed in summer this year and Woodfield Community Primary School will shut this month.

However, governors at Fountains Earth Primary School in Upper Nidderdale withdrew their request for a consultation on closure this year and the school remain open.

Concerns have been raised about the absence of a secondary school in plans for a new Harrogate district town of up to 4,000 homes.

The proposed town, called Maltkiln, will be built in the Hammerton and Cattal area and will include a GP surgery, shops and two primary schools — but not a secondary school.

According to a North Yorkshire County Council report, the scheme proposes to expand Boroughbridge High School, which has about 600 students, to meet demand for secondary school pupils.

Land in Maltkiln has also been “safeguarded” for a high school, but this would only be built in future should it be required.

Green Party councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, told a Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee meeting today that plans to expand Boroughbridge High School to meet demand would generate its own problems.

He added that local residents were surprised the development did not have its own secondary school given that thousands of homes are expected to be built.

Cllr Warneken said:

“This is a massive impact on this community and everything needs to be in place that is going to address that impact.

“The pupils are not just going to come from the Maltkiln development, they are going to come from places like Whixley, Green Hammerton and Tockwith as well. All of those have experienced big developments as well.

“I am concerned that we are asking, as a result of Maltkiln, for a school to be further developed in Boroughbridge when I believe that Boroughbridge has its own set of problems in terms of levels of development and the number of pupils that will generate.”

Boroughbridge High School.

Officials at the county council said in a report that it was “not expected” that the size of the development would “generate sufficient pupils” to require a new secondary school.

Sue Turley, strategic planning officer in the county council’s children’s and young people service, said the council had forecast that Boroughbridge High School would be able to meet the demand for secondary school pupils from the new town.

She said:

“In terms of the secondary provision, it is expected that Boroughbridge High School would be expanded because there is sufficient space at the school and to grow the school, which is part of a federation with King James School.

“However, it is important to realise that there is safeguarded land within Maltkiln for secondary provision as indicated should this be required in the future. There is that provision there and I think that everybody wanted to see that there was that provision in that development plan for the site, which is now being consulted on.”

Read more:

• Consultation into new Harrogate district town after legal threat
• Details emerge of new Harrogate district town the size of Thirsk
• Call to restart consultation on new Harrogate district town

Cllr Pat Marsh, chair of the area committee, raised concern that the move did not meet the sustainable aims of the development.

She said:

“Why are we saying this is a sustainable community and yet expecting children to travel at 11 to Boroughbridge?

“Then this joining with King James becomes problematic because Knaresborough itself has got over 1,000 new houses and where is the secondary school there? It’s King James.

“So there is going to be a major issue with secondary schools.”

Extension of consultation

Harrogate Borough Council has agreed to extend a consultation into  Maltkiln until November 25.

Council officials launched a six-week consultation on October 3 into its draft new settlement development plan document, which sets out a 30-year vision and policy framework on how the town is designed and developed.

However, Cllr Warneken, who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire County Council, called for an extension amid concern that the planning process was being rushed ahead of the new North Yorkshire Council coming into being.

He issued the plea after it emerged the consultation documents had been changed midway through — without people being told — and raised the prospect of a judicial review.

You can take part in the consultation over the new town here.

This story is sponsored by Harrogate Grammar School.

Open days are crucial in helping students to determine their futures, according to the Director of a top Harrogate school’s Sixth Form.

Ben Twitchin, from Harrogate Grammar School, said the events allow prospective students the chance to make informed decisions.

He has offered his tips on what to ask and look out for at the open days.

He said:

“This is the first-time students have a really free choice in what they study, and this decision will help to determine their future.

“In order to do this in the most informed manner, it is really important they engage in open events. This is the best way for students to develop an understanding of the culture of a sixth form, and to find out crucial information about courses and facilities on offer. This helps to support them in making the right decision about their next steps.”

Whether you are a parent, carer or a student applying to Sixth Form there are several ways you can make the most of open events.

Mr Twitchin’s top tips on how to do this are:

1. Do your research

Before attending open events, do your research and make a list of any questions you have, as well as a list of priorities that you are looking for in a Sixth Form. This will be useful if you talk with staff about your course and being prepared will help to ensure you make the most of the open event.

It is important that you are confident in your school choice. We are delighted to have been awarded an ‘outstanding’ judgement across all aspects of the school from Ofsted in March 2022, which reflects our consistently excellent academic provision over a number of years.

2. Don’t be afraid to move

This year The Sixth Form at Harrogate Grammar School welcomed over 120 students who had previously attended different schools.

It is really common that students join us in the Sixth Form, they add to the vibrancy and diversity of the school. The Sixth Form provides a fresh start for all of our students, and students quickly feel settled within our community.

Transport doesn’t have to be a barrier either. The Sixth Form at Harrogate Grammar School is well serviced by public bus services and also offers bespoke bus services to help students travel to and from the school from the surrounding area.

3. Check the results

When considering your post-16 options look for consistently excellent results rather than just one year. Harrogate Grammar School has achieved record breaking exam success with an average of 60 peer of A Level grades being A*- B over nine consecutive years.

4. Look at the subjects on offer

As noted, Sixth Form is the first-time students have a true choice in what they are studying so it is important to look at the range on offer.

My three pieces of advice for future students are :

• Select a subject that you genuinely really enjoy.
• Select a subject that you are also good at because then you can make significant progress and develop at the higher level of study expected at A Level.”
• Make sure you select a subject that allows you to progress after Sixth Form to the next stage in your life.

5. Look beyond the subjects

It is also important to consider what other opportunities a Sixth Form offers to help students develop and prepare for the next stage of their lives.

Are there active, student-led societies, leadership opportunities and a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer?

No matter where your passion lies, whether it be in sport, art, drama, music or the academic side of school life, there is always something extra to take part in at Harrogate Grammar School.

6. Think about progression

What happens after Sixth Form is crucial, so check that there is a clear route to university, further education or apprenticeships. Find out if successful alumni visit to inspire current students and whether there is an active work-experience programme.

A key thing to also look out for is whether the Sixth Form has a Quality in Careers Standard Award, which recognises excellence in careers education, information and guidance. The Sixth Form at Harrogate Grammar School has this careers award and encourages excellence for all its students across 38 subjects, taught in first-class facilities.

7. Look for strong pastoral and academic support

The step from GCSEs to A-Levels can sometimes be challenging. It is important to find out how students are supported in developing the strong independent study skills that are crucial to success in the Sixth Form.

A strong pastoral team and a clear commitment to student wellbeing are also essential elements to look out for when selecting your destination of study, especially for students who have had a disrupted school experience over the last two years.

Head student Harriet Winspear said:

“At Harrogate Grammar School, the staff really help to create a nurturing environment not only academically, but they also have a real care for the pastoral wellbeing of students and provide great guidance.”

Harrogate Grammar School holds the Carnegie School Mental Health Award, and the Sixth Form has an experienced and specialised team of staff in place to support students throughout their Sixth Form journey.

Harrogate Grammar School’s Sixth Form Open Evening is taking place on Thursday, November 17.

It will give potential students, parents and carers the opportunity to visit this ‘outstanding’ school, hear about the wide range of courses on offer from subject specialists, get an insight into the thriving culture, meet the students and experience the first-class facilities.

There will be two identical talks which will take place at 6.30pm and 7.20pm throughout both evenings from the Headteacher Neil Renton and Director of Sixth Form Ben Twitchin. The evenings are due to finish at 8.30pm.

To find out more information about the Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday, November 17 call 01423 535235 or email hgs.sixthform@hgs.rklt.co.uk

The fate of Harrogate’s Woodfield Community Primary School is to be confirmed next week after a recommendation was made to close it at the end of the year.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive will next Tuesday be asked to agree to the closure on December 31.

It comes after council officials said they “exhausted all options” to try to keep the Bilton school open after years of falling pupil numbers and an inadequate rating by Ofsted inspectors in 2020.

But parents say the school has been “badly let down” by the local education authority, while councillors have labelled the planned closure a “disgrace”.

The school reception

There was just one pupil on the school roll earlier this month after the closure plans were revealed in summer and parents were forced to start looking elsewhere ahead of the new term.

Ward councillor Paul Haslam, who is also a governor at Woodfield, said the sudden death of a former headteacher in 2018 led to instabilities at the school and that an “unfounded slur” on social media then caused an “exodus” of about a third of the pupils later that year.

He said in a letter: 

“The school was exonerated of any wrongdoing and the correct safeguarding procedures were found to have been followed and to be in place by the local authority, as they were at the Ofsted judgement.

“What failed to happen was a restoration of the reputation of the school and difficulty in getting permanent, long term leadership.

“The school did not get enough support to come back from this reputational damage.”

Cllr Haslam also argued the school should not be closing because Harrogate’s population is growing and it had made good progress since the inadequate rating in January 2020.

Read more:

• Parents vow to fight closure of ‘fantastic’ Woodfield primary school
• Woodfield school taking ‘effective action’ to improve, says Ofsted

But a report to Tuesday’s meeting said government legislation requires the school to close unless an academy sponsor can be found. Any school rated as inadequate is required to become part of an academy, but Woodfield has failed to find one to secure its future.

The school had also held merger talks with the nearby Grove Road Community Primary School, but these fell through.

If approved, the closure will mean the Woodfield catchment area will be shared with Grove Road and Bilton Grange Primary School.

The school’s debts, which were forecast to reach almost £100,000 by the end of 2022/23, will be absorbed by the council.

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.

This article is sponsored by Barnard Castle School.

Barnard Castle Prep School is where the foundations of children’s learning are laid.

It is here that children enjoy an inspiring and nurturing experience that sets them on a rewarding and happy journey in education.

Ahead of this major milestone, parents and children are being invited to learn more about where “Barney’s” school journey begins.

An open morning is being held at the co-educational independent day and boarding school in County Durham, which has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.

The event on October 1, which also includes the Senior School, is aimed at giving parents and pupils an opportunity to get a feel for the school, inspect the facilities and chat with peers and staff.

Barnard Castle School’s Prep School headmistress Laura Turner said:

“We tell our parents that our collective role, as parents and teachers, is to arm our children with the tools with which to clear the path ahead of them, not to clear the path for them.

“This means we have to allow them to fail at times, in a supportive environment. If we do that together, we are doing our best to prepare our young people for the challenges ahead.”

Pupils at Barnard Castle School.

The Prep School, which ranges from reception to Year 6, offers creative curriculums in each year group allow children to be engaged and become independent learners and thinkers.

These are practiced alongside a robust, wide-ranging extra-curricular activity programme, including regular lessons in Forest School.

Ms Turner said:

“In the pupils’ final year at Prep School, we focus on preparing the children for transition to Senior School whilst maintaining the safety and security of a familiar class environment.

“As an alternative to SATs, Barney’s Year 6 Achievement Award provides a focus for the children, fostering in them a more mature, ambitious and independent approach to study and recognising their commitment right across the curriculum.

“We place enormous emphasis on ensuring each and every pupil feels a sense of belonging at ‘Barney’; only then will they come close to maximising their potential.”

The school has a history that stretches back to the 19th century.

The Prep School also offers junior boarding, which boasts a “wonderful community of pupils” and a “family feel”.

Ms Turner added:

“Boarders at Barney become rounded, independent, and responsible Barnardians. They develop empathy and kindness for their peers, as well as a true appreciation for the family environment, mutual trust, and respect.

“Our boarding family is a wonderful community of pupils from a variety of countries, with the largest percentage coming from UK-based families.

“Our team have created an environment that pupils aspire to part of; it is one of warmth and nurture, enthusiasm and House spirit and, overwhelmingly, a sense of family.”

Situated on the outskirts of historic market town of Barnard Castle, an extensive transport service is operated from across the North East and North Yorkshire to the school.

To find out more about what makes education at Barnard Castle School so special, contact a member of the admissions team on 01833 696030 or email admissions@barneyschool.org.uk

Education bosses at North Yorkshire County Council have revealed the county only receives 46% of the national average funding to build and extend special schools.

The authority says it receives the country’s lowest level of funding per pupil for special schools despite data evidencing the county has significantly less specialist provision than is available in an average local authority.

As a result, North Yorkshire County Council says creating a school to support young people with significant SEMH needs in Hambleton and Richmondshire has become “an urgent priority” for the Government as it considers how to distribute its £2.6 billion programme for expanding special school provision.

A meeting of the council’s executive on Tuesday looks set to see councillors approve a bid for a share of the funding to cover a new 120-place academy-run special school at former school site on Grammar School Lane, in Northallerton.

The same meeting will also see the leading councillors consider increasing day places at Brompton Hall School, Scarborough and add provision for Special Educational Needs pupils at Caedmon College, Whitby to add to the provision it offers at Forest Moor School, near Harrogate.

Since 2015 North Yorkshire has seen a 131% rise in pupils with Educational Health Care Plans compared to a national increase of 97%.

Read more

• Starbeck dad says ‘unreliable’ buses are making daughter late for school
• Closure notice published for Harrogate school

An officers’ report to the executive states the relatively limited funding it has received to build or extend special schools has left the authority facing a challenging task in expanding provision for SEMH pupils.

It says the council’s two specialist schools for SEMH pupils, Brompton Hall and Forest Moor, are both “a considerable daily travelling distance” from the Northallerton and Richmond and that talking to parents about sending children is challenging as both the schools are currently rated inadequate by Ofsted.

The report states: 

“Consequently, we have been placing youngsters with SEMH needs in independent special schools with places in those provisions typically costing £60,000 to £70,000 per annum compared to an annual cost per place of £23,000 in the council’s special schools.”

The report states the new school in Northallerton for children aged eight to 16 would enable the authority to support more pupils in appropriate local specialist provision while reducing the ongoing financial pressure on the high needs revenue budget.

The authority says it is “well aware that there are sensitivities within the local community” about how the Grammar School Lane site is used and developed, and that “it is entirely appropriate that those views are factored into the future plans for the site”.

The report concludes: 

“Our site development work indicates that the scale of development we are proposing would not require the full site to be assigned to the school development, with this assessment taking into account the need to rectify the shortfall in outside space currently available to Mill Hill Primary School on the site.”