Grove Road Primary School Archives

Harrogate’s Grove Road remains a ‘good’ school, says Ofsted

Grove Road Community Primary School in Harrogate has retained its ‘good’ rating by Ofsted.

The findings were published in a report today, following an inspection in October.

Grove Road was previously rated ‘good’ in 2018. Ofsted carries out short routine inspections every four years to confirm schools previously assessed as ‘good’ have maintained standards.

Government inspectors said the pupils at the 307-pupil school are “happy, friendly and confident” and have “positive attitudes to learning.”

It added:

“The school ensures that its pupils are safe.

“Bullying is not a problem. Pupils are confident that adults would sort it out if it did happen.

“Many pupils behave very well.”

Ofsted praised the school for its “coherently planned and sequenced curriculum” and said it breaks learning into small steps.

Inspectors also said that in some subjects, such as maths, pupils can “talk about their learning confidently” and show how their knowledge is building over time.

“Teachers use a consistent lesson structure for teaching phonics.

“Pupils achieve well in the Year 1 phonics screening check.

“The school supports pupils who find learning to read difficult to catch up with their peers.”

The school “quickly identifies” any children with potential special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), inspectors added, and found those with SEND are “fully included in the life of the school”.

They added:

“The school provides opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests. For example, there are some sports after-school clubs and a singing club.”

The report said staff are “proud” to work at the school.

Areas of improvement

However, inspectors did note some areas the school could improve on.

Although the school is “ambitious for its pupils”, the report said this is not currently reflected in pupils’ achievement. But, leaders are taking action to ensure that outcomes for pupils improve, it added.

Inspectors praised the curriculum but said some leaders’ checks on what is taught and how it is taught are not “sufficiently rigorous”.

They said, as a result, some leaders have an “overly positive” view of how well the curriculum in their subject is implemented.

‘A special place to learn’

The inspection came after what Ofsted described as a period of “turbulence” in leadership and staff in recent years.

In the academic year 2021/2022, the school was in the highest 20% of all schools nationally for staff turnover and teacher absence.

New headteacher James Grayston said:

“We are delighted with the report which reflects the hard work of everyone involved in the school.

“I would like to personally thank all the staff, governors and parents for their unwavering dedication in everything we’ve been doing. Without fail, they always put the children at the centre of everything we do.

“We all know that Grove Road Community Primary School is a very special place for children to learn and we’re so pleased that the inspector saw what we see every day.”

Harrogate mums launch baby classes to tackle covid impact on education

Two Harrogate mums have launched parent and child classes to combat the impact of covid on local education.

Fiona Cunningham, who teaches at Rigg Farm Montessori Nursery, and Charlotte Davison, who teaches at Grove Road Community Primary School, felt the pandemic stunted young childrens’ speech and language development, as well as “overall school readiness”.

Early Explorer classes will offer sensory story time sessions improve communication and speech skills ahead of starting school.

Ms Cunningham said:

“Having had children of our own we are hoping to provide something we felt was missing in this area.

“As passionate teachers and mums, we noticed the impact that covid had on children’s development in terms of speech and language. We wanted to use our teaching skills and experience to support families and children in the area to inspire a love of learning through sensory stories and experiences.”

The pair hope the classes will help children better understand narratives, increase vocabulary and cognitive development.

Ms Cunningham added:

“In our classes, stories come to life through a symphony of sights, sounds, textures and scents.

“Through carefully curated tales, interactive props, soothing music and tactile elements, children will embark on a journey of exploration and imagination.”

Once established, Ms Cunningham and Ms Davison hope to offer maths and writing classes too.

“We are so excited to be starting this new project and have enjoyed meeting our first Early Explorers in the recent weeks and can’t wait to welcome even more of you to our sensory story time classes!”

Early Explorers will be held at Staveley & Copgrove Village Hall on Monday mornings, and at Killinghall Village Hall on Friday mornings.

The classes are suitable for parents with babies and children up to the age of 4. Prices start at £9.

Harrogate head set to move to new role at infant school

The headteacher of Grove Road Primary School is set to move on to a new role in September.

Christopher Harrison is taking up the post of headteacher at Oatlands Infant School, just two miles south of his current school.

The role was advertised after current head Zoe Anderson announced she was planning to move to the Isle of Skye after the end of the academic year.

Mr Harrison said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed as Headteacher at Oatlands Infant School.

“Whilst I have loved being a part of the Grove Road community for the last five years, both as a teacher and leader, I have always wanted to work in an infant school. I started my teaching career in Early Years and Key Stage 1, and the prospect of returning to work with these ages in a brilliant school – with the backing of a superb Multi Academy Trust and a fabulous community – was a tremendously exciting opportunity for me.

“I look forward to hearing about Grove Road’s continued successes, and I can’t wait to be part of Oatlands Infant School’s exciting journey going forward.”

Oatlands deputy headteacher Kathryn Haddon said:

“We are excited to welcome Mr Harrison in September and look forward to working together with him to build on all the existing successes in our nurturing and inspiring school.”

Confirmation that Mr Harrison will move means Grove Road is now seeking its own new headteacher.

In a statement, the governors of Grove Road Primary School said:

“We are sad that Mr Harrison will be leaving us at the end of the summer term, he has been an important figure in the school for the last five years. Although we will miss him, we wish him every success at Oatlands Infant School.

“As a governing body we are now focussed on recruiting our new headteacher for Grove Road Community Primary School.”

Oatlands Infant School has a three-form intake of 90 pupils each year, with up to 270 pupils across reception, year one and year two.

At Grove Road, the annual intake is 40 pupils, with a total of just under 300 on the role in its seven year groups.

Last year, Grove Road was set to be amalgamated with Woodfield Primary School as the latter faced closure following a damning Ofsted report.

However, governors withdrew support for the plans in April 2022 because of the potential risks. They said the consultation period had highlighted potential problems with support for the proposal and the likely number of applications, concluding:

“Ultimately, the governing board have concluded that we must prioritise the future of Grove Road School and so, sadly, we can no longer support the proposed amalgamation.”

Oatlands Infant School is part of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, alongside St Aidan’s C of E High School and seven primary schools, six of which are in the Harrogate district.

Most of its pupils go on to the nearby Oatlands Junior School, which is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust of 13 primary and secondary schools across North and West Yorkshire.

As part of the recruitment pack for the new headteacher, Oatlands Infant School said an Ofsted inspection was “likely before the end of this academic year”. The last, in 2013, rated the school ‘outstanding’.

It said the new head would lead the response to the outcome of the next inspection.

Public meeting next week over future of Woodfield school

A public meeting will be held next week over the future of Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has vowed it will take parents’ views into consideration as part of a consultation over a possible closure of the school.

The authority has now confirmed the closure would take effect from December 31 this year.

It has announced three options for future school allocations: the Woodfield catchment area could become part of that of Grove Road or Bilton Grange primary schools, or it could be split or shared between the two other schools.

The meeting will take place at Woodfield school on Wednesday at 6pm.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, member for education and skills at NYCC, said:

“Woodfield Community Primary School governors, together with North Yorkshire County Council, have worked extremely hard to find a solution which would see the school remain open but, sadly, this has not produced any viable options.

“During the consultation we will listen to parents’ views; we will also review the opinions of other groups involved with the school. Everyone will be given the opportunity to contribute.”

NYCC said it would welcome any views on its proposals, or alternative plans being put forward. All contributions will be part of a formal review which will be considered by the council’s executive before a final decision is made.

News about the consultation over the proposed closure was announced last month, ending months of speculation about the school’s future.

It followed its last Ofsted report labelling the school ‘inadequate’ in January 2020. Woodfield was then forced to try to find an academy to join.

Governors were in negotiations with nearby Grove Road Community Primary School, but a planned amalgamation to take effect from September fell through this year.

Woodfield’s governors said they had “exhausted all options” and were left with no choice but to consult over the closure.

Parents have protested to keep the school open.

As well as attending the meeting on Wednesday evening, parents can take part in the consultation on the council’s website.

Part of the consultation will include asking parents of current pupils to state their preference for an alternative school for their children to attend, either following any decision to close Woodfield, or sooner if they prefer.

A council spokesperson said:

“The overall intention will be to ensure fairness around the school transfer process in the event that a decision is ultimately taken to close the school.

“It will allow the local authority to apply consideration of admissions criteria to each request and avoid allocating places on a first-come, first-served basis.”

The authority said its admissions team is always happy to give advice to parents and can be contacted at schooladmissions@northyorks.gov.uk.

Councillor says future of Harrogate primary school now a matter of ‘extreme urgency’

The future of Harrogate’s Woodfield Primary School needs to be treated as a matter of “extreme urgency”, a councillor has said.

Councillor Paul Haslam’s comments come after the nearby Grove Road Primary School announced it had pulled out of a proposed merger with the inadequate-rated Woodfield.

After months of planning, the surprise announcement came last week and a decision to scrap the move was approved by North Yorkshire County Council’s executive today.

Councillor Haslam, who represents the Bilton area and is a school governor at Woodfield, told a meeting that parents and pupils had become very concerned about the school’s future and that the county council now needed to make “some very quick decisions” to offer reassurances.

He said:

“Woodfield is regarded as an area of deprivation, and both the local MP Andrew Jones and I believe that education is a proven way out of poverty and agree that a school needs to remain in the Woodfield area.

“It’s absolutely vital that a school is maintained there in my opinion.

“It’s also a matter of extreme urgency to reassure the existing pupils and their parents.”

Councillor Patrick Mulligan, executive member for education at the county council, also said a final decision on the future of Woodfield would now have to be made by the incoming North Yorkshire Council.

The existing county council previously said it will work with the Department for Education and governors at Woodfield to “re-consider the position for the school over the coming weeks before we are able to comment further.”

The school was rated as inadequate by Ofsted in 2020 when inspectors said pupils were being “let down” by poor leadership and that “too many pupils do not achieve what they are capable of”.

The school then failed to find an academy sponsor, before governors at Grove Road agreed to the proposed merger.

Although some parents objected to the move, the two schools were set to become one in September after a statutory notice was published by the county council.

However, Grove Road last week announced it was pulling out of the merger which it said “carries risk” for the future of the good-rated school. The school’s governing body said:

“During the consultation period we have monitored factors such as the level of support for the proposal and the likely demand for school places.

“Ultimately, the governing board have concluded that we must prioritise the future of Grove Road School and so, sadly, we can no longer support the proposed amalgamation.”

Meanwhile, Woodfield’s governing body said it was “saddened” by the decision. It said:

“It has been a difficult time for Woodfield School, and we were very hopeful that a satisfactory conclusion could be found for the future of the school.

“The school, staff, parents, and governors need a time of reflection before we make any decisions regarding the school’s future.

“We will continue to consult with North Yorkshire County Council regarding any future decisions.”

Woodfield leaders ‘listening to parents’ before deciding school’s future

Parents at a Harrogate primary school facing an uncertain future have spent the day meeting with governors and the headteacher.

Woodfield Community Primary School opened its doors for parents to ask questions after a planned merger with Grove Road Community Primary School fell through.

The proposal had been put forward after Woodfield was placed in special measures by Ofsted two years ago. Governors had been unable to find a multi-academy trust to join, as required by Ofsted, and an announcement was made yesterday that the planned merger had also fallen through.

Cllr Paul Haslam, who has been a governor at the school since early 2019, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is bitterly disappointing. The school has got the best teaching it has had for many years.

“The calibre of the teaching and learning of the children can’t be faulted, in my opinion.

“I believe it’s more to do with Grove Road feeling they don’t have the resources in order to accomplish what the amalgamation set out to do, rather than anything else. We’ve all got the children’s interests at heart.

“We’re listening to parents rather than telling them what to do. It’s about having an ear.

“Let’s get through this stage and understand what this stage is; listening to parents and their concerns will help us formulate what we do in the future.

“We will come to a conclusion based on what parents tell us and what all parties believe is right.”

Cllr Haslam said the governors had written to all parents about amalgamation being dropped before the news was announced publicly.

“We view this as a very urgent situation that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. We will be doing everything we can in order to expedite and get information for people.

“We’re challenged with the Easter holidays – the governors were 200% behind the fact we had to offer to sit with the parents today.

“We didn’t want them to go away worrying about this. Obviously, they will worry, but we are giving them an opportunity to talk about this.”

After the merger proposal was initially announced, North Yorkshire County Council and leaders from both schools held two online public meetings in January for parents to ask questions.

Asked what would happen if the planned amalgamation fell through, Andrew Dixon, strategic planning manager for NYCC, said they “would have to consult on a school closure”.

However, Cllr Haslam said today that he wanted to reassure parents:

“Until further notice, the school continues to operate exactly as it is. That’s the legal obligation of NYCC – we have to operate the school as is.

“The first and most important thing is that the children are the centre and the core of everything that we as governors do. That’s our utmost consideration at all times.”

Woodfield was rated ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted in March 2020, but monitoring visits by inspectors have since found that improvements are being made.

They particularly praised the efforts made by the school’s new leaders and governors to identify the work needed to improve and how they can be evaluated.

Future of Woodfield school uncertain as Grove Road merger dropped

A proposed amalgamation of two Harrogate primary schools is set to be shelved.

The plan would have seen Woodfield Community Primary School close and become part of Grove Road Community Primary School, which would be based across the two sites from September.

However, governors at Grove Road have withdrawn their support for the plans.

It leaves the future of Woodfield hanging in the balance, with its governors saying they need time to consider what will happen next.

They said:

‘’We are saddened to hear about Grove Road’s decision to withdraw support for the amalgamation.

“It has been a difficult time for Woodfield School, and we were very hopeful that a satisfactory conclusion could found for the future of the school. The school, staff, parents, and governors need a time of reflection before we make any decisions regarding the school’s future.

“We will continue to consult with North Yorkshire County Council regarding any future decisions.’’

Some Woodfield school parents spoke out against the merger.

The proposal had been met with shock and disappointment from some residents, who said they valued the school and did not want to see it closed. A consultation was held for parents and the wider community to enable the schools and North Yorkshire County Council to gather people’s views.

However, the county council is now proposing that the amalgamation should not proceed, with a decision to be made by its executive on April 19.

The merger was put forward after Woodfield was rated inadequate by Ofsted, forcing it to look to be taken on by a multi-academy trust. Ofsted inspectors found the school was making progress, but no academy could be found to take Woodfield on.

Today, Grove Road’s governors said in a statement:

“When first approached about the amalgamation the leadership and governors could see the potential benefits of the proposal for the communities of both schools and were supportive of the consultation. However, a change of such significance also carries risk.

“During the consultation period we have monitored factors such as the level of support for the proposal and the likely demand for school places.

“Ultimately, the governing board have concluded that we must prioritise the future of Grove Road School and so, sadly, we can no longer support the proposed amalgamation.”

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for education and skills, Cllr Patrick Mulligan, told the Stray Ferret in November that the council would have liked to give Woodfield school more time, but its hands were tied by national policy.

He also said the process could be a “downward spiral”, with a poor rating resulting in fewer applications and admissions, then a struggle to make the school viable.

Today, North Yorkshire County Council’s director of children and young people services, Stuart Carlton, said:

“Any proposal to expand a school onto an additional site is a significant change with challenges that should not be underestimated. So, while we are disappointed the proposal is no longer supported, we fully understand why Grove Road governors now have that view.

“I would like to thank the leadership and governors of both schools for their efforts in working with us on this amalgamation proposal.

“We will now need to work alongside the Department for Education and governors at Woodfield primary to re-consider the position for the school over the coming weeks before we are able to comment further.”

Planned Harrogate schools merger takes next step

The planned merger of two Harrogate primary schools has moved another step closer after it was hailed as an opportunity to provide “excellent education” for all children in the town’s most deprived area.

Woodfield Primary School and Grove Road Primary School will become one in September 2022 if the proposals are approved.

The plans were progressed at a North Yorkshire County Council executive meeting today when members agreed that a statutory notice proposing the move should be published.

This was despite objections from some parents who said “Woodfield School’s problems should not become Grove Road’s problems” after Woodfield was judged inadequate and put into special measures by Ofsted, before failing to find an academy to take it over.

These comments were made during a consultation which closed in January and received just 12 responses.

Cllr Patrick Mulligan, executive member for education and skills at the county council, said this low figure was “quite unusual” and something he believes is “tacit approval” for the merger.

Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents the Bilton area and is a governor at Woodfield Primary School, also said it was key that the school avoided a full closure – despite its struggling pupil roll and finances.

He said:

“We know that the provision of excellent education is the cornerstone of moving areas out of poverty.

“Woodfield is the most deprived ward in Harrogate and one of the most deprived in North Yorkshire. We must keep a school in this area.

“There may be some short-term logistical challenges, but I believe this merger will be great for the pupils, parents and area.”

The two schools sit just half a mile apart, but have very different ratings, pupils numbers and finances.

Grove Road is rated as good by Ofsted inspectors, while Woodfield received its inadequate rating and was put into special measures in January 2020.

Woodfield is also forecasting to be almost £333,000 in debt by 2024 due to having just 49 pupils on its books, while Grove Road is currently operating at capacity with almost 300 pupils and is forecasting a budget surplus by 2026.

The proposed merger has been agreed by both governing bodies of the schools, and statutory proposals will be now published in March.

After this, a final decision on the move will then be made by the county council’s executive in April.

If the proposals go ahead, nursery aged children will attend the site at Woodfield, which will be re-named Grove Road Nursery from September.

Eventually all Key Stage One pupils will be taught at the Woodfield site, with Key Stage Two being taught at the larger Grove Road site.

Parents object to merger of two Harrogate primary schools

Parents objecting about the merger of two Harrogate primary schools claim it will be unfair on some pupils after one school was judged inadequate by inspectors.

Woodfield Primary School and Grove Road Community Primary School will become one in September 2022 if the proposals are approved.

The plans are set to be progressed at a North Yorkshire County Council meeting on Tuesday after a consultation with parents, staff and governors ended in January.

Concerns have been raised that the move will cause disruption for pupils and parents, some of which said Woodfield Primary School should remain as it is after it was judged inadequate by Ofsted in January 2020.

One parent said:

“Woodfield School’s problems should not become Grove Road’s problems.

“Inspectors said pupils at Woodfield were being “let down” by poor leadership and that “too many pupils do not achieve what they are capable of.”

Any council-run school which is rated inadequate is required to become a sponsored academy.

However, no sponsor could be found for Woodfield, and the county council instead put forward plans for the merger with good-rated Grove Road.

Stuart Carlton, the county council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said in a report:

“While it is acknowledged that the proposed closure of Woodfield Community Primary School will cause uncertainty and disruption for pupils, parents and staff, Grove Road School would work closely with parents, as both schools do now, to meet the needs of individual children.

“Several consultees have noted the benefits of the Woodfield site including the large grassed area not available at Grove Road.

“It is proposed that the additional space freed up at the Grove Road site will be developed into specialist provision, intervention areas and library spaces.”

“Our family really hope that this amalgamation never happens”

The proposed merger has been agreed by both governing bodies of the schools, and statutory proposals will be published in March if councillors vote in favour of progressing the plans on Tuesday.

After this, a final decision on the move would then be made by the county council’s executive in April.

Commenting on the proposals, one parent said:

“After the past two years the children have had, I think the uproot out of a school they love and know is not good for mental health and a total disregard for the children and parents of Woodfield.”

Another said:

“Our family really hope that this amalgamation never happens, otherwise our family and many parents I know will choose for their kids to go to St Peter’s School.”

Meanwhile, one parent commented in favour of the merger, saying her disabled child had a much improved experience at Grove Road after leaving Woodfield.

They said:

“Having been a parent of a SEND child at Woodfield nearly three years ago… I saw the decline in leadership and poor care of my child’s needs.

“We left this school because we were tired of fighting and getting nowhere.

“I’ve no doubt that under Grove Road leadership, the Woodfield site will become a thriving and flourished school again.”

If the proposals go ahead, nursery aged children will attend the site at Woodfield, which will be re-named Grove Road Nursery, from September.

Eventually all Key Stage One pupils will be taught at the Woodfield site, with Key Stage Two being taught at the larger Grove Road site.

Appeal after woman in wheelchair hits three-year-old girl

A woman in a wheelchair hit a toddler near a Harrogate school yesterday and police are appealing for witnesses.

North Yorkshire Police (NYP) said a mother reported that a woman in an electric wheelchair stopped her while she was pushing her three-year-old daughter in a buggy on Skipton Road, at about 10.30am on Wednesday.

The suspect allegedly grabbed the girl, pinched her ear – which caused fluid to appear – then hit her on the head three times. The toddler did not require medical treatment.

Officers have appealed for anyone who was near Grove Road Community Primary School between 10.20am and 10.30am who may have witnessed the incident, or caught anything on dash-cam footage, to come forward.

The woman was described as being white, in her 40s, with short brown hair and a “chubby” build. She was wearing dark glasses and a short-sleeved pink T-shirt, NYP said.

Potential witnesses can email ryan.rudd@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting the reference number 12210164772.

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Areas of improvement

‘A special place to learn’

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“Our family really hope that this amalgamation never happens”

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