A Harrogate primary school has announced a new headteacher and deputy-head teacher.

Hookstone Chase Primary School has appointed James Hughes as the new headteacher and Hannah Norton as the new deputy headteacher.

Mr Hughes has been acting head since October 2023. He has worked in primary schools for 18 years.

Before starting at Hookstone Chase, he held the position of deputy headteacher at nearby Willow Tree Primary School for 13 years.

Mr Hughes said:

“I am thrilled to become the new Headteacher at Hookstone Chase Primary School and am committed to unlocking the potential of every one of our young learners.

“Alongside Hannah and our talented staff team we will nurture academic excellence and strengthen connections with our local community to cultivate a vibrant and diverse learning environment.”

Ms Norton joins the school from New Park Primary School, also in Harrogate, where she was assistant headteacher and special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).

Hookstone Chase Primary School

Hookstone Chase Primary School is part of Northern Star Academies Trust, a partnership of 15 primary and secondary schools across North and West Yorkshire, five of which are in Harrogate.

Harrogate High School, New Park Primary Academy School , Starbeck Primary Academy and Willow Tree Community Primary School are also in the trust.

The trust’s CEO, Jenn Plews, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome both James and Hannah to their new roles at Hookstone Chase Primary School and to support them as they lead the school into this new chapter.

“As a growing Yorkshire Trust we put people at the heart of everything we do and know that excellent education starts with excellent teachers. We take great pride in being able to provide career advancement prospects within our Trust partnership and are so pleased that both James and Hannah are taking the next step in their career at Northern Star.”

Hookstone Chase Primary School is also looking for a volunteer governor. If you  would like to find out more about the role contact governance@nsat.org.uk. 

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A young Starbeck boy has been putting his passion for the environment to good use to support a cause close to his heart.

Owen Sutcliffe has been a keen litter picker for the last three years, encouraging his family to go out regularly and clear areas of Harrogate.

The nine-year-old Hookstone Chase Primary School pupil is also a supporter of exotic pet rescue centre K’Rescue Knaresborough. When he saw it was struggling to cover its rising costs, he was determined to do all he could to help.

Mum Clare told the Stray Ferret:

“He’s obsessed with the rescue centre. He’s also an avid litter picker ever since he was in year 2 at school.

“In the first lockdown, he still went to school twice a week because his dad and I were key workers. They were learning about litter and how all litter eventually goes to the sea.

“Owen had just fallen in love with frogs and we had made a frog border in our garden. The teacher was trying to engage him and told him litter ends up in frog ponds too.

“He didn’t sleep for a week! We had to buy litter pickers and we’ve been picking litter ever since.”

Owen has set himself the challenge of collecting 100 bags of litter in the next six weeks, aiming to raise £250 for the rescue centre.

Two weeks into the task, he’s on track with around 30 bags collected – and his fundraising has already more than doubled his initial target, at just over £500.

He has been venturing out to areas around Harrogate nominated by friends and family as being in need of a clear-up. The worst so far was along the bridge on the A61 between Killinghall and Ripley, where Clare said the family spent three hours filling bags with litter but still “didn’t make a dent” in what was there.

Even in the recent hail and snow, Owen has been out collecting bags of litter, often taking enthusiastic friends with him as he aims to raise as much as possible for the centre.

He has also got members of his school’s eco club involved and the group will be picking litter around the grounds before the Easter break.

Clare added:

“They all love it! He is so proud of himself as well, and so grateful because a lot of the donations have come from complete strangers.”

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K’Rescue owner Dan Holmes has said the rise in electricity and other costs is having an impact on his bills, which are currently around £1,500 a month. While he has a local vet who provides his time for free, medicines and other treatments also add up.

There has also been an influx of animals to the centre over recent months, as owners struggle to afford to look after their pets.

K’Rescue takes a donation from anyone adopting one of its animals, but Dan said the amount given each time has also been falling, as has the amount people donate when they visit the rescue centre.

Despite the challenges, Dan is proving an inspiration to Owen, who hopes to train as a vet specialising in exotic animals so that, when he opens his own rescue centre, he can treat the pets himself.

Clare said:

“He’s mad for animals. We can’t go on any kind of walk without him finding some animal in the wild.

“We’ve got two rescued axolotls. We made our frog border in the garden and we get so much frogspawn every year.

“The frogs there are so tame, they just come and sit on him. He’s like the animal whisperer.”

To support Owen’s fundraising, click here.

For more information about K’Rescue, visit its Facebook page.

A new play area has opened at Hookstone Chase Primary School in Harrogate.

The new equipment is part of investment the school is making in facilities especially for reception age children.

The school is part of Northern Star Academies Trust, which runs four primary schools in Harrogate.

Constructed from natural timber to reflect the school’s commitment to the environment, the play area gives children a new learning space to get physical and creative – with a water stream, sand play and jungle planters.

A new shelter offers a place to act out plays, have outdoor lessons, or even an alfresco story time.

The play area is the first part of a development plan for the school being led by new headteacher, Joe Cooper, who joined the academy at the start of September.

Headteacher, Joe Cooper, tries out the new outdoor learning area.

Mr Cooper said:

“Learning should be engaging and fun – whether it’s inside the classroom or outside it.

“Our new play area for our youngest children is a safe place where they can let their imaginations run free. Whether children want to run and climb or play quietly with friends in specially created seating areas, there is something for everyone.  Outdoor play is a great way for children to build social skills and friendships”.

Jenn Plews, chief executive of Northern Star Academies Trust, said:

“Learning outdoors is an important part of the curriculum in every Northern Star Academy.  Getting outside has benefits for children’s wellbeing and health, as well as their learning”.

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Hookstone Chase Primary School in Harrogate is set to welcome a new headteacher this term.

Joe Cooper joins from All Saints’ Primary School in Ilkley where he spent three years as deputy headteacher.

Mr Cooper settled in Harrogate in 2005 from London. He has since developed his career in North Yorkshire, with short periods teaching in New Zealand and as a music specialist.

Mr Cooper said:

“It is a great privilege to have been asked to lead Hookstone Chase Primary School.  We have a proud history as an inclusive school for all children – with space for everyone to grow and develop their knowledge, skills and abilities.

“Straight away this term we will be opening a brand new outdoor play and learning area for our youngest children who are just joining us. We are a school that is investing in the future.”

Mr Cooper shares a ukulele lesson with pupils. Pic: John Furlong

Hookstone Chase is part of the Northern Star Academies Trust, which includes four other Harrogate schools, as well as schools in Skipton and Keighley.

Its other Harrogate schools are Harrogate High School, New Park Primary Academy School, Starbeck Primary Academy and Willow Tree Community Primary School.

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Craig Goold, chair of Hookstone Chase’s local governing body, said:

“Joe has hit the ground running.  It’s going to be a busy year ahead.  Joe has a huge amount of energy and drive. We are definitely a school that is going places in 2023.”

Jenn Plews, chief executive at Northern Star Academies Trust, said:

“It is great to have Joe on board. Joe has really embraced our trust’s deep commitment to sustainability, the environment and outdoor learning. He is just the kind of creative leader that schools need to bring education to life”.