Knaresborough tennis club to host open day

A Knaresborough tennis club is having an open day event this weekend.

Knaresborough King James’ Tennis Club is set to have open courts on Sunday, April 7, from midday to 4pm in the grounds of King James’ School.

The club was formed in 2011 as a collaboration between Knaresborough Tennis Club and King James’ School.

Club Chair Mike Forster said:

“Knaresborough is a close community and yet we attract members from a much wider area thanks to the welcome they receive – plus of course the chance to play socially and competitively and take part in our annual John Forster Tournament. Not to mention professional coaching.

“Our commitment to a friendly but competitive environment is evident from the Fair Play Award and social sessions are consistently well-attended by players of all ages. If you fancy a change of scenery or are picking up your racket again after a break, however rusty you are do come and join us this Sunday. You might just find yourself part of a winning team.”

The club has over 90 members ranging from students to retirees and offers social tennis sessions three times a week.

King James’ is the only Knaresborough club with Starbeck as their closest tennis club, which it competes with in the local derby.

The club has seven porous macadam courts and has regular club and match play. It had a triple success last year when Its mixed, men’s and ladies’ teams all won division 3 of their respective Harrogate and York Leagues. The trophies will be displayed at the Open Day.

The ladies’ squad was also awarded the first ever Fair Play Award from the Fulford Ladies’ Invitation Tennis League.

A just for fun tournament will be held in the afternoon and there is no need to bring a partner. Refreshments will be provided, and visitors can meet club members.

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Knaresborough school celebrates 50 years of foreign exchange programme

A Knaresborough secondary school is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its foreign exchange programme.

King James’s School launched the exchange programme with its German partner school, Bruder Grimm Gesamtschul in Bebra, in 1974.

It came after Knaresborough was twinned with the town, based in Hesse, back in 1969.

Over the last five decades, both schools have held annual exchange programmes, whereby pupils visit each other at their neighbouring schools to develop friendships and improve language skills.

However, former languages teacher and UK founder of the school’s programme, Alan Hemsworth, said the programme “nearly didn’t happen at all”, adding:

“We had serious difficulties in finding accommodation for all the pupils and only a last-minute appeal in the local paper saved the day.”

Two pupils even stayed in a caravan at the bottom of someone’s garden, Mr Hemsworth added.

This year’s cohort of pupils will visit Bebra this month to commemorate the anniversary, as well as attending a special event in aid of the big birthday.

Pupils will sport hoodies made for the occasion.

Mrs Allison, one of the school’s languages teachers, said:

“Every year, I come across students participating in the exchange whose parents have fond memories themselves of spending time with their German friends.

“The school’s original aims in promoting the exchange were simple but important, and still hold good today: to promote tolerance, understanding and friendship, and a desire for pupils of all ages to learn a foreign language.”

Staff also recounted the days when English and German students would contact each by pen and paper. They said students now maintain friendships over social media and many meet each other virtually before meeting face-to-face.

Headteacher Mrs Martin also said:

“It is a great privilege to take part in these historic celebrations. Good international relationships are as important today as it they were in 1974 and I hope this exchange continues to go from strength to strength, bringing cherished memories and long-lasting friendships for years to come.”

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Knaresborough’s King James’ School rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

King James’ School in Knaresborough has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in a report published today.

Government inspectors visited the 1,575-pupil school for the first time in six years on January 10 this year.

They described it as a “caring environment where pupils learn well” with “a strong focus on ensuring that everyone feels welcome”.

The report says the “vast majority of pupils are keen and engage confidently in their learning” and bullying is rare.

It adds the school, which dates back to 1616, supports children with special educational needs “extremely well”, enables sixth form students to “flourish” and organises “a rich range of extra-curricular visits”.

Staff are praised for their “excellent subject knowledge” and safeguarding is described as “effective”.

Reading concerns

However, the report says the school provides “insufficient opportunities for pupils to engage meaningfully with the world of work” and “pupils who struggle with reading do not receive effective interventions routinely” and is urged to improve in these areas.

This was King James’ School’s second ungraded inspection since Ofsted judged the school to be good in its last full inspection in December 2011.

Schools graded ‘good’ are usually visited once every four years to confirm that the school remains good. This is called an ungraded inspection.

King James’ School, which has 242 sixth form students, is federated with Boroughbridge High School.

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Concern over lack of consultation on proposed Boroughbridge sixth form closure

Town and parish councillors in Boroughbridge High School’s catchment area have concerns about the level of consultation on the proposed closure of the sixth form.

The school held a consultation between mid-November and mid-December on the proposal, which would see all sixth form courses and pastoral support transfer to King James’s School in Knaresborough for two years from September.

The two schools federated last year, which means they have a single governing body overseeing both schools.

Staff, students, parents/carers and governors were asked for their thoughts on suspending the sixth form.

But local councils have concerns the consultation was not wide enough.

Boroughbridge Town Council met with a school governor on Tuesday.

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According to sources, councillors told the governor they had not been consulted and requested another meeting with more representatives from the school.

They said nearby Langthorpe Parish Council and Kirby Hill and District Parish Council share the same concerns.

No meeting date has been set yet. However, councillors plan to quiz the school on how it can increase student uptake, its future plans and what the two-year suspension would mean in practice.

The Stray Ferret asked the federation of governors whether a decision has been made following its meeting on the consultation last week.

The chair declined to comment until all parents and carers have been informed.

However, the school is expected to announce its decision shortly.

Harrogate district schools urged to consider park and stride schemes

Schools are being urged to follow the example of a Knaresborough secondary school by setting up park and stride schemes.

Park and stride schemes incentivise parents to park in designated areas away from the school gates, with students walking the rest of the way.

They aim to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality near school entrances.

King James’s School in Knaresborough introduced a park and stride scheme in 2019. Harrogate Borough Council issues permits to those taking part, enabling them to park for free in York Place car park at certain times.

Carl Sugden, headteacher at King James’s School, said:

“It helps further reduce congestion around our school grounds during drop-off and collection times and, as a result of the park and stride scheme, more pupils have the valuable opportunity to safely walk their last five minutes to school in the fresh air, promoting alertness in support of their learning and a healthy routine.”

North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council collaborate on park and stride schemes.

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North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

“There are many advantages to park and stride schemes like this one at King James’s School. Keeping motor vehicles well clear of school entrances keeps pupils safe, provides a bit of useful exercise, and improves air quality.

“Our road safety and active travel team would be happy to talk to any schools keen to investigate the possibility of introducing a park and stride scheme.”

Councillor Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“I hope lots of people take full advantage of this incentive and support our efforts in making the district greener for future generations.”

Any schools interested in learning more about park and stride schemes can contact North Yorkshire County Council via the Open North Yorkshire website, opennorthyorkshire.co.uk, or email opennorthyorkshire@northyorks.gov.uk