Lightwater Valley 10K to raise vital funds for local school

The Lightwater Valley 10K race is set to raise vital funds again for North Stainley Primary School.

The event, on March 5, was first held in 2010 and is organised by the Friends of North Stainley School.

All money raised through entry-fees or donations will be put towards learning equipment and improvement of facilities to support the school and its pupils.

The run typically brings in around three and a half thousand pounds – almost half of the funds raised for the school each year.

The organisers say that the event is suitable for all abilities. It is set on well-marshalled roads with picturesque scenery.

The entry limit is 500 runners, with 348 places remaining.

Runners will have access to on-course refreshments as well as free food and drink at the end of the race. There will be food for visitors to buy at race HQ.

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For the race-marshals and other administrative roles, the Friends of North Stainley School rely on volunteers, whilst food and drink is provided by local supporting companies.

This does not mean the race is not a serious competition. It is registered with UK Athletics and the course is officially measured by the association of UK course measurers.

Describing the route, Mike Greathead, treasurer of the Friends of North Stainley School, said:

“The run starts in the grounds of Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park and heads out along quiet country roads. The bulk of the route consists of 3 peaks – this has been nick-named “The W” by some of our regular participants and provides a great challenge for seasoned runners whilst still being achievable for the less experienced.
“We also have a 3k fun run which we encourage local children to take part in from 7-16 years, it is a great opportunity to encourage younger runners and we award various medals and prizes on the day.”

For further information on the race – including how to enter – see the racebest website or the dedicated Facebook page.

 

Disappointment as Ofsted says village school near Ripon ‘requires improvement’

A village school near Ripon has said it is “disappointed” by its latest Ofsted report and vowed to make improvements.

North Stainley Church of England Primary School has been rated ‘requires improvement’ by the schools inspector, a downgrade from its previous ‘good’ rating in 2019.

In the latest report, inspectors said pupils were “happy and safe” at the school and felt proud to attend. They said:

“Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour, and these expectations are met. Pupils behave well in and around school.

“They are mindful to keep themselves safe and to behave well when they move between the school building and the village hall at various times in the day.

“At break and lunchtime, pupils of all ages play happily together. Pupils say that there is no bullying, and they are confident that adults would deal with it if it did happen.

“Pupils have a sense of personal and communal responsibility. They enjoy having leadership roles, such as school councillors and sports or worship ambassadors. They appreciate that these roles help to prepare them for later life.”

Pupils’ behaviour and their personal development were both rated ‘good’, along with the school’s early years provision.

However, the report, published last week, said the overall quality of education required improvement, along with its leadership.

After a visit at the end of November, inspectors said:

“Leaders have developed the curriculum in recent years, but their ambitions are not fully realised. The quality of education pupils experience is variable.

“Leaders have identified the important topics that they want pupils to learn. However, they have not consistently broken this knowledge down into small steps of learning in all subjects. This makes it difficult for pupils to remember what teachers want them to learn.

“In mathematics, the small steps that pupils need to take to make progress are clear. In other subjects, such as geography and science, the smaller steps have not been identified. This means that the curriculum is not taught consistently well.”

The report added:

“Governors are committed to their own and the school’s improvement. They receive training and understand their roles well. They are closely involved in the life of the school.

“Governors are well informed and provide leaders with the support and challenge they need.”

The school said its staff and governors have been working to make improvements and would continue to do so.

Headteacher Louise Wallen said:

“We have been disappointed by the ‘requires improvement’ category that Ofsted have placed our school under.

“We are a lovely small rural school where our staff and governors have worked hard to make many improvements in recent years. Comments made during the inspection feedback assured us that the required improvements can be put in place and return the school to a much stronger position quickly.

“We thank our parents who have given us support throughout this process safe in the knowledge that their children continue to flourish in their learning and in life, here at North Stainley School.”

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