Leaders at Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School have been praised by Ofsted for tackling the school’s inadequate rating.

The school was judged to be inadequate at its most recent full visit by government inspectors in November last year after three consecutive ‘requires improvement’ assessments.  The report was highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision.

The rating meant the school, which has about 50 pupils, was placed in special measures and forced to seek to join an academy.

Ofsted inspector Marcus Newby conducted a subsequent monitoring visit on November 8.

His report to interim co-executive headteacher Victoria Kirkman, published yesterday on Ofsted’s website, was full of praise for recent improvement efforts by the new leadership team.

Victoria Kirkman

Although the previous judgement cannot be changed as part of a monitoring visit, meaning the school is still rated inadequate and in special measures, the report has raised hopes of an upgrade when the next full inspection is conducted.

The report to Ms Kirkman said “leaders have taken swift and effective action since the previous inspection” and said she had “instilled confidence in staff and parents”.

It said there had been “extensive changes to staffing” that have brought about “strength and stability”, adding:

“You have wasted no time in addressing the previous weaknesses of the school’s curriculum.

“The school’s existing approach to phonics and early reading is now taught with precision. Reading books match pupils’ phonic knowledge accurately. The strategies that children develop in their youngest years, such as segmenting and blending, are used with confidence. Pupils enjoy reading.”

Read more:

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• Nidderdale primary school still ‘good’ under new head, says Ofsted

Ms Kirkman said:

“We are delighted with the outcome of the recent Ofsted monitoring visit at Ripley, which recognised the significant and rapid school transformation since the previous inspection.

“This is due to the hard work of all stakeholders in working together to ensure future success of the school and the life chances of  children in the federation. We now focus on the next  inspection and continue our relentless drive for further school improvement.”

Ms Kirkman is also executive headteacher at Admiral Long and Birstwith CE Schools, which have recently been inspected and judged as ‘good’ by Ofsted.

A village primary school near Harrogate has been praised by Ofsted for its strong values and family feel.

All Saints’ Church of England Primary School in Kirkby Overblow was ‘good’, according to inspectors who visited for the first time since it joined the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust in 2018.

In their report, published this week, they said:

“Pupils embody the school values well. These values help pupils to understand the importance of never giving up, being a good friend, working hard and looking out for others.

“There is a true family feel in the school. Teachers expect pupils to try their best and behave well. Most pupils expect this of themselves.

“Bullying is virtually non-existent. Pupils play together with good humour. Break times are energetic for some, and calm and relaxed for others.”

The report said the curriculum was well-designed, pupils’ learning was secure, and there was a strong focus on making all pupils fluent readers from an early age.

All areas of the curriculum are taught to all pupils, inspectors said, so even those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have the opportunity to learn and succeed. The report said pupils’ needs were identified early, allowing the school to put in place extra support.

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Addressing areas to improve, inspectors recommended the school’s leaders could further refine the curriculum to fill in some gaps in pupils’ knowledge.

The report added:

“Pupils benefit from a variety of opportunities to support their broader development. They aspire to a role of responsibility. This can be as a well-being officer, sports leader, worship ambassador, charity officer or eco-warrior…

“Pupils play a key role in the community. They recently raised money for people in Ukraine through an event in the local church. Pupils have raised funds for a school in Africa and visited places of worship for other faiths…

“Staff say they enjoy working in school because leaders make sure they have a sensible workload. Leaders have restructured subject leadership. This has reduced the number of responsibilities for each teacher.

“Staff morale is good. Staff support each other. Communication is strong. Teachers say that they are willing to take a risk because there is no fear of criticism.”

The report has been welcomed by the school, whose base leader Sarah Honey said she was proud of everyone in the school. She added it was a”a very special place to work”.

Headteacher Amber Andrews, who has been in post since 2018 and also leads North Rigton Primary School, said:

“We were delighted to receive such an encouraging and complimentary report, which recognised how the whole school community embodies our values and praised the work that we had put into creating our own bespoke curriculum.

“All children are able to access this curriculum making it inclusive to all – no child misses out. Inspectors documented the excellent standard of behaviour of the children both in class and whilst playing, adding ‘pupils play together with good humour’ and value the beautiful outside space.”

Killinghall Church of England Primary School has been rated ‘good’ in its first full Ofsted inspection for 10 years.

The village school has doubled in size from 95 to 183 pupils since its last full inspection in 2012.

Inspectors praised the way it had coped with the challenges presented by rapid growth and said leaders had created “a highly inclusive school community where pupils are valued” and pupils “are happy and feel safe”.

The school was rated ‘good’ in five of the six areas assessed and ‘outstanding’ for early years provision.

The report, published on Tuesday, said:

“Children get off to an excellent start in the early years. Most pupils behave well. They show kindness and consideration for others.

“Bullying is not a problem in the school. Pupils know that they can talk to any of the adults in school if they are worried about something. They are confident that adults will act quickly.”

Leaders, they added, had created “an ambitious curriculum”, staff were described as “skilled” and safeguarding arrangements were found to be “effective”.

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Sarah Bassitt, who has been headteacher for 12 years, said:

“We are really pleased, especially after the challenges presented by covid and flooding to the key stage two classrooms from February to May this year.

“I’m particularly pleased with the early years assessment and the comments saying we are caring and the pupils are happy.”

Areas for improvement

Ofsted identified two areas for improvement: ensuring expectations for pupils’ behaviour “are consistently high across the school” and ensuring “processes for identifying and monitoring pupils with special education needs are consistently strong and that targets are precise”.

Ms Bassitt said the school had already adopted a new plan for pupils with special education needs.

Marion McCormick, co-chair of governors at the school, said:

“We have a great deal of pride in the hard work and commitment that has led to this very good result.

“The report reflects the enthusiasm and high standards that embody all that the school stands for.

“The strength and resilience shown by the headteacher and her team to achieve this following a major flood throughout key stage two deserves huge praise.”

A Pateley Bridge primary school has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

St Cuthbert’s Church of England Primary School has undergone major changes over the last 18 months.

A new executive headteacher and deputy headteacher were appointed in April last year and in January this year the school became part of the Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation.

The federation also includes Glasshouses Community Primary School and Fountains Earth Church of England Primary School in Lofthouse.

Ofsted inspectors visited St Cuthbert’s for two days last month and their report, published yesterday, said the school “has been on a journey of improvement over the last 12 months” and rated it good in all areas.

They described the school as “a safe and caring place” and said pupils had caring attitudes, behaved well and don’t tolerate bullying. Staff have high morale and feel well supported.

Safeguarding arrangements are described as effective and leaders are praised for introducing “a well-considered and ambitious curriculum to the school” and for having “high expectations” of pupils.

The report says:

“This school has been on a journey of improvement. Pupils, staff, parents and carers acknowledge the changes that have been made. Leaders are committed to ensuring that this journey continues at pace.”

The report also highlights how the school provides good opportunities for personal development but says it should provide a wider breadth of extra-curricular opportunities, such as after-school clubs and activities

Nicola Thornber

Executive headteacher Nicola Thornber said:

“This report recognises the hard work and drive that leads to excellent outcomes, while developing the pupil’s character as part of a supportive and caring school community.

“Despite the new rigorous inspection framework where judgements are harder to achieve, combined with the ongoing demands of the pandemic, this report recognises the excellent work, progress and achievement the school has made. Our inspiring federation staff team and pupils work tirelessly together to provide an excellent education.”

Chair of governors Abi Broadley, said

“We, as the governing board, are delighted that this final inspection across the Federation highlights the skill, competency and hard work of the executive headteacher, leadership and staff team.

“As governors, we have seen first-hand the positive impact on pupil behaviour and educational quality, that means that each child at St Cuthbert’s has an excellent opportunity to develop and thrive. We look forward to continuing to support the school’s leadership to build on this strong foundation.

A village school in Nidderdale continues to be ‘good’, following the latest visit from Ofsted inspectors.

Birstwith C of E Primary School has maintained the ranking since 2012 and now receives “ungraded inspections” from Ofsted to ensure its standards remain high.

In its latest report, published this week, inspectors said the school had strong links with parents and pupils were “excited” about coming to school. They said:

“A Christian ethos is at the heart of this Church of England school. Leaders encourage staff and pupils to treat each other with respect and dignity.

“Leaders regularly remind pupils of the gospel verse describing Jesus giving a new commandment: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Pupils try very hard to live up to this. As a result, bullying is extremely rare.”

The report praised headteacher Victoria Kirkman, who led a curriculum review before joining the school in September 2021. Inspectors said this enabled her to “hit the ground running” and that the curriculum was well-established, even where new subject leaders had recently joined the school.

However, they said in some areas the curriculum was not ambitious enough and some opportunities were missed to build on pupils’ knowledge and ensure learning met the needs of all pupils.

Read more:

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• Ofsted finds ‘good’ village school near Knaresborough is ‘like a second home’

Inspectors particularly commended the school’s special educational needs provision, led by Miss Kirkman. They said:

“Leaders use diagnostic tests skilfully. Pupils’ moderate learning difficulties are assessed so that each pupil’s specific processing difficulties are accurately identified.

“The Senco [special educational needs coordinator] gives teachers ideas to meet each pupil’s needs. Teachers adjust the curriculum accordingly. This may be by simply allowing pupils more thinking time before expecting a response to questions. It involves presenting information in smaller chunks.

“Teachers provide sensory breaks or music therapy for pupils who need them. This precise approach is helping pupils with SEND to make good progress.”

Responding to the report, Miss Kirkman said:

“Since September 2021 there has been significant work undertaken at Birstwith School by all stakeholders to ensure the children are happy, safe and secure including: health and safety, safeguarding, the quality of the curriculum and provision for SEND pupils. We are delighted that this hard work has been recognised.

“We could not have done this without the continued drive, commitment and unwavering support of all stakeholders and their unwavering support for the significant changes in the best interests of their children. As as a Church of England school, we are proud that it was recognised that ‘a Christian ethos is at the heart of this school’.

“Of course, there is always an area to continue to develop, however we had already identified this and already have plans in place to address – the focus being our ‘most-able pupils’.”

Birstwith school is partnered with Admiral Long C of E Primary School in Burnt Yates.

Miss Kirkman was also appointed executive headteacher at the three federated primary schools in Ripley, Beckwithshaw and Kettlesing earlier this year.

Ripley and Beckwithshaw received ‘inadequate’ ratings from Ofsted at the beginning of the year and Miss Kirkman said there had been “significant and rapid, positive improvements” to both, with the results of an interim Ofsted inspection due to be published soon.

The site of Woodfield Community Primary School should continue to be used for education in future, according to Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP.

Andrew Jones said he has been working to ensure that will be the case after the school closes its doors for good on December 31.

Mr Jones told North Yorkshire County Council‘s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee he had already spoken to people interested in using it for education. He said:

“The story of Woodfield is a sad one because that school has been losing numbers for quite some time, like many years. It got down to one child.

“I don’t want to see that site lost for education provision and I’ve made some suggestions, contacted the council with those suggestions, been contacted by educational providers interested in the site, and have put the two together. I’m hoping we will see continued education on that site at the earliest opportunity.”

Woodfield has been forced to close after being rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted. It was told it must join an academy trust, but failed to secure a deal and its closure was confirmed last month.

Mr Jones said its facilities, including “significant grounds” and the community library on site, meant “the ingredients for a really good school are there”.

Asked by councillors about the approaches he had had, Mr Jones said they were from people “interested in opening a facility for special educational needs” .

Read more:

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Councillors on the area constituency committee also asked him what was being done to address the gap in funding which saw North Yorkshire placed 144th out of 151 local authorities in terms of its funding for special educational needs.

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Aldred, who represents the High Harrogate and Kingsley division, said:

“The council is lobbying the local MPs and I understand they’ve written to you. Are you able to give any further update?

“I’m guessing that links into the groups you’ve been talking about, but has there been any real progress on finding that additional money to support North Yorkshire County Council and those people that need that additional funding?”

Mr Jones said he had been working closely with leaders at North Yorkshire County Council to ensure they accessed as much funding as possible.  He said:

“I endlessly lobby on behalf of our area because we do have some individual challenges. Sometimes they can be funding, sometimes it’s the high population density in one area – Harrogate and Scarborough – but the low population density for the rest of our county, which does present operational challenges.

“I can’t say that everything has changed but I can say that this is work in progress and is one of the areas where I’m working with the leadership team of the council and will continue to do so.”

He added:

“I think we will hear more about spending at the autumn statement. Just recognise that our area has fantastic educational provision and I will continue as I have to support the funding formula and the educational providers.

“You get one chance with education for children. That’s why it has to be the best we can do and that’s the approach I’ve taken throughout my time in parliament.”

Three village primary schools in the Harrogate district face an uncertain future after plans to become part of a multi-academy trust fell through.

Beckwithshaw Primary and Ripley Endowed C of E schools are both required to become part of an academy after they received ‘inadequate’ ratings from Ofsted this year.

The two schools are federated, along with Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School, and as Church of England schools are also part of the Leeds diocese.

However, plans to join Elevate Multi Academy Trust (MAT) from the beginning of this month fell through shortly before the start date.

In a letter to parents, Anne Vetch, vice-chair of the schools’ interim executive board (IEB), said:

While Ripley and Beckwithshaw schools are required to join a MAT because of their Ofsted ratings, Kettlesing Felliscliffe, which is rated ‘good’, is not. A consultation with parents was held earlier this year over whether to remain part of the federated schools and join the MAT.

Since the two ‘inadequate’ ratings were given last year, the three schools had had two interim executive headteachers since the spring: Victoria Kirkman and Chris Whitehead.

Mr Whitehead left during the October half-term, having expected the schools to become part of the MAT immediately afterwards. Ms Kirkman has stayed on part-time as co-executive interim headteacher, alongside her role as head of Admiral Long and Birstwith primary schools.

She will be joined by Rebecca Foy, who has been the schools’ special educational needs coordinator.

Read more:

• Beckwithshaw primary school rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted
• Ofsted rates Ripley primary school as ‘inadequate’

Parents have been invited to an information evening on December 5, when representatives of the IEB, North Yorkshire County Council and the Leeds diocese will explain what could happen next.

The situation has followed a similar pattern to Woodfield Community Primary School, which was rated ‘inadequate’ and then failed to find a MAT to join. With falling roll numbers and just one pupil now attending, the school will close at the end of December.

However, leaders of the three federated schools said they are determined to find a trust to join and have confidence in the education provided by the schools.

In a statement issued through North Yorkshire County Council, Robert Ling, chair of the interim executive board at the three schools, said:

“We would like to reassure parents that we have increasing confidence in the educational standards at the three schools, which have fully responded to issues raised by Ofsted and are now firmly on an upward trajectory.

“With good quality teaching and strong leadership in place, children at all three federated schools are currently achieving in their education and feel school is a safe, happy place to be. The continued support of parents will enable the federation to look positively to the future.

“We recently received an interim Ofsted inspection and look forward to the results of this visit.

“We have returned to the regional director to resume our search for a multi-academy sponsor. In the interim the focus of all involved with the schools is on delivering the best possible educational experience for all of our children.”

A Harrogate training centre for people in the hair and beauty industry has received praise from Ofsted in its latest inspection.

Rating Intuitions Ltd ‘good’, inspectors said the “high-quality training” was delivered by staff who have “care and passion”.

The business has recently moved to a new model of delivering training, with most of its lessons delivered one-to-one or in small groups in the salons where apprentices are training.

Ofsted inspectors said:

“Apprentices studying the level two hair professional standard, who are new to the profession, quickly develop their understanding of the high standards of professional behaviours expected in the salons in which they work.

“They behave professionally, and are mature, polite, courteous and respectful to other staff, educators and clients.

“Educators encourage learners and apprentices to take pride in their work, and this is evident in learners’ well-presented portfolios. They are effective role models and have a wide range of industry experience, which inspires learners and apprentices.

“Educators ensure that their appearance reflects professional industry standards, and this reinforces the expectation of apprentices to adhere to the expected standards of dress code in their salons.”

Inspectors said trainees were quick to improve their skills and were pleased with what they achieved even at an early stage of their training.

Read more:

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However, they recommended staff could do more to develop their other skills, such as by correcting spelling in all written work and giving more comprehensive careers guidance.

The report added:

“Targets set by educators following frequent and comprehensive reviews of work are focused, and apprentices are clear about the progress that they are making.

“Educators clearly identify strengths and areas for improvement, and apprentices know what they need to do next. They share the information with employers in comprehensive reports.

“Apprentices are supported well by their employers, which contributes to the good progress that they make.”

Now based in Wizu Workspace at Royal House on Station Parade, Intuitions was founded almost 30 years ago. It has been run by Michelle Oliver since 2000 and has grown significantly during that time.

Intuitions Ltd has a new home on Station Parade, but delivers most of its training in salons.

Following the challenges of covid, Ms Oliver told the Stray Ferret the new model of delivering training has been well-received.

“We’re enjoying delivering the new model. It’s nice to be able to go into a business and see the learners using their skills in a real setting.

“That’s what we’re here for – to create the hairdresser for the salons. That’s the beauty of apprenticeships: they’re in the workplace, earning money – not much, but it could be £200 a week, which is a lot when you’ve just left school.

“They’re seeing professional people working alongside them and learning from them all the time.”

Ms Oliver said her own experience of working in a salon while training showed her the value of learning how to behave in a workplace and how to engage with clients.

She said she hoped the supportive comments from Ofsted and the professional standards on show from the learners might encourage more people, as well as local high schools, to do more to promote apprenticeships as a potential career path for their students.

A village school near Knaresborough with 78 pupils on the roll continues to be ‘good’, according to Ofsted inspectors.

The latest report found Goldsborough Primary School was welcoming and safe, described as “like a second home” by one pupil when inspectors visited in July.

The new report, published last week, found pupils’ behaviour was “calm and purposeful” and that staff were quick to deal with any bullying at an early stage. It said:

“Pupils are taught how to care for their mental health. Leaders support this through a commitment to the school values of happiness, perseverance, resilience, kindness, friendship and respect.

“The school works closely with the church. Alongside school leaders, church members contribute to thoughtful discussion about a wide range of spiritual and moral topics in assemblies.”

Inspectors found teachers had high expectations of pupils and set a “well-sequenced curriculum”, though said they acknowledged it was not implemented consistently in all classes.

Executive headteacher Zoe Ellis welcomed the report and said the school and Ofsted understood reasons why there was some inconsistency and had a plan to tackle it. She said:

“Ofsted and leaders both recognised that the approach was not always consistent in classes due to significant absences throughout periods of covid.

“Ofsted were positive that leaders were already making strides to improve this and that they had a strong, strategic approach to continue with the positive trajectory witnessed on the inspection day.”

The report highlighted the teaching of reading as a particular strength, along with the development of the curriculum in core subjects such as maths since the last inspection. It also praised the support for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, which inspectors found helped all pupils to make progress through the school.

Personal, health and social education (PHSE) and relationships and sex education (RSE) were both found to be “a strength within this small school”.

Read more:

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Inspectors also praised the school’s leadership, saying:

“Staff say that leaders are considerate of their workload and well-being. They work hard because they want the best for the pupils in their care.

“Members of staff explained that they enjoy their job and are proud to work at Goldsborough. Governors are supportive of leaders across the federation. They are very proud of what the school has achieved.

“They are dedicated to working with leaders to continue to improve the school further. They work well with leaders to oversee this ongoing improvement.”

Goldsborough Primary School has been federated with Sicklinghall Primary School since January 2017. Mrs Ellis is executive headteacher of both schools and has a shared governing body.

Inspectors said the ‘good’ rating of the previous full inspection in 2012 had been maintained, which under Ofsted’s new framework means a further full inspection is not required.

Spofforth Church of England Primary School has been rated ‘good’ in its first full Ofsted inspection for a decade.

Inspectors visited the school on July 20, at the end of the summer term, and said pupils were “confident and articulate” and “proud to attend this happy and welcoming school”. They said:

“Pupils are proud to attend this happy and welcoming school, where everyone knows each other by name. Christian values are at the heart of school life and reflected in the stated ambition to ‘love, learn, thrive’.

“Pupils are confident and articulate. They enjoy leading collective worship and performing in school productions.”

Senior leaders, they added, had “high expectations of what pupils can achieve”.

Children flourish in early years and have strong personal development, read a range of interesting books and follow a clear mathematics curriculum.

But the inspectors said “the curriculum is not as well developed” in some subject areas other than reading and mathematics and also noted:

“Some pupils behave inappropriately and are sometimes disrespectful to other pupils and members of staff. However, pupils have a good understanding of what bullying is and are adamant this does not happen.”

The 101-pupil school, which is part of the Follifoot and Spofforth Church of England Federation of Primary Schools, received a ‘good’ rating at its last full inspection in 2012. A short inspection in 2017 came to the same conclusion.

Read more:

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David Harrington, chair of governors, said:

“Everyone at Spofforth CE Primary and across our federation is very pleased with the outcome of our most recent inspection.

“We are delighted that the inspector recognised the strong sense of community where everyone knows each other by name.

“We are particularly proud of the strength in our federation EYFS class where children from both schools access such high quality education.

“I would like to thank the children, parents, governors and staff for their hard work and support which is reflected in this report.

“As a school and federation we are ready to focus on the agreed areas for development in the report in order to ensure that all our children have the best possible education and love, learn and thrive across the federation.”