Ripley primary school seeks to join academy after ‘inadequate’ rating

A primary school in Ripley rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted this week is in negotiations to join an academy.

Ofsted’s report said parents valued Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School but was highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision.

The government schools inspector added that pupils were often distracted because work is too easy or too hard and “achieve far less than they should”.

North Yorkshire County Council, the local authority responsible for education, said today it was working with the school governors and interim school leaders to make improvements at the 49-pupil school.

The council also revealed that it was talking to the Diocese of Leeds and the regional schools commissioner to find an academy sponsor.

Academies are funded directly by the government and are run by an academy trust. Academy sponsors work with the trust to improve the performance of the school.

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Ripley is currently part of a federation of three schools, along with Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School and Beckwithshaw Community Primary School.

Putting in place improvements

Amanda Newbold, the assistant director for education and skills said:

“We are currently working with governors and interim school leaders to put in place the necessary improvements.

“The county council is working with the Diocese of Leeds and the regional schools commissioner to find an academy sponsor and to ensure the school has strong governance in place during this period of transition.

“We will work closely with the school, the wider community, parents, carers and pupils as we approach the next chapter for the school.”

Ofsted inspectors visited the school over two days in November 2021 when they observed lessons, spoke to pupils informally and met parents at the start of the day.

Here is how the inspectors came to the overall ‘inadequate’ rating:

Ofsted rates Ripley primary school as ‘inadequate’

Ofsted has rated Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School as ‘inadequate’ for the first time in the school’s history.

The 49-pupil school had a ‘good’ rating in 2011 but subsequently received ‘requires improvement’ ratings in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

The latest report, published yesterday, says pupils feel safe, safeguarding arrangements are effective and parents value the school. It also says pupils are polite and well mannered and there is no bullying in school.

But it is highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision. It is also critical of behaviour and attitudes and personal development.

Pupils, says Ofsted, are often distracted because work is too easy or too hard and “achieve far less than they should”.

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‘Inadequate’ is the lowest of four possible ratings. The report says:

“Ripley Endowed Church of England School is a warm and caring school. Pupils feel safe here. They support, help and care for each other.

“Parents value the school and the staff that work here. The quality of education that pupils receive is inadequate.

“Despite the teachers wanting the pupils to achieve, the curriculum is not designed or planned well enough to support them to do this.”

Ofsted inspectors visited the school over two days in November 2021 when they observed lessons, spoke to pupils informally and met parents at the start of the day.

Here is how the inspectors came to the overall ‘inadequate’ rating:

The Stray Ferret approached Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School for its response to the Ofsted rating. We were directed to North Yorkshire County Council, the local education authority, but it did not respond by the time of publication.

Ripley is part of a federation of three schools. The other two schools are Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School and Beckwithshaw Community Primary School.

Yorkshire Warrior event date brought forward

The date of this year’s Yorkshire Warrior event at Ripley Castle has been brought forward to April 3.

The extreme obstacle challenge was due to take place on May 21 and 22.

But Ian and Danielle Bush, who founded the event in 2013, announced today they were expecting their third child in May and had therefore changed the date,

The couple posted on the Yorkshire Warrior Facebook page today.

“We are delighted to be welcoming our third child who is due in May.

“With this in mind we have had to make the hard decision to re schedule this year’s Yorkshire Warrior event to Sunday 3rd April 2022.

“We totally understand that this news may not work for some participants, please do let us know by emailing us.

“We really hope you understand why we have had to change the date, and apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to some.”

Teams, individuals and juniors travel from across the UK to take on the obstacles at Ripley Castle each year.

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Two miles of heavy traffic between Harrogate and Ripley

Drivers experienced two miles of bumper to bumper traffic on Ripon Road between Harrogate and Ripley this morning due to construction works.

There are two-way temporary lights near Ripley which came online at 8am but they are due to come down later today at 3pm.

It is unclear what works are taking place but they have been approved by North Yorkshire County Council.

The majority of congestion was heading northbound. At around 9am this morning cars queued from New Park roundabout to Ripley.

Join the Stray Ferret’s “Harrogate district traffic and travel” group for all of the latest transport news.

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Three local gin cocktail recipes to get you in an Autumnal mood

As the leaves start to turn and the cool crisp Autumn air sets in, we tend to seek out more earthy autumnal flavours when it comes to our tipples.

Yep, seasonal drinks are totally a thing.

And there’s nothing like a good gin to warm the cockles when it starts getting cold outside and the nights begin to draw in.

In the Harrogate district, we are fortunate enough to have some of the best distilleries in the country.

Bar manager at Harrogate’s West Park Hotel Jordan Davis said there was a huge gin scene in Harrogate – unlike anywhere he had seen before.

He said:

“With the beautiful distilleries we have that’s no surprise. Our Masons range and Slingsby Rhubarb Gin are the clear favourites amongst them all.

“Our best selling gin cocktail would have to be either the Yorkshire Tea Negroni, or our Rhubarb and Wild Berry Sour.”

The Yorkshire Tea Negroni, a signature West Park cocktail, featuring Masons Yorkshire gin, Campari Martini Rosso and cranberry bitters.

Three Harrogate gin producers share their favourite Autumn cocktails

Slingsby Harrogate – Blackberry Sour

Slingby’s Blackberry Sour

Starting out as a flavour exclusively enjoyed by visitors to The Spirit of Harrogate store, Slinsgby decided to launch its Blackberry Gin last month after receiving rave reviews. The new gin was released to coincide with the traditional blackberry picking season and has been designed encompass an array of autumnal flavour

With floral hints of violet, followed by notes of rich blackberry jam and a beautifully sweet finish, it makes for the ideal base for this delicious Blackberry Sour recipe, a personal favourite of Slingsby senior marketing executive, Rebekha White.

INGREDIENTS

35ml Slingsby Blackberry Gin

15ml Slingsby Rhubarb Gin 

25ml Lemon juice 

10ml Hibiscus syrup 

Egg white (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Shake all of the ingredients together and then double strain into a coupe glass. To finish, garnish the glass with an edible flower or a lemon twist.

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Harrogate Tipple – Blueberry Fields

 

Whittaker’s – 007 Martini

Whittaker’s 007 Martini

There’s no escaping the huge fanfare surrounding the long-awaited Autumn release of the latest James Bond movie, No Time To Die.

So as we say goodbye to the summer – and Daniel Craig – Whittaker’s has come up with this tasty little number, that is guaranteed to make you feel shaken and not stirred.

Toby Whittaker, co-founder of Whittaker’s, which is based in Dacre Banks, said:

“We have chosen this recipe incorporating our Navy Strength Gin as a nod to Commander Bond’s Royal Navy Heritage and obviously the Martini ‘shaken not stirred’, as this is his tipple of choice.”

INGREDIENTS

50ml Whittaker’s Barley Mow Vodka

15ml Whittaker’s Navy Strength Gin

15ml Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth

10ml Olive brine

INSTRUCTIONS

Letter: Extending the Nidderdale Greenway is a ludicrous idea

Your recent article about plans to extend the Nidderdale Greenway fills me with dismay.

The article refers to ambitious plans to extend the Nidderdale Greenway from Ripley to Pateley Bridge and then to Scar House reservoir.

At a time when the world is trying to reduce its carbon footprint, encourage conservation and care of the environment and preserve historic footpaths and bridleways, it seems ludicrous that there should be a suggestion of a Greenway.

We all know it is not a Greenway, it will never be a Greenway but a Blackway as it will result in 19 miles of tarmac being laid over footpaths, bridleways, disused railway lines and virgin land.

It will destroy bridleways, which are used by walkers and horses, it will destroy footpaths that are used by walkers, it will destroy the environment and destroy flora and fauna. It will destroy and displace wildlife, animals, birds and insects from their homes and it will urbanise what is a beautiful rural dale.

I have no objections to cyclists but there is a perfectly adequate road system in Nidderdale for them to use which in part requires some physical fitness.

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The first cycle route from Knaresborough to Harrogate and Ripley is an urban route that people can access easily by cycle or on foot from the town. The proposed Blackway is not an urban route. It would require people to drive to it and then walk and cycle part of it. That in itself will cause congestion and increase our carbon footprint. The villages do not have adequate parking for an influx of vehicles.

Having viewed the Knaresborough to Ripley cycle route I see there has been a great deal of encroachment on to adjoining countryside and I am appalled to think of the amount of encroachment that would happen on any proposed extension.

I have yet to speak to a landowner who is in favour. I have yet to speak to a resident who is in favour, but I have spoken to many people who enjoy walking and riding on the existing footpaths and bridleways, and they are not in favour.

Instead of this constant misplaced enthusiasm that our local authorities show for cycling it would be better if they tried to spend taxpayers’ money on improving the town centre and its attractions. North Yorkshire has many challenges to deal with and a proposed tarmac track up Nidderdale should not be high on its priority list.

Richard Rusby, Burnt Yates

Plans to convert former Smarties nursery in Ripley into home

The aristocratic owner of the building that housed Smarties Day Nursery and Pre-School in Ripley for over 30 years has applied to turn it into a three bedroom home for his son and family.

Smarties opened in 1987 and catered for 52 children. The building, which is called Wood Close, is part of the Ripley estate and is owned by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby. They served notice to the owners of the nursery earlier this year.

Its closure promoted an emotional response from many parents on the Stray Ferret’s Facebook page, with one saying she was “absolutely gutted” and another calling it “really sad news”.

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A planning application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by Sir Thomas asks to change Wood Close’s use from a children’s nursery to a home as the Ingelby’s son and family plans to move there from Ripley Castle.

Meanwhile, the management of Smarties recently applied to HBC to convert the former Spotty Dog Boarding Kennels in Brearton, which closed in April, into a new nursery.

As part of the application, a letter was sent to the council by Smarties’ management, which called the site in Brearton “a perfect setting for a children’s nursery” with indoor and secure outdoor play.

Local motorcyclist killed in Nidd crash

A motorcyclist has died following a collision in Nidd on Saturday afternoon.

The man, aged in his 30s, was travelling from Ripley on the B6165 Ripley Road when his blue motorcycle collided with a silver Toyota Hilux driving in the opposite direction at about 3.25pm.

He died at the scene.

North Yorkshire Police has not revealed the man’s name but said in a statement he was local.

It are appealing for anyone who saw what happened, or saw either vehicle in the moments leading up to the crash, to get in touch.

You can call 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210171943 or email PC Nicola Gill at Nicola.gill@northyorkshire.pnn.police.ukMotorcyclist.

It was one of two fatal crashes in North Yorkshire over the weekend.

A woman in her 60s died following a two-car collision on the A6055 between Catterick and Leeming Bar at about 2.20am this morning.

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Family of ducks become classmates for Ripley School youngsters

A family of ducks have made themselves at home waddling through the corridors of a Ripley primary school.

The mother duck and her four ducklings were first spotted by staff at Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School earlier this week.

The animal family is thought to have nested in the school garden over half-term.

The staff expected them to have made their way down to the river but instead they have made themselves at home; wandering the corridors and hanging out in the playground.

Ripley school kids and ducklings

The children have enjoyed getting to know their new classmates. Photograph: Ripley Endowed Primary School, Facebook

Mrs Walker, key stage one teacher, said:

“They clearly feel very at home here. They are totally un-phased having to share the playground and gardens with the children, they have even been venturing into the classrooms and today shared snack time in the sun with our pre-school children.”

The children have been learning about ducks since they arrived and four has become the youngest class’s number of the week.

The school is not unfamiliar to sharing its space with other birds. A family of Swallows regularly return to nest above a classroom door.

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The primary school’s classes are already named after bird species such as Swallows and Starlings. But thanks to their newest members the school’s new pre-school class will go by the name ‘Ducklings’.

Back in April, the school opened its pre-school following the closure of the nearby nursery, Smarties.

Harrogate and Knaresborough could be shrunk, under parliamentary boundary shake-up

The Harrogate and Knaresborough parliamentary constituency could be reduced in size, under proposals outlined today by the Boundary Commission for England.

Under the plans, Harrogate and Knaresborough’s electorate would be shrunk and areas, including Boroughbridge, would fall under a new constituency.

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s constituency would see its electorate fall from 74,319 to 72,850. The Conservative Andrew Jones currently holds the seat.

The commission has carried out a review of parliamentary seat boundaries and opened a public consultation.

Following further consultation next year, it will publish a final report on boundary changes in 2023.

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Under the current proposals, the number of constituencies in Yorkshire and Humber would remain at 54.

But Conservative Nigel Adams’ seat of Selby and Ainsty, which includes the south of Harrogate, would be scrapped.

How the current constituency boundaries look in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The current constituency boundaries in and around the Harrogate district.

Instead, Selby would have its own seat and the north of the district would fall under a new constituency called Wetherby and Easingwold, which would take in areas including Wetherby, Boroughbridge and Green Hammerton.

A map of the new constituency and reduced Harrogate and Knaresborough seat under the Boundary Commission plans. Picture: Boundary Commission.

A map of the new constituency and reduced Harrogate and Knaresborough seat under the Boundary Commission plans. Picture: Boundary Commission.

Kirby Hill and Bishop Monkton would become part of the new Wetherby and Easingwold seat.

The Skipton and Ripon constituency, which is currently represented by Conservative Julian Smith, would include Ripley, which is currently part of Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Tim Bowden, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said:

“Today’s proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the commission’s initial thoughts.

“Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each parliamentary constituency more equal.

“Each constituency we recommend is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, meaning there will be significant change to current boundaries.

“We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for parliamentary constituencies right.”

The review will increase the number of constituencies in England from 533 to 543.

Just under 10% of existing seats remain unchanged as part of the proposals.

Members of the public can have their say on the proposals as part of an eight-week public consultation on the Boundary Commission for England website.

The consultation will close on August 2.