A parent has been ordered to pay £260 for their child being truant at a Harrogate school.

The 31-year-old mother pleaded guilty to the teenager failing to attend Harrogate High School regularly for a six-month period this year.

The Education Act 1996 states a parent is guilty of an offence if their child regularly fails to attend the school at which they are registered.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, was fined £80.

She was also ordered to pay £150 costs and a £32 surcharge to fund victim services.

The case was heard at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday, November 10.

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Pupils at Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School near Harrogate have been celebrating the opening of a new playground.

A wooden trim trail has been installed along with colourful playground markings to make playtimes more exciting.

The playground project started in March when pupils, teachers and parents took part in a fundraiser to collectively cycle the 1,000-mile distance of Land’s End to John O’Groats on four stationary bikes in the school hall in 24 hours.

The original aim was to raise £2,000 to make some improvements to the playground, but the final total was £6,500.

Headteacher Amy Ross said:

“We were overwhelmed by the sponsorship support that we received from parents, extended family, local businesses and members of the community.

“The new playground will be beneficial to children of all ages at the school, and we were keen to choose equipment that was eco-friendly and long lasting to provide enjoyment for pupils for many years to come.

“It was a pleasure to see the smiles on the children’s faces this morning when they saw the new playground for the first time.”

On Friday, October 27, the school will be holding its first open morning of this academic year.

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A Harrogate primary school is to be re-inspected by Ofsted after an interim assessment suggested it could be judged ‘outstanding’. 

Oatlands Junior School was rated ‘good’ when Ofsted visited in 2018, and following inspectors’ latest visit in July, the school retained that status.

But in its report, Ofsted said there was “enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a graded (section 5) [i.e. more comprehensive] inspection now”. 

Oatlands is now expected to undergo a graded inspection within the next two years to assess whether it is still ‘good’ or has attained ‘outstanding’ status. 

The report, released today, particularly praises the school’s inclusivity, reporting that leaders and staff “help every pupil, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to be the very best that they can be.” 

It goes on to praise the school’s “broad and interesting” curriculum, pupils’ behaviour, sense of equality, and respect for difference and diversity.

The headteacher of Oatlands Junior School, Mrs Estelle Scarth, said:  

“The report certainly captures everything about Oatlands Junior School that we are immensely proud of and quite rightly describes all the outstanding evidence that was found throughout a very thorough inspection.

“Our success is firmly based on the dedication and talents of everyone that works in our school, the strong, positive relationships that we have with our parents and carers, and of course, all the amazing children in our care.”  

Oatlands Junior School, along with Western Primary and Harrogate Grammar School, was one of the founding schools of the Red Kite Learning Trust in 2015. This has since grown into a multi-academy trust of 14 schools across North and West Yorkshire. 

Amanda Thornton Jones, Director of Primary Education for Red Kite Learning Trust, said: 

“Ofsted recognised the strong collaborative approach within our Trust and how talent and expertise of staff are developed across all our schools. Oatlands Junior School has a highly trained, dedicated and expert team led by an exceptional headteacher.

“Mrs Scarth’s high aspirations and vision are shared by all within the school community. Oatlands Junior is a highly successful school, providing a rich curriculum which releases potential and creates amazing opportunities for all pupils.”

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This story is sponsored by Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate.

The autumn term is in full swing at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, and new pupils are already enjoying all the activities that make it a unique place to learn. 

Chapter House, which accepts children from three months old up to Year 5, is set within a campus offering over 100 enrichment activities on site, ensuring the engagement and enthusiasm of every child. 

Two days a week before school, the school’s Sport Curriculum leader runs Wake Up, Get Up, Move Up, an energetic activity to develop physical and mental wellbeing. 

There’s also a dedicated 45-minute slot each lunchtime for a wide range of activities, including football, swimming and gym and dance, as well as the science club, the art club and the Blue Peter badge club. 

Two of the more popular activities are Digital Leaders and Mindful Moments. The KS2 Digital Leader Jedis help deliver a digital wellbeing message to their peers through assemblies and focus weeks, and the KS1 Digital Leader Padawans start their computing journeys by learning to build, program and play with robots and other hardware. 

A teacher and pupils enjoy an outdoor lesson at Queen Ethelburga’s Chapter House school.

Mindful Moments focuses on mindfulness, which can boost concentration, lower stress and improve emotional regulation skills. Pupils take part in lots of child-friendly activities, such as guided meditation, simple massage and different breathing techniques. 

With a trained specialist in Chapter House, all ages participate in Forest School sessions during the school year. Each class spends two hours a week over a half-term period learning through play, exploration, and discovery in a natural outdoor environment, including cooking on the fire pit! 

After school, children can join Homework Club to have support from academic staff with their prep and every Wednesday there is a sporting activity linked to the main focus sports for the term. 

Even more opportunities for enrichment are provided as part of the curriculum. The Accelerated Literacy and Mathematics activities have in the past included participation in the Quiz Club National Mathematics Championships and creating a school newspaper. 

There are also frequent visits and presentations from professionals working across a range of scientific and related fields. 

Girls singing in the choir at Queen Ethelburga’s Chapter House school.

Karen Kilkenny, Head of Chapter House, says that the wealth of extra activities is part of a deliberate strategy to provide a broad, dynamic and engaging educational experience for all of Queen Ethelburga’s pupils. She said:  

“As every parent knows, there’s far more to children’s development than just formal education. Our traditional curriculum is of course excellent – our pupils do well academically – but we also do everything we can to ensure that their horizons are broadened well beyond the confines of the classroom. 

“We want every one of our pupils to leave Chapter House and Queen Ethelburga’s with the best academic qualifications they can attain, but also with rounded personalities, enriched by the skills and abilities learnt during the many extra-curricular activities we provide.” 

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate was founded in 1912 and in 1991 moved to the Thorpe Underwood estate, between Harrogate and York, where it has what are widely regarded as some of the best educational facilities in the country. It welcomes children from three months old and supports them through its four schools: Chapter House (3 months to Year 5), King’s Magna (Years 6 to 9), The College and Faculty (both Years 10 to 13). 

Find out more: 

Queen Ethelburga’s will be holding a Whole School Open Morning on Saturday, September 30. One-hour tours begin at 9.30am and run every half-hour till 11am. After the tour, the academic and admissions staff will be available to answer any questions in The Atrium, where visitors can also enjoy a light lunch.

To book a place, go to the Queen Ethelburga’s website.  

More open days will be held on November 18, January 27, March 9 and April 27.

Rossett School in Harrogate is inviting former staff and students to return as part of a day of celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary.

The school was founded in 1973 and the event on September 28 will therefore feature a 1970s theme.

Students will play retro sports and take part in a bake sale, tree planting, burying a time capsule, a bubble release and a whole school photo. The afternoon will feature a music festival on the field, with a DJ and photo booth.

Former staff and students are invited along later in the day to attend a social event between 4pm and 6pm.

Headteacher Tim Milburn, himself a former Rossett student, said:

“Plans are well underway for what will be a fantastic celebration of our wonderful school.

“It will be a chance for everyone involved in the school both now and in the years gone by not only to remember all our past achievements but, importantly, to look ahead to the many great things to come.”

Time of change

The anniversary comes at a time of considerable upheaval at Rossett.

An Ofsted report in January said the school ‘requires improvement’ and highlighted problems including high staff turnover, disruptive pupils and extremely high absence rates among disadvantaged students.

Mr Milburn acknowledged there had been some difficult times recently but said the school was responding proactively.

The school’s sixth form has merged with Harrogate Grammar School‘s and last week it was announced Rossett will join Red Kite Learning Trust.

You can express an interest in attending the 50th celebrations here.

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A headteacher at a village primary school near Harrogate is retiring this week after 13 years in the position.

Sarah Bassitt, who began teaching 36 years ago, became headteacher of Killinghall Church of England Primary School in 2011.

At the time, the school was struggling financially and accommodated 83 students.

The number has more than doubled to 180 in the decade since, during which Ms Bassitt has overseen major developments at the school, including three new classrooms, a library and a larger playground.

The school was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted at its most recent inspection last year.

However, Ms Bassitt said:

“My vision for the school has never been about grades and judgements, it’s been driven by creating positive opportunities that mean that children can thrive and be happy.”

During her time as head, she also helped the school through many challenges, such as an asbestos roof fall in 2013, covid and a flood last year which left some classrooms out of use for months.

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A leaving day was held last week to celebrate Ms Bassitt’s time as headteacher, at which parents and pupils at said their goodbyes and wished her luck.

Ms Bassitt said:

“I feel privileged to have worked with the staff, governors, parents and pupils of Killinghall CE Primary School – they have been my life for over 13 years and I will miss them all”

“I will still be involved in education, as I intend to maintain my position on an education board for a local federation of schools. Playing golf and walking will fill my time, as well as holidays in term time!”

She also expressed her gratitude to business manager Helen Potter and Elouise Foster, the first staff member she appointed in 2011, who were also leaving and said:

“The vision for the school has been theirs, not just mine, and they have supported me every step of the way.”

Is a long-serving teacher retiring at your local school this week? Let us know at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

A school in Harrogate which served raw chicken to children has said “human error” was responsible.

North Yorkshire Council‘s environmental health officers visited St John Fisher Catholic High School after parents alerted them to the problem.

One parent, who contacted the Stray Ferret with photographs of the raw meat but asked not to be identified, said:

“They served raw, bleeding chicken. There have been pictures posted on social media of blood actually coming out as it’s been cut into.

“The parents have complained to school… They admitted to a full tray being served by mistake and it’s being investigated.”

The parent said she had raised concerns about the school’s catering over several months, after finding the quality of food on offer had fallen.

She said there was often not enough food for all the children to have a hot meal, and sometimes there were no vegetarian options available.

However, a spokesperson for St John Fisher said the problem with the raw chicken was down to “human error” and inspectors had been happy with the catering provision.

They said:

“The human error which was the cause of the undercooked chicken being served was promptly addressed resulting in no students or staff consuming the food.

“The environmental agency were satisfied with the explanation of the circumstances surrounding the error and the actions which were immediately implemented to ensure this situation does not occur again.”

Responding to the parent’s comments about the food on offer, the spokesperson said:

“With 1,500 students on site and a modest menu, it is inevitable that, on some occasions, students’ first choice of hot meal, including vegetarian options, will have run out.”

The incident happened in June, and North Yorkshire Council has now responded to a request for details from the Stray Ferret.

Its corporate director and monitoring officer, Callum McKeon, said:

“We can confirm a batch of chicken was under-cooked in what was regarded as an isolated incident.

“The school immediately fully assisted our officers who reviewed all food safety practices, documentation and checked temperature probes on site.

“Because we take food safety very seriously, incidents like these are few and far between, and no child was poorly as a result.

“We are satisfied with the way the school’s catering team responded to the matter and how they currently prepare food.”

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Boroughbridge Primary School has celebrated its 90th birthday with fun activities and a look back at history.

Years 1 and 2 learned about play time games from the past, such as hopscotch, drop the handkerchief and catch the flag.

Year 2 children looked at photographs of the past and went to see where they thought they were taken from and watched a film from 1933, Alice in Wonderland, and compared it to modern films.

Key stage 2 children took part in three different sessions: playground games from the 1930s, a music quiz to see how music has changed in the last 90 years and a history session exploring the old school logbooks, photographs and newspaper clippings.

Friends of Boroughbridge School organised tea, cake, hot dogs and an inflatable.

Former headteacher Mr Roberts, who was in charge when many parents were pupils, also attended and said he was delighted with how well the school is flourishing. 

Year 5 teacher Ms Frampton was able to provide many historical photographs and school logbooks from past years.

Headteacher Emma Ryan said:

“The event was the perfect opportunity to involve the children within their history lessons and learn about our school and how much it has changed over the years.

“It was an absolute delight to welcome all our families into school to celebrate its 90th birthday.”

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A proposed school for children with autism moved a small step closer to being created in Bilton yesterday (Tuesday, May 30), when North Yorkshire Council accepted a recommendation to consult on the plans.

The matter will now be thrown open for public discussion by stakeholders for a six-week period from Monday, June 12.

The school, at the site of the former Woodfield Community Primary School in Harrogate, would provide school places for children and young people with autism in North Yorkshire. A total of £3.5 million has been earmarked to upgrade the site to enable it to cater for up to 80 pupils with autism aged between 11 and 19.

The potential opening date for the new school is September 2024.

Welcoming the decision, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:

“I’m delighted that the council is to explore this proposal. The new facility would help meet a rising demand for special school places in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and the surrounding area.

“Currently there are 432 children with the primary need of autism accessing existing North Yorkshire special schools and we are committed to providing further support.”

She added:

“This would provide children and families with a more local offer of provision than is currently available without significant travel.”

North Yorkshire has already announced £20 million of investment in children and young people in North Yorkshire with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including the creation of new places in Special Schools and mainstream SEN Resource Bases.

Since 2016, the number of children and young people with identified SEND and an education, health and care plan (EHCP) has increased by over 110% in North Yorkshire. As this trend continues, it is estimated that the county will need an additional 350 SEND school places over the next three to five years.

North Yorkshire Council said the investment would enable it to find suitable placements for more young people closer to their local communities and deliver better value for children and families from the county, including improving existing provision to create “modern, fit-for-purpose spaces suited to a wider range of pupil needs”.

Woodfield Community Primary School closed at the end of December after years of falling pupil numbers and a sustained “inadequate” rating by Ofsted.

Officers believe the site is suitable for a new special school due to its layout and location in a central part of the county. There are no planned changes to the community library and children’s centre on the same site.

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A friendship bench has been installed at Follifoot Primary School to encourage pupils to support each other.

The bench provides a place where children can sit if they feel lonely or don’t have anyone to play with at playtime. Others see them and start up a friendship.

Friends of Follifoot School, a group of volunteer parents, presented the bench to the school playground this week.

Children elected on to the school council proposed the idea last year to promote friendship and kindness.

The friends group has now made it happen by using funds raised at its annual summer fair Follifête to buy the bench, which was crafted by Harrogate furniture company Harvey George.

The unveiling of the bench coincided with the last day on the committee of four members of the friends group. Laura Hartley, Vicky Hodgson, Claire Hartley and Sam Riley stepped down after fundraising for the school for five years. The bench was their parting gift to the children.

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A new committee is now planning the next Follifête on July 9 at Follifoot Village Hall.

Ms Hartley, who was chair of the friends group, said:

“It was something the school council were really passionate about and we’re glad that we were able to bring their idea to life. We hope that the bench will see hundreds of friendships created over time.”

Headteacher Rebecca Holland said:

“I am sure the bench will be loved by Follifoot children for decades to come.”

Pic shows: Friends of Follifoot School present the bench to pupils. Back row L to R: Sophie Griffiths from Harvey George; Laura Hartley, chair of FOFS; Rebecca Holland, headteacher, Claire Hartley, Vicky Hodgson and Sam Riley from FOFS; middle row L to R: Lizzie, Annabelle, William; front row L to R: Elliot, Jessica, Florence, Jasper