‘Good’ rating for ‘caring and friendly’ Boroughbridge school

Ofsted has given Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School a ‘good’ rating for the first time since March 2011.

Inspectors published the report yesterday after a visit to the school last month. They rated the 120-pupil school ‘good’ in all areas. ‘Good’ is the second highest of four possible ratings, with ‘outstanding’ the best.

It follows two previous ‘requires improvement’ Ofsted ratings in 2016 and 2018.

Leaders at the school, the report says, have “galvanised the staff team and secured improvements to the quality of education and pupils’ behaviour.”

The report said:

“Pupils enjoy attending Kirby Hill Primary School. The school’s embedded Christian values help to foster pupils’ positive attitudes to learning and to caring relationships.

“Pupils have a strong understanding of diversity and celebrate other people’s differences.

“Pupils behave well in lessons and enjoy playing together at break times. They understand what bullying is but say that it does not happen in their school.

“The school is a caring and friendly place.”

Staff have won praise for the improvement.

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The report also praises the new curriculum at the school, which it describes as ambitious. It added that teachers explain new learning clearly and address misconceptions effectively.

Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School is about a mile from Boroughbridge.

Emma Lowe, headteacher, said:

“We are all delighted here at Kirby Hill that our hard work and dedication to improve standards has now formally been recognised by Ofsted.

“I am incredibly proud of the whole school community as everyone has played their part – but I am especially proud of our children.

“As always, our children were excellent ambassadors for our school during the inspection.

“They were able to talk confidently and passionately about their love of learning, their desire to challenge themselves and their ambitions for the future.

“I feel very lucky to be part of the Kirby Hill family and I look forward to continuing on our journey. Onwards and upwards – if you can believe it, you can achieve it!”

Harrogate headteacher ‘concerned’ by Cold Bath Road pollution data

Western Primary School installed a pollution sensor in June last year, amid concerns about heavy traffic on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.

Headteacher Tim Broad was worried about the sheer volume of traffic plus the fact he could tase diesel in his mouth when larger vehicles passed.

Six months on, The Stray Ferret has reviewed the data, which suggests levels of pollutants meet national objectives but exceed guidelines set by the World Health Organisation.

The sensor, which was installed within the school grounds, revealed concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) all fell within the national objectives’ limits for short and long-term exposure.

However, a local pollution campaigner expressed concern that PM2.5 and NO2 levels exceeded WHO guidelines both short- and long-term.

PM2.5 particles are man-made particles suspended in the air, produced by woodburning stoves and transport, as well as industrial processes. When breathed in, these particles can get into the blood and lodge themselves in organs.

NO2 is a gas produced by combustion of fossil fuels. Eighty percent of roadside NO2 pollution is caused by road vehicles. Exposure to the gas can cause inflammation to the airways and exacerbate pre-existing heart and lung conditions.

‘No safe threshold for air pollution’

We showed our findings to Western headteacher Tim Broad, who said he was “concerned” by the exceedance of WHO guidelines, Mr Broad added:

“I intend to follow up with an investigation in school, with a view to passing on the findings to the appropriate people at Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.”

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Local campaigner Brian McHugh claimed the national objectives were too weak, and children were at risk. He added:

“The concern with using numbers and limits sometimes can be that there is a belief formed that anything up to that level is ‘safe’. There is no safe threshold for air pollution.

“The harm of air pollution on humans is well documented. The increased harm to children, with developing lungs, cannot be overstated.”

Better monitoring needed

Western Primary School is believed to be the only school in the district with an air pollution sensor, and live measurements from the sensor are available to the public online here.

Mr McHugh called for better monitoring of pollution in and around schools. He said:

“It is incredibly useful that we are even able to have this data and analyse it. Huge thanks must go to Western Primary for having the foresight to install an air quality sensor and it is hoped that other schools in the Harrogate district follow their example, so we have accurate information on which to base policies and initiatives.”

In its 2021 Air Quality Annual Status Report, Harrogate Borough Council used 63 monitors throughout the district to measure NO2 levels but had no monitors for PM2.5 particles.

The council itself stated PM2.5 can have a significant impact on health, including “premature mortality, allergic reactions, and cardiovascular diseases”, but it relied on council data from Leeds and York to estimate levels of the pollutant in the district.

Nearly 700 secondary school places needed in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Nearly 700 secondary school places will be needed in Harrogate and Knaresborough by 2025/26 to keep up with demand caused by new housing.

North Yorkshire County Council revealed the shortfall in a report for its Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee on Thursday.

The report says Harrogate and rural secondary schools had a shortfall of 156 places in 2020/21 while Knaresborough secondary schools had a surplus of 139 places.

However, by 2025/26 there is a projected shortfall of 623 places in Harrogate and rural secondary schools and a projected shortfall of 49 places in Knaresborough secondary schools.

Harrogate and rural secondary schools include Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett School, Harrogate High School, St John Fisher Catholic High School, St Aidan’s CE High School and Nidderdale High School.

Knaresborough secondary schools consists solely of King James’s School.

The county council said in the document that it was “carefully monitoring pupil numbers” across Harrogate and Knaresborough and highlighted plans for more housing in the west of Harrogate as the cause of the issue.

Primary schools fare better

Harrogate’s primary schools look set to fare better, with a surplus of 580 places forecast by 2025/26.

There is a projected shortfall of 156 primary school places in Knaresborough, where a new school with the capacity for 420 pupils is being built to accommodate people moving into Manse Farm and Highfield Farm.

Rossett School and Harrogate Grammar School built five additional classrooms as a result of discussions about pupil numbers in 2019, the report adds.

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The county council, which has a duty to provide enough spaces, says in the document that both Rossett School and Harrogate Grammar School “will assist to meet the expected rise in demand for places as a result of housing growth” but does not give further details.

‘Sufficient places’ at King James’s School

In Knaresborough, the county council said that there are currently “sufficient places for local children at King James’s School and a significant number of pupils from outside the catchment are able to secure places”.

The report says:

“The general picture across the whole of the county shows projected growth in the urban areas contrasting with declining numbers in rural locations.

“A falling birth rate combined with changing demographics means that a number of small schools are facing financial challenges associated with low numbers on roll.”

Harrogate Borough Council is due to publish a West Harrogate Parameters Plan this year, outlining the infrastructure requirements associated with the projected 4,000 new homes planned for the western side of Harrogate.

Residents and councillors have grown frustrated with delays about when the plan will be published.

The council initially said it would be published in October 2020, but this was delayed until March 2021, then September 2021. It now says a draft version will be published next month.

Plan to build new classroom at Bishop Monkton school

Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School has submitted plans to build a new permanent classroom.

The new structure would replace a temporary unit at the school that would be demolished.

Planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire County Council say the 134 square metre classroom would provide a more accessible and inclusive environment for pupils.

The village school currently has around 100 pupils.

Documents say:

“The new classroom unit will provide modern teaching environment and a much-needed space for the needs of the existing pupils providing them with a more suitable means of access and teaching environment.”

A decision on the proposal will be made at a later date.

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Harrogate’s Rossett School celebrates GCSE students’ success

Harrogate’s Rossett School has held its annual presentation evening in-person after covid forced it to take place online last year.

The event celebrates the achievements of last summer’s GCSE students in a range of academic subjects and other disciplines.

The guest speaker was Joe Joyce, a former chief executive in the manufacturing and construction sector, a director of finance in education and now the owner of his own local family brewing company,

Mr Joyce shared his personal philosophy on the importance of aiming high in life, before presenting GCSE and BTEC certificates, along with the awards and trophies.

Headteacher Helen Woodcock said it was wonderful to be able to hold the event in-person again.

“We are very proud of this year group. They were an excellent year in many different respects, not least in their management of the strangest of times — learning remotely and at school over the last two years — in order to be awarded their TAGs (teacher-assessed grades).

“Their achievements have allowed them to progress on to their chosen pathways, and we were thrilled to celebrate their many successes at the presentation evening.”

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Police officers visit Ripon school kids to talk dangers of knife crime

Students from a Ripon primary school kids were visited by police officers to talking about the dangers of knife crime and taking drugs.

North Yorkshire Police‘s school liaison team and author Christina Gabbitas visited Holy Trinity Junior School last week to show children the dangers of getting involved in crime and how to avoid it.

Visits were also make to other schools across the county, including Scarborough and York.

Concerns about crime in Ripon have grown in recent months with some residents “scared to go out”. The police has promised more visibility in the city in an attempt to crackdown on crime.

Ripon has seen incidents in recent months involving knives; one in August left a boy in tears when he was told at knifepoint to take off his trainers and hand over his phone and jewellery.

The visits were in conjunction with a national campaign to tackle knife crime, Op Spectre. The students watched a video which showed young people getting drawn into the world of drug dealing which resulted in one of them being stabbed.

They were also given a ‘No more knives or county lines’ work booklet at the end of the session.

Sergeant Heidi Lewis of the schools liaison team said officers were there to build relationships with the children and answer any questions:

“Education at an early stage is crucial to steer children away from falling into a criminal lifestyle and becoming exploited.

“Some young people think it’s safe to carry a knife in case they need it for self-defence – but this could not be further from the truth. Any knife in the hands of anyone can cost lives and that’s what we hope the children we have engaged with this week have learned”.

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Christina Gabbitas said:

“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is for us to educate children at a young age about these issues and dangers. If we can get children to recognise the signs at an early age, we have a better chance to prevent them coming to harm.

“I am always so impressed with how engaged the children I speak to are. They are so keen to learn about these issues and because it’s done in a safe environment amongst peers, the children are very open and always ask a lot of questions.”

To reports concerns for the safety of a child, contact the police on 101.

Ripon primary school receives ‘buddy bench’ to combat loneliness

A primary school in Ripon has been given a new buddy bench to mark anti-bullying week.

Moorside Primary School received the bench from the company Annington, which has been refurbishing former Ministry of Defence homes nearby.

Children who feel sad or anxious can sit on the bench as a signal to others that they need a friend to speak to.

Made with sustainable wood, the buddy bench is engraved with the following poem:

“We sit, we chat and ask each other questions. We leave as friends, with all good intentions.”

Claire Rowett, the headteacher at Moorside Primary School, said:

“It’s so important to create a safe and caring environment for children so that they are able to talk about their feelings, especially during such uncertain times.

“A shy or anxious child may struggle to ask someone else for support, which is why the buddy bench is such a vital tool in teaching the children what to do when they feel lonely.

“We are very grateful to Annington for donating the bench to us.”

The new buddy bench.

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Annington is one of the largest private owners of residential property in the UK, with over 40,000 homes across England and Wales.

Louise Saunders, sales and marketing manager at Annington, said the company strived to support local communities, adding:

“We are proud to gift the buddy bench to Moorside Primary School, and we hope that the children will be able to use it to create new friendships and feel more confident for many years to come.”

Anti-Bullying Week is organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and takes place from November 15 to 19. This year’s theme is “one kind word.”

Pupils at school near Ripon shine in worldwide art festival

Pupils at Queen Mary’s School between Ripon and Thirsk have created some artistic masterpieces as part of a worldwide festival.

The art students took part in the 2021 Big Draw Festival trying to reflect the themes of respecting nature, the world we want and reusing resources.

With such emphasis on protecting the planet, the students used materials like fabriano, natural forms, acrylic screens, posca pens, cardboard and recycled paper.

The Big Draw Festival is a worldwide celebration of drawing promoting the drawing as a tool for learning, expression, and invention.

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The festival is made up of a collection of thousands of creative events, activities, and workshops across the globe run by organisations big and small.

Art Captain, Hettie Kimberley, age 15, thoroughly enjoyed helping to lead the event:

“I love drawing and the emotional response I have when I see drawings in a gallery, so it was wonderful to encourage the whole school to create their own masterpieces.

“It was also a great leadership opportunity as all the Art Scholars were able to mentor younger pupils.”

Plenty of pupils took part in the event.

Dr Emma Radley, Queen Mary’s Head of Art, and Mrs Carole Cameron, Head of Queen Mary’s School, were delighted with the event:

“With excellent GCSE Art results each year, scholarships for budding artists and many opportunities to exhibit work, Queen Mary’s has an extremely strong Art Department.

“What makes it even more special are the events and opportunities for inclusivity from the Annual Art Exhibition to the Big Draw where everyone joins in to create and embrace artistic challenge.

We may have been producing art to ‘Make the Change’ for the Big Draw but we also promote drawing as an activity to relieve stress and improve mental health.”

Queen Mary’s School welcomes Art for Youth North this half term. This is an opportunity to view and buy contemporary and affordable art from over 70 new and established artists.

Covid infections in school children rise by two-thirds

Covid cases among school-age children in North Yorkshire have risen by two-thirds since the return of classes, new figures show.

Official figures from Public Health England show infections among all five to 19-year-olds in the county rose by two-thirds – or 66% – between the start of the school term on September 6 and the end of the month.

It comes after Louise Wallace, director of public health for North Yorkshire, last week said infections across all age groups in the county were being “driven” by school-age children.

Under new rules at schools and unlike previous terms, neither close contacts of confirmed cases nor bubble groups have to go home and isolate – only those pupils who test positive.

Other measures remain in place including twice-weekly testing, stepped-up cleaning regimes and ventilation in classrooms.

Nonetheless, there are still concerns over further disruptions to education as the virus continues to spread at high rates and during such early stages of the school term.

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This has prompted health officials at North Yorkshire County Council to offer reassurances that action is being taken and extra support remains on standby.

A council spokesperson said: 

“Our outbreak management hub is on hand to provide support and advice to schools and other organisations in the event of an outbreak.

“In some circumstances, previous measures used can be brought back for a temporary period if reducing mixing between groups is seen as necessary to prevent the spread of covid.

“Schools have outbreak management plans in place to manage any outbreaks and their covid risk assessments.

“The plans are continually being reviewed and updated.”

Will school restrictions come back?

The measures which could be brought back in the event of an outbreak include stopping the mixing of pupils at break time and the use of face masks, the council said.

These measures were in place during the previous summer term, but were lifted by the government as the school year ended.

Meanwhile, school children aged 12 to 15 are now being urged to take up their offer of a single Pfizer vaccine dose. Parental permission is required for these jabs, unlike those for teenagers aged 16 and 17, who were offered vaccines from August.

Speaking last week, Ms Wallace said she was hopeful that the recent rise in infections would ease in the coming weeks.

She said: 

“We are seeing an increase in the daily rate across North Yorkshire and we are slightly above the England average, which is quite unusual as we usually track it or are slightly below.

“But I am hopeful that this will start to settle and fall back in line as the next few weeks go by.”

Latest figures yesterday showed North Yorkshire’s weekly infection rate per 100,000 people currently stands at 434 – still above the England average of 331.

A breakdown of the numbers shows the Harrogate district has the highest infection rate in the county at 530.

This is followed by 468 in Scarborough, 448 in Hambleton, 425 in Selby, 392 in Craven, 281 in Richmondshire and 271 in Ryedale.

Harrogate mum refused entry to uniform shop for not wearing face mask

A Harrogate mum said she was left in tears after she was refused entry to Rawcliffes school uniform shop for not wearing a mask.

Jude Humphrey, who is medically exempt from wearing a mask due to anxiety, claims she was told to stand outside the uniform shop despite masks no longer being a legal requirement .

Ms Humphrey had booked an appointment at the East Parade shop on a recent Saturday morning so she and her husband could take their daughter to buy her new uniform for next week’s return to school.

She said it was an “awful experience”:

“She said instantly ‘Where’s your mask?’ and then said ‘You either have one or you leave’ I explained I was medically exempt but it didn’t matter, she made me leave.

“I burst into tears outside, it was so disrespectful. My daughter had to keep coming out to show me the uniform.

“It left me feeling anxious and panicky, just a really awful experience.”

Ms Humphrey and her husband Keith said the most confusing part was that the shop worker herself wasn’t wearing a mask, insisting she was double-jabbed so didn’t need to.

Mr Humphrey questioned this once his wife had left the shop and the shop worker said she was insistent on masks to “protect her younger staff”.

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Mr Humphrey said:

“I was so upset for Jude. We rushed through the whole experience, which was such a shame because it’s meant to be a memory getting your child’s first uniform.

“I just think it’s ridiculous, how can they insist on mask wearing but not wear one themselves?”

Rawcliffes Schoolwear declined to comment on the Humphreys’ claims when contacted by the Stray Ferret.

A note on its website requests customers to wear face masks.