A new head teacher has started at a Harrogate school.
Phil Soutar has taken the helm at Ashville Prep School, a fee paying school for children in years one to six.
The school also announced today it has become a member of the Independent Schools Association, which represents the heads of about 650 independent schools.
Mr Soutar, who is national chair of the ISA, said:
“I look forward to leading the prep school on the next phase of its development journey, and sharing my vision for the year ahead when our focus will centre on optimising creativity, excellence and opportunity for every pupil.
“Becoming a member of the ISA will help us deliver these aims by opening up a greater range of activities and creative experiences for our children.”
Mr Soutar was previously head at Rosemead Prep School and Nursery in Dulwich, South London.
Being part of the ISA enables pupils to take part in regional and national events for sport, art, music and drama and gives teachers access to courses and continuous professional development.
Ashville Prep School is part of Ashville College, which is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged two to 18.
It consists of Ashville Acorns pre-prep, and Ashville’s prep school, senior school and sixth form.
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No local schools due to close because of crumbling concrete
None of the schools facing closure in England and Wales due to crumbling roofs are in the Harrogate district.
The government said last week 104 schools in England and Wales would fully or partially close due to safety fears connected with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Raac, which is cheap building material popular between the 1960s and 1980s, has been compared to “chocolate Aero” because it contains pockets of air.
Children in North Yorkshire are due to go back to school tomorrow for the autumn term and the government has yet to name which schools are affected.
Stuart Carlton, director of children and young people’s service at North Yorkshire Council, said only one school in North Yorkshire was affected . He said:
“We are aware of one school in the county which has been constructed using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
“Scalby School in Scarborough has been asked to close the buildings affected. The school is required to make suitable arrangements to continue the education of their 1,000 pupils until safety work can be carried out.
“Scalby School is the only one in North Yorkshire on the current Department for Education list of 104 schools affected.”
Read more:
- Harrogate hospital roof contains crumbling concrete
- Government urged to ‘come clean’ on North Yorkshire RAAC schools
Government urged to ‘come clean’ on North Yorkshire RAAC schools
Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called on the government to “come clean” on which schools in North Yorkshire are affected by dangerous concrete.
The Department for Education revealed this week that 156 schools in England have been identified as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
There is concern that those facilities with RAAC are prone to collapse.
Nick Gibb, schools minister, has said the number of schools affected may still increase.
The government has not said when a list of the affected schools will be published.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said ministers should say which schools in North Yorkshire have been identified as being at risk.
He said:
“The government must come clean about what schools in our area are affected by crumbling concrete.
“Parents, grandparents, guardians and carers of children attending schools in North Yorkshire have a right to know that their children are safe at school.”
Mr Gordon blamed “years of underinvestment by the Conservative government” for “crumbling school facilities”. He added:
“The government has known about this crumbling concrete for years, but time and again has denied our children the money needed to stop schools from collapsing completely.
“Ministers must release information about each and every school that has been affected so far, and also set out a timetable to complete inspections on all other schools suspected to have RAAC.”
Mr Gordon added that he has called on North Yorkshire Council to confirmed if all schools in North Yorkshire have been surveyed for the crumbling RAAC ahead of the new school year.
Read more:
Headteachers unite to support 20mph speed limit near Harrogate schools
The leaders of 13 schools and education settings in Harrogate have called for councillors to commit to urgent road safety improvements when they meet on Tuesday
The road safety group, which also includes campaigners and local councillors, met yesterday at Ashville College as part of its ongoing bid to create safer streets for 9,000 pupils.
North Yorkshire Council will consider on Tuesday how to respond to a petition calling for a maximum speed of 20mph across south and west Harrogate — covering Oatlands and parts of Pannal, Stray, Hookstone and St Georges areas in Harrogate. The agenda for the meeting is here.
Councillors on the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee passed a motion supporting the measures last year. But it requires the support of the council’s ruling Conservative-controlled executive to proceed.
Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive councillor for highways, appeared to dampen hopes this week when he said the council planned to draw up a speed management strategy rather than agree to 20mph limits.
Cllr Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat chair of the area constituency committee, described the move as “kicking the can down the road”.
But school leaders and campaigners remain hopeful of a successful outcome. In a joint statement, they said:
“There is strong evidence from studies of the positive impacts of maximum speeds of 20mph, and we urge the members of the executive to approve the motion, so safer roads can be created for our schools and the wider community, with a clear programme and timeframe for delivery.
“A maximum speed of 20mph is a key foundation in creating a safer urban environment for all and it encourages healthy active travel choices, from door to destination, around the community. “
The road safety group added whatever the outcome, it will “continue to push for investment in the safety of the roads around our schools, including: maximum speeds of 20mph, upgraded crossings, better use of double yellow lines, and repairs to damaged or outdated pavements, barriers and kerbs”.
Campaigner Hazel Peacock handing the road safety petition to North Yorkshire Council in May.
Cllr John Mann, a Conservative who represents Oatlands and Pannal, said he welcomed the council’s recommendation “to undertake a series of planned speed limit reviews delivered over a period of time, which will generate a pipeline of schemes”.
He added:
“Given the tragic road accidents that have recently occurred near to schools in Oatlands this year, I am calling for my recent applications for 20mph limits for Yew Tree Lane, Green Lane and Hookstone Road to be given a high priority in the highways pipeline of schemes for the introduction of 20mph limits.”
Cllr Mann said he would allocate his £10,000 locality budget, which each councillor receives to spend on local initiatives, for road safety schemes.
The school leaders who attended yesterday’s meeting were:
- Richard Sheriff, chief executive, Red Kite Learning Trust
- Jane Goodwin, interim chief executive, Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust
- Dave Thornton, interim headteacher and Iain Addison, deputy head at St Aidan’s CE School
- Neil Renton, headteacher, Harrogate Grammar School
- Tim Milburn, headteacher, Rossett School
- Rhiannon Wilkinson, headteacher and Richard Rooze, bursar at Ashville College
- Corrine Penhale, headteacher, Rossett Acre Primary School
- Tim Broad, headteacher, Western Primary School
- Zoe Anderson, headteacher, Oatlands Infant School
- Estelle Scarth, headteacher, Oatlands Junior School
- Steve Mort, headteacher, St John Fisher’s Catholic High School
- Dr Helen Davey, headteacher/Emma Mitchell, business manager, Willow Tree Primary
- Jane Turner, headteacher, Pannal Primary School
- Victoria Kirkman, executive headteacher, Admiral Long and Birstwith CE schools and interim executive headteacher, Ripley Endowed CE, Beckwithshaw & Kettlesing Schools
- Danny Wild, principal and Kate Herbert, performance and projects co-ordinator, Harrogate College
Campaigners who attended:
- Hazel Peacock and Dr Vicki Evans – Oatlands Road Safety and Active Travel Campaign
- Dr Jenny Marks and Ruth Lily – Pannal Ash Safe Streets
Read more:
- Harrogate school road safety petition handed in to council
- Stray Views: Drivers use Badger Hill as ‘speed track’
Headteachers unite to warn of vaping dangers to children in Harrogate district
Headteachers from across the Harrogate district have issued a joint letter to all parents warning of the dangers of vaping.
The unusual move by secondary school leaders was prompted by “an increase in the number of incidents in our local community”, the letter said.
The heads of Boroughbridge High, Harrogate College, Harrogate Grammar, Harrogate High, King James’s, Nidderdale High, Ripon Grammar, Rossett, Springwell, St Aidan’s and St John Fisher schools have all put their names to the letter, which says:
“We are aware that there have been reports of young people becoming unwell and needing medical attention after using vapes.
“Vapes can come in a variety of different forms, shapes, and sizes. Some common styles of vapes include ones which look like a thick pen or highlighter pen.
“These devices are usually very small and can be concealed on a person or blend in with school/college equipment, therefore they can be easily mistaken or missed.”
Respiratory problems
The letter warns that vaping from a young age may lead to respiratory problems in later life, and recent research shows children could be inhaling unsafe amounts of lead and nickel. There have been reports of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis, being used in vaping, the letter said.
The headteachers also said young people could view vaping as a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes, but the nicotine is still addictive.
The letter points parents towards information from Ash, Kids Health, and West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, and says anyone with concerns can speak to their child’s school. It concludes:
“We are sure that you agree that the possession and use of vapes on any school/college premises is something that we simply cannot tolerate.
“Any student found in possession of a vape will be subject to a serious school/college sanction, including the risk of suspension. Please note that we will report possession of any illegal substances to the police.
“We hope that you welcome this letter in the spirit with which it is intended and that you share and understand our shared concerns about this potentially harmful issue.
“We want to be open about the risks involved and we encourage you to have a conversation with your child about this subject matter.”
Read more:
- County council plans programme to tackle children being ‘enticed’ to vape
- Doctor warns Ripon students about dangers of vaping
Harrogate school road safety petition handed in to council
A petition calling for a 20 mph limit to be imposed on streets across the south of Harrogate has been delivered to North Yorkshire Council today.
Asking the council to consider the blanket limit across Rossett, Pannal Ash, Oatlands, Woodlands and Hookstone, the petition attracted more than 900 signatures.
It was set up by parents concerned about children’s safety when travelling to schools in the area, and gained the backing of groups including Harrogate District Cycle Action and Zero Carbon Harrogate.
Hazel Peacock, who delivered the petition this morning on behalf of the campaigning parents, said:
“We’re just delighted we’ve got this number of signatures. It shows the support for the proposal of this change, which could bring such positive benefits from a road safety perspective.
“Once you have that, it will change people’s attitudes in regard to comfort around walking, cycling and mobility users.”
She handed the petition to Elizabeth Jackson, democratic services manager for North Yorkshire Council.
After surpassing the required 500 signatures, it will now be debated by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee.
Councillors John Mann, Pat Marsh and Michael Schofield, whose divisions cover the area of the proposed speed restriction and supported the restriction, all sit on the committee and handed over the petition with Hazel this morning.
Cllr Mann, whose Oatlands and Pannal division includes three primary schools, Ashville College and several nurseries and pre-schools, said:
“There is an urgent need in particular for a 20 mph limit for Yew Tree Lane, Green Lane, Hookstone Road, and Beechwood Grove, all of which are used by large numbers of children going to and from local schools, and I have emphasised this to the highways team at the council.
“In relation to the A61 Leeds Road, I have also written to the head of highways, Cllr Keane Duncan, to request that the 50 mph speed limit on Almsford Bank be reduced to 40 mph to reduce competitive speeding, and to improve road safety for schoolchildren using the pavements along the A61 near to the neighbourhoods of Stone Rings, the Fulwiths, and the Firs.
“The current risks to pedestrians using the A61 in this area were highlighted in January when a driver managed to overturn his car and demolish a 30mph sign at the top of Almsford Bank in the morning rush hour. In the same month, another vehicle overturned due to speeding in the early morning rush hour on Hookstone Road close to the junction with Hornbeam Park Avenue.”
The demolished 30 mph sign on Leeds Road
Cllr Mann said he would prefer the A61 Leeds Road to maintain its 30 mph limit through Oatlands in order to ease traffic flow, but that a reduction in the limit elsewhere was “urgently needed”.
He referenced a collision on Yew Tree Lane in which two 15-year-old boys from Rossett School were seriously injured, and another collision on Beechwood Grove which left an Oatlands Junior School pupil requiring hospital treatment – both of which happened while the children were on the pavement.
He added:
“These shocking events, combined with evidence showing that more than 10 children are killed or seriously injured in road crashes every week travelling to school, demonstrate the case for immediate action.
“With thousands of pupils travelling to and from the schools and colleges of south and west Harrogate during the week, implementing a maximum speed of 20mph in these areas has the potential to increase safety significantly.
“I really hope that this petition is looked upon favourably by the North Yorkshire Council highways team.”
Read more:
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Malcolm Margolis, a member of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said reducing the speed limit would also make cycling a safer option for many families travelling to and from schools.
He said:
“It’s a terrific initiative by Hazel and the others. It’s absolutely needed in this area of Harrogate and we hoe it will be the start of it becoming normalised.
“In other countries, it’s just normal. You see parents and grandparents picking up children on their bikes. There’s no reason why we should be different.
“In a calmer 20mph environment, it’s so much more pleasant for anyone who isn’t in a car. In an urban area, it actually makes very little difference to journey times.”
Cllr Marsh, who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone for the Liberal Democrats, said she also backed the plan, and hoped it would be supported by North Yorkshire Police.
She added:
Coronation Competition: A crown fit for the King“I’ve been supporting this idea for a very long time. My late husband and I got a 20mph limit put outside Hookstone Chase Primary School and some of the residential streets close by well over 15 years ago.
“My only issue is I wish the police would monitor it, because if they don’t, motorists know it and will ignore it. We can’t put our children at risk.”
To celebrate Charles III’s coronation, the Stray Ferret and Ogden of Harrogate are holding a competition for children to design two crowns fit for the royal occasion.
The lucky winners will have their dazzling crowns displayed in Ogden of Harrogate’s shop window – showcased alongside Ogden’s very own Imperial State Crown.
We’re inviting school pupils of all ages to get creative. Two winners will be selected: one of primary school age and one of secondary school age.
We will be posting photos of entries regularly across on our social media channels during the competition – so, the more the merrier.
The Ogden Crown:
Traditional luxury jeweller, Ogden of Harrogate, was founded in 1893 by James Ogden.
The company established its royal connections nearly a century ago, after Prince George, son of George V and Queen Mary, became a frequent customer of the St James’s store in London.
In celebration of George VI’s Coronation in 1937, Ogden of Harrogate’s team hand-crafted two replicas of the Imperial State Crown.
One of Ogden of Harrogate’s replica crowns.
The jewels on the crown mirror those in the Royal crown, including the Cullinan 2 diamond – a cut from the largest diamond ever discovered.
The Ogden crowns boast exact replicas of the diamonds, ruby’s, pearls, emeralds, and sapphires found in the Imperial State Crown.
Robert Ogden, director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:
“It is a treat to have the crown out.
“It is only on display during Royal occasions”.
How to Enter:
To enter: please submit a photo of your crown drawing, painting or creation to our website here.
The competition will run from March 27 until April 21.
The crowns will be on display in the Harrogate store from 28 April until 13 May.
Will you be crowned a winner…?
Hundreds sign petition for 20mph limit across south HarrogateA petition calling for a blanket 20mph zone across an area on the south side of Harrogate has received more than 600 signatures in support.
The proposal would see all streets between York Place and the southern edge of Harrogate limited to 20mph.
The petition has been set up by parents Hazel Peacock and Vicki Evans, who founded the Oatlands Road Safety and Active Travel Campaign. They say it is vital to ensure children can travel to and from school in safety.
They wrote:
“We want safer streets for the children, young people and wider community when travelling to school and other locations in the area, from their home to their destination.
“Road safety has been of particular concern from school leaders, parents and carers of school children and local residents in Oatlands and the wider Harrogate area for many years.
“A maximum speed of 20mph is now urgently needed to reduce road collisions, improve safety, reduce air pollution and create a better environment for walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to schools, shops, workplaces and local amenities.”
Dr Evans and Ms Peacock will present their proposal to a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee on Thursday.
Their proposed 20mph zone covers as far east as Wetherby Road and extends west to West End Avenue and Green Lane.
There, it links with another existing petition for a 20mph zone and additional safety measures, including crossing points, proposed by campaigners Jenny Marks and Ruth Lily.
Dr Marks presented those plans to the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee in November.
Read more:
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- Accident reignites calls for safe routes to Harrogate schools
Since then, pressure on NYCC’s highways department to improve road safety has grown, particularly following a serious collision on Yew Tree Lane that left two 15-year-old boys from Rossett School with leg injuries.
In the wake of the incident at the beginning of February, headteachers from almost every primary and secondary school in the area met at Harrogate Grammar School to urge representatives of NYCC to take action.
After the meeting, Rossett School’s acting headteacher, Pete Saunders, told the Stray Ferret:
“Speaking to the family of one of the boys [who was injured], they said that was one of five incidents that has affected just their family since their children were small.
“It’s a very pervasive issue. We will do whatever we can to support changes being made.”
Next week, the group is due to meet again – this time at St Aidan’s school – and will be joined by a caseworker for Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as NYCC’s transport lead, Cllr Keane Duncan, and local councillors whose divisions are affected by the concerns over safety.
The meeting of more than 30 people will follow a walk around the Pannal Ash area led by the parents, for councillors and school representatives to discuss the issues.