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

This story is sponsored by Harrogate Grammar School.

Open days are crucial in helping students to determine their futures, according to the Director of a top Harrogate school’s Sixth Form.

Ben Twitchin, from Harrogate Grammar School, said the events allow prospective students the chance to make informed decisions.

He has offered his tips on what to ask and look out for at the open days.

He said:

“This is the first-time students have a really free choice in what they study, and this decision will help to determine their future.

“In order to do this in the most informed manner, it is really important they engage in open events. This is the best way for students to develop an understanding of the culture of a sixth form, and to find out crucial information about courses and facilities on offer. This helps to support them in making the right decision about their next steps.”

Whether you are a parent, carer or a student applying to Sixth Form there are several ways you can make the most of open events.

Mr Twitchin’s top tips on how to do this are:

1. Do your research

Before attending open events, do your research and make a list of any questions you have, as well as a list of priorities that you are looking for in a Sixth Form. This will be useful if you talk with staff about your course and being prepared will help to ensure you make the most of the open event.

It is important that you are confident in your school choice. We are delighted to have been awarded an ‘outstanding’ judgement across all aspects of the school from Ofsted in March 2022, which reflects our consistently excellent academic provision over a number of years.

2. Don’t be afraid to move

This year The Sixth Form at Harrogate Grammar School welcomed over 120 students who had previously attended different schools.

It is really common that students join us in the Sixth Form, they add to the vibrancy and diversity of the school. The Sixth Form provides a fresh start for all of our students, and students quickly feel settled within our community.

Transport doesn’t have to be a barrier either. The Sixth Form at Harrogate Grammar School is well serviced by public bus services and also offers bespoke bus services to help students travel to and from the school from the surrounding area.

3. Check the results

When considering your post-16 options look for consistently excellent results rather than just one year. Harrogate Grammar School has achieved record breaking exam success with an average of 60 peer of A Level grades being A*- B over nine consecutive years.

4. Look at the subjects on offer

As noted, Sixth Form is the first-time students have a true choice in what they are studying so it is important to look at the range on offer.

My three pieces of advice for future students are :

• Select a subject that you genuinely really enjoy.
• Select a subject that you are also good at because then you can make significant progress and develop at the higher level of study expected at A Level.”
• Make sure you select a subject that allows you to progress after Sixth Form to the next stage in your life.

5. Look beyond the subjects

It is also important to consider what other opportunities a Sixth Form offers to help students develop and prepare for the next stage of their lives.

Are there active, student-led societies, leadership opportunities and a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer?

No matter where your passion lies, whether it be in sport, art, drama, music or the academic side of school life, there is always something extra to take part in at Harrogate Grammar School.

6. Think about progression

What happens after Sixth Form is crucial, so check that there is a clear route to university, further education or apprenticeships. Find out if successful alumni visit to inspire current students and whether there is an active work-experience programme.

A key thing to also look out for is whether the Sixth Form has a Quality in Careers Standard Award, which recognises excellence in careers education, information and guidance. The Sixth Form at Harrogate Grammar School has this careers award and encourages excellence for all its students across 38 subjects, taught in first-class facilities.

7. Look for strong pastoral and academic support

The step from GCSEs to A-Levels can sometimes be challenging. It is important to find out how students are supported in developing the strong independent study skills that are crucial to success in the Sixth Form.

A strong pastoral team and a clear commitment to student wellbeing are also essential elements to look out for when selecting your destination of study, especially for students who have had a disrupted school experience over the last two years.

Head student Harriet Winspear said:

“At Harrogate Grammar School, the staff really help to create a nurturing environment not only academically, but they also have a real care for the pastoral wellbeing of students and provide great guidance.”

Harrogate Grammar School holds the Carnegie School Mental Health Award, and the Sixth Form has an experienced and specialised team of staff in place to support students throughout their Sixth Form journey.

Harrogate Grammar School’s Sixth Form Open Evening is taking place on Thursday, November 17.

It will give potential students, parents and carers the opportunity to visit this ‘outstanding’ school, hear about the wide range of courses on offer from subject specialists, get an insight into the thriving culture, meet the students and experience the first-class facilities.

There will be two identical talks which will take place at 6.30pm and 7.20pm throughout both evenings from the Headteacher Neil Renton and Director of Sixth Form Ben Twitchin. The evenings are due to finish at 8.30pm.

To find out more information about the Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday, November 17 call 01423 535235 or email hgs.sixthform@hgs.rklt.co.uk

Schools across the Harrogate district are preparing to begin a major covid testing programme as they plan to reopen their doors to all pupils next week.

At Ripon Grammar School, testing begins next Monday, with small groups of students brought in to carry out their tests before going home again.

They will continue with home learning for the first two days until everyone has had one test, before returning to classrooms on Wednesday.

Each pupil will receive a second test in school that week, followed by a third the following week. They will then carry out their own tests at home twice a week.

Deputy headteacher Helen Keelan-Edwards said:

“The staff tests will be delivered before they come back and they’ll be able to do those at home. Students are doing them in school to begin with so they know how to do it properly at home.”

In-school testing has been recommended by the government for all secondary age pupils, followed by home testing. It has also advised students and staff to wear masks in all areas of buildings where social distancing is not possible.

Primary school pupils will not be tested routinely, but staff will be given two tests to take at home each week. Routine testing is being introduced after significant outbreaks of coronavirus in schools when they were open before Christmas.

Read more:

• Primary school’s new speed signs slow traffic on Cold Bath Road
• School with only six pupils set to close in August

To get through enough tests to enable students to return, Ripon Grammar School will have 30 volunteers on site each day to help deliver the programme. While they do not have to be medically trained, they will work throughout the school day and are asked to commit to as many days as possible.

Mrs Keelan-Edwards said the number of volunteers had been higher than expected, adding:

“We have been overwhelmed by parental support. It has been absolutely amazing. – we can’t believe it.

“We’re really lucky with the parents we have and the support they give the school.”

Other secondary schools in the Harrogate district told the Stray Ferret they are still preparing the final details of their testing programmes, which will be announced this week.

Two students from Harrogate have left their hall of residence in Sheffield and returned home to protect their mental health from the impact of isolation. 

Alex Hamshaw and his girlfriend, both 18, are first year students at Sheffield Hallam University.

Alex’s girlfriend had to isolate for two weeks at the start of term when a flatmate not following covid guidelines came into contact with someone that had tested positive.

Both have struggled with the impact that following covid guidelines has had on their ability to make new friends, and decided to leave after three weeks, before Sheffield moved into tier three restrictions. 

Speaking about why they left Sheffield, Alex said:

“We decided to come home after my girlfriend finished isolating, as if that had happened again for her or for me, it would have really negatively impacted our mental wellbeing. Coming home means that we were in a different tier to Sheffield, we could go out and see friends and see each other, and that was better for our general wellbeing than being in Sheffield.” 

They’re not planning to move back to university until case numbers decrease, with the expectation that this won’t happen until after Christmas. 

Despite moving home, they are still paying rent for their Sheffield accommodation and Alex estimates that he will have lost about £1500 by the time that he returns. 

Read More:

• North Yorkshire could be placed in tier two this week
• Police drugs bust near Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

While at home, the pair have decided to set up their own online business, Personal Paws Co, selling customisable dog collars and leads out of Paracord, a lightweight nylon rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes. 

Alex’s dog Molly, modelling a collar.

With hopes to sell 500 collars or leads by Christmas, the teenagers are also hoping to do some good with their profits. Up until the 25th December, Personal Paws Co will donate 5% of its revenue to the Harrogate District foodbank.

Alex said:

“As we approach winter and it gets colder, it is even more challenging for children at this time of year, and so we have decided to donate 5% of all sales to Harrogate foodbank so that more children can enjoy a free meal as days get shorter and nights get longer. In our opinion, it’s the little things that help.

“We choose to start the business because we both have an interest in dogs and we wanted to create a product which was durable, comfortable and customisable in size and length which all dogs and dog owners could use. The profits not given to the food bank are going to be saved as a way to financially support us after graduating from uni.”

Do you have a similar story to tell us or are worried for your son and daughter isolated at University? Get in touch on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk