A Harrogate-based teacher training organisation has celebrated training more than 1,000 qualified teachers.
Red Kite Teacher Training reached the milestone after the graduation of its ninth cohort.
The association was founded in 2015 and is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust, which works with schools across North and West Yorkshire, including Harrogate Grammar School.
This year, 150 successful trainees were recommended for Qualified Teacher Status, bringing the total number of qualified teachers trained by the association to 1,049.
Director of Red Kite Teacher Training Victoria Lickley said:
“We are immensely proud to have supported so many newly qualified teachers.
“Our school-centred approach equips trainees with the skills and confidence to become innovative and passionate teachers who go on to enjoy brilliant careers.
“this year’s trainees will be future mentors and facilitators across our courses.”
Ellie Rowe, the 1000th trainee to qualify from Red Kite Teacher Training, was proud of her achievement and added:
“Teaching is the profession that teaches every other profession.”
The trainee teachers from this year’s cohort came together to celebrate their graduation at an event hosted by Harrogate Grammar School.
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Rail workers and teachers to strike in Harrogate district today
Rail workers and teachers will be on strike in the Harrogate district today as part of the latest wave of industrial action.
More than 400,000 workers in various sectors took part in strikes yesterday in the biggest day of industrial action since unrest began last year.
They included the first of two planned teachers’ strikes by members of the National Education Union. Picket lines are expected to form outside schools in the district again today.
Today also sees RMT members at 14 train operators, including Northern, stage the first of four planned 24-hour strikes. The next one is due on Saturday.
Northern, whose services include those passing through Harrogate and Knaresborough, will run an amended strike timetable on the affected days, with a 12-hour operation on selected routes from 7am to 7pm.
Northern’s guide to services in the days ahead.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, urged customers to check before they travel.
Ms Williams said:
“We’re expecting the skeleton services we can run to be very busy – so customers should plan ahead and check before they travel.
“Given the reduced timetable only runs until 7pm, I’m very keen to stress that people should check their ‘last train home’ on those dates – so that customers don’t find themselves stranded at the wrong end of the line as a result of this action by the RMT.”
Junior doctors staged a picket line on Wetherby Road near Harrogate District Hospital on Monday as part of a 72-hour strike that finished yesterday.
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Harrogate district teachers set to strike for third time
Teachers at schools across the Harrogate district are staging another walkout tomorrow.
Members of the National Education Union are striking tomorrow and Thursday in a dispute over pay.
The union argues a 5% pay rise in 2022 was insufficient to combat the impact of inflation at 10%, leaving many teachers effectively facing a pay cut.
The move will affect education across the district, with some pupils taking lessons remotely.
How Harrogate district schools are affected
Tomorrow, Harrogate Grammar School pupils in years 9, 11 and 13 will be asked to attend school as normal.
However, those in years 7, 8, 10 and 12 will take lessons remotely.
On March 16, years 10, 11 and 13 will be asked to attend school while years 7, 8, 9 and 12 will work from home.
Meanwhile, St Aidan’s Church of England High School has told parents it will “endeavour to provide their usual suite of lessons” for those who are required to attend school.
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Years 8, 9, 11 and 12 have been told they should take lessons at home, while years 7, 10 and 13 should attend as normal on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the school has informed years 7, 9, 10 and 13 to work from home while year 8, 11 and 12 should attend lessons.
Elsewhere, Rossett School has informed parents that it intends to keep the same arrangements for both strike days.
The school said:
“As a leadership team, we have decided that Year 8, 11, 12 & 13 will be in school and Year 7, 9, and 10 will be working remotely.”
St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate will remain open to year 11 and 13 only on March 15 and year 10 and 12 on March 16.
Outwood Academy in Ripon will remain open to year 9, 11 and vulnerable students tomorrow.
On March 16, it will be open to year 11 and year 10. Other pupils not due in school will be expected to work from home on both strike days.
Details of how other secondary schools are affected will be posted as we get them.
Open days crucial to choosing the right sixth form, says Harrogate Grammar School
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Teachers need vaccine says Harrogate union repA Harrogate teacher is supporting calls by a union to ensure teachers are vaccinated alongside other frontline workers.
Sharon Calvert, teacher and the national executive member of NASUWT for the Harrogate area, believes teachers need to be vaccinated for their own health and to ensure schools can safely reopen.
The government has said 88% of all covid fatalities are from vulnerable groups making it necessary to prioritise the vaccine for those most at-risk.
When schools reopened in September many introduced a bubble system to reduce contact between students and staff. Some age groups were told to wear face masks in corridors.
Ms Calvert supports her union’s campaign ‘Vaccinate to Educate’. The union launched a petition which has reached almost 460,000 signatures and is set to be debated in parliament tonight.
Ms Calvert said:
“Teachers are frontline workers! We have seen whole year groups sent home and many in the schools in the Harrogate area struggle to maintain a safe environment. It would be prudent for all educational staff to be tested and prioritised to be vaccinated to ensure that staff will be protected.”
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Many teachers are still heading into school to teach vulnerable or key worker children.
Ms Calvert said specialist schools are also open and, due to the children’s needs, teachers are unlikely to be able to maintain a safe distance or wear face coverings:
“Special schools are still open to all students. Staff at these schools are working with vulnerable young adults who may need personal care, certainly a two meter distance is not achievable so the staff need to be prioritised as caregivers as well as teachers.
“This will also protect those vulnerable students.”