This article is sponsored by Cundall Manor School.
It is ranked in the top nine per cent of independent schools in the UK and is situated in an idyllic part of rural North Yorkshire.
Now, prospective families are being invited to explore Cundall Manor School as it opens its doors for two special events in February and March.
The open days will take place at the “friendly, supportive and caring” school, which offers provision for boys and girls from the age of two to 16.
The first will be held on the morning of Saturday, February 5, followed by another on Saturday, March 26.
Amanda Kirby, who has been the headteacher at the school for almost 10 years, said:
“We hold open days to invite prospective parents to the school with the opportunity to see the school facilities and to get a feel of the Cundall experience. It allows them to meet the pupils ask them questions but also talk to the teachers as well.”
Mrs Kirby said the events provided an opportunity for the school to get a feel for who the prospective families are and in return parents and children are able to inspect the facilities and chat with pupils and staff.
She said:
“Parents can get an insight into our school culture, the curriculum and the type of pupils we produce. It also allows parents to meet our fantastic senior leadership team and they can establish a relationship.”
In terms of what the school has to offer, including state-of-the-art facilities, Mrs Kirby said Cundall Manor is “proof that the world of Enid Blyton can be at one with the 21st century”.
She added:
“Seeing is believing. Rather than driving success we promote success on an individual basis. We are not afraid to push pupils out of their comfort zone, cultivating a ‘yes’ mentality which prepares children to embrace the world and to think and act independently and without inhibitions.
“We possess excellent grass pitches for rugby, football and cricket. We have a 4G astro turf that is used for hockey, netball, football and tennis. We also possess a 20-metre, four-lane swimming pool.
Located in a magnificent 28-acre site in the Vale of York, between Ripon and Thirsk, Cundall Manor School mainly attracts pupils from a 20-mile radius, including the Harrogate district.
Mrs Kirby said:
“We attract pupils from a Harrogate as we have an extensive bus routes and one of the routes goes through the town centre.”
The open days will see parents greeted by some of the school’s prefects, before being accompanied to a welcome tent.
They will then be taken on a tour of the whole school by a prefect and will be invited to ask questions about the school and life from a pupil perspective.
Mrs Kirby said:
“During their tour of school, they will visit our Wild Wood, this will showcase some of the extracurricular activities we offer such as axe throwing, fire building and much more.
“They will then go onto our school field, which is a magnificent 26-acre field containing rugby, football and cricket pitches.
“We also have a new 4G astro turf, which allows us to mainly play hockey, but we also use it for netball and tennis.”
At the end of the tour, parents will be taken back to the tent where they will have the opportunity to speak with Mrs Kirby and her deputies. They will also have the opportunity to talk to the school’s new headteacher, Christopher James-Roll, who starts at the school in September.
Mrs Kirby added:
“Open days give prospective parents the opportunity to see Cundall in ‘full-flow’. We are not just the sum of our stunning surroundings, enriching curriculum, and extra-curricular opportunities. Parents say they can tangibly feel the friendly and purposeful atmosphere when they meet our pupils and staff. It is always wonderful to see everyone engaged in learning activities.
“Pupils lead our tours, giving prospective families a real insight into what it is like to be a pupil at Cundall Manor School. Some of these pupils have been here since they were in nursery and have many wonderful anecdotes of their time at school.
“Chatting over refreshments after the tours allows prospective families to meet with our head, head of admissions and deputies, affording parents a relaxed environment to ask any questions as they arise.
“Families leave feeling they’ve had a snap-shot into life at Cundall Manor School, ready to make informed decisions about the next steps to joining our family community.”
To register for one of the school’s open days click here to fill out a contact form or call 01423 360200.
Dog rescue charity launches £250,000 appeal for new homeA dog rescue charity has launched a £250,000 fundraising appeal to buy a dedicated home.
Saving Yorkshire’s Dogs, which is based near Masham, wants to buy the former Jerry Green Dog Rescue centre near Thirsk.
The charity already has £170,000 in pledges but needs another £250,000 to make the dream come true.
Over the last six years the charity has rescued about 200 dogs, many of which would otherwise have been put to sleep.
The Jerry Green site closed in the summer and will be sold by informal tender in mid-November.
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SYD, which currently rents premises, believes this is the right time to buy dedicated kennels and “secure its future”.
Julie Hart, who is organising the fundraiser, told the Stray Ferret:
“This would make a big difference. We would have much more space so we would have room to grow. This would be the dream place to move into, it is fully furnished in a great location.
“It has been incredible to watch all of the donations coming through already. People have been very generous. We have had pledges from some people of £10,000.”
So far the gofundme page has reached £2,600 in donations out of the £250,000 target. Click or tap here to donate.
The asking price for the former Jerry Green site starts at £300,000. SYD hopes the fundraiser will help with bidding and set-up costs.
Gracie finds a new home
The English Bulldog Gracie, star of the first Stray Pets Club and SYD rescue, has been given a new home.
Gracie was used for breeding to make money and was abandoned after reaching the maximum age for reproducing.
She has given birth to around 30 puppies in her lifetime and has been left with the scars to show it.