As an opening bowler for Ouseburn Cricket Club, Jonathan Webb has sent down a fair few short pitched deliveries over the years.

But as headteacher of Ripon Grammar School, he must sometimes feel he spends his entire professional life dodging bouncers.

Ripon Grammar is one of 163 UK grammar schools, and Yorkshire’s only state only state boarding school.

Founded in 1555, it is a unique and successful institution but even it is feeling the winds of change.

Covid, mental health, energy bills, pastoral care, academisation, Ofsted — all these issues weigh on leaders’ minds, never mind teaching.

Mr Webb says the last academic year, which ended on Friday, was “less disrupted” by covid than the previous one but the ongoing aftermath is, in some ways, even more damaging. He says:

“Academically our students did relatively well during covid although some did struggle. Where things have been more challenging is the socialising and, dare I say it, the civilising aspect of school.

“By not having that daily interaction with their peers they have got out of that rhythm.”

Many young people were struggling with the corrosive impact of social media and mobile phones even before covid increased their sense of isolation. Mr Webb says:

“A lot of things young people have to deal with, we never had to deal with. Even mobile phones have changed the way students interact with each other and they extend the school day.

“Mental health is a huge issue. But children are much more willing to talk about it. When I was at school the phrase ‘mental health’ wasn’t even coined.”

With students at Ripon Grammar School.

Are schools being asked to fill gaps caused by under-funded services?

“It feels like that. There is a big pressure on schools now. Increasingly we can’t just be establishments of education in the old fashioned sense of the world. We have an increasing and growing responsibility in terms of mental health practical support and safeguarding as well.”

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Improving Ripon

Mr Webb was educated at Batley Grammar School and has a history degree from Cambridge. Friendly and approachable, he was deputy head at Durham School for five years before moving to Ripon in 2017.

When he joined, he talked about there always being room for improvement. What does he think has been achieved?

He cites pastoral support. The school now has a pastoral management team with five heads of year, a pastoral support officer, a student welfare officer and a counsellor comes into school three days a week.

Looking ahead, he says pastoral care will remain a priority but there’s plenty else to ponder over summer, such as updating the school’s “pretty antiquated” heating system at a time of soaring energy bills and preparing for a visit from Ofsted.

Ripon Grammar hasn’t had an Ofsted inspection since 2012 when it was rated ‘outstanding’ although its boarding school was assessed to be ‘good’ this year.

Mr Webb says:

“We’ve been ready or aware since January that an inspection is imminent.”

Becoming an academy

There’s also the looming prospect of being forced to join an academy, as part of government’s plans for all schools to go down this route by 2030.

For a school that has excelled in splendid isolation for 450 years, this isn’t an entirely welcome prospect. Heavily oversubscribed at 11+, in 2021, 72 per cent of pupils achieved 9-7 at GCSE and 60 per cent achieved A*/A at A level. At least 85 per cent of students stay on for the sixth form and the over 60 per cent go to Russell Group universities.

There doesn’t seem to be a great reason to change but Mr Webb acknowledges  “academies are the direction of travel”, adding:

“We are a proud school, independent-minded. Inevitably joining a trust involves joining with other schools. However we have to accept it’s going to happen and embrace the benefits.”

Boarding fees

Ripon Grammar, which moved to its present 23-acre site in 1874, is free for day pupils. Boarding costs about £11,000 to £12,000 a year, which is about a third the price of independent alternatives.

Former pupils include fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, former Conservative Party leader William Hague MP, Guardian editor Katharine Viner, TV presenter Richard Hammond and Olympic gold medallist diver Jack Laugher.

Mr Webb says there is a renewed focus on high quality teaching and learning. He’s particularly keen on oracy or, as he puts it, “developing the way students speak in an erudite and informed manner”, adding:

“It’s a life skill that never leaves somebody.”

The school is also embedding new subjects such as GCSE PE and A-level politics into the curriculum.

Mr Webb, who lives with his wife Helen and two sons near Ripon, has now spent as long at Ripon as he did at Durham but intends to continue. He says:

“I love this school and I love the job. I live very locally and both of my boys are here. They are doing well and enjoying it so I don’t see any need to move on at this stage.”

A Ripon primary school has received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted five years after it was branded failing.

Outwood Primary Academy Greystone joined the Outwood Grange Academies Trust after it was rated ‘inadequate’ in 2017.

Now, in its first inspection since joining the trust, the school has been praised for the way it has turned around its standards.

Inspectors said:

“School and trust leaders have a clear vision and ambition for the school. Their relentless focus on ‘raising standards and transforming lives’ has secured rapid improvement.

“This transformation is a result of their swift action and hard work to improve the quality of education for all.”

The school’s early years provision was rated ‘outstanding’, with inspectors highlighting the “well-resourced” indoor and outdoor classrooms and “ambitious” curriculum designed to offer the best start to their education.

Inspectors also praised the way to school created “confident and fluent” readers through an effective phonics programme, as well as supporting those pupils who needed more help.

Read more:

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The report said teachers were thorough in delivering the curriculum and checking children’s knowledge. However, it said some subject leaders were newer to their roles and there were still some gaps in pupils’ knowledge which had not been recognised.

Inspectors also said the assessment process in some subjects could be more rigorous to ensure teachers were getting an accurate picture of pupils’ knowledge compared to what they expected.

The school was also advised to ensure any concerns raised by pupils were acted upon and systems for dealing with them were followed, to give children the confidence to report their worries.

The inspectors added:

“Leaders have systems in place to ensure that all pupils regularly attend school. Their mission is that every pupil develops as a well-rounded and responsible citizen.

“All pupils work towards the ‘Outwood Primary Diploma’. Pupils complete activities such as how to be a good British and international citizen. These activities are helping to prepare pupils for their adult lives ahead.

“Staff feel that leaders genuinely care about their well-being and workload. They feel supported. Staff appreciate the training and coaching they receive from school and trust leaders.”

Outwood Primary Academy Greystone principal Emma Abbott said:

“We are delighted that the hard work of the school community has been recognised by Ofsted and we are now officially a ‘good’ school with an ‘outstanding’ early years foundation stage.

“Since joining the Outwood family, the academy has gone from strength to strength, raising standards and transforming lives. We are proud that the report acknowledges that ‘Pupils love to learn at Greystone’ and that they are ‘happy and feel safe’.”

Ofsted has praised Boroughbridge Primary School for the way it engages pupils with their learning as it awarded it a ‘good’ rating.

A two-day inspection in May found children were well-behaved and polite, showing “positive and attentive” attitudes.

In their report, the inspector said:

“Boroughbridge Primary School is a friendly and welcoming place. Pupils feel safe, happy and enjoy their learning.

“Relationships are a strength of the school. As one pupil put it, ‘We have kind teachers, kind children and lovely school cooks!’

“Pupils work hard to meet their teachers’ high expectations and do well.”

The inspector found teachers consistently checked pupils’ knowledge and what they could remember in lessons. However, she said more could be done to carry out assessments over time to look for and address gaps in knowledge.

She also found that teachers were not always clear on what pupils should know in each subject area, but said school leaders were already working towards addressing this.

Read more:

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The report said the school had had a change of leadership recently, with an interim headteacher and deputy head appointed. The inspector added:

“Leaders have brought about many positive changes to the school in a short space of time. They are developing a broad and ambitious curriculum.

“Staff are well supported by school leaders and governors. Staff value this. They know that they can ask for help, particularly with workload. Staff appreciate the care and consideration given to their well-being.

“There is a positive culture of teamwork between leaders, staff and governors.”

Boroughbridge Primary School has 175 pupils aged between three and 11. Its previous inspections in 2017 and 2013 both also gave a ‘good’ rating.

St Aidan’s Church of England High School has appointed an interim headteacher who will start in September.

David Thornton, an experienced head who has led five schools, will join the school on a temporary basis until a permanent appointment is made. He will be the school’s third headteacher in the last 12 months.

Mr Thornton will replace Chris Ives, who has been acting head since Chris Burt left in December 2021 due to health reasons.

Mr Ives has been offered a post as head of an international school in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Mr Thornton will spend some time at St Aidan’s before the summer holidays start. A school spokesperson said he does not want to be considered for the role permanently and it will be recruiting for another headteacher.

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Yesterday, St Aidan’s announced it had received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted after being rated ‘inadequate’ in January.

The previous report was critical of the school’s leadership and management but the latest report said leaders “have acted swiftly to address the concerns raised at the previous inspection”.

St Aidan’s has shared with the Stray Ferret a letter its governors sent to parents about the change in leadership. It says:

“Mr Thornton is a very experienced head and teacher of history who has led five schools in his career. From establishing a new school in County Durham to supporting the development of new school leaders while in interim roles, his expertise and experience shone throughout the process. We have every confidence that he will be an excellent addition to our school community.   

“Alongside his impressive track record, most recently at a school in the south east, Mr Thornton also demonstrated the values that are so important to St Aidan’s. One line from his application really stood out to us, and he evidenced throughout our discussions that he wants to be, ‘Of service to young people and their community and deliver an outstanding inspirational educational experience for all.’

“We remain enormously grateful to Mr Ives for all that he continues to do as acting headteacher. During this extraordinary year he has led the school in a calm and purposeful manner which has undoubtedly been of significant benefit to staff and students alike. While we know Mr Ives will be hugely missed by us all, we are also excited to be welcoming Mr Thornton to St Aidan’s.”

St. Aidan’s Church of England High School has received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted, six months after being rated ‘inadequate’.

The inadequate rating came as a shock to many staff and parents, as the school had previously been graded ‘outstanding’.

When a school is rated inadequate it has to wait up to three years before another full inspection and is subject to regular monitoring visits to check on progress.

But after the first monitoring visit at St Aidan’s in May, inspectors felt the rating “was not a fair reflection of the school” and returned two days later for a full three-day inspection.

In the previous report, published in January, the school was rated ‘good’ in all areas except leadership and management, which was rated ‘inadequate’ and meant it automatically achieved the same overall outcome.

It was highly critical of the school’s safeguarding policies and said pupils were “at risk of harm”. However, the new report said the school has “robust systems in place” for safeguarding.

It praised leaders for “swiftly” addressing the concerns raised in the prior report.

The report added:

“Staff know the signs that suggest a pupil may be at risk of harm. Adults promptly report any concerns they have. Leaders take swift action to ensure that pupils are safe.

“Where necessary, leaders refer concerns to appropriate external agencies.”

Nurturing environment

The secondary school has over 2,500 pupils, which includes those in a shared sixth form with St John Fisher Catholic High School.

The report said the sixth form provision was ‘outstanding’ and pupils “demonstrate a real love of learning”.

The new Ofsted report also gave an ‘outstanding’ rating to behaviour and attitudes at St Aidan’s, calling it a “happy school with a positive and nurturing environment where pupils flourish.”

It added:

“Pupils enjoy their lessons and value teachers’ knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject. Leaders have established clear routines that result in calm lessons. This enables pupils to focus on their work. They are keen to succeed.”

Quality of education and personal development were rated ‘good’.

The report said:

The school’s response

Chris Ives, the school’s acting headteacher, said:

“This is an outcome that we think is a much fairer reflection of our school. In saying that, it is important to stress that changes have been made since the initial inspection outcome. We have collectively worked tirelessly to ensure that our approaches mirror what is required under the Ofsted framework.

“We have always believed in what we do and how we do it, and the process we have been through ensures that is fully in line with every expectation that is placed on us.”

Jo Wicks, chair of governors, said:

“After a period where we hadn’t been inspected in 15 years, to have three inspections in the matter of months has been challenging.

“There have, however, been real positives through this journey. The support we have had from our immediate community has been heartening, and the impact it has had on our school is immeasurable. Our staff have been unbelievably focused and determined to do their very best to ensure our school got the grading it deserved. The Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust has given their unwavering and constructive support.

“Most importantly, our students have not let this distract them from achieving their own goals and thriving as individuals. They continue to impress with their generosity of spirit and sharpness of their aspiration.

“We are truly delighted that we can end the year so positively and hope that we can build on the recent success when Ofsted next visit us to secure an outstanding judgement overall.”

Schools inspector Ofsted has praised North Rigton Church of England Primary School following a recent visit, giving it a ‘good’ rating.

The school has been a part of life in North Rigton, as well as nearby villages such as Huby and Weeton, since 1851 and was rated ‘good’ in 2015.

It became an academy in 2016 and is part of a fellowship with All Saints CE Primary School in Kirkby Overblow. The school is part of Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust.

Inspectors said pupils “are polite, well-mannered and respectful” and were supported by teachers “who are clear about what they want pupils to know”.

‘Proud of the school’

Inspectors said the 100 pupils at North Rigton are “very proud” of attending the school, enjoy playing with friends and have “great confidence and trust” in staff.

One pupil told an inspector that staff are “exceptionally understanding, support them and always want the best for pupils.”

The report added:

“Pupils are kind and respect each other. They understand that people should be treated equally. When learning is challenging, they persevere and enjoy helping each other to succeed. Pupils strive to achieve rewards such as yellow and white ribbons for good work and contributing to school life.”

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Skillful teaching

The report said reading is “at the heart” of the curriculum at the school with staff also teaching phonics well. It said overall, books are well matched to pupils’ ability.

It adds that teachers are clear about what they want pupils to know and they check and assess their levels “skillfully”.

It said there is a “strong culture” of safeguarding with vigilant staff who know how to keep children safe.

On things to improve, it said the school has gone through “flux” in leadership and staffing this year which has left some leaders having their workload increased. It said leaders should take steps to ease the burden on staff.

‘Very pleased with the outcome’

Headteacher Amber Andrews said:

“Everybody at North Rigton CE Primary School is very pleased with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection and the judgement that our small village school continues to be ‘good’. We would like to thank all our pupils for demonstrating to the inspectors what a warm and welcoming place our school is and our parents and carers for their continuing support.

“We also thank all our staff for their hard work, our Governors for their dedication and Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust for their commitment to keeping small village schools at the very heart of their community.”

Ofsted has ranked an “exceptionally well-resourced and vibrant” nursery in Knaresborough as ‘good’ in its latest inspection.

Nippers Nursery on Wetherby Road was praised for its outdoor spaces which inspectors found supported a range of educational opportunities.

Visiting at the end of May, they reported children showing “intense concentration” as they learned about nature, giving “exceptional care and concentration” when looking at insects.

The report said:

“Children of all ages show the highest levels of confidence and self-esteem as they immediately settle.

“The eagerness of children wanting their day to begin demonstrates how extremely safe and secure they feel in the nursery.”

Inspectors praised the way staff set out activities to develop children’s skills, from small muscle development and early mark-making to learning new language.

They also highlighted how the nursery encourages children to be independent, such as serving their own food and drinks at mealtimes.

Owner Julie Addyman told the Stray Ferret:

“There has been two new inspection frameworks since we were last inspected six years ago, so we felt that overall the inspection went very well.

“The staff team work so hard and it was good to hear that the inspector could see how fantastic our setting is.”

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The report suggested the nursery could improve by supporting children more with learning numbers and counting through play, and by asking questions which help to develop understanding.

Inspectors added:

“Staff are immensely proud to belong to this vibrant nursery. They are passionate about their work.

“Helping children to flourish and achieve is at the heart of everything the management team and staff do.”

Nippers offers 50 places for children aged up to four and has 18 staff, of whom 15 held early years qualifications at level three or above when inspectors visited.

The last Ofsted inspection, in 2016, rated the nursery ‘outstanding’.

Ms Addyman added:

“I’m sure like many settings, we would welcome a more regular inspection that would be used as it is meant to be – for guidance and support rather than a snap shot judgement of part of a day.

“There was a bit of disappointment that we didn’t receive outstanding but it’s always good to reflect and have a goal to work towards.

“The real judges of our overall  performance are the parents and carers that choose Nippers to be part of their family.”

Schools inspector Ofsted has praised Outwood Academy Ripon following a recent two-day visit.

Inspectors said pupils “know that learning is important and apply themselves diligently to their work” and were “supported by caring staff who know them well”.

Staff, they said, had “high expectations for pupils’ behaviour” and ensured a “calm environment as pupils move between lessons”.

Leaders, they added, operated an “ambitious curriculum”.

However, the 717-pupil school’s ‘outstanding’ rating, achieved at its last full inspection in 2016, is under threat.

Schools judged outstanding do not receive graded verdicts on their next inspection but if evidence of a change of grade is detected, as in this instance, a full inspection will usually follow within one or two years.

Ofsted said it planned to return because “the evidence gathered suggests that the inspection grade might not be as high if a full inspection were carried out now”.

Effective safeguarding

The report highlighted the range of extra-curricular clubs available, which include photography, music and Lego.

Safeguarding arrangement were described as “effective”. It said:

“Staff report their concerns swiftly and leaders take prompt action to ensure that pupils are kept safe.

“Leaders make timely referrals and draw on the expertise of wider safeguarding partners.

“Pupils are taught to understand the risks they may encounter and what they should do if they have any concerns.”

The report added the “great majority of pupils respect the school rules” but “a few
pupils do not consistently meet the high expectations set by leaders. Some parents are concerned by this”.

It praised teachers’ “strong subject knowledge” and passion for their their subjects.

Leaders, the report added, were “ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)”.

Read more:

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But it said the support some pupils with SEND received was “variable” and some parents of pupils with SEND “are concerned about how well their child is doing”.

Bullying concerns

The report, based on a two-day assessment in May, also highlighted concerns about behaviour and bullying. It said:

“Some pupils hear derogatory language used by other pupils at school. Some pupils lack confidence that staff would take appropriate action if they raised a concern.

“Some staff and parents voiced similar concerns regarding the behaviour of a minority of pupils.

“Leaders recognise that there is work to do to ensure that all pupils demonstrate consistently high standards of behaviour, especially after the prolonged period of disruption to staffing caused by covid.

“Leaders have worked hard to support those who do not behave well. Although leaders have ensured that suspensions are now reducing, the number of internal exclusions remains too high.”

Will Pratt, principal of the school, said:

“I would like to thank our students for their commitment and engagement to our school not only during the inspection, but also over the challenging few years of disruption that they have faced.

“We would also like to thank parents and carers for your continued support. We would like to thank our staff who give such exceptional service to our school and thank our governing body for their challenge and support.

“We look forward to working together with you all in our pursuit of delivering an exceptionally high quality of education for our children.”

A pupil referral unit in Harrogate which helps students get back into education has won praise from Ofsted inspectors.

Springwell Harrogate – previously known as The Grove Academy – received a ‘good’ rating in its latest report from the schools watchdog.

Inspectors referred to the “strides” taken by students after starting at Springwell, often following a period out of education. They said:

“While at the school, pupils develop their self-esteem, confidence and sense of purpose. Their time at the school has a tremendously positive effect on them.

“For example, many become more engaged in their education. Pupils told inspectors that the school had ‘turned them around’. One parent, echoing the views of others, described the school as a ‘lifeline’ for their youngster.”

The report said the unit, which takes students aged 11 to 16, helped to develop an interest in reading, in other cultures and in their own future careers.

However, it added that the curriculum is most effective for those who are at the school for short periods and less strong for those who are there for more than a year. Inspectors recommended doing more to deepen the curriculum for those staying longer.

They also suggested building on teaching of vocabulary to enable pupils to improve their use and understanding of language.

Read more:

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Inspectors highlighted the “dramatic” improvement in some pupils’ attendance after staff worked “tirelessly” to encourage them.

They added:

“Since the previous inspection, there have been significant changes at the school, including to the staffing structure. Several new methods for working with pupils have been introduced.

“New leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils and are determined that they succeed in their next steps. Most pupils move back to their original school or to appropriate settings, including college.

“Pupils join having missed large amounts of their schooling and lacking in motivation. The curriculum reignites pupils’ interest in learning.

“It enables pupils to fill some of the gaps they have in reading, writing, mathematics and science.

“The ‘experiential learning programme’ develops pupils’ physical fitness as well as broadening their knowledge of the world around them.”

‘Positive difference’

According to Ofsted, all of Springwell’s 29 pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities and five have education, health and care plans. It takes students from across the Harrogate area.

The school has welcomed the new report, which comes after a difficult two years. Executive principal Scott Jacques said:

“Everybody at Springwell Harrogate is pleased with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection and that the school has been recognised as good in all areas.

“The school was under threat of closure when it joined the Wellspring Academy Trust in April 2020, and the report notes the considerable change that the academy has been through since then, which has secured its future.

“We are particularly pleased with the fact that inspectors acknowledge the positive difference Springwell Harrogate makes to the lives and educational journey of the young people with whom we work.

“We would like to thank the pupils for their engagement and positive attitudes and also their parents and carers for their continued support in working with us. We also thank all staff involved for their daily dedication and hard work, and the governing body for backing the vision of the academy.”

A day nursery in Lingerfield near Knaresborough has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in its latest inspection.

Nidderdale Children’s Day Nursery, run by Kids at Heart, was praised for the way it helped children to develop new skills, from beginning to write their names to learning early mathematics.

Inspectors also highlighted the way children were taught about healthy lifestyles, including eating nutritious meals and staying safe in the sun. The report said:

“Children behave very well throughout the nursery. Staff are skilful at helping children to learn what is expected of them.

“They help children understand the difference between right and wrong, and consistently explain the consequences of any negative behaviour. They also encourage children to talk about their feelings. This helps children feel valued and respected.”

Read more:

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The report said the nursery could further improve by engaging more with parents about ways to support their children’s learning at home.

It also recommended encouraging younger children to do more for themselves at mealtimes, to develop their skills and independence.

“Parents speak very highly of the management and staff. They make written comments, such as ‘staff are incredible’.

“Parents share a consensus that communication from the staff throughout the [covid-19] pandemic has been faultless. They say they are delighted to be able to return inside and see their children’s play areas again.”

The report has been welcomed by the nursery. Proprietor Julie Shaw said:

“We are delighted that we received a ‘good’ grading throughout all areas.

“The inspector commented on the good practice she observed, the caring and positive relationships between the staff and families and our clear understanding of children’s development, progress and safety. She also mentioned the very good behaviour of the children, amongst many other things.

“I would like to say how pleased I am with this report and feel it truly reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment of our staff team.

“It also reflects on our wonderful children who are amazing and to our parents, for your supportive comments, not only on the inspection day, but on an on-going basis.”