Blog » 2020 Love Local Award Winners: Star School – Sponsored by Stewart Amos, Financial Advisor with 2Plan Wealth Management Ltd

2020 Love Local Award Winners: Star School – Sponsored by Stewart Amos, Financial Advisor with 2Plan Wealth Management Ltd

Initially we said that we would only publish the comments when we got 5 or more but having read them all, we’ve decided to ditch that rule! Everyone who received a nomination deserves to read their message/s of thanks & support!

Star School Sponsored by Stewart Amos, 2 Plan

Thanks to our amazing award sponsor, Stewart Amos, we have some lovely certificates to give out to all nominees. We hope that it will be a lovely reminder for you in the future about how you adapted your teaching and how grateful the Harrogate & Knaresborough community are for everything that you do for our children. If you are a winner & you would like to claim your certificate then please fill in this quick form here so that we know where to send it to!

This award is to recognise schools setting that have gone above and beyond whilst on lockdown.

We’ve also got some digital badges for all nominees. Please help yourself & download your badge. You are welcome to use them wherever you want- on your social media channels, on your websites etc. Let everyone know how loved you are!

Click here to download the “We’re Loved Locally” badge as a PDF

Click here to download “Star School” badge as a PDF

If you know any of the winners mentioned in this blog, please be sure to tell them they’ve been mentioned. We want to spread this lovely news far & wide!

Love from Sally, Kate, Kayti & Evie at Harrogate Mumbler x

P.S, Next up will be the celebration blog for the “Welcome Back” category. it will be published on Monday 13th July.

Winners of the 2020 Harrogate Mumbler Love Local “Star School” Award

(In alphabetical order)

Ashville College

They have been great setting work for all years, whilst still engaging with the children via messages of encouragement and praise etc.
For continuing to provide an education for all our children from reception through to 6th form during lockdown. All teachers on hand during the school day, delivering live lessons and sticking to the timetable

Aspin Park Academy Knaresborough

Fantastic online teaching package that was available within days. High quality content, always improving. Good regular communication. I feel they’re trying to do their best for my child
They have been fantastic throughout, keeping in touch via emails, letters, phone calls even sending out a little gift for their pupils in the post. The head teacher and all staff have been brilliant. My daughter loves her school and we’re lucky to have them!
As a family of 2 keyworkers you have gone above and beyond to keep us in these roles even when our roles increased. You have been such a warm and stabalizing influence in this stressful time.
Amazing support for my children throughout lead by the fantastic new head teacher
Amazing support and care shown towards whole family. Engaging and interesting activities set for the children.
I’m so proud that my children attend Aspin the school have been amazing since day one of lockdown. Regular telephone calls asking how we are all getting one and if we need any support from them. Emails updating us with what is happening and even wrist bands for all the children which was such a lovely touch. The well being of both pupils and parents has been the priority from the teachers and any issues has been felt with straight away. Emails even being replied to at 10pm, Aspin Park isn’t just a school it’s a family and that has shown this past few weeks.
The work that has been set has been a fab standard, they also sent my daughter a band which she adored- she loved it and felt valued and remembered. They also produced a video on You tube which she loved watching Aspin School reacted very quickly to the lockdown and within a couple of weeks had an online learning platform with high quality learning materials. Feedback has been sought to continue to develop and improve it. The communication and engagement from the Headteacher (Mrs Robertson) has been first class throughout. The process of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 returning was very well managed and again communication was clear on what to expect. I was happy for my child to return in the confidence that they would be safe. Considering the Headteacher was new to the school and has had to deal with such unprecedented circumstances and done it so effectively and compassionately is a fantastic achievement. Thank you and well done to all of the staff at Aspin Park Academy.
They have been nothing short of amazing. Supportive, encouraging, thorough work sent home with detailed instructions, and almost immediate feedback from teachers on pupils work. A regular newsletter and a community feel. They also sent out rainbow wrist bands to make all pupils still feel part of something despite lockdown. We received regular phone calls and e mails checking we had everything we needed for home learning and checking progress made with work set. Since returning to school communication and support offered is still exemplary…
They have tried really hard to be supportive with letters and phone calls and even sending everyone of their students a band through the post. They have gone above and beyond.
They have been great sending work during lockdown and have accommodated our needs.

Belmont Grosvenor School

The amazing team of talented teachers who stood up an online learning program with lots of support for our child with special needs during this unusual time!
The teachers provided so much support and continued to teach the children via google classrooms so they didn’t miss out on their education.
They have excelled during this time of uncertainty. They are a real partner in educating the children and identified a way to bring all of the children back this year in a safe way.
Belmont Grosvenor have been wonderful. They provided a fantastic range of lessons and activities for the children to get involved in and given lots of positive feedback to the kids through the lesson platform. With weekly ‘Show & Tell’, Book Review and Celebration assemblies, they have maintained the same wonderful school spirit in lockdown. Regular phone calls from the Pastoral Care lead have been a much needed boost. Thank you Belmont Grosvenor!
They put the children’s mental health and education first from the very start. As a parent I appreciated how quickly they switched from normal to create the homeschooling curriculum and lesson plans each day. They responded to all of their work and stayed connected through online assemblies. All of the teachers and staff were flexible and supportive and we honestly cannot thank them enough.
All staff at BGS have really gone above and beyond during the last few months. They have provided some inspiring work remotely on a daily basis coupled with teaching videos and weekly challenges and projects. Staff have been “available” at all times of the day to answer questions and support, sometimes with phone calls and Zoom calls direct to the children. The Pastoral lead has phoned parents weekly to check in and ensure each family’s health and well being is OK. The Head Mistress herself has run a weekly Book Club via Zoom with the children, and ensured at least 2 celebration and show and tell assemblies each week via Zoom. It has really kept the School community together. In addition the School has produced some “Feel Good” videos for the children too. Now Lockdown is easing, the School has been incredibly proactive in getting ALL children back to School in a safe way. The children are having an absolute ball. There is so much outside play: den building, bubbles, hop scotch, really good old-fashioned fun done in a very creative way. Outside drama, singing, the list goes on! All I can say is, the staff have worked incredibly hard around the clock, but still remain so happy and positive around the children and parents.
Sophia Ashworth Jones and her team have been outstanding. They have led zoom assembly’s for all year groups, virtual lessons have been conducted, an amazing variety of work. Communication has been fantastic throughout. Support provided for parents on days when homeschooling was a “challenge”. Weekly newsletters, celebration assembly’s, weekly learning habits and weekly wellbeing ideas shared. Though the use of tapestry for the younger children, email, what’s app and zoom the teachers have taught, communicated and motivated every child and parent teacher in the school. They have created a virtual community that is as special as our physical school community. Since coming back to school they have taught outdoors and made the children feel very at home with the “new normal”. Thank you BGS for all that you have done, do and continue to do!
The already strong relationship between families and staff members has just been reinforced. BGS has once again not failed to deliver especially during these tough times. Focusing on care and welfare combined with a can-do attitude to provide continued top quality education to our kitchen tables including virtual assemblies, core subjects, topic work, online support and constructive feedback, BGS deserves a huge pat on the back! Thank you to everyone.
The amazing professional team at Belmont Grosvenor School have acted superbly during the difficult times. Looking after both the best interest of the children and supporting the parents to which we are very grateful.They put the children’s’ mental health and education first from the very start. As a parent I appreciated how quickly they switched from normal to create the homeschooling curriculum and lesson plans each day. They responded to all of their work and stayed connected through online assemblies. All of the teachers and staff were flexible and supportive and we honestly cannot thank them enough.
Belmont Grosvenor has always been a fantastic school, but it has really surpassed itself during lockdown. When most other independent schools offered a 20% reduction in fees to compensate for the fact the children were not able to be educated at school, Belmont went over and above with zero fees in order to assist with the finances of the Belmont families, helping them to be in a better position when children return. During lockdown, the home schooling support was outstanding, with comprehensive weekly timetables, daily work packs, twice weekly Zoom assemblies, Zoom book clubs, regular support phone calls from the incredible teachers, etc. When the Government allowed Head Teachers to use their discretion regarding the reopening of schools, Belmont made the decision to open up the entire school in a safe and sensible manner, with the reintroduction of year groups being staggered until most pupils were back at school by the 24th June, except for those shielding families. The wellbeing of the children has always been a priority at Belmont, and lockdown has been no exception. Speaking personally, my Y1 and Y3 children have had a very happy, anxious-free reintroduction to school, mainly because the incredible Head Teacher and outstanding team of staff have done everything possible to make the children feel safe and at ease during a very difficult time. I can’t express enough how very grateful I am that my children go to such a wonderful school that puts the wellbeing of its children and families first. For the incredible way the school has dealt with lockdown during these uncertain times, I wish to nominate Belmont Grosvenor School for ‘Star School’.
Belmont Grosvenor School staff set the children up for success from the very beginning of lockdown. One teacher, Mrs. Nicola Shillam, told the Year 1 class right before lockdown “You are going to learn very well from your parents because they are the best teachers. After all, who taught you how to walk and talk and ride a bike?” My child came back happy and confident in his parent’s ability because of that and I’ll admit Mrs. Shillam’s confidence in me helped more than I care to admit. The staff rolled out an excellent distance learning program that was easy to access and implement. Now that the entire school has been welcomed back, all our children feel very happy and secure. 2020 was not an easy year for any of us, but Belmont Grosvenor staff has made it easier on their students.
The school went above and beyond from the start to the end of lockdown and are continuing to do so! From daily emails and feedback to online assemblies. The communication from school regarding reopening has been great and we feel very happy with the adjustments staff have made within school to keep our children and staff safe.
Belmont Grosvenor School have been absolutely fantastic through this challenging time. They have put our children first in every way and have cared for the families who have faced a wide variety of challenges over the COVID-19 months.

Bishop Monkton School

For doing their best to keep in touch with the children and encourage them through a very uncertain time.

Brackenfield

Amazing support to both key workers and those doing home schooling. Excellent resources, online lessons with the teacher, structured work to do and hand in, comments received back from teachers, regular communication. In short, they have responded amazingly to the Covid situation.
School has done an excellent job providing care for key worker children and online learning throughout lockdown and ongoing.
Amazing support and family feel! Special thank you to Mr Coxon!

Burton Leonard Primary School

The school and staff are amazing and always go above and beyond to help out in any situation. During the pandemic the teachers have called all those pupils that weren’t from key works to make sure the whole family was doing ok, & to see if there’s anything they could do to help with home schooling. The school is at the heart of our village, I haven’t met a child yet that doesn’t love the school and it’s teachers.

Coppice Valley Primary School

It is so lovely to see how interactive the school are with the children and the local community. I really enjoyed the book swap that they did for world book day which really relieved the pressure on parents trying to find fancy dress costumes. Great way to think outside the box!
My niece and nephew go to this school and it’s lovely to see them thriving and so happy. Such a family friendly school.
They are welcoming to every student and make everyone feel happy and joyful.
They have been amazing as always throughout this unsettling period but the one thing that makes them stand out from every other school is that they are determined to get every single child in their school back in school for a period of time before the summer holidays. The children really are at the heart of everything they do.
My friends and the great teachers.
Constant communication from teachers with work for home schooling, phone calls to check how everyone is doing. Regular contact throughout lockdown about any changes. Listened to parents concerns.
Supportive, encouraging, just incredible. So much support for the kids, so much focus on their mental health and being incredibly supportive for the parents when dealing with returning to school.
Keeping as many children as possible in education.
They have done so much to keep the pupils learning and entertained. Some are back now inc one of my daughters. She is so pleased to be back and I feel confident with all their hard word. The best head teacher too..she was amazing on the BBC news. All so caring and all put the kids wellbeing and safety first.
We’ve felt so looked after by school during the period of the pandemic, the school leadership have been so fantastic at communication and making sure that the whole school family are ok.
The school has done an absolutely outstanding job throughout the lockdown period. The children’s mental health and education has been at the heart of everything they’ve done. Regular contact with parents, excellent home learning with emails to teachers and an excellent recovery curriculum on return to school. As they are well aware of their children they have worked hard at planning what is best for them. This has been done through the classroom layout (big empty space with desks around the outside of the classroom for regular circle times together, stories, drama etc.), the thorough activities focusing on their personal, social and emotional health. Their work is truly valuable and the children have come back with smiling, happy faces – what more could you want!
This school has made some amazing developments in the last year. The staff are skilled and think the world of all the children. The school has a lovely environment and ethos, it is going from strength to strength.
Amazing in how they have kept us informed of the changes during lockdown, providing suitable work for the children and adapting how they work and keep in touch with the children and their families, using facebook storytime, newsletters, and emails. they have thought carefully as to how they can get every child back to school for short periods of time before the summer, well done coppice
Coppice Valley primary school have been incredible in supporting the children; sending stories home, providing them with artistic ideas, supporting their work and doing themed days. All staff go above and beyond to try make everything run smoothly????????
Coppice Valley primary school have been incredible in supporting the children and staying in touch. Also sending care packages.
Two of my children go there and throughout the lockdown they have been focusing on the mental health of each and every child at that school. Regular phone calls, teachers answering parental emails at all times of day and night, live weekly facebook stories, prerecorded art and PE activities, fun newsletters and also trying to get every single child in school back at some point before summer. Amazing school. Amazing staff.
Coppice Valley primary school have been incredible in supporting the children; sending stories home, providing them with artistic ideas, supporting their work and doing themed days. All staff go above and beyond to try make everything run smoothly.
They have supported both the children and parents from day 1 of lockdown. They have been proactive by checking in with the families religiously. We may have been apart but my love for this school and everyone in it has grown much stronger over this strange and unknown time.
They have been amazing throughout lockdown, ensuring all families are safe and happy. Since school has reopened, they’ve been brilliant at communicating with parents to enable children to return to school safely!
They have been brilliant keeping in touch with the children and providing them with home learning to ensure they don’t fall behind. Teachers have worked so hard at home and in school, they do a fab job!
We have had excellent communication throughout this difficult time, helping to put anxious parents minds at ease a little.
The Head Teacher and every last one of the staff work so hard for all of their pupils, parents and the wider community. They are friendly, welcoming and go above and beyond nothing is to much trouble. Throughout lockdown they have been there continuously. They have done many videos telling stories, quoting poems, sending visual messages at the end of the phone or email if you had any queries or just needed reassurance. The home schooling has been good too. Easy to follow informative and of course fun! Coming back to school was a joy to see all the familiar faces stood waiting to greet you ALL with a friendly, warm smile on their faces! Very comforting.
During an incredibly difficult time, they have been a fantastic support to us, providing workbooks, offering numerous different daily activities for us to carry out, calling us regularly to check how we are and posting videos of the teachers reading stories which the children have adored. Once it was announced the schools would reopen, they have done a fantastic job of keeping us up to date with everything that’s happening. Contacting us again by phone to talk through what the plan is and asking for our thoughts on what we wil be doing. Providing videos of the new classrooms for us to acclimatise the children, posting videos of the different ways into school for the different bubbles so it is very clear and we can maintain social distancing. I was scared about sending my little boy and delayed him coming back for 2 weeks. I was worried it was too soon and the number of deaths were still very high. Coppice were so flexible and helpful and reassured me. I am delighted he is back at school now and loves it, I know they will do everything they can to keep the staff and children safe. The school looks fantastic, the bug hotels are stocked full, raised beds bursting with vegetables, all the new planting is coming on wonderfully, the kids have so much space outside and I feel very lucky my little boy attends such an excellent school.
Our children have been supported throughout lockdown by their class teachers and as parents, we have been updated regularly by headteacher Mrs Meadus on any changes to government guidelines. Mrs Meadus has written many insightful blogs along the way and also appeared on BBC News.
Coppice Valley Primary School has been engaged from day 1 of lockdown providing information, help and support to all children and parents. They sent out regular emails to parents and carers and they very quickly put a Home Learning Support page up on their website with lots of useful information, advice, links to e.g. mindfulness activities. Each class has had homework for each day of the week on their Class Pages and teachers have been very engaged throughout lockdown giving feedback on homework, questions, etc.. They also put a weekly newsletter together with lots of fun little articles, sharing what families and children got up to at home and even ran different competitions. An absolutely excellent school supporting children and families through and continuing to do so now during the phased return back to a new-normal! Coppice Valley Primary School really deserves this Award.
As always we feel that Coppice have put the children’s mental health before education to check in on us on a regular basis, providing the right amount of home schooling activities and providing this in a variety of ways. We feel we have been listened to and actions have been made to ensure the children and the teachers safety is paramount at all times.
The staff constantly go the extra mile and truly care for every child, they have all worked tirelessly to stay connected to every family.
All the staff volunteered their time in whatever way they could to look after Key Worker & Vulnerable children during the school closure and holidays. They’ve all gone above and beyond many times over. A fabulous team!
The School have been great throughout lockdown. They have really supported the children throughout and are continuing to help as much as they can for those still being homeschooled. For the first 6 weeks they produced a weekly newsletter called the ‘Coppice Chronicle’ which was great at keeping everyone informed not only about school but general daily things about what the pupils had been up which was great to read. In my opinion they should definitely be nominated.
Went above and beyond during these trying times to keep the children engaged and upbeat.
Throughout lockdown Coppice staff have worked extremely hard to keep online learning going With new fab ideas daily, also by keeping in contact with families making the children feel connected to their individual classes and teachers.
The school has been great during lockdown, from the head to all the staff where they have worked hard by continuing to keep in touch and set work for the pupils. It is great they are giving all the children the opportunity to return for 1 week before the summer holidays.

Dacre Braithwaite C of E Primary School

The whole staff have been endless supporting us parents at home. Sending down work daily, with plenty of links and guides to help explain anything we might not remember! Weekly zoom sessions for each class so they can share stories, have games together, and just see each other, fantastic. Emails to check up on your child’s wellbeing, as well as us parents. I wish I could nominate them a hundred times, they’re truly helpful and amazing.
Wonderful organisation to ensure a safe transition after lockdown. All round fabulous school
For being brilliant throughout lockdown, providing consistent support for home-schooling, while caring for other children in school in a relaxed but safe way.
All the staff have worked super hard, they have adapted to the situation and made sure every child/ family have what they need. whether it be tailored home school learning or support with their wellbeing. They have kept a constant link with the children through their weekly Zoom sessions that have been fun and engaging. Also they have a radio station that was started over lock down to try and link the school community and keep them informed. Well Done Dacre B!!
In these tricky times Dacre Braithwaite staff have been absolutely amazing in their never ending support of everyone in the school community, both children, parents and governors. They have constantly been at the other end of the phone or email helping and guiding the families, not only with the home learning, but also with the ‘wobbles’ we all have had during the lockdown. They are ALL stars!
Dacre Braithwaite school is like our extended family – it’s such a lovely school that our boys love. The home schooling they have set at short notice is set out really well and the weekly zoom class is great fun. All the teachers go above and beyond for each and every pupil. We are so lucky to have such a great school nearby.
On the last day at school before lockdown the children were sent home with a pack of basics – exercise books, key spellings, etc. From day 1 of lockdown we have received every morning at 8.15pm an e-mail with a full days timetable of work form the school complete with all relevant attachments. Other than the specific literacy and numeracy school adopted a theme project based approach so children in 1 household across different year groups could work together on the same theme to make life easier for parents. Children had a Zoom well being call with their entire class and teacher every Wednesday so they could catch up and check in. Parents have been encouraged to send in photos and videos which are all then displayed on the Class pages of the school website. The choir worked on and virtually recorded a song together. The teachers have been contactable at all times to answer questions, discuss any issues and support parents where required. Now the Year 6 students are back at school they are doing a virtual end of year play via Zoom and a virtual Leavers assembly
Commitment to children and families during the unsettled times. Supportive and dedicated staff.
Super team effort between the staff and families. Flexible in their approach and adapted to the needs of the farming community they serve. Brilliant relationships between the staff and families. Supportive and encouraging at a time of crisis.
The staff at Dacre Braitwaite have been amazing since lockdown. The online learning has been really clear and easy to follow and the staff have been so supportive. We’ve had weekly newsletter keeping us in touch with each other and photo galleries on the website of all the children’s work. We’ve also had Wednesday Wellbeing Zoom sessions for each class to keep the children united where we’ve played games, done quizzes and had fun challenging each other. Plus, we’ve even had one of the dads running a radio show on What’s App to keep our school community united. Our school community has stayed together as a family throughout showing what a star school ours is!
For the daily homeschooling work, and the amazing effort all teachers are putting in to make sure all kids have the right amount of work during this hard time. For the wonderful support the school has provided me through the very difficult frost few weeks of been a single parent of 3. It’s not just a school it’s family
My children have only been at the school for a year and right from the start we felt like part of the family this continued into lockdown and there has always been someone there I have never felt alone with the home schooling the daily emails have been encouraging but not over whelming. Great job team Dacre B!!
This school is always amazing but has managed to go up another gear in lockdown. We have maintained having a school newsletter and Dacre B awards each week. We have had a weekly radio show organised by one of the parents with shout outs, dedications and interviews. The choir was able to still participate in a virtual VE day choir organised by Mrs Stokes. We have been encouraged to send photos and videos into school of our children completing work or other home activity and this has been shared on the Dacre Braithwaite website allowing children and school to stay connected. School sent a survey out for feedback part way into lockdown asking what was working/not working and this then saw the teachers work together to adapt the home school work. A great change was that in an afternoon they ensured all key stages had a common theme so adults at home could find it easier if teaching 3 or more children across the different year groups. School has had a 2 way communication all along via call or email and weekly well being zoom calls to check in on how pupils are doing and maintain our lovely family culture.These involved class games/shares so that pupils could see each other. School has also been super organised and welcoming to children returning. Our daughter has had a smooth transition back building up days back to full time. They sent photos of the classrooms so the children could see how they were all set up and work at school has reflected that at home so children feel connected. Examples of great home learning has been displayed in the classrooms and shared so that those still at home feel included. Our schools vicar has also recorded messages and songs that may have normally been in assembly so the school messages and connection is still there. New Reception starters for September have all been sent out Buddy letters with photos of older children in new year 6 who will help look after them and also been sent photos of their classrooms and teachers and a bit about their day etc. All new reception have also been given an ‘All about me’ pack to do so that school can still get to know them. Dacre Braithwaite’s staff have all been smiley, welcoming and encouraging throughout the whole experience and there to listen to any concerns but most of all reminding parents that all work is suggested and that they will support all children on the return and that the children’s well being is the most important thing in all this. Dacre Braithwaite is a ‘star school’
The school vision statement is “live life to the full” . This is taken from John 10 where Jesus says ” I have come that you may have life and have it to the full”. The love and warmth that envelopes one as you enter the school is testament to that statement. This is emphasised strongly by the teaching and care that radiates downwards from the Headteacher through all the dedicated staff. The children are happy, kind and keen to learn and to realise that learning is fun and hard work is always rewarded by success. DacreBraithwaite School is certainly a “great place to be” where “life is lived to the full”.

Follifoot C of E

Fantastic support during lockdown. Daily e-mails from teachers, phone calls if you needed, then fun daily Zoom calls with well being activities, scavenger hunts, quizzes, reading stories etc Its clear to see in every communication how much all the staff care about the children and what a lovely atmosphere there is. The head has worked tirelessly to get as many children into school as possible and to support parents and staff. A wonderful school which has coped brilliantly with all the recent challenges!

Gateways School

For keeping lessons going every day throughout lockdown; following the normal timetable. The children’s education and learning has continued almost as normal with face to face online lessons backed up with some amazing online resources.

Goldsborough Church of England Primary School

They’ve done so much in terms of support for all families.

Grove Road Primary School

As a grandma, I have been able to keep up with assemblies and other posted work from the lovely teachers who have worked in school and from home.
They have gone above and beyond with calls, visits, care packages. A fabulous online learning platform and a weekly virtual assembly. They have remained open for keyworkers children and the school was also a local hub providing lots of childcare.
The headteacher always puts in 100%
All 3 of my children attend here, staff were aware of my concerns over home schooling 3 kids with SEND from before lockdown even though it was necessary as I was being told to shield. My kids are extremely hard work some days due to their varying needs and often these needs clash with the other childs needs and chaos happens. It’s broken me several times during lockdown and I keep pulling myself back up. The teachers at the school have listened to me, phoned to check on my wellbeing as I’m struggling and helped to provide tools to aid my childrens needs. They have a fantastic online learning platform that I have used with the children a lot but the teachers also dont pressure me, if I cant get schooling to happen one day they’ve said they know I will have tried. They’ve also been impressed with what I have managed so personally I feel their caring from afar and can’t thank them enough for supporting me and checking on me. It’s tough being a parent carer, being screamed at in meltdown episodes several hours at a time daily takes its toll, and not being able to have a few hours break a week is hard to manage. They also do an online school success assembly every friday morning which I quite look forward to as they exude positivity and at the end me and the kids sing along to their -Well Done’ song which always gives me a boost. Thank you Grove Rd.
Our wonderful school have kept our children learning and happy even when they were closed. We loved getting headteachers awards and taking part in zoom assemblies.
We have had nothing but support through this lockdown. We have had phone calls and messages to check in on us. Teachers have delivered packets of work and treats for the kids. We have had amazing online work consistently throughout. Even an amazing assembly every Friday posted on YouTube, including awards for the kids! Just feel very lucky to have such great educators and support!
For genuinely caring and looking after pupils and the staff. They are very well organized and helpful.
Have gone above and beyond for every child within their school community, and wider community also being the Hub school for primary aged children of key worker children from other school on weekends and throughout the holidays. Grove Road children have benefitted from online learning with immediate teacher feedback, resource packs sent home, small gifts for every child to show they are being thought about by the school. Phone calls home just to say hi and check-in, fun online assemblies every week. Challenges for pupils and their families to enjoy together, the list goes on. They have been amazing incredibly supportive.
They have been outstanding with there support daily work via seesaw stories everyday contact with your teacher on line celebration assemblies. The list is endless nothing has been too much trouble Mr Parkhouse and team GR are just fabulous making a very stressful situation much easier to navigate and also children going into school now my daughter one of them they have made a strange different situation feel safe for them and not too daunting, my daughter cry’s when she is unable to go on a weekend.
They became a harrogate hub, offering childcare 7 days a week to key workers children. The teachers have worked incredibly hard to interact with parents and children for homeschooling through an app called seesaw. And they have opened to year 6 with fantastic distant measures in place.
They have gone above and beyond throughout the whole of lockdown. Constant online work , daily feedback, phone calls, a weekly celebration assembly on u tube. They have all been amazing!!!
They have done an incredible job by supporting children and the families.
Through out lockdown they’ve just been on the other end of the phone and computer if needed. Work is sent daily alongside optional tasks and fun activities. They’ve done a virtual assembly every Friday which my kids love. They’ve helped other children that don’t even attend the school by providing them with a safe place for holidays while key workers do their amazing job.
They have gone above and beyond by supporting children and families.
Amazing teachers keeping activities and awards going for the children. Assembly on a friday live so all children were recognised for thier work at home. Phone call from teachers to talk to children and parents to see how they were and supporting each other. Great community
Have gone beyond and above daily online work and catch ups. Making sure the children do not miss out on their education.

Harrogate Grammar School

My children went to other schools in Harrogate so there is no bias here whatsoever but I have to say they way children and teachers pulled together to make PPE when it was desperately short goes over and beyond. I have been inspired and humbled by their good hearted nature and the way they got the community behind them.
I’ve been so impressed with the way Harrogate Grammar School have handled online learning throughout lockdown. They’ve provided a good level of support and work and plenty of feedback. When I hear from friends about some schools in other parts of the country, I’m truly grateful that my children attend this school.

Harrogate High School

For checking in with us and for recognisesing that the emotional needs of our kids at this time is just as important as the academic

Highfield Pre-School

Zoom classes every day. Full pack of online resources. Amazing

Hookstone Chase Primary

They’ve kept my kids entertained and safe while we’ve been working throughout
We’ve had such great support over lock down with great communication for my daughter and great things to get us though this
They have been absolutely fantastic at sending work home, helping print work when its needed, support from the teachers and teachers assistants has been amazing. They have stayed open during lockdown for vulnerable and key worker children and supported the children and their families.

Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School

Kettlesing school has been fantastic throughout the lockdown period. All the staff have been great, teaching the key worker children and supporting parents with ‘homeschooling’. We have been kept up to date with the work via the seesaw app and zoom calls. Over the last few weeks when other children have returned to school, the staff have ensured a smooth, friendly welcome back which has such a positive impact on the children & they have adapted to the situation so well. Thanks again…. You’re great ????
Amazing, caring, focussed and professional staff who show compassion in all they do with the kids. The kids really are the centre of this school and they have shone even more during covid and kept my children safe and cared for during uncertain times. Best decision I ever made moving my kids to this school. Well done Lisa and team
Helped our little boy settle back in at school after lockdown and have been very supportive of his additional needs

Killinghall C of E Primary School

The school is small, both in building space and teaching resource, yet they have provided weekly work for our child in year 2. Although our child has not been able to go into school we have been given plenty of work to do at home but never made to feel as though we HAVE to do it. There has been a weekly class meeting on Zoom which has been facilitated by the class teacher. No online lessons have been provided but with both myself and my husband working full time at home this may not have worked for our situation. The school has kept us informed of the progression during the easing of lockdown and has been very inventive in getting all children back into school for at least one session with the use of increased space using marquees and bell tents. Primary schools have been hit hard throughout the pandemic and all staff at Killinghall school should be congratulated for what they have done for the children.
This small village school has done so much for pupils and parents during lockdown. Work was provided for children to do at home even before full lockdown occurred, so that those children in Shielding/ self-isolating households could still work. Every year group has been catered for. When pupils could go back Reception, Yr1 and yr6 were invited. Due to the small school building there was no room for more. However the school has been very proactive to find new ways to make space, some teaching can now go ahead in tents/ marquee placed in the grounds. Key worker children have attended throughout. Further children have been invited back prior to the end if the school year. The last couple of weeks of term will include at least one session for every child, if they are able, to attend in order to prepare for the transition to their new class in September. As parents we could not have asked for more.

Knaresborough St John’s Primary School

They have been fabulous throughout the whole lockdown, teachers have kept in touch with parents & children. Have set out great lesson plans. And they’ve gone above & beyond over all.
They’ve done a fantastic job of both supporting home learning and reassuring concerned parents by handling the return to school for reception, year one and six so well.
For being simply the best, so caring and supportive. The children’s best interests have been at the heart of everything they have done. We can not thank them enough.
Having had all four of my children attending, I have a great experience in the school, the staff all work exceptionally hard for the pupils, and have honestly been amazing during the covid-19 pandemic, they are honestly a credit to the knaresborough area, we have had fantastic home learning to work from, and constant support with emails and phone calls weekly to ourselves checking on how the children are getting on at home, and keeping in touch, no need is too big from the staff for parents or students and I honestly can say I’m proud my children attend this school. They have worked so hard to keep children safe, and parents supported and informed on everything from day one of my children attending.

Meadowside Academy, Knaresborough

The staff have worked together as a team to offer the best service possible. Every class teacher has regularly been in contact to speak to the parent and children. The school have put the well being of the children and parents first. They have gone out of their way to drop items off at houses, including food to those families that are financially struggling. Each class has set up daily activities that have been simple to follow but also engaging and fun. They even organised a virtual sports week for everyone to take part in. The school is a true family and I am so pleased to be part of it.

New Park Primary Academy

Amazing throughout keeping in close contact. Mr Mold the head teacher is wonderful
This school was amazing before lockdown and my children have thrived here. During lockdown the school was in constant contact keeping us updated and sending work and resources and offering food parcels to those who needed it. The teachers called the parents and children just to check in on us and if we needed anything they would deliver if we didn’t have the materials. Im proud my children go to this school
Definitely new park academy should get this!! They’ve been an absolute amazing support during this crisis. They’ve taken my daughter in whenever were required as me and my husband are both key workers, even during school holidays. They’ve been in contact regularly to see if we need any help and to generally see how we are. They’ve been a massive support to my daughter, who is 5, throughout it all, helping explain the situation and help keep her happy and anxiety free. She’s so confident and understands the situation we’ve been in & are currently dealing with. She started back properly this week and comes our with a huge smile on her face every time. The teachers definatly go above and beyond for their students and I will be forever greatful for the support we as a family, have received from them throughout this awful situation. ♥️

Oatlands Community Junior School

The teachers like Jessica Houseman have been amazing. Not only did they provide amazing support during lockdown but they helped to keep spirits up with lots of activities which my children loved. thank you
Have provided support for vulnerable and key worker children. Gave out food hampers when government not providing vouchers over Easter.
They have supported the children with online help & even lent our IPads to some children

Pannal Primary School

Been brilliant in both support for home schooling and getting the kids back to school!
Great contact, fab home learning & very supportive
They have maintained a good schooling environment throughout, and have adapted to ensure that the children are given as much support as possible.

Richard Taylor School

The work sent out and the lovely comments snd interactions from teachers and teaching assistants has been incredible. My niece Ella was over the moon to get a mention on the headteachers online learning video and both Ella and Ollie have joined in with online worship and listening to teachers read stories. Thankyou
Definitely Richard Taylor school they have been excellent and so supportive even when I had to message my daughters teacher upset as I couldn’t get her to do the work she’s replied with guidance and support late at night since reopening the staff have gone above and beyond welcoming back and making it as fun and normal as possible ❤️
All the staff have always been great and my daughters love going to school but in the light of the pandemic the school have come into a league of their own and have been amazing in every respect

Ripley Endowed CE Primary School

They have been amazing at supporting our children through this difficult time. They have sent work for children, run zoom meetings for children to learn, talk and communicate with their friends, provided fun learning activities, sent little gifts to the children, sent emails to parents, phoned parents and children to check on their well being and provided time for pray and reflection if needed.
Ripley have really thought about the whole child’s needs throughout this pandemic.

Ripon Cathedral School

The headteacher & all staff have kept regular contact, helped with children returning to school & keeping in touch with those at home. Always putting the children first. Have been open, honest and totally understanding & reassuring. All staff are working so hard to provide regular support.
The work sent home, the support emails and the transition back into school has all been handled brilliantly.
A team of amazing and dedicated staff, who are always smiling and who go above and beyond – this has been even more apparent during lockdown. They have been so supportive and encouraging, with amazing communication from the school to parents, thinking outside the box with lessons and pulling together as a team so brilliantly. Wonderful school!

Rossett Acre Primary School

We have had wonderful support for my daughter and plenty of encouragement that we are doing the right thing. There seems a genuine concern for the childrens’ welfare and happiness. We’ve really enjoyed the fun staff videos and challenges that we get too. A fantastic team – proud to be part of this school.
The whole team at Rossett Acre have been incredible!
They have done a brilliant job of looking after keyworker children in lockdown and supporting those at home with an innovative and fun curriculum but also appreciating that not all parents can do it all
They have continued to support both our children throughout the whole time. Both my husband and I are keyworkers so have had to send the children in every week, they have made it a safe and fun learning environment, and now our youngest is back full time and loving it
As the academy hub school, Rossett Acre adapted very quickly to welcome children and teachers of key workers from other schools, while continuing to provide regular home learning packs, on-going support and communication and encouragement to those at home.
Teachers who have worked so hard to keep in touch with pupils, provide a balanced curriculum, and provide for the wellbeing and safety of our children when schools reopened.
The teachers at Rossett Acre have been great throughout lockdown and beyond. Detailed home learning plans and teachers corresponding with parents and children through the app to encourage and provide feedback. Then on the return to school they have been so welcoming and supportive ensuring that although things are very different, the children are still loving school. Thank you to all the Rossett Acre teachers!

Rossett Secondary School

The school has provided my son with care and support whilst me and my husband have been working (one in nhs one in maintenance) The senior teachers have worked tirelessly.

Saltergate Junior and Infant School

Reopening to all years from next week. Careful planning and well thought out
Mrs Mortimer and her team have provided amazing communication throughout lock down helping children and parents still feel part of the school community. For providing ongoing care for the key worker children staying open on Bank Holidays and during school holidays. The fantastic letters, telephone calls and video messages from the teachers to each child. The organisation and communication for the return to school for those able to has been fantastic to ensure the safety and happiness of all the children.
For keeping my grandchildren safe when they returned to school . Part time, social distancing and small classes. Cleaning regime and still welcoming ????
The school as a whole has gone above and beyond in hard times for both the children and the parents. Ive never once worried about my children being in school. Once a week I get a phone call to check on how we are all doing. This school has helped my children massively throughout lockdown
They’ve been amazing during lockdown. Sent packs of work, emailed us, phone call, video message. Excellent!
They have been so supportive throughout the run up to lockdown and during. They’ve stayed in touch with parents and pupils who are at home, been open for key workers children throughout. They have been brilliant at helping with home schooling and having packs available, delivering them if you required, having lots of online resources. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Because they have been amazing and gone above and beyond during this time. We’ve had exceptional support from the staff, telephone calls, personalised letters, video messages, tailored made work for pupils. The communication between school and home has been excellent and Mrs Mortimer and her team are all superstars.

Scotton Lingerfield Primary

Fantastic approach to a return to school setting for key workers, reception, yr1 and 6. Making children feel at ease and happy to return to the school. Supporting parents/carers to feel reassures that safety measures and emotional well being is at the forefront of their interaction with children.
Great communication throughout and still kept the kids engaged. They’ve welcomed back the Yr 6 kids so that they can end their primary school days with happy memories, while keeping everything safe for them. Thank you so much x

St Aidan’s C of E School

Online lessons have been clear, varied and interesting. They have kept our children engaged throughout lockdown and the children often talk enthusiastically about lessons and topics they are covering. The school have kept parents and pupils informed about educational and welfare matters and have always answered my queries quickly and to the best of their ability.

St Joseph’s RC Primary School

Staying open for key workers and providing wonderful support to my family when needed.
For being fantastic throughout lockdown providing brilliant home learning and weekly newsletters and keeping in touch with the parents and children.
My daughters school have been incredible throughout lockdown, from the phenomenal home learning my daughters teacher provided with a daily schedule of learning with YouTube phonics and literacy lessons and live story times to the provisions they have put in place to make the childrens return to school so safe and happy.
Their communication during lockdown was great- not pushy, but supportive. The way they have worked tirelessly to welcome the kids back so far has been amazing. They care so much and deserve recognition!
For their excellent home learning and support during lockdown and on reopening to reception year 1 & 6
My child started reception in September and we think this school is simply wonderful. During the pandemic they have not stopped communicating with parents and keeping us updated. Weekly newsletters with children’s home schooling work and birthdays is always a pleasure to read. They made the transition back to school so easy and my child always wants to tell me about his day. Thank you!

St Peter’s CE Primary School

Our two children have loved being part of the key worker groups, even though they have a different teacher they really enjoy lessons. We are teachers but they much prefer being “actually” taught by Mrs Morris. The school has been so organised and accommodating with pick up times while ensuring social distancing and hand washing routines.

Starbeck Community Primary School

They have been amazing through out all of this, supporting us and our children. My daughter went back a few weeks ago and they made us both feel so relaxed and happy about the situation.

Summerbell Dance Academy

Miss Jennie (my dance teacher) is always thinking about us and doing great things like giving us weekly challenges that get us dancing and take our mind off the stressful situations. I love my dance family and can’t wait to see them again.
Because this school is so supportive and is like one big family! Each child and adult in the classes miss Jennie offers is taken care of and loved! Such an amazing environment to grow!

The Forest SEND School, Knaresborough

The staff at Forest have worked tirelessly providing workpacks as well as online learning, activities and just downright fun and uplifting material via their social media platforms. They have gone above and beyond education, ensuring their most vulnerable children have a reason to smile but, most importantly, letting all of the pupils know they are safe, loved and very sorely missed. So much has been going on behind the scenes that the wider public don’t see but no matter what their personal circumstances they have been there for the children and worked each and every long day.

Tockwith C of E Primary Academy

As well as looking after key workers children, teachers have sent out videos and work for the children every week day. Chrome books were lent to those who didn’t have them, reading books were available for you to exchange, zoom class calls have frequently been held. It has always felt like school is in the back ground helping and supporting us throughout lockdown.
The teachers have been amazing, using the SeeSaw app to get the school work out and provide video and audio feedback for our 7-year old. Also arranging Zoom calls so that all the children could see each other. Brilliant!
Go above and beyond to make a difficult time easier for the children
Amazing support from all teachers. Zoom calls and loads of work to do at home!
Fantastic at communicating with parents and children throughout lockdown. Caring teachers and online daily work and videos to help parents and children with homeschooling. Prompt responses to any queries or questions. Tockwith is a FANTASTIC school!!

Western Primary School

I have boys in Reception and Year 4. The teachers have been resourceful, reliable and so consistent from the first Monday morning of lockdown. The Trust and acting Head have been speedy, transparent and very thorough in their communications. The Hub care continued through the holiday. Wellbeing services continued including one to one counselling online.
Outstanding provision and support for the children during lockdown.
Outstanding online provision for all children, with twice daily, live, online lessons for every child in KS2. School has opened up to as many children as physically possible exactly as they have been asked to do. As a parent I couldn’t be happier.
I can’t even begin to describe the amazing support that they’ve given the children, and the parents! The preparation and planning, the consistency, the thoughtfulness, the dedication. They have online presence every school day, provide guidance and help outside of the school day. Provide a varied and interesting schedule of age appropriate activities, organise fun activities for the children. Keep us up to date and informed. Don’t apply pressure to complete every single activity if we are unable to in the circumstances. I can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for us- they really, truly deserve to win this award!
From the very beginning Western have gone above and beyond to support, communicate and look after the well-being and education of their pupils. They had clearly communicated a plan to pupils and parents before lockdown even happened so that everyone felt reassured and confident of what homeschooling would look like when it happened. Not only have children continued to learn effectively using the plan they put in place but their emotional and mental wellbeing has also been prioritised. From the welfare team supporting pupils who have struggled during lockdown to the teachers running extra class socials on zoom to bring friends together for fun and laughter I have truly being blown away by Western Primary!
Fantastic support and communication through lockdown. Their genuine care, compassion and love for the children and families has shone through. We are incredibly thankful
Before lockdown started they already had plans in place for continuing education at home. The teachers have conducted zoom lessons every day and communicated with parents really well. I’m so pleased my girls go here.
All the staff at Western have gone above and beyond during lockdown. Home learning activities have been fantastic, teacher’s support with online lessons and feedback has been absolutely great. For those lucky families with children going back to school, our kids are enjoying a safe learning environment full of positivity, happiness and an incredible sense of community.
The school have gone above & beyond to stay connected with their children via twice daily zoom calls.
Incredible leadership by Mr Broad and the whole team – delivering lessons every day online, and making the children feel loved, comfortable and maintaining a daily routine on this madness
Have just been fantastic with their communication in the lead up to and through lock down. They have also provided a thorough timetable through lock down, which has been a god send with us both working as well.
Western Primary School once again have risen to the challenge and proved that they really are an outstanding school. Their commitment to continued education to all their children, from the smallest children in nursery up to the oldest children in year 6, has been second to none. Twice-daily Zoom lessons have been invaluable to bring structure and continued learning to the children’s lives. But, just as importantly, it has allowed the children continued face to face contact with their peers and teachers. The school has provided activities to subtly let then check in with their children’s wellbeing and provided social Zooms as well as academic focused lessons – such an important consideration for their mental health. I’m so proud and grateful to be part of the Western community.
The teachers have gone above and beyond with their care of the children, especially during these hard times. They are giving Zoom lessons for all kids working from home Mon-Friday as well as taking classes at school. The co-ordination and communication has been phenomenal and we couldn’t have asked for more. So very well deserved to win this award.
Western have been nothing short of amazing through lockdown. For my child in reception they sent out daily phonics powerpoints which were interactive, and weekly ideas linked to the curriculum we had a weekly zoom call with their teachers and other children which my son looked forward to. The headmaster regularly read stories and communicated via Tapestry. I know tor the older children they did zoom teaching sessions and put in huge effort too. They continued to support the children’s education, and mental and emotional state. Now the children have returned to school they have put in place excellent plans to maintain safety, whilst also protecting the children’s emotional needs. They made what could have been a stressful time in returning back to school a completely seamless transition. The children are happy and thriving and it’s thanks to the wonderful and dedicated staff. They go over and above and completely deserve this award.
In my view this school and its teachers have gone above and beyond expectation. Teachers have adapted so incredibly well delivering 2 x zoom sessions per day to yr 3 and above to support home learning. This in itself was an incredible challenge but the teachers and school rose to the occassion, adapted and have kept education flowing. Weekly timetables with daily tasks with a varied curriculum have been provided to all year groups as well as assemblies led by the most remarkable acting head, who didn’t only lead assemblies but took the time to record himself reading stories for reception children. The work didnt stop there, teachers made teaching videos for pupils to watch and learn and as soon as the children submitted their work it was being marked by their teachers and feedback given. They achieved ALL this, many of whom were fighting their own corona battles and challenges looking after their own families! If a child was struggling (like one of mine was with maths) they kept him back in a zoom session to make sure he understood. The support has been remarkable. I cant thank this school enough for what they have done and continue to do. This award simply isnt enough (no disrespect meant)
They have been absolutely incredible through this lockdown between home learning and returning to school. My son is So happy and they have been so communicative and organized. The staff and administration go above and beyond on a daily basis.
They have gone above and behind to help the children throughout the pandemic.
Dealt with the whole of the corona virus situation professional, all staff have excelled and gone above and beyond. We have never wondered what’s the next step, we have been kept in formed at every single step.
Gone above and beyond in their provision of twice daily zoom lessons and also keeping the environment warm and friendly despite the social distancing for the children of key workers
Supporiting and helping the children.
Western have been incredible both from a personal situation with my daughter, treating her like their own and going out of their way to help her with her additional needs and also from a general perspective, with the assistant head doing an incredible job stepping into the headteacher role unexpectedly at such a stressful and unprecedented time. Superbly organised and the teachers have all gone out of their way to provide a safe and happy environment for all the children.
All staff have gone above and beyond in all aspects. From online zoom classes with teachers twice a day, to receiving feedback and marked work after each lesson. They really have been amazing!
They have not only done home learning, but live zoom lessons, personally delivered free school meals vouchers and generally been amazing!
Have gone above and beyond to help children and families during lockdown
Western have supported their children and families exceptionally well through distance schooling and at the keyworker hub.
On-line lessons have been exciting and engaging with fast marking and feedback and lots of time has been given to ensuring children’s wellbeing remains a priority. Amazing individual pupil (and parent) support has still been given to those who require a bit of extra help without adding unnecessarily to pressure on families.
For outstanding support and teaching during lockdown
Providing great support for pupils, parents and staff throughout lockdown
They have been fantastic, brilliant support from the whole school, communications from the head teacher have been clear and supportive, keeping us informed all throughout. The Reception team, support and home learning has been brilliant, we couldn’t have asked for more.
The school reopened on 1st June for reception children/year 1 and then year 6. They were open throughout for keyworker children, adapting to work at a hub based at a different school. They have gone over and above to make the transition back flawless. From the logistical organisation of staggered drop offs and separate bubbles, to the way they’ve welcomed the children back with open arms. The teachers were keen to ensure the children had emotional support and put their well-being first after what has been a challenging few months for small people, some more so than others. They’ve kept safety paramount, but ensured quality of care is not compromised. A quote which stuck out from the return to school letter from reception was that as parents we should not worry that the staff would be physically distant from the children and they would “continue to comfort them as they would normally do”. Mr Broad (headmaster) has been a constant reassurance through lockdown with regular updates and explanations as to how things would be managed. The school also continue to provide care and support to those who haven’t returned to school, and the keyworker children. I have spoken to several friends with children at other schools and Western have been far more open, reassuring and positive about reopening than any other.
Great support

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2020 Love Local Award Winners: Star School – Sponsored by Stewart Amos, Financial Advisor with 2Plan Wealth Management Ltd

Winners of the 2020 Harrogate Mumbler Love Local “Star School” Award

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