A NORTH Yorkshire school is punching above its weight with ambitious plans in place for the coming year.

It may only have around 500 students, but Bedale High School is determined that every one of those students will have the greatest opportunity to develop to their very best.

The school has been part of the local community since it was founded in 1958, and falls within the top 25 per cent of schools in North Yorkshire for academic results.

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Many of the grandparents and parents of its current student body have been educated at the school, and the staff continue to work closely with the families.

Alongside the commitment to helping pupils to achieve academic success, the school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities to inspire and stretch individuals; increase their confidence; encourage them to make more friends; and give them a sense of achievement outside the classroom. A Taster Day is being held at the start of term to allow students to sample different activities before committing to extra-curricular clubs.

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Headteacher, Tom Kelly, says: “It is abundantly clear that that the more comfortable and happy students are in school, the better they’ll do. So we want them to have the opportunity to take part in lots of different things, to help them feel more confident, safe, secure, and, ultimately, more engaged with school life.”

The school has also launched its Student Leadership initiative, that sits within its core values of courage, commitment, and compassion, and covers six specific areas to engage students:

  • Sports leaders – working with primary school students for collaborative events
  • Healthy schools team – the school has achieved a Healthy School Bronze Award, so will be going for the silver award this year
  • Subject Ambassadors – nominated academic representatives for different subject areas
  • Student Council – representatives from each tutor group who will help the school develop in different areas, e.g. sustainability
  • School Ambassadors – to be the face of the school for public events
  • Peer leaders – focusing on supporting younger students

Raising aspirations of disadvantaged students is seen as a priority, with an established alumni network visiting the school on a regular basis to share experiences with students.

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Over the last four years, the school has also worked with the local business community to form the  Business Friends of Bedale High School.  This group of employers deliver assemblies, hold practice interviews and deliver seminars to students, focusing on careers advice and next steps.

“We are just a small community school, but we have big ambitions,” says Tom, proudly. “We have a really committed staff who constantly go above and beyond, to offer our students the best provision that we can, and we have put a lot of work into placing our core values of courage, commitment and compassion at the centre of day to day school life.”

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Fitzalan Road, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 2EQ

admin@bedalehighschool.org.uk

01677 422419