Ryedale School: Alternative approach to learning

The Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) is a nationally-recognised Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) qualification. It is a flexible course that gives pupils credit for activities done in or out of school.

The course has recently been introduced onto the Ryedale School curriculum and the Year 10 CoPE group, under the skilful guidance of Damien Newman, have embraced this new opportunity with open arms.

CoPE has allowed students to experience new activities and challenges, such as setting up a business as part of the young enterprise scheme, conducting interviews and learning about the Holocaust.

The young business entrepreneurs have set up a key ring business and have sold sweets for Valentine’s Day. The opportunity has allowed the pupils to develop their communication skills and has inspired them to consider setting up businesses in later life.

“The course gives me a better and more realistic view of life when we leave school,” said Luke Edwards, a course member. “The course has inspired me, but I knew it would anyway.”

“Before I joined CoPE, I didn’t like standing up in front of people and talking,” said Tom Chilton. “I think that CoPE has given me more confidence to do things like class presentations.”

When the students learned about the Holocaust, they were tasked with interviewing someone older than themselves.

Jonathan Stamp talked to his granddad. “This course gives you a better point of view of what life was like for other people,” he said. “CoPE has probably given me the skills of patience and strength.”

When asked what skills he had learned in CoPE, Callum Preston said: “I have extended my confidence to speak out loud and I have become more reliable because I don’t want to disappoint my teammates. CoPE has motivated me to try my hardest to contribute to the group so we can get the best out of this course.”

Course teacher Damien Newman, who give five lessons every fortnight, said that CoPE Level one is equivalent to a GCSE grade E, and Level two is equivalent to a GCSE grade B. Students may choose to continue with CoPE at sixth form, in which case they can hope to obtain a CoPE Level three qualification, equivalent to an A grade at AS-level. CoPE is a valuable part of these students’ education. It has made a real difference to their lives. After all, CoPE isn’t just some exam, it’s real life.

by JESSICA HEAP and LAURA BAKER, YEAR 10

Young musicans hit all the right notes

RYEDALE School Jazz Band and all-girl choral group, Cantarla, have taken to the stage for their annual New Year concert.

It took place at Pickering Memorial Hall, on February 6, in partnership with Pickering and District Rotary Club.

The evening began with 30 Cantarla voices displaying a wide-ranging repertoire of classical and show songs, such as music from A Little Jazz Mass. This talented group delighted the packed audience, keeping them on the edge of their seats with their awe-inspiring vocal talents and crystal-clear tone, sending sumptuous sounds echoing around the concert hall.

Superb solos were delivered by Rebekah Lally, Elise Symes Turnball and Hannah Woodward, with the talented Rosa Lawrance accompanying on keyboard.

After the interval, the Jazz Band were ready to deliver their programme of jazz classics and popular standards, as well as some more off-the-wall pieces, including the popular funky beats of The Chicken.

From the Latin beats of Carlos Santana’s Smooth to the swing of Kander and Erb’s music from Chicago, the band was on fine form, with the gifted horn section regularly lifting the roof.

This accomplished group of musicians also did justice to the quieter numbers. A beautiful rendition of A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square was a particular highlight, accompanied by the potent voice of Jay Lee.

One piece, The Dessert, was even composed and arranged for the band by one of its members, outstanding bass guitarist Alex Richards.

Everyone was in agreement that the real star of the show was the school’s director of music, Andrew Moxon, for encouraging the pupils and giving the soloists in particular their chance to shine. He conducted both musical groups with exceptional talent, fluency and humour.

As everyone strolled out at the end, there was a sense of magic and peace in the air, and murmurs of how successful the young musicians might be in the future.

Proceeds raised at the event will help fund the music department at Ryedale School and the Rotary club.

by ALICE HARDCASTLE, YEAR 9

“My love for maths made the decision for me”

Year 9 students Grace Walker and Lizzie Dore interview Chris Earnshaw, business manager.

How long have you worked at Ryedale School?

I will have been working at Ryedale School for 11 years in April, and I have always had the same job here, although it has grown over that time.

Why did you choose to work as a school business manager?

I have always absolutely loved mathematics, it was my favourite subject when I was at school and therefore it was just a natural progression to work in finance.

Have you done any other jobs in your career?

I left school at the age of 16 and worked as a junior clerk in the finance department of Leeds General Infirmary. After that I worked at the Forestry Commission for 17 years, before working as a delivery office manager at the Royal Mail, and then onto Ryedale.

What job would you have done if you had not become a finance officer?

If I hadn’t become a school business manager I would definitely have become a police officer. It was touch and go between finance and policing, but in the end my love for maths made the decision for me.

What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding and/or interesting?

Part of my role is to work with the premises team at school, overseeing the building of the library, dining hall, drama studio and fitness suite was something I found highly rewarding. I really enjoyed seeing the projects come to life and watching the buildings develop. Witnessing the pleasure students get from using them is very satisfying.

What is the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job has got to be trying to make ends meet year-on-year, while finding additional funding to support the budget.

What is the thing that has changed most about working in a school over the years?

There has been a huge reduction in funding over the years. The government is cutting back school budgets by one and a half per cent each year, which is making it very hard to pay for the essential things needed at the school.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of state education?

I think you have to be optimistic. I hope they look more closely at government funding and change the way it is done.

How do you relax away from teaching?

I spend a lot of time with my friends and family outside of school. I am also a huge sports fan, particularly of football, and I have supported Leeds United since the age of eight. Girls didn’t really play football when I was young, so I wasn’t a player myself. I just loved going to the games with my uncle.

Which person being has had the largest influence on your life?

My mum has definitely had the largest influence on my life. She left school at the age of 14 and worked in a mill until her early 60s. She was a very generous lady and a model parent who loved her family, and I’d like to think that could be the same.

What is your ambition?

Before leaving Ryedale my ambition is to try to create a better learning environment in the ALC. We are working on it now, and I hope to fully achieve it before I leave. It is difficult, though, with the lack of funding. I am looking forward to retirement and I think I would like to do some voluntary work eventually to keep myself busy.

Which country would you most like to visit?

I would love to visit Canada. I have a few friends who live there, but I have never had the chance to go myself because of work. If I did manage to go I would like to spend a while out there and travel through Canada, but it would have to be during summer as I couldn’t cope with one of their harsh winters.

What do you like most about living in Ryedale?

When I was young I lived very close to Leeds in a mill town. I used to walk to school with chimneys blowing out black smoke. In Ryedale there is always fresh air and it’s a beautiful setting. There are lovely places to visit and we are so close to the coast. I’ve lived here for 40 years now, so I guess I class myself as local.