Pupils talk of their experiences bringing this dark tale to life
How one 5th Form student is raising the awareness of Dyslexia
Farewell to Anton Maree
Highlights and memories of his 10 years at Ackworth
Leaving education after 10 years as a head, 34 years working in three different countries and 32 years living on site at three different schools – King William’s, Rossall and Ackworth is a worrying prospect.
Having had a huge amount of responsibility makes this lifestyle change problematic but it also offers the opportunity to try something new. I can’t wait to make things for other people. I design, make, and will hopefully sell high quality furniture, and I dream of having my own YouTube channel. Please subscribe!
I find the experience of looking back on my career as an educator somewhat strange. Schools are busy and vibrant places where events and experiences come in floods rather than trickles. Recollections of such a busy life have no particular order and sneak up randomly, often at unexpected times. Take for example the beginning of every year, with the arrival of new pupils and then the regular crowd who have all seemed to have grown taller during the Summer. The atmosphere of the school works on osmosis as new pupils discover from existing inhabitants how we treat each other, how we laugh, how we comfort, how we learn and even how we work. Like the flooding of the Nile, it’s a mystery but it tends to happen. What makes our experience different is the number of new arrivals, very often from distant lands, in the Fourth and Sixth Form. We know this gives the school a new injection of talent and breadth, but they have to learn very quickly how to do difficult subjects in a foreign language according to an examination system they haven’t encountered before.
Then there is the experience of more formal things like reading the final lesson in the carol service, school lunches; watching sports, concerts, plays, and the many magical hours spent chatting to young people. Working in such a positive environment full of expertise and talent is sustaining and energising. Nothing can replace that, not even two months in South Africa and a similar length of time in Japan and then Cooktown, Australia, only a threeminute walk from the beach. There have been frustrations, mistakes to overcome, and dark moments which will stay with me forever. The role of a head is enormously demanding and incredibly diverse, but it’s important to cherish the good bits and our pupils never fail to deliver,
on stage, through music, in the classroom, and on the sports field.
A favourite pastime is to visit the Bursar so that I can look out over the Green through her window. Most people only visit her to ask for money! It is amazing what can be seen through her window especially after lessons have finished for the day. Who is with whom, who is very excited, who is alone, who looks anxious, who is only with their ethnic group, who is mixing? And of course, there are people we know and people we know less well. It’s a living tapestry of young lives, and when you factor in what you know about how they perform academically and try to relate it to how they present themselves in ordinary life it is clear that we must never ever generalise about children, that we really must work to identify their individual characteristics and their individual gifts.
On at least six occasions every year my thoughts are dominated by the meeting of the School Committee. The meetings are positive events and over the years we have spent hours on policies and planning. From time to time, we have gone over scenarios involving the redevelopment of part of the site. As expectations change, we are under pressure to produce, for example, a larger car park, ensuite facilities for girls in boarding, a Performing Arts Centre, and a newer Sports Centre. Our meetings concentrated on the big view and bits of the detail that could be handled at this stage with the resources at our disposal.
On my early morning jaunts in the car park at Ackworth School, I have had many interesting conversations with pupils, parents, and staff. On one occasion, a few years ago, I was asked by a pupil new to the school what it is like being the head. I said that it was wonderful if a little scary, to which the pupil replied “Don’t worry, you’ll be OK. I was a bit nervous when I first arrived, but I soon got used to it.” And so I have, but getting used to the idea of retirement presents a different challenge.
All of the schools I have worked at have had an impression on me. None more so than Ackworth with its Quaker values firmly imbued upon the school, its pupils, and its staff.
I am aware of the strong impression the school makes upon all visitors including inspections. They make much of the conversations they had with our pupils across the school. As such we all appreciate how good it feels to have validated one’s own sense of the star quality of the atmosphere in this school by professional peers who have inspected many schools.
I have seen 2130 pupils through the school at Ackworth. The best of them, those that were successful over the years, displayed not just dedication, but the ability to concentrate absolutely, like a laser, on the task in hand, whatever it was. We can all learn something from our pupils, though they can come across as rather too earnest and one has to discount some of their more sentimental protestations; some want to help the poor and needy, to change the world but they don’t know when or where. I remember a shy girl whose ambition was to become an actress (because it would give her more self-confidence) and the boy who wanted to learn Chemistry so he could find a way of making trees grow more quickly. Most of the pupils wanted to become business people, and one girl asked me to help her brother become a hedge fund manager, which was, I suppose, very flattering.
I carry with me such genuinely happy memories of my time as an educator, and some myths have followed me (what did I really say to the young man who reported himself to me after being caught smoking three times in the same place on the same evening by the same teacher?) and what really happened when I stood undercover in a bush as an ambitious young boarding master waiting to catch smokers only to have the head of the school step into the same bush hoping to catch me smoking. How did I lose a child in Red Square and another in Phnom Penh? Did I really suspend my son? Being awarded excellent by the ISI is, however, not a myth at all!
It has been my unending task to make sure that the next Head of Ackworth School inherits something even more wonderful than it is today! Anyone running a school will have as their aim the intention of making the school better tomorrow than it is today. I could have included a list of things I have done but they are in Ackworth Today if you wish to find them.
Whilst there are no new buildings during the ten years of my headship, we have mastered the art of repurposing and refurbishment our incredible Georgian buildings without spoiling their history and allure. Many of them have been redecorated and the central heating systems replaced. The school is a better place and we have more to offer the pupils as they prepare for a modern world. I can now feel proud of all the rooms in our boarding
houses, and better about our classrooms now that we have started work in the Andrews Block. Sadly, we were unable to provide a coffee shop, but this remains a part of our plans and the swimming pool is a feature of our fundraising for the 250th. Boarding accommodation is important, for boarders and lettings, but other parts of the school deserve attention too. Our wonderful MUGA and the renovated Fitness Suite are great assets and have supported the activities programme. And then we have to add that Coram has been led by a wonderful, wise, and experienced head who runs a very good junior school: we are a market leader here, but the market is a little reluctant to be led.
The senior year, about to face their final exams were in Year 4 in Coram when I arrived and the current first form, all being well, will leave Ackworth in June 2030. What sort of world and what possibilities will they inherit?
Ackworth will have presented them with opportunity as it has done for nearly 250 years.
None of this is possible without support and I have had plenty of that from my family. Alison has been a tower of strength throughout my career, and it is now my turn to support her. We have a granddaughter to keep us busy and Sale Rugby Club to fill our weekends with or occasionally Harrogate Town. I can also watch the next Rugby World Cup live, but I earnestly hope that someone else will win it, it’s just becoming ridiculous that one country wins it all the time.
I will miss the pupils and the staff, particularly the support staff (I will miss the things that keep me human like the 80s music blaring out from a transistor radio on a building site from eight in the morning). I will miss the moments of calm and stillness in the Meeting House and the sound of boarders’ suitcases being rolled across the car park. I will miss Yorkshire, but then there is much that I won’t miss – I won’t miss the increasingly complex regulations and inspections. As I gaze around my study, now stripped of all ornament and destined for who knows what future I am deeply grateful for the chances I have been given. I want to thank everybody who has made my life at Ackworth so rewarding over the last ten years. Ackworth has left its mark upon me and hopefully, I have added something too.
Farewell until we meet again.
Recently, I took part in a trip to Beamish, an Industrial Revolution living museum, for the 3rd year. It was an amazing learning opportunity, where we got to explore hamlets, towns, and factories throughout the day, all frozen in time. There was a wide variety of opportunities that we could take advantage of, we could speak to local residents, speak to the people running the factory and ask about how the machines work, go down old mines and so much more. I personally enjoyed the segment of the trip where we were given the freedom to explore a small town, we could go into the shops, even buy stuff, all whilst being with who we wanted to be with, where we wanted to be. Another part of the trip that I enjoyed was the area in the hamlet, where we could explore chapels, schools, and cottages, having fun and learning about how people lived along the way. Overall, it was an amazing trip, and I would happily go on another like it again.
Will, Third Form
Third form were taken on a trip to Beamish so that we could all learn about the conditions people lived and worked in during the Industrial Revolution. We were given the opportunity to talk to the workers who gave us information about machines, housing and even took us down into the mine and explained the working conditions of the average miner. I especially enjoyed learning about the housing that poorer families had to be crammed into and getting myself some ice cream. It was a very fun day and an excellent learning opportunity.
Jay, Third Form
November saw Rob Burrow CBE, the former England Rugby League and Leeds Rhinos player, and his wife Lindsey pay a visit to Ackworth to receive a cheque for just under £4,000 for The Rob Burrow MND Centre which will be a state-of-the-art purpose-built care centre of excellence for those with MND living in and around the Leeds area. The monies had been raised by our amazing PSA through a Santa Dash, bake sales, and non-uniform days, Rob and Lindsey spent time talking with The Head, pupils, and staff from Coram House and senior school before donating a signed copy of the book ‘With You Every Step’ which is full of heartfelt quotes and celebrates the close friendship between Rob and Kevin Sinfield.
Our Sixth formers organised and held their annual Winter Ball in December. With the theme of Hollywood, it was a night filled with sophistication, allure….and the odd recognisable film character! The photo booth, with its array of props, became the epicentre to capture the fun, friendship, and laughter of the night, while the DJ kept the dance floor filled until the party ended.
The last day of term before the Christmas break was the chance for our Senior School students and staff to wrap up the term and get into the Christmas spirit with a festive crescendo at the Christmas Concert. This joyous celebration was full of readings, music, and singing, with entertaining individual and group performances including from the String Orchestra, Percussion Group, Chamber Choir, and Senior Choir (who performed an outstanding rendition of ‘Last Christmas’). ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ by Slade brought the concert to a close and had everyone singing and dancing along.
The beginning of November saw the annual Inter-House Music Festival take place in our Music Centre. The event was adjudicated by our current singing teacher, Sarah Redgwick, who literally wowed the audience with her rendition of ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’. It was lovely to see such a variety of different musical styles from a mixture of students across the senior school. In particular, a very well done to those First Form students who bravely volunteered to represent their houses and we hope that they continue to enjoy their music-making as they move through the school.
Some of the students from the Autism Resource worked hard to make their own Christmas tree decorations in Design Technology. They carefully used a tenon saw to cut their wood, this took a lot of patience and care. They then filed the edges to make them smooth and safe. Each student carefully decorated their final products to make them unique. You can see some of the finished products in the photographs and I am sure you will agree that they have done a superb job. Well done to all of the students involved.
The Junior Art Club have enjoyed making a variety of designs of window art. They are made using a special paint which sets and can then be placed onto windows as decoration. The images display a range of different designs made by students who have attended the after-school club on a Thursday. Well done to all of the students involved.
For a historian, dates might be important to allow a context for events to be given a proper interpretation. However, the outcome of this process may not suit everyone as it is based, perhaps inevitably, on subjective feelings, in this case, mine.
Since the retirement of Frederick Andrews in 1920, after 43 years as Head, the most common tenure for a Head of Ackworth School is 10 years, and Anton Maree is the 4th Head to have reached that milestone.
But in terms of context, covering Covid and associated lockdowns, international conflict, and the related, and continuing, financial challenges and hardships, together with the modern tendency for shorter tenures, perhaps Anton has been faced with some of the toughest conditions faced by an Ackworth in the last 100 years. That the school, his school, still has a positive future in spite of events over the past four years owes much to the ideas and energy that Anton has consistently brought to the role. His presence and straightforwardness have certainly helped me to come to terms with events and incidents in modern school life.
I have chosen March 2020 as a focal point of what might have been: a full school at all levels with 530 on the roll; an early forecast of a significant surplus for the year; the promise of a sustained financial performance that would allow for planned investment in the campus, our people, and in relations with the wider community. This outcome would not have been achieved without his significant others: the SLT team, but most importantly Susan Allan, the Bursar since 2015 and who did so much during the pandemic, and Anton’s wife Alison, a professional in her own right but who chose to give emotional and practical support throughout their time in the Head’s house. Sue and Alison shared with Anton and the School Committee the frustration brought about by Covid and the related restrictions on daily lives and the serious, and continuing impact on finances.
In accepting the challenge to restore the finances and the spiritual health of the school community the improved prospects for the long-term survival of the school mean that Anton and Alison can move on to a well-earned retirement, safe in the knowledge that their legacy for the tenure of Martyn Beer is now more positive as he takes up the challenge in April 2024.
In my many conversations on many different topics with Anton I have been struck by how much he has cared for everyone in our community who might be affected by his actions, how he sees that we can share the privilege of being here with the schools and communities around Ackworth and beyond, and how extra-curricular activities and sport can make a difference to our well-being and togetherness.
Staff words to describe Anton
Anton continues to be a sports enthusiast, delighting in the success of all our sporting participants as well as seeing the success of our young academy footballers in the Harrogate Town partnership. He is also the only Head in my experience who keeps a toolkit in his office, available for running repairs or the installation of the Ackworth timeline in Centre Passage. Also, we will miss his distinctive figure in functions and meetings.
Anton and Alison leave with our love and best wishes for a long and fulfilling retirement and with our deep gratitude that, despite the trials and tribulations, his successor has a sound legacy for the continuing success of Ackworth School.
David
Bunney,Clerk of the Committee and AOS (1963 to 1970)
What a busy few months it has been. I know how Dorothy felt in The Wizard of Oz when she was picked up by the whirlwind and dropped at the start of the yellow brick road, it has been more than a little surreal at times. From starting my final year of GCSEs in September, in October I was taking part in photoshoots, by November I became the youngest ever semi-finalist in the Miss England competition and by December my dyslexia awareness campaign was well and truly alive and kicking. Whilst in the process having been interviewed by newspapers, magazines, and even a radio station, not to mention trying on quite a few cocktail and evening gowns. It has been far from dull.
Today the Miss England competition is a reflection of the modern woman, giving every competitor a chance to shine, from talent sections to fundraising through to environmental awards and rallying for good causes. In April 2024 I will compete for a place in the final, the overall Miss England winner gains a place in the Miss World competition with it the chance to win the crown and title. I have chosen to use the competition as a launch pad for my online dyslexia awareness campaign that I am documenting on social media. There have been moments through my education where I never really understood why I didn’t always get to grips with things as easily as those around me who may have paid less attention or completed work last minute with an air of disinterest in their work, that was until I was diagnosed with dyslexia when the reasons stated to become clear. I am still finding out and trying to understand how the condition affects me and why there are times that no matter how hard I try or how much I concentrate I still struggle. More time and a different explanation are often the key to things clicking with me. There will be a day when I feel able to make lighthearted quips about my inabilities in physics or geography, that day is yet to come, but I’m sure with grace and a good deal of humour one day it will emerge.
Dyslexia is a neurodiversity, millions of people across the world are affected by it. As an area of neuropsychology, it was only systematically studied in the 1970’s. Whilst scientific understanding has increased by the use of gene identifying technologies coupled with brain scans, there is still a long way to go in providing the general public, employers, and even dyslexics themselves with an understanding of how people are affected by the condition. Timekeeping and organisation are often overlooked aspects of dyslexia. Processing delays can result in people having the ‘lightbulb’ moment when the processing has finally kicked in. Reading, writing, and spelling are the primary issues the majority of dyslexics have issues around, but for some and I am one of the people I am referring to, we have significant problems with maths. Many neurodiverse people have strengths, in creative areas, music, sports, and engineering. My aim is to highlight the strength, talents, and unique thinking abilities that dyslexic people possess due to the way they use different areas of their brain than non-dyslexic people.
This school has a long history of campaigning for good causes and charity, representing, and creating equality, and promoting the school motto ‘non sibi sed omnibus’, or for those not familiar with Latin ‘not for oneself but for all’. As a dyslexic I hope to represent and speak up for those who need an advocate, as a Miss England competitor I aim to raise awareness for the many good causes and charities that the competition supports. The message I want everyone to take from my story is no matter how much ridicule, laughter, jealousy, or malice you face, no matter how disheartened you may feel at times follow your dreams because you’ll never live them if you don’t try. Sometimes to get where we want to go, we have to go on a journey we never expected, seek out a different route, and face the unknown.
Alex, Fifth Form
My campaign centres around interviews with those with experience or professional expertise of dyslexia and the interviews can be found on YouTube. A fast-learning curve it has been from my first interview with a retired teacher during which I was trying to find my feet, by the third interview I was in the Landsdowne Club, Mayfair interviewing Grant Harrold AKA ‘The Royal Butler’, former butler to King Charles. You can keep up to date with my campaign and who I’ve interviewed next by following me on Instagram and YouTube - there might be a few surprises along the way!
Instead of succumbing to the gloomy atmosphere associated with the third Monday of the month of January, known as Blue Monday, our students turned the day into a vibrant celebration of positivity and mental well-being.
To celebrate Multicoloured Monday our school opted for a non-uniform day, injecting a burst of colour and energy into the otherwise dreary day. Beyond the lively attire, the purpose was even more profound - to raise funds for the charity Leeds Mind and to emphasize the significance of mental health.
The day began with Myriam Barker from Leeds Mind, who delivered an inspiring talk to both Junior and Senior school
students. Myriam shed light on the vital work carried out by the charity and emphasized why positive mental health and well-being should matter to each one of us. Her words resonated throughout the school, setting the tone for a day of activities focused on how we can all play a role in supporting one another. Autism Resource also completed some work on the effect of a positive mindset
The Sixth Formers were treated to an exclusive session with Myriam, providing them with valuable insights into her diverse and remarkable career journey. The message was clear – education extends beyond textbooks; it’s about embracing real-world experiences and diverse paths that shape our futures.
Thank you to your generous donations, £315.43 was raised for Leeds Mind.
Over the last few months, our Marketing team has been busy working on a new marketing campaign that highlights the unique selling points of Ackworth: Quaker Values, Family Feel, Wraparound Care, Flexi-boarding, After School Clubs, and Wellbeing.
Working with our Creative agency, Wrapped, photographer, Darren Casey, and film company, Know, we have created a holistic campaign that fully highlights Ackworth’s unique spirit and dedication to our students. At the heart of the campaign are our students themselves – many talking passionately about the school and what they love in a series of short videos reflecting what sets us apart from other schools (these can be viewed on our YouTube channel).
A huge thank you to all students, staff, and parents who have helped to bring this campaign to life.
We believe supporting the well-being of our pupils and them feeling happy is paramount to helping them do well in school and beyond into adult life. Our dedicated Wellbeing Hub which is located underneath the Fothergill Theatre includes a nurture room and is where our Support Worker, Tom Oades is located. In the hub we have two counsellors who visit the school 3 days a week, the PAL’s office, and the deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The hub enables our pupils to access pastoral care in one centralised area. The hub has been set up to ensure we can be there for all students, and they can access this when they feel they need some support. Just outside is a relaxed games area, run and facilitated by our Sixth Form peer mentors, where students can come at break and lunchtime to play games and just chat if they want.
Recently a student survey was conducted for any students who had accessed the Wellbeing Hub and they were asked what they found helpful about their visit. Here are just some of the comments received.
Very comfortable
Having time to calm down
I was listened to
Safe and comfortable space
They give advice
I’m able to create a plan for certain events that help decrease my anxiety
It made me feel better as the staff were nice
I can get a lot of things off my chest even in just one session
Made our feelings feel valid and made us feel welcome
Reassurance
That I could talk to someone
They listened
The Junior Art Club have been working on a range of creative activities. The first half term focused on window art, of which a whole range of designs were created and are now displayed. The second half-term featured paper crafts. All of the students involved have enjoyed creating a variety of different origami projects, including some paper fortune cookies to celebrate Chinese New Year. Well done to all those who have been in attendance. This term we will be working with paint to create more exciting projects.
Liana PeckThey were kind and listened and got everything sorted out after I had asked for help
Having someone to talk to in school
The staff were listening to me carefully and tried their best to understand my situation
Everyone was really kind and supportive and listened to me, as well as offering advice
The support and being listened to
The Spring Term has been filled with academic and sporting accomplishments, a week dedicated to Literacy, in particular, storytelling and events around the theme of mental health and “My Voice Matters”.
Pupil voice is embedded in all that we do and offer. The School Council has successfully driven a succession of themed lunches. They met with the catering team and this term we have enjoyed food from Scotland and China with cuisine from other countries planned. Global Committee led a ‘Wonderfully Wild’ photography competition. The school council now meets regularly with Senior School bringing our school communities together.
Pupil voice refers to the involvement and expression of pupils’ perspectives, opinions, and experiences in educational and pastoral matters. It gives them a platform to share their thoughts on various aspects of school life. It is a way to empower them and include their input in decisionmaking processes “A child’s voice, however honest or true, is meaningless to those who’ve forgotten how to listen” (Professor Dumbledor). We do listen and welcome it within our school.
The Spring term often signifies a period of growth and renewal. It’s a time when students may reflect on their academic progress, participate in new clubs and activities, and try out new things. The importance lies in the opportunity for learning social development and the end of the school year is all too soon in sight.
For me, this year means the end of a ten-year period of working with, and for, Anton Maree. Anton started working at Ackworth School and appointed me from Head of EYFS to Deputy and then to Headship. We have enjoyed some happy and successful times together and survived some very stressful and hard times too. We worked through Covid and survived that. Anton has been a constant support and strength to me. I owe him a lot. He is well known to so many Coram pupils due to his visits and the way that he shows them just how much he cares about them. (Children know who love them). He will, I know, leave with many fond memories of Coram and will leave us with many too. I wish him all the best in his retirement.
Easter is upon us, and the summer term is just around the corner. We look forward to warm weather, longer days, and new beginnings at Ackworth.
Sally Slater
Over £140 was raised for Children in Need by the pupils of Coram House in November. Thank you for your generous donations.
We are delighted to have been awarded the BRONZE IMPACT award by Picture News.
“We reached this decision as we felt that your Year 6 pupils have made a real difference to Khalsa Aid with their first business fayre. We loved the different ideas the children came up with in order to raise money, and what a fantastic amount was raised! Well done for the impact you have made; you should feel very proud!” Lisa and Jo Picture News education consultants
Here are our Year 7 pupils receiving the award for the work they completed when in Year 6. What a fantastic achievement! We will be working on achieving the next level.
Sophie Schoukroun, Deputy Head Coram House
The start of February is Children’s Mental Health Week. Although we talk about mental health and how to care for ourselves (and each other) every day, it is a lovely time to do some focussed lessons together.
In Reception class, we read the book Silly Billy by Anthony Browne. The children were captivated to learn how ‘worry dolls’ are used in Guatemala to help take away worries and how they are placed under pillows at night time, a little like hoping for a visit from the tooth fairy.
Mrs Staton had a worry doll to show the children and the children made one of their own to take home. As well as this, some children designed their own ‘worry dolls’ on the whiteboard.
Having worries is a totally normal part of life; we all have little worries from time to time. Mindfulness can help. Being mindful helps us to focus on what is happening right now and therefore little worries tend to go away.
Scan me
Here are Years 5 and 6 answers to the following questions.
What is mental health?
Mental health is your emotions. (DR-F) (MR-T)
It is your different emotions, feelings and thoughts. (XS) (CB)
Mental is how your brain functions. (LA)
It is about how you take care of your mind. (HC)
Mental health is like your physical health but your inner health. (MU)
It is how you express your emotions (AB)
Who can help?
Teachers, doctors. (ST)
Your friends and your family. (DR-F)
Charities and support groups such as Mind. (FQ)
Animals and pets because if you are feeling lonely they help. (MU)
Places that make you feel happy. (CB)
Therapists. (RP)
Coaches, activity leaders, teammates. (AB) (BR)
People who you are comfortable around and make you feel happy. (HC)
How can we look after our mental health?
It is keeping your brain healthy just like you do things to keep your body healthy. (EP)
By taking care of ourselves. (ST)
By sleeping or reading a book (RC)
You can keep yourself healthy mentally by doing something relaxing. (XS)
At the end of January, the String Orchestra performed a variety of pieces as a group and individually at Wakefield Cathedral as part of the weekly recital series. The performances were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and our students alike. Well done to all involved.
The Wakefield Cathedral recital was a really fun experience! It was amazing to see that so many members of the public are eager and interested in coming to these recitals and it was so nice to know that they enjoyed the beautiful playing and singing performed. We were all so proud to represent Ackworth School!
Shanae, Lower Sixth and Alara, 5th Form
By being positive and not keeping your emotions bottled up. Best is to talk to people about it. (FQ)
By learning how to tell people about what makes you sad. (MR-T)
By playing a sport or a game you like. (TT)
Keep active and exercise. (EF)
Share your emotions. (RP)
You need a good mentality going into the day. (RP)
How do we talk about it?
Ask twice if people are alright. (ST)
Tell people that you are here if they need to talk. (DR-F)
In a way you need to feel comfortable yourself before you talk to someone about their mental health. (EF)
We learned that mental health is the state of our mind, heart, and soul. We also learnt that sometimes it is best not to make eye contact with the person we are listening to so we do not put pressure on them when they share something with us. Also, best to pick our moment to ask someone if they need our help.
Coram House pupils thought it important to raise awareness about and funds for mental health even though most already knew about it.
Sophie Schoukroun
During this half-term, we have been looking at building independence and enhancing skills learned earlier in the year further. Year 6 are always enthusiastic and excited to come to Food and have made a number of dishes that they have enjoyed eating. They have continued to work in pairs, individually or as small groups to complete tasks using several different food ingredients. They have really enjoyed making Rolo Rock buns, fruit frisbees, and pizza pinwheels to name a few. They can usually be seen being consumed on the way back to Six Block.
2nd Form have been improving their skills and enjoyed making some family-friendly recipes, which range from breakfast frittata to pizza and chicken fajitas. They have also been looking at why certain ingredients are used in recipes - the Science behind the ingredients.
3rd Form are looking at street food this term and have so far made calzone and pancakes, they all did a fantastic job with some even trying to flip their pancakes. Not many prefer the traditional lemon and sugar topping, instead opting for Cadbury chocolate spread. The calzones that were made could have easily been sold in a restaurant. The skills they showed in making the pizza dough and crimping were excellent.
1st Form have really enjoyed making many dishes and have shown great independence during practical assessments. They have had to be organised and work to a time limit to produce their food products. This half term they have looked at accurately weighing, and they have made oat cookies, macaroni cheese, and scone-based pizza swirls. They have also learned about seasonality and food wastage. They came up with some useful tips to prevent food wastage - don’t go to the shops hungry, make a shopping list, and put the oldest food to the front and the newest to the back.
4th Form have been perfected a variety of different skills, skills they will need to showcase in their Non-Examined Assessment next year. They all enjoyed making a lemon meringue pie and profiteroles. To follow is making jam and butter for their scones.
Autism Resource and Pre-A level have enjoyed making several dishes which include puff pastry pizza swirls, Palmier, fruit tarts, and quesadillas.
Sarah Wilkinson, Head of Food and Nutrition
To me, the rich history, architecture, and grounds of Ackworth have always been full of theatrical possibility and play. Like something out of Narnia, we have plonked oversized cupboards and socially distanced banks of chairs onto Great Garden (The Wardrobe, 2021: tick!). I have had banks of possessed girls from Salem screaming about the devil in the Meeting House (The Crucible, 2022: tick!). And now, at long last, I have seen the little flame that was lit way back in 2010 (when, while taken on a tour as a prospective teacher, I was first shown the tiny hatch in the ceiling near Centre Library through which babies were apparently lifted up and down floors when Ackworth was not a school but a Foundling Hospital) - that little flame has finally ignited in 2024’s Senior School production of Coram Boy (tick!).
And my goodness me, it was difficult - not least because this is the first play I have directed at Ackworth that I have actually seen professionally produced beforehand (so the shadow of the wonderful 2005 National Theatre production always loomed ominously, like Olivier for Antony Sher’s Richard III). Somehow, however (as always seems to happen in plays - seemingly against all the odds), we found answers to our problems. Across the play’s two acts, 60+ scenes, and four months of rehearsal, we became experts in the etiquette of women’s wigs and upper-class make-up of the 18th century; we worked out ways of choreographing a Georgian ball; we solved such problems as how to bury babies in marshland, how to cogently manage 3-4 costume changes with little breathing time, how to convincingly give birth on stage, how to stage a hanging, how to create an ocean, how to
drown a man and have him rescued by an angel… All in a day’s work!
Indeed, the difficulty itself is why we do it, and I couldn’t be more proud to work with students and staff who embrace this sense of shared endeavour, and who have helped and collaborated, and thought together in order to craft solutions to all these challenges. More than any play I’ve directed at Ackworth, Coram Boy was the one that put teamwork, collaboration and shared ownership right at its heart. Over 50 students across every year group of the school worked on stage, backstage, on the tech deck, in marketing, in community outreach, learning, and then leading technical teams, to transform the play from all these little marks on a page to two and a half hours of a gloriously dark Gothic melodrama that sent us on the twists and turns of the most enjoyable of thrillers. For several students, Coram Boy is their last Ackworth production, and we recognise and thank them all so much for their work and service to Drama at the school. We are able to keep pushing at boundaries and lifting the bar of our own standards because of how hard you have worked and how much you have given over the years. You will always be a part of the Fothergill, just as the Fothergill will always be a part of you. Thank you.
We take the briefest of rests before we go again. Onwards we go, with the Interhouse Drama Competition taking place in the second half of the Spring Term. Onwards we go, into the Junior Production and the Cawood Slot productions in the Summer Term. Onwards we go, into the debates, planning, and preparations for #Musical25 that are already underway. Onwards we go, striving for truth and joy and togetherness and excellence and creativity in all that we do. To use the words of Jonathan Larson: ‘Hey, what a way to spend a day… I’m gonna spend my time this way.’
Ali Boucher, Head of Drama
Wow. What an experience. This play has been the bane and joy of my life. I would be lying if I said there weren’t any mistakes, but we pushed through. Perseverance is key in these productions and that really shone with the cast and crew with this. It really makes me happy to know that we have pulled off this spectacular performance. We came into this task with pride and joy, and I can certainly say that we come out with double that. None of this could have been done if weren’t for everyone pulling together. One thing that really is amazing is the number of junior performers and crew. I know that only 5-6 First Formers did the last one and now we’re well above double digits and that takes courage and I’m sure we are all so grateful to have you here today. We have lost some outstanding performers with the end of this play, and it won’t be the same without you. So, I say this to everyone involved, thank you.
Vinnie, 2nd Form
Coram Boy was an amazing play to do. I was incredibly happy to play Mrs Lynch. She is a very interesting character to try and understand. Being in Coram Boy as my last production at Ackworth was amazing. My confidence has improved so much. Being able to help at rehearsals where I wasn’t needed was amazing because I could see all the younger actors grow in their confidence and ability to act on the stage. It was such a fun production to be a part of and I am going to miss being on the stage so much.
Freya, Upper Sixth
cast and not feel shy or socially awkward. I feel like every cast is a found family and I’m grateful to be able to do something like this and be part of it. I always looked up to and wanted to do it, it was so fun acting with people I didn’t even know a year ago just because I was astonished by their performance during Legally Blonde. I hope I get to be in the next stressful but exciting play. Thank you!
Paula, 5th Form
Where do I start! This play has truly shown me how much I love and enjoy drama. A few weeks ago, I was in the car driving to school with my mum and the only thing I could talk about was how excited I was to perform this play. As Mr Boucher said in his very long message, a teacher can mean a lot to a student and words cannot describe how grateful I am to have come to this school where I have a teacher who has a love for drama the same way I do. This play has taught me how to become a character and take a character and make it your own. Thank you, Mr Boucher, for a once in a lifetime experience!
Charlotte, 2nd Form
I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment on stage in Coram Boy and am so grateful for the massive opportunity. It was such a powerful process going from just finding out what the play was to signing up, auditioning, rehearsing and then, finally, performing the play alongside many talented actors on that stage. The play was amazing, and I will forever hold the memories we all made in my heart. The whole thing was so amazing, and I was so sad to let go of it and say goodbye to Coram Boy that I just cried and cried and cried at the end.
A year ago when I came to see Legally Blonde, I was really looking forward to seeing the play. I couldn’t stop thinking about it! All I could say while watching the play was, “I want to be up there”, “they’re all so talented”, “I’m going to audition for the next one”, though I kept hesitating if I could actually be on stage and perform because of my personality. But during Coram Boy I was never nervous on stage - instead, I was happy performing on stage, I always loved coming on. Also, I could talk to anyone in the
Vivi, 1st Form
Coram Boy is one of the most gloriously crafted plays that I have ever been a part of. I absolutely adored every second of it; not only the story, the message behind it but also the people that were a part of it with me. This play in particular made me realise how lucky I am to be surrounded by people as passionate towards drama as myself. I took some time to watch scenes that I wasn’t in and admired the talent of actors as young as 11 years old expressing themselves on stage. It brought me an overwhelming sense of joy. I particularly loved the support that everyone had towards one another, and the warmups
before each performance where we said “Gloucester” about 30 times to try to prevent Alex S from saying “Glowchestere” on stage. I loved it! All of it! The extravagant costumes, the music, the friendship, the experience. A challenge that I faced was having to sprint around with Harvey backstage as we left scene 24 and tried to enter scene 25 from the other side of the theatre. It was difficult, so the cast helped us by staying to the side so that we wouldn’t trip up. Thank you! Another challenge that I faced was conducting the choir at the end of the play. I have been singing for a very long time, but I hadn’t realised how difficult conducting is, making me appreciate the work of Mrs Redgwick and Mr Mc-B to an even greater extent! However, the cast believed that I could do it, and I managed to pull it together in the end. Thank you! This was my last play at Ackworth School, a fact that I struggled to process as I stepped off the stage on Friday night. I’m so grateful for everything that the drama department has done for me, and I will carry the memories from every single play that I have been a part of at Ackworth with me for the rest of my life. Drama at Ackworth has helped me through a lot, and it’s because of drama that I have made so many amazing and talented friends. From the moment that I walked down the theatre steps, before performing Beauty and the Beast with my year 6 class, to the last night of Coram Boy, where I bowed for the last time, holding the hands of some of my closest friends, I knew that I couldn’t ask for anything more. Thank you so much.
Charlotte, 5th Form
Coram Boy was an amazing and unique experience! A dream play for any actor. It was full of plot twists, and it had a crazy and complicated storyline. The scenes were intense, and action packed or exciting and fun! It had a very detailed and well thought out set that gave strength and flavour to the play. It is something I will never forget!
Benji, 2nd Form
I really enjoyed being a part of the play and the community in it. Everyone gets to know each other and laugh about with everyone, and you meet new faces and make new friends and long-lasting friendships along the way. I really recommend the play for everyone as it’s enjoyable, exciting, sometimes stressful but we all pull together in the end and make long-lasting memories. There are also so many different things you can do if you don’t want to act in it! Overall, the experience is amazing, and I will 100% be doing it next year.
Alex, 4th Form
The play was so fun and enjoyable. It was a great opportunity and adventure for everyone to do and personally, I think I benefited from it - it opened a lot of opportunities for me!
Gracie, 1st Form
Coram Boy was a particularly special play for me as it was my last play at Ackworth, and I loved every single minute. There are definitely moments in every production that prove difficult and stressful but overall, it’s those moments that truly bring the cast together. Coram Boy was a thrilling tale about the deceit surrounding a foundling hospital and the reunion of broken families; it was a pleasure to be part of creating such an amazing story. This play pushed everyone to their limits with its use of unfamiliar staging and special effects and is definitely the most technical production I have taken part in at Ackworth. However, everybody used their team spirit to make this play come to life and there is no better feeling than that.
Zoë, 5th Form
“I really enjoyed the workshop and play, and it was so inventive how you covered some of the challenges such as the waves and the hanging! There are some very talented students at this school, and you would not have thought it was the first night at all - they were very professional throughout. The stagehands did a great job as well (never easy moving props about).”
“May I send your cast and crew congratulations on a terrific first night. Last night I attended your opening night and was swept away by the touching and emotive story the results of both tremendous talent and undoubtedly many, many hours of hard work by so many pupils, stirring the audience with so many emotions fear, outrage, awe, sorrow and relief, reminding us of past wrongs of failed good intentions. I particularly enjoyed our viewpoint from the ocean as the waves rolled over us drawing us ever deeper, closer to the story. Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking, in equal measure, evening.”
“Congrats on another exemplary theatrical masterpiece. Big cast and loved the multi zoned set. Adam/Otis as the villain was excellent and the synchronised sway on the hanging scene a highlight. As were the floaty banners revealing the drowning scene… Many congratulations on turning that cast around from Monday!”
“I felt the buzz, passion, energy on centre passage before the play at 5.30 onwards, with the students wanting the play to go out with a bang! Refining all the weeks hard work into the last night. The students are incredibly proud to be involved.”
“Now the dust has settled on Coram Boy, I wanted to reach out and congratulate you and your team on the production. I was lucky enough to see it on opening night and then again on the Thursday night. I was really impressed with the children’s effort and skill in delivering what was at times challenging material. I particularly enjoyed the scene towards the end of Mish, Toby and Aaron where they are thrown overboard. The waves/ ocean was a great effect.”
“First of all, I would like to congratulate you for the amazing play you’ve came up with. I was able to see it two nights in a row to support my roommate who was in the play. I absolutely loved it and seeing their excitement and emotions in our room reminded me of the times I used to go on stage in the productions I’ve taken part in. I realised
how much I missed the feeling of being on stage and taking part in something so stressful yet amazing. Please remind me on the upcoming plays (either this year or next year) because I would love to take part in it in any way. Congratulations again.”
“You did an amazing job! It was absolutely brilliant and your cast I LOVED Vida!!! What talent! And Gabi too! So lovely to see them both shine like that!”
“I just wanted to say how very much I enjoyed Coram Boy on Thursday evening. What a show!! Honestly it was fabulous!”
“Great play, 51 children involved one way or another! New skills acquired for now and in the future!”
“Huge congratulations on Coram Boy. Simply incredible!! I am lost for words, to be honest!”
“I just wanted to say how much we all enjoyed watching Coram Boy - all four nights of it! It was extremely impressive on the opening night, and it got even better as the week progressed. Wonderful to see so many new faces on stage too. The commitment and hard work of everyone involved was clear to see - the cast, stage crew and tech worked together so well, and it felt seamless even with the fast pace of the plot and the many scene changes. I thought the singing was incredible, not easy to hit those high notes, but they aced it and, as a member of the audience, it made me feel as if we were right there in the Cathedral/at the recitals. The actors brought the story to life so well, they made their characters believable with wonderfully nuanced and sensitive performances so that we were invested from the start and genuinely cared about what happened to them. There were so many outstanding scenes but one that stood out for me was the drowning scene. It was superbthe panic and fear in the actors’ voices and faces was so convincing that I literally wanted to jump out of my seat and find them a life-ring! Handel’s delivery of, “this is a rather inconvenient time to discover your joy” was brilliant comic relief, perfect timing and such wonderfully gritted teeth! Melissa Milcote’s childbirth scene was honestly as convincing as any episode of Casualty. Just so impressive. As with every play, our children gain and learn a huge amount from it.... new friendships, confidence in their ability to push the edges of their comfort zones, responsibility and, this time, even some topical historical knowledge and maybe an appreciation of Handel’s music! We, and they, appreciate it so much. Thanks again and a massive well done to the cast and crew. Can’t wait for the next one!”
Ahead of the opening night of Coram Boy, our Head of Drama, Ali Boucher and some of the cast of Coram Boy hosted an engaging drama workshop for some students of Scissett Middle School. Delving into the story of Coram Boy and the challenges faced within this production, the students enjoyed exploring their inner thespians with energy and enthusiasm, whilst being encouraged and supported by our cast members. After enjoying tea at school, the visiting students took their seats for the opening night of Coram Boy and watched
“Thank you so much for once again inviting us to Ackworth, for giving our students such a warm welcome and a first-class experience. This morning several students have sought me out to say how much they enjoyed both the workshop and watching the play. And an enormous thank you and congratulations from all of our students to all of your cast. You have all done such a terrific job. A ferocious project to tackle but they absolutely rose to it last night. It was absolutely gripping - as an audience we really felt the pain, the deceit, the vulnerability and the hope. We loved how you chose to stage those key scenes especially after the insights from your workshop and our students really benefited from watching something with such challenging themes. So thanks again and I’m sure the rest of the run will be just as much a huge success as last night.”
“A really serious congratulations for that huge feat! What an amazing play! So juicy and gritty and tense and weird and bold and at moments so tender and FUN! Such clever direction (plus I loved the set!) so many, many , thoughtful moments, I really, really, did love the hanging, I was trying to think of how I’d do it during the workshop, then when we watched it I had that “ahhh! That’s a much better idea” moment! It was just so simple to watch but so impactful. The acting again was just brilliant, incredible characterisation from a lot of the actors who just completely committed, and made the whole thing so tense and believable, we were all totally hooked from beginning to end! Every child seemed so invested in it as well. I’ve never heard of the play, but it was brilliant. It felt like reading a really good thriller that I couldn’t put down. You’ve done such an amazing job to achieve all of that in yet again a very short space of time! And again, the workshop was so inspiring for our children but also for the teachers! Can’t wait for the next one! I loved those more tender moments and relationships between characters too. I welled up at moments and I really think the lighting and music added to that emotion! I’m just blown away really by the whole cast and crew please pass this on, I absolutely adored it! Another huge success thank you everyone! I also loved the really dark baby killing bit at the beginning, the baby sound from the girl, omg so creepy and so, so, good. You all completely transported me into another world, and I could have sat and watched for even longer I was just drawn in from the very beginning. The music added so much to the whole atmosphere/ tension etc and I also loved even that the moment we walked in you had that angel character stood up at the top. I loved piecing bits together, like I said earlier, the moment the character was sick, and I just went “omg, she’s pregnant and they’re going to sell the baby to the man!” Again, that feeling of being hooked into a thriller and putting all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together and then gasping when you’ve realised what’s about to happen… So good!”
Our school buildings are stunning and have so much history…but with the constant hustle and bustle of a school comes repairs. Currently, we have several different projects running to carry out repairs and improvements to the school. These include refurbishment of the Andrews Wing, removal of the lockers from the West Wing locker room and creation of new common rooms, upgrading of the heating system in the Centre block, repairs to the West Wing Cupola, and refurbishment of Garden Villa.
On February 12th, the West Wing Cupola was temporarily removed for repair and refurbishment. It had been in situ since the West Wing was built in 1763 when Ackworth was still a branch of the London Foundling Hospital.
The West and East Wing Cupolas are local landmarks which can be seen for miles around, especially on a sunny day. In the photo, school decorators Gary and Dean can be seen sprucing up the West Wing Cupola sometime in the mid1990s. No health and safety in those days!
It has been a real success story for all our Netball teams since the start of the season in September.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Forms have played 8, 7, and 5 games respectively and all have resulted in wins.
The girls have shown commitment to each other across the season and demonstrated high levels of effort, skill, and a positive attitude.
Although the season comes to an end at Easter, we still have lots of opportunities to compete with the Pontefract and Wakefield Tournaments all being played in the next few weeks.
Well done girls. Here’s to finishing off the season with a bang and continuing our success into next year too.
Mrs HuddlestoneThe U15 boys reached the last 32 schools in the country in the ESFA U15 PlayStation Cup, having beaten schools from Hull, Lincoln, Rotherham, and Doncaster and were eventually knocked out in round 6 by Wales High School. The schools Ackworth have played against have up to 2000 students on roll and this shows the task the students have been up against. The boys have played amazingly in each round and everybody in the school is extremely proud of their achievements.
The PE department, Director of Football - John McDermott, and Harrogate Town AFC are proud of the boys super charged success this year. The commitment in the pursuit of success has been evident with lots of Saturday training, which has clearly paid off.
James Bower, Head of Physical Education
Girls’ football is growing, with all players thoroughly enjoying themselves. Whether your aim is fitness, fun, or both, all aspiring girl footballers are encouraged to come and join us every Thursday from 4:15 pm to 5:30 pm.
We welcome girls of all skill levels to come and try out for the team. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet new friends while engaging in physical activity in a supportive environment. No prior experience is necessary; everyone is welcome!
Successfully auditioned and was selected from 184 dancers to perform as part of the Junior Dance Ensemble in Beauty and The Beast Pantomime at Cast Theatre, Doncaster.
Claudia was one of 6 dancers in the “Speakers” group and performed in 17 shows between 30 November 2023 and 30 December 2023.
Rehearsals commenced on Tuesday 31st October and Claudia rehearsed 3 times per week in addition to her usual commitments to dance, learning 10 dances to be performed throughout each of the 17 shows.
Claudia thoroughly enjoyed every performance and loved working with her 5 fellow dancers and the cast. It was wonderful to be part of such an amazing production
Our outdoor learning group have been super busy this term! Here are just a few photos where we made bird feeders and hung them up around the school grounds. Hopefully, they’ll keep some birds full during this cold winter!
and not only perform but work with an amazing team, as well as learn about life in a professional theatre and the intricate workings of putting on a show. Claudia said, “I loved performing in front of a full theatre audience, all the costume changes and friendships I formed with all the cast”.
As part of the Young Leaders Award challenges in addition to the tasks she was doing at home, Lilia decided that she wanted to make packs for homeless people. In the packs, she included hand sanitiser, thermal gloves, thermal socks, thermal hat & neck warmer, and some water and food.
We had an Autism Resource trip to the Reel Cinema in Wakefield to watch ‘Wish’ A lovely day out where our pupils got the chance to show off their lifeskills which they have been working so
Coram House is partnered with Collège Paul Dardé in Lodève, Hérault, France. It is a secondary school with 676 pupils aged 11 to 15. Claus has three penpals: Adrian, Hugo and Sarah. All three volunteered to write to Claus and their exchange started in the Autumn term. Claus made them each a Christmas card. This term, Claus received three letters: two in French and one in English.
Some of our pupils helped to sort, group, and deliver all of the toys and baby products that were collected by Ackworth School and PSA to Airedale Baby and Children’s Bank. They were so grateful and thanked our pupils for being such a big help!
Congratulations to Alex S on achieving his Functional Skills Entry Level 3 in English. Alex has worked exceptionally hard and demonstrated maturity, determination, and resilience. We are so proud of you, Alex.
It is a foggy and misty morning in the woods
I can see brown tall trees with old rough bark on their trunks.
The trees are shining and glowing, in the orange light from the sunrise.
The path is covered with white twigs snow and stones.
By Henry TElsie Huntington and her husband, Tony popped into school at the beginning of November 2023 and very kindly donated a copy of a book Elsie recently had published. This was the realisation of a dream for Elsie that started over 30 years ago when she obtained ‘The Diaries of the ABC and Leeds Ramblers Bicycle Club 1881 – 1883’.
The diaries encapsulate the camaraderie and cycling exploits of a group of young men, all Ackworth Old Scholars. Their detailed narrative, illustrated with watercolour and pen and ink sketches is unusually well presented and represents a valuable social history of those times.
Elsie’s brother-in-law and Ackworth Old Scholar, Stuart Huntington was also involved with the diaries and contributed some lovely images to replace ones missing. There are only 100 copies of the book published so we are very grateful to Elsie for gifting a copy to school.
If you would like more information on how to purchase a copy of the book, please email Alumni@ackworthschool.com so your details can be forwarded to Elsie.
At last! The much-anticipated date of Friday 3rd November had arrived, and we excitedly packed our bags in readiness for the annual weekend trip to Glenthorne Guest House in Grasmere, Cumbria, to be part of the gathering of 40 Friends and friends, kindly organised once again by Mike McRobert. With the warning of Storm Ciarán approaching, we checked our essential waterproofs were included and set off on our long 284-mile journey.
Glenthorne is a long-established Quaker guest house that provides a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and delicious home-cooked food, in absolutely stunning surroundings. The autumnal leaves of reds and golds were quite dramatic against the backdrop of craggy hills and azure blue skies - simply beautiful.
On arrival, we were welcomed with cups of tea and delightful homemade cakes and biscuits. The volume of friendly chatter began to rise as people caught up and new introductions were made. This year 10 new faces joined the group and were quick to settle in their new environment.
A delightful evening was had by all at the Old Scholars Northern Reunion just before Christmas. It was wonderful to see familiar faces, sharing laughs and memories from school days alongside some of the current School Officers who gave a glimpse into school life today. Thomas Franks provided a delicious buffet which was enjoyed by all.
We started the evening with a tasty menu choice (and a wine list) and once replete decanted into the large sitting room. The evening’s entertainment was provided by Anne Telford-Kenyon who was joined by our AOSA President Charles Stuart. Together they had compiled a fun quiz evening that stretched our minds over ‘dingbats’, history, photography, and a plethora of other subjects.
Saturday greeted us with clear skies and after a hearty cooked breakfast, and Meeting, the walkers divided into three even groups, each tackling a different walk ranging in difficulty. The ideal weather conditions ensured spectacular views over tarns and lakes where we all appreciated our packed lunches provided by Glenthorne. The non-walkers enjoyed the sights of Grasmere which has much to offer from its art galleries and coffee shops to its ‘famous’ jigsaw shop and open-topped bus service to Bowness Pier. Something for everyone!
The evening’s entertainment followed yet another scrumptious meal served by the ever-attentive and caring staff. The hilarious Nici Fletcher-Causer and Trudy Seed kept us all amused with a selection of games, creating much laughter and merriment.
Sunday morning followed the same format as Saturday. The now traditional walk to the ‘Wentworth’ for morning coffee was followed by our final lunch at Glenthorne. Then time to pack up and say our goodbyes, until next year in November (or Easter at Ackworth). Such a great weekend, my deposit has already been paid for 2024!
Karen Housden, Daughter of Keith Daniel (AOS 1950-55)
Congratulations to former Ackworth music scholar Jack Davies for receiving the ‘WhatsOnStage’ award for Best Supporting Actor in a West End Show’ for his role as Gabe in the musical Next to Normal. He performed with an orchestra at the awards in February at the London Palladium!
After Ackworth School and Cheetham’s School of Music Jack graduated from the prestigious Mountview Theatre School in London. Jack’s career has gone from strength to strength in the last five years. Notable leading roles have included:
• Pinnochio at the National Theatre London
• The Magician’s Elephant at Royal Shakespeare Company Stratford
• Sweeney Todd at the Irish National Opera
• 2023 Feature Film The Magic Flute
• 2023 Netflix Hit Series ‘Shadow and Bone’
• 2024 (June -September)
‘Next to Normal’ at the Wyndham Theatre West End
A long way from his memorable role as ‘little Gavroche’ in the Ackworth School production of ‘Les Miserables’!
Rhiannon Davies (Jack’s Mum)
Stewart Huntingdon (AOS 1957 to 1964), a self-taught painter, former Head boy of Ackworth School, and a School Committee member for many years has presented us with a gift of a painting of the fabulous Georgian buildings that make up the Library, Shed Court, and the Design & Technology Centre as viewed from within one of the boarding houses. It is hung in the Visitor’s Room along with our collection of paintings, photographs, and engravings of the school.
Elizabeth Ruff (nee Bunney), who has died recently at the age of 94, was the third of four siblings who were at Ackworth from 1934 to 1950. Elizabeth was at Ackworth from 1941 to 1946, being Head Girl in her final year as well as captain of hockey and cricket. Her years were notable for the lifelong friendships made at school and later she often reminisced about their happy time together there. One of her memories of school life was the sunny Sunday afternoons that she spent up one of the large chestnut trees in Back Lane, reading in undisturbed peace and yet seeing everyone passing by.
On leaving Ackworth, Elizabeth trained and practiced as a nurse at Kings College Hospital in London, a career that was interrupted by the birth of her first son Michael in 1954, Elizabeth having married Henry Ruff in early 1953. The family moved for Henry’s work in mining engineering and spent most of their married life in Manchester and Southampton where Elizabeth gave valuable support and service to local health agencies, as well as to the Quaker community. Their home was always a joyful place of comfort and hospitality for Old Scholars, young and old as well as the family’s many friends and relations.
Elizabeth was a passionate gardener and loved reading and architecture. She was a carer throughout her life bringing a calm and practical approach to looking after clients as well as family and friends, whether for the very young or those in old age. She died peacefully on December 24th, 2023, and is survived by her children, Michael, Ian, and Alison, 4 grandchildren, and 1 greatgrandson.
Jessica Anderson (nee Firth)
Jessy was born in 1937 in Headingley, Leeds, and was the third of four children born to Barbara and Cecil Firth. Shortly after war broke out, the family moved from the suburbs of Leeds to the beautiful village of Collingham, 10 miles to the east of Leeds, near Wetherby. It was in Collingham that Jessy’s love of nature, of Collingham itself, and the river Wharfe developed and blossomed. In childhood, into adulthood, and long into parenthood, Jessy became more than proficient at the graceful art of punting, even owning her own punt with her husband Graham at one stage.
Along with her sisters and brother, Jennifer, Jill, and David, Jessy was educated at Ackworth, before she went on to Pudding School and eventually entered employment in the catering sector. She and Graham married in October 1965 and the two of them experienced the great joy of becoming parents; in their case three boys, Charlie, Logan, and Duncan. In 1973, the family moved to Chandler’s Ford,
Hampshire, where Jessy lived for the last 50 years where the boys grew up doing what boys do. As a mum, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her children. She would go to all means possible to ensure that the boys were as well-prepared as possible for the world, providing them through her own example, with the moral compass to approach the world from the right perspective, going out of her way to ensure, academically, that all the 3 Rs were adequately mastered. She beamed with pleasure attending each of their various graduation ceremonies, none of which were achieved without the odd hiccup along the way.
She encouraged her sons in every extracurricular pursuit and especially the sport they chose to follow and, from the perspective of the players themselves she always seemed to be the loudest cheering parent on the sidelines; a trait that began at Ackworth whilst cheering on the school teams and her brother David, this was something she never lost.
Jessy was many things to many different people. Sister, mum, mum-in-law, granny, auntie, client, friend, neighbour, friend’s mum, fellow enthusiast, the list goes on, as did her enthusiasm and interest. It never ended. She lived a life that was wonderfully rich and varied, and thoroughly filled with love.
Professor Philip James (AOS 1949-1956) sadly passed away at the beginning of October 2023 aged 85 years. Born in 1938 to a teacher and headmaster, Philip grew up in Bala, North Wales along with his three sisters. His father was a conscientious objector during WW1, ending up in Wormwood scrubs and Dartmoor prison, serving his time alongside Quakers who were also conscientious objectors. Sadly, his father passed when Philip was 7 years old. After excelling at primary school, the choice of Ackworth School for his secondary education, along with his sisters (Mary AOS 1947-1954, Elizabeth AOS 19511958, Catherine AOS 1954-1961), was made and fulfilled with the support of the local authority and Liverpool Quakers. Upon leaving school he studied medicine at the University College Medical School in London and became interested in nutrition, resulting in a period in Jamaica that led to him developing treatments for children with severe malnutrition and diarrhoea which has helped to save millions of children’s lives globally. After joining the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine he became interested in obesity, developing the Body Mass Index (BMI) and helping to understand why excess fat tissue contributes to metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes. After realising the importance of the media, he narrated a BBC Horizon programme in the 1970s and worked on one of the first documentaries on healthier eating since WW11. He also lobbied for the reduction of sugar, fat, and salt in diets.
In 1982 Philip was invited to become the new Director of the Rowett Institute. Under his leadership the institute was central to the response to the BSE crisis, advising
the European Commission on their response. Following this and an E.Coli outbreak, he was approached by the incoming government of Tony Blair to develop a new government organisation, the Food Standards Agency to protect the country’s food supply. Between 1983 and 1986, Philip began to build the international reputation of the Institute with a worldwide nutritional analysis for the World Health Organisation, which provided recommended vegetable and fruit intakes.
Professor Philip James has left an immense legacy behind in the areas of nutritional science, malnutritional, obesity, and food safety and he was instrumental in the role the Food Standards Agency plays in keeping our food safe and nutritious to eat. He leaves his wife Jean, daughter Claire, son Mark, and 4 grandchildren.
Peter Reginald Walker died in November 2023 and was the son of James and Mildred of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Born in 1938, Peter attended Ackworth from September 1950 to December 195 along with his brother Michael and cousin Sheila.
It is with sadness that we learned of the death of Caroline Nield nee Fox in New Zealand in November due to kidney failure.
Elsie Wood aged 92 years died peacefully in Priory Gardens Care Home at the beginning of November 2023. Elsie was a Religious Studies and PE teacher at Ackworth School for many years and is remembered fondly by many old scholars for helping them to achieve their Duke of Edinburgh awards as well as introducing dancing and yoga to the PE classes. Some of you may also remember her from the girl’s boarding house where she was always a friendly and helpful face.
We were also sorry to hear of the passing of:
Sheilah Rengert Peter Boddy Steve Powell Jane Penman Stephen Trippier Michael Bliss
Liz Cleghorn (nee Lawrie) David Page Adi Hudson (nee Hanson)
Our thoughts are with all the families who have lost loved ones.
Professor Rudolph Schaffer
(21/7/26 to 23/2/08), AOS 1939-1944
In the latest Anthony Hopkins film, “One Life,” audiences are introduced to the remarkable story of Nicholas Winton, a British humanitarian who saved hundreds of predominantly Jewish children from the clutches of the Nazis on the eve of World War II through the Kindertransport. One of the children to travel on an earlier Kindertransport was Rudi Schaffer, whose journey from escaping Nazi persecution to becoming one of Britain’s foremost developmental psychologists is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Heinz Rudolph Schaffer was born into a Jewish family in Berlin in 1926, witnessing first-hand the rise of Nazism and the escalating horrors of anti-Semitism. In May 1939, amidst the growing threat, Rudi’s parents managed to secure him passage on the Kindertransport, offering him a lifeline to escape to England.
Arriving in England with little knowledge of the language, Rudi began his education at Ackworth, adopting the name Rudi instead of Heinz. His school holidays were spent with 3 other German children amidst the warmth of the Malcolmson family in Herefordshire with whom he forged a lifelong connection. When it was discovered at school that he never spent his pocket money, he explained that he was saving to bring his parents over to England after the war. However, he never saw his parents again; Oscar, his father died of pneumonia in Theresienstadt camp, and his mother, Else, was subsequently gassed in Auschwitz.
Despite the adversity he endured, Rudi’s academic prowess shone through at Ackworth, and he achieved the highest scholarship score in 1944 (based on his Matriculation exams), a testament to his resilience and intellect. His name can be seen on the board located at the end of the Boys’ Dining Hall.
His pursuit of knowledge led him to Liverpool University initially, where he embarked on the study of architecture, though his true passion lay elsewhere. Moving to London, Rudi delved into the realm of psychology, studying tirelessly while working during the day. Under the guidance of John Bowlby at the Tavistock Clinic, Rudi’s interest in the significance of early relationships blossomed, laying the foundation for his ground-breaking research in developmental psychology.
Whilst carrying out the improvements to the school, our maintenance team have been discovering some lost items in Garden Villa and behind the old lockers.
Ribena glass bottle found in Garden Villa. We think it dates to the 1960s’. Interestingly it is described as widely used in hospitals and clinics, keeps the family fit and could be diluted with cold milk!
An old tobacco pipe was also found in Garden Villa. It has been well-used and when it had snapped in half, repaired with Sellotape which is still holding it together now!
Senior Service cigarette pack which was being used behind a skirting board in Garden Villa to pack it out, still contains a cigarette! This was a popular brand during the early 20th century and was distributed to soldiers during WW2.
The Daily Telegraph and Daily Herald were found together behind one of the old lockers in West Wing. The name ‘Brown’ is written in pencil on The Daily Telegraph, and they are both dated Monday, July 30, 1962. Headlines include the world finding out later in the week if Britain
In 1955, Rudi made the move to Glasgow, where he assumed a position as a clinical psychologist at Yorkhill. Concurrently, he pursued his doctorate at Glasgow University, solidifying his expertise in the field. His academic journey culminated in 1964 when he accepted a prestigious academic post at the University of Strathclyde.
Over nearly five decades, Rudi Schaffer left an indelible mark on the field of child psychology. His pioneering research on early attachment relationships garnered international acclaim, earning him numerous accolades, including the Bowlby-Ainsworth Award in 2004. He was honoured as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and received an honorary doctorate from the Open University in recognition of his exceptional contributions to child development.
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Located in the old Nursery building across the road from the main school, the PSA uniform shop is open every Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. during term time. Good quality, pre-loved uniform can also be dropped off during this time.
The annual PSA wreath-making event took place at the beginning of December and was such a success, we needed to offer two nights to accommodate everyone.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their pre-loved Christmas decorations to the PSA. We are still collecting in preparation for this Christmas if you do have any you no longer need. Please drop into the basket in the vestibule.
Did you know the Fothergill Theatre was constructed in 1899 (making it 125 years old this year) and since then, it has seen many a lecture and performance over the years, with the latest being Coram Boy. With the last refurbishment taking place in 2000, it is now in need of some further refurbishment (mainly reupholstering and repairing of some seating) and to help raise funds for this we are holding a live music night with The Bon Jovi Experience on Friday, April 5th, 2024, with doors opening at 6.30 pm.
As the only Bon Jovi tribute band to share the stage with Jon Bon Jovi himself, this promises to be an unforgettable show! Get ready for an incredible performance led by a frontman so convincing, you’ll believe it’s the real deal as you sing along to all your favourite hits including “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Always,” “It’s My Life,” “Lay Your Hands on Me,” and many more!
Tickets are available now for just £30, with all proceeds going towards refurbishing the Fothergill Theatre. Call 01977 233600 to book your tickets now and let’s make this night one to remember while supporting a fantastic cause!
Come and experience the world’s leading Bon Jovi tribute band on their 30th Anniversary tour!
Friday 5th April 2024 at Fothergill Theatre, Ackworth School. Doors open 6.30pm.
Tickets are available now and cost £30. Please call 01977 233600 for more information.
All proceeds go towards the refurbishment of the Fothergill Theatre.
We reserve the right to cancel should there be insufficient numbers.
We would like to give a very warm welcome to the Ackworth family for all our New Starters!
Coram House staff member Sean Hunt and his wife Ruth welcomed their son Jonah Alexander Hunt on Friday 24th November 2023, weighing 7lbs 6oz.
Sadly, we said goodbye to...
• Rosie Whitham
• Jane Butterfield
• Erica Dean
• Priya Varadan-Raman
• Chris Sands
• Chris Hyams
Once again, the School welcomed back the local Senior Citizens for their annual Christmas Dinner which is part of our community support work. With over 150 in attendance, they all enjoyed a delicious 3 course Christmas Dinner, provided by Thomas Franks, before being entertained and dancing away those pigs in blankets! A huge thank you to the Thomas Franks catering staff for such a delicious meal and beautifully decorated dining rooms.
On Saturday 27th January 2024, James competed in the World of Fitness HYROX series in Manchester. Having completed over 6 months of training for the event, hard work clearly pays off. James finished with a time of 1 hour 6 minutes which placed him 11th out of a field of over 400 athletes. The top 12 athletes qualified to represent their country at the upcoming World Championships in Nice, France on 6th-9th June 2024.
“Being one of the oldest in my age category I was hoping just to do my best and enjoy the day having trained so hard for months prior, so it came as a surprise to be placed 11th. The opportunity to represent my country again (I first did age 16 in athletics and now again at the age of 35 years) fills me with immense pride. I hope to try to improve on my current time in the world championships and potentially gain a podium place.”
“I have several warmup races lined up in the run up to the world championships - Glasgow, Rotterdam and Berlin, and I am looking for a sponsor. If you are able to help with this, please email me at James.Bower@ackworthschool.com.”
A HYROX competition is made up of a 1km run followed by 1 functional workout, repeated 8 times (meaning 8km run in total, plus 8 functional workouts). It requires strength, speed, power, and endurance and is a fantastic test of overall fitness. There are a variety of categorisations (see below) which, amongst other things, makes it an event suitable for a range of physical abilities. HYROX events take place all over the world, with each one being exactly the same in terms of requirements.
Participating athletes wear a timing chip on their ankle which tracks their whole race. This provides an individual finishing time and allows athletes to compare that time to other participants who have ever competed in HYROX. The chip also times a participant’s performance during each segment of the race, thereby providing a large amount of data for an athlete to use to identify their strengths and weaknesses after the race.
The requirements / exercises for each HYROX event are as follows:
1km Run
1km Ski (on Concept2 SkiErg)
1km Run
50m Sled Push (202kg)
1km Run
50m Sled Pull (153kg)
1km Run
80m Burpee Broad Jump
1km Run
1km Row (on Concept2 Rower)
1km Run
200m Kettle Bells Farmers Carry (32kg)
1km Run
100m Sandbag Lunges (30kg)
1km Run
100 / 75* reps Wall Balls (9kg)
James Bower Head of Physical Education & Performance Faculty