Thanks to Miss Dutton for the following report. 

“Yet again our Year 7 German students have not disappointed us with their Supertier models and drawings. The models were a mixture of home crafted Items such as crocheted/knitted toys as well as 3D printed animals and creatures made of recycled materials. We were really impressed with the time and effort students had spent on their models. Well done!” 

The six winning models were: 

Eleni Barron 7EHE - Superpferd  

Maggie Copland 7HWB- Superpandabär 

Erin Anderson 7WMI - Superkaninchen 

Cameron Pick 7LJE - Superflamingo 

Jessica Rukin 7LJE – Superkaninchen 

Lennon Hutchinson 7EHE - Superfisch 

“YES@ Areté Learning Trust at Richmond School has been awarded £16,184 from The National Lottery Community Fund to continue delivering its successful Activities for All programmes, supporting children, young people and families across the local community. 

The funding will allow YES@ Areté Learning Trust to continue Activities for All, a community-led programme providing accessible physical activity, wellbeing opportunities and social connection for children and young people aged 4–18 with learning differences and additional barriers to participation. 

The programme builds on the success of previous inclusive activity sessions, which have been highly valued by families across the area. It has been shaped by feedback from children, parents, carers and community partners who highlighted the importance of having welcoming opportunities where young people can take part, build confidence and develop friendships in a supportive environment. 

Activities for All welcomes families from across the area, regardless of which school children attend, creating a community space where young people can participate safely and feel a strong sense of belonging. 

The programme will continue to include a wide range of activities including: 

The programme recognises that many children and young people can find mainstream sports and activities difficult to access due to confidence barriers, coordination difficulties, sensory needs or anxiety. By continuing to provide welcoming and inclusive sessions, Activities for All ensures every participant has the opportunity to succeed. 

A spokesperson for YES@ Areté Learning Trust at Richmond School said: 

"We are delighted to have received this funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. This support will allow us to continue the Activities for All programmes, creating opportunities where children and young people of all abilities can be active, creative, make friends and feel part of their community." 

Back in November 2024, we published an article about Year 9 student Sarah Nolan’s love for gliding and how she had gained the skills and experience for her first solo flight. Then, frustratingly, she had to wait until she was 14, the minimum age to go solo. We followed that article up with another one in July 2025, detailing her first solo flight and how her gliding had progressed since then. Sarah spoke about how peaceful yet exciting she found gliding, and the confidence, independence and focus it has given her.  

It turns out that Sarah is not the only accomplished glider pilot at Richmond School and, in fact, she has been quite influential in the progress of another one, Jacob Gray. We recently heard that Jacob, Year 10 student at Richmond, had just taken his first solo flight, under a year after his very first flight. We took the opportunity to catch up with Jacob to find out more. 

Jacob started by explaining that he was a member of the Richmond Air Cadets and had been flying with them previously, but not enough to actually progress and learn how to fly. He knew that Sarah Nolan had started gliding with help from a British Gliding Association scholarship. Jacob successfully applied for the same funding and took his first flight at the Yorkshire Gliding Club on Sutton Bank in May 2025 – he said from that point onwards, he was hooked! Jacob then started taking regular flights, working through the criteria needed to eventually go solo. Just before he was ready, the Civil Aviation Authority updated the Sailplane Pilot’s Licence syllabus, adding much more complexity, which meant that Jacob had a bit more work to do before his first solo flight.  

Jacob explained that his drive and determination for flying come from a long-time interest in aviation, with an ambition to eventually become a commercial airline pilot. He said that the next step towards this goal would be to gain his Private Pilot’s Licence, possibly at Teesside Flight School, though that requires 150 hours of flight time – a real challenge. One way to gain some of this flight time would be for Jacob to fly the tugs – the powered planes that tow the gliders into the air – at the Yorkshire Gliding Club. 

We returned to talking about Jacob’s gliding, where he gave us a bit more information about the seven stages required to qualify for a solo flight. Firstly, students learn about the basic principles of flight, then move on to safety – recovering from two of the most serious situations an aircraft can get into – stalling and spinning. Jacob calmly explained how to prevent the glider from dropping out of the sky after a stall and spinning downwards out of control. He said he had done these recovery manoeuvres so many times they were now automatic and relied on muscle memory. He did admit to being properly scared the first time he had to do it, though! 

Jacob talked us through some of the glider's instruments, explaining the function of the altimeter, radio, airspeed indicator, and the all-important varios, indicating whether the glider is in rising or sinking air. He also mentioned the controls – the joystick, cable release, and rudder pedals. Jacob also explained that the unique position of the Yorkshire Gliding Club at the top of Sutton Bank allows two methods of take-off: being towed up by a powered aircraft or, when a good westerly blows, being launched by a winch. 

Jacob then detailed some of the other stages he went through before his solo flight, including learning how to manage the two launch methods as well as the critical, just-one-chance landing. His advice was not to think too hard about having just one chance to land a £180,000 aircraft and just learn how to do it, practice, and get on with it! 

Jacob explained that he had taken around 55 flights before he was ready to go solo and that the weather had often been quite challenging during his training. Those flights varied significantly in their lengths, from just a few minutes if there was no rising air to gain altitude, to over an hour if conditions were good. He said that experienced pilots can go cross-country if the conditions are ideal, sometimes travelling hundreds of kilometres. Part of the skill of being a good pilot is reading the sky and trying to work out where the next thermal is; how to gain height and distance while avoiding sinking air and the ever-present possibility of ‘landing out’ - not getting back to the club and landing in a potentially unfriendly farmer’s field – Jacob said that it was like a big, complicated guessing game! 

We eventually got to the details of Jacob’s first solo flight. He said that on the day he had done a ‘check flight’ to check the instructor was happy with his flying and the conditions, but that it was quite windy, especially on landing. Jacob thought he wouldn’t be allowed to go solo because of this, but he was asked, “How do you feel about doing it on your own?”. Unsurprisingly, he said yes - he said the nerves didn’t start until after take-off! Often, first solo flights are quite short, but Jacob managed to find a 9-knot thermal and ascended to 4000 feet, just below cloud level. He stayed up for 40 minutes, even taking the opportunity to have fun with some zero-G manoeuvres, something that Jacob enjoys, though many other people don’t! Conditions on landing were a bit rough, but Jacob said he didn’t really have time to be nervous about it, and his landing ended up being smooth, almost as good as his textbook take off! Jacob managed to get some excellent photos from his flight by starting a 360-degree camera recording before take off and stopping it after he landed. He said he enjoyed looking back over and editing the footage as well as choosing the best frames for photos. 

Jacob finished by explaining what was next for his gliding. He said conditions hadn’t been ideal recently, but that his next steps involved going solo from a winch launch and also transferring from a two-seat to a single-seat glider. His enthusiasm and determination to gain more hours and experience in the air were very clear to see! 

You can see Yorkshire Gliding Club's Facebook post about Jacob’s solo flight at this link.

Thank you to Mr Swanwick for the following report: 

“Our U13 girls cricket side travelled to Aysgarth recently for the quarter final of the Yorkshire Cup in what proved to be a very tight match.   

Batting first, Richmond recovered from 10-4 to post a competitive 79-4 from their 16 overs, the innings being expertly held together thanks to a 69-run partnership between Annabel Hodges (37*) and Georgia Clarke (8*).   

Aysgarth began their innings quickly, but they were pegged back thanks to quick wickets from Annabel and Ellie Buchanan to leave the hosts 31-2 off 5 overs. However, the next over bowled by Delia Barnham threatened to turn the match on its head, taking 3 wickets in 4 balls to leave Aysgarth reeling on 38-5. The home team steadied the ship and pushed towards the total, but yet again, 3 wickets were taken in an over as Anna Barber reduced the hosts to 58-8. The game was on a knife edge! Some quick thinking from Rose Brown led to a direct hit, running out the Aysgarth number 10.   

With 3 overs to go, Richmond needed 1 wicket and Aysgarth 6 runs for the victory...  

But it was the home side’s number 3 batter that held her nerve to see Aysgarth home, winning by 1 wicket.  

The match was a great advert for girls cricket. A number of the girls are fairly new to hard ball cricket, so it was nice to see their confidence growing as the match went on as well as the support that they always show for one another.   

We wish Aysgarth the best of luck as they progress to face Scarborough College in the semi final. 

Thank you to Ms Richardson, Head of Sixth Form, for the following:    

“Students from Richmond Sixth Form College attended the Year 13 Prom at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge last night. It was an evening of celebration and fun, marking the end of an era for these students and also the promise of an exciting future.     

It was lovely to see the students arrive, watched by their friends and family, then enjoy the evening and dance the night away! The weather was glorious, so we were able to access the lovely grounds at the Morritt late into the evening.   

The Head Students organised awards for students and staff which were well-received and presented by Joe White, Ellie Hughes and Guy Feakins.    

We are so very proud of our students, and a great night was had by all!”  

These photos are just a selection. More can be found at the link below:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RLsNAy6XxcpuxJcK9 

Isobel was nominated by Miss Jackson who said: “Isobel has gone above and beyond this year to show all CREDIT values wherever possible. She is always extremely respectful in tutor and shows teamwork most mornings by helping others and offering to hand out LIFE resources.  

Isobel has also been an asset to the Food and Textiles department this year by helping out at the Year 6 open evening and offering to stay back with Mrs Dawson after school to help finish off other students' pet pillows, again showing teamwork, respect, creativity and excellence.  

Finally, Isobel has recently been helping me to upcycle a student's prom dress. We were asked if we could remove all of the sequins and replace them with white pearls. This has entailed a great number of hours of hand sewing, which Isobel has helped me with beyond all my expectations. Isobel showed great determination to make sure the dress was complete and ready in time for prom and independently offered to take it home on weekends and even during school holidays as well as using time in Textiles Club." 

Students from Years 7–10 recently travelled to Middlesbrough Sports Village to proudly represent Richmond School at the Hambleton and Richmondshire School Athletics Championships, competing in a wide range of track and field events throughout an exciting and highly successful day. 

From the first event to the last, students demonstrated outstanding determination, resilience and teamwork. Whether competing on the track, in the field, or supporting from the sidelines, they embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. It was particularly pleasing to see students encouraging one another, ensuring teammates arrived at their events on time and celebrating each other's achievements throughout the day. 

The supportive atmosphere created by our students was a real highlight. Competitors showed great sportsmanship, cheering on their peers and working together to help everyone perform to the best of their ability. Their commitment and encouragement reflected the school's values and contributed to a fantastic team spirit across all year groups. 

The day concluded with the relay events, where students truly excelled. The relay teams displayed excellent teamwork and communication, supporting one another and fully embracing the occasion. Their enthusiasm and determination made for an exciting end to the championships and showcased the strength of our team spirit. 

All students should be extremely proud of their efforts and achievements. They represented the school brilliantly and were excellent ambassadors throughout the day. Well done to everyone who took part. 

Results are below: 

Y7 Girls - 5th 

Y7 Boys - 6th 

Y8 Girls - 6th 

Y8 Boys - 7th  

Y9 Girls - 8th 

Y9 Boys - 2nd  

Y10 Girls - 4th 

Y10 Boys - 3rd 

After the Area Trials and the York Track and Field event, a small number of athletes were accompanied by their parents / carers to York for the North Yorkshire Schools County Athletics Championships. 

Thank you to Danielle Middlemiss, mum of Olly, Year 9 student, for giving us an insight into this event: 

“After participating with the school PE department in athletics at Middlesbrough and York, Olly was selected to represent the Hambleton and Richmondshire athletics team at the North Yorkshire Schools County Athletics Championships in York on Saturday 6th June.  

On the day Olly competed in the junior boys long jump and junior boys 300m race and successfully achieved 1st place in both events, getting a personal best in both events too! Success at this event meant Olly was then invited to represent North Yorkshire at the Inter County Athletics match in Hexham on Saturday 13th June.” 

Danielle then provides a report from the Hexham match: 

“The inter county match was more of a challenge for Olly. However, he still managed to get 2nd place in the junior boys long jump and helped the 400m mixed relay team to get third place. Contributing to the points meant that North Yorkshire came in 2nd place overall. 

Considering Olly has only competed in these athletics events for the first time this year his success is fantastic and has given him a real passion to pursue athletics in the future.” 

Congratulations to Olly for these fantastic performances at a very high level of athletics. 

We know there were more students who travelled to these events. If anyone has any other information, reports or photos, please send them to swardle@richmond-alt.uk and we’ll include them in an updated version of the article in the July edition of our Newsletter. 

Thanks again to Miss Jeans for this report: 

“On the day after the Area Trials, a group of 15 students from Years 9 and 10 travelled to York to take part in the York Track and Field Cup athletics event. Despite being a relatively small team, the experience proved to be an outstanding success both competitively and in terms of personal development. 

At the start of the day, many of our students were understandably apprehensive. Having competed the day before, they were already feeling fatigued, and the sight of significantly larger squads from other schools added to their nerves. However, these initial concerns quickly gave way to determination and resilience. 

As the event progressed, our students rose to the challenge admirably. Many exceeded their own expectations, delivering performances that reflected both their ability and their commitment. It was particularly pleasing to see students surprise themselves with what they were capable of achieving, demonstrating real growth in confidence as the day went on. Overall, performances were incredibly strong across the group. 

One of the most impressive aspects of the trip was the conduct and attitude of the students throughout. All students represented the school exceptionally well, behaving responsibly and showing respect at all times. Equally notable was the positive and supportive environment they created among themselves. Students worked collaboratively during warm-ups, shared advice and encouragement, and consistently supported one another during events. This strong sense of teamwork contributed significantly to the overall experience and success of the day. 

In summary, the trip was an incredibly rewarding experience for all involved. The students not only performed well but also demonstrated excellent character, resilience and team spirit. They should be very proud of their efforts and the way they represented the school. Results are posted below. 

Inter Boys Results 

1500m Aiden Johnson (4.43) 2nd, Wilf Lamb, (4.45) 6th, Dylan Hall (4.54) 10th 

100m: Jake Murrell (12.30) 1st in heat, 2nd overall 

200m: Nathan Collier (26.00) 3rd in heat, 4th overall, Charlie Downes (26.20) 2nd in heat, 6th overall 

300m: Olly Middlemiss (39.80) 2nd in heat, 2nd overall 

800m: Josh Gaskell (2.26.30) 4th in heat, 5th overall, Kai Moorfoot (2.27.80) 5th in heat, 6th overall 

Relay: Josh, Charlie, Nathan, Jake (51.40) 2nd in heat, 2nd overall 

Long Jump: Olly Middlemiss (5.00m) 3rd 

High Jump: Josh Gaskell (1.47m) 5th 

Javelin: Nathan Collier (19m) 11th 

Triple Jump: Wilf Lamb (9.65m) 9th  

Inter girls results: 

80m hurdles: Connie Wilford (14.00) 1st in heat, 3rd overall 

100m: Mathilda Townend (14.50) 1st in heat, 3rd overall 

200m: Tegan Smith (29.40) 2nd in heat, 4th overall, Freya Atkinson (30.20) 1st in heat, 5th overall 

300m: Tallulah Whent (57.20) 7th 

800m: Connie Briggs (2.51.90) 4th in heat, 4th overall 

Relay: Mathilda, Freya, Tegan, Connie W (56.20s) 1st in heat, 1st overall 

Javelin: Tallulah Whent (14.83m) 11th 

Long Jump: Mathilda Townend (4.17m) 3rd, Freya Atkinson (3.80m) 13th   

Thanks to Miss Jeans for the following report: 

“A group of 25 students travelled to Middlesbrough Sports Village to compete in the recent Area Athletics Trials, with the opportunity to qualify for the North Yorkshire Team and compete at York in the North Yorkshire Schools County Athletics Championships. 

Throughout the day, our students demonstrated the very best of our school values. Their resilience and determination were evident in every event, as they competed with focus and commitment against strong opposition. Equally impressive was the sense of teamwork displayed, with students consistently supporting one another, offering encouragement, and celebrating each other’s performances. 

Many of the older students showed excellent independence and leadership by assisting with the organisation of the day. This included recording performances for GCSE assessment purposes and helping younger students navigate the venue and manage event timings. Students also took responsibility for their own preparation, ensuring they were ready for warm-ups and events at the appropriate times. 

The event was a fantastic experience for all involved, providing both competitive opportunity and personal development. Every student represented the school with pride, maturity, and excellent behaviour throughout the day. 

Overall, it was a highly successful and enjoyable event, and we look forward to seeing which students' progress to the North Yorkshire Schools County Athletics Championships in York for the next stage of the competition.” 

Special shout out to those that did qualify for the next stage: 

Charlie Downes 200m 

Olly Middlemiss 300m and Long Jump 

Mathilda Townend 100m and Long Jump 

Freya Atkinson 200m 

Tallulah Whent Javelin 

Tegan Smith 200m 

Jake Murrell 100m 

Nathan Collier 200m 

Aiden Johnson 1500m 

Josh Gaskell 800m and High Jump