A charity rooted in the history of Northallerton has been relaunched to benefit today’s young students.
The Northallerton School Foundation has been created from an historic charity with the aim of providing grants to improve the prospects of pupils at Northallerton School.
The old Northallerton Grammar School charity, which had its roots in the church school established in the 14th century, has been revitalised with the sale of land assets.
The new Foundation has made its first grants – to a promising young cyclist at the school and a centre which provides pupils with alternative learning opportunities such as working with animals and in horticulture.
Nick Stafford, chair of the Foundation, said the old Grammar School charity had been moribund in recent years. The new Northallerton School Foundation had the same aim of assisting students at school to improve their educational opportunities.
He added: “Despite centuries of charitable educational activity in Northallerton, we are still faced with the same problems and the same remedies are required. Young people need guidance and assistance in many different ways and the Foundation continues to aid, outside mainstream education provision, everyone’s hopes and aspirations”.
The first major grant made by the relaunched charity is for £1,047 to renovate and improve the school’s Phoenix Centre, a dedicated area of Northallerton School which offers an alternative curriculum to students who thrive through practical, hands-on opportunities.
The money will be used to renovate the existing animal care and horticulture areas, including a new greenhouse, and to create an outdoor cooking area, kitchen and café.
The Centre will provide a range of vocational and personal development programmes for students, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The new kitchen and café will enable students to develop real-world skills in the hospitality industry.
An individual grant has been offered to Ewan Whiting, a student with a promising career in cycling ahead of him. The £420 grant will enable him to purchase annual gym membership at Northallerton Leisure Centre to complement the 15-hours a week of training he currently does alongside his school studies.
Ewan, who has competed nationally and at European level, said the membership would give him access to the equipment and weights necessary to build his strength and stamina.
The relaunch of the charity was welcomed by the headteacher of Northallerton School and Sixth Form College, Kevin Broom.
He said: “This is a hugely positive moment for our school community. The trustees’ commitment to providing additional support for our young people will make a meaningful difference, opening doors to opportunities that many families simply could not access otherwise.
“Whether it is supporting mental health and wellbeing, enabling students to pursue talents beyond the classroom, or helping those facing genuine hardship to thrive in their education, the Foundation represents a powerful extension of the care and ambition we have for every child.
“We are proud to work alongside the Foundation as it begins this next chapter, ensuring that all students at Northallerton School can benefit from wider experiences and the chance to fulfil their potential.”
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