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Young students leave Richmond School’s open evening buzzing with excitement

ByJill Lundberg

Oct 19, 2018

Year 6 students, from primary schools across Richmondshire, flocked to Richmond School’s recent open evening and, after a packed program of activities, left buzzing with excitement and eager to become part of the School’s Year 7 intake next September.

Campbell Finlay and Connie Lord, fresh into Year 7, confidently welcomed over 700 students and their parents. They talked positively, animatedly, and with good humour, about their experiences so far, and how much they are enjoying life at Richmond School, from the exciting subjects on offer through to forging new friendships and having great fun.  They left their appreciative audiences in no doubt, that whilst Richmond School is larger than their primary schools, it has an equally-large heart, where everyone is very much part of a supportive and caring family and will receive exceptional teaching and make friends for life.

Students were invited to visit every department, collecting a sticker as they left which encouraged them to sample the vast choice of subjects available.  With a host of interactive events, it was very much a hands-on approach, from joining in dancing and playing the drums to experimenting in chemistry, having a go with a sewing machine, or playing table tennis.

Students also enjoyed watching and learning from the current Year 7 students, who were supported by a team of Sixth Form volunteers and staff. Highlights of the evening included finding out about the structure of an ox heart, observing how a Van de Graff generator creates static electricity through the body, as well as sampling the tasty pizzas being prepared in Food Technology.  In Maths, the online activities proved popular, but it was the opportunity to try more traditional mathematical challenges, such as chess and Connect 4 that the students gravitated towards. Chess is a great learning tool as it not only teaches problem-solving and planning skills, and how to identify pattern but also improves attention span, encouraging students to focus and concentrate.

Sarah Hogg, a parent of a Year 6 visiting student, commented: “The pupils and staff spoke amazingly well and were polite, helpful and genuinely enthusiastic about their subjects. It was great to see so many excited Year 6 children there; my son says he can’t wait a year and wants to go now! We are so lucky to have such a good school and talented students, well done for such a lovely and positive open evening.”

The Jazz Band provided superb entertainment during the evening, with a great playlist of lively numbers, demonstrating just one of the many musical groups students may join. There’s also an extensive variety of other extra-curricular activities, including many sports, performing arts and clubs, as well as school visit opportunities both in the UK and overseas.

Jenna Potter, Headteacher at Richmond School said: “It was very moving to hear Campbell and Connie, our Year 7 students speaking so confidently about their time at Richmond School to date.  There was a real buzz throughout the evening and it was rewarding to observe the visiting students (and parents!) trying the many activities available and seeing the excitement on their faces. The feedback we received has been superb, thanks to a fabulous team effort by the many staff and students who made the evening such a great success.”

For further information on how to apply for a Year 7 in 2019 at Richmond School please call 01748 850111 or email admin@richmondschool.net .