Community Links

Ribblesdale has a very close relationship with the local community.

Partnerships within the community have been an important factor in the success of Ribblesdale over the years. As a school at the heart of our community, we’ve developed strong links with primary schools, colleges and training providers, as well as many local organisations. Where possible, we try to connect the curriculum and its delivery with local businesses and services so that pupils see the relevance of what they are being taught.

• History Trip – Clitheroe Castle Grounds.
• History – World War One local historian presenting at a study day.

 

• Art and Textiles – The Platform Gallery Exhibition Yr 11 Art and Textiles.
• Art – Whalley Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School, Mellor – Creative and wellbeing workshops for 115 Yr 5 and Yr 6 pupils.
• Art and Textiles – Blackburn College Exhibition, past pupils’ end of year show.
• Textiles - British Textile Biennial 23 – volunteering as front of house.
• Textiles - British Textile Biennial 23 – pupils to visit exhibition and workshops.
• Art -Tile Day, annual Yr 7 workshops with local business Paint Pot.
• Art and Textiles – Manchester Metropolitan University, past pupils career talks.  

 

• Year 10 Work Experience – 270 successful placements with pupils gaining part-time jobs, volunteering positions and possible apprenticeship offers as a direct result of their work experience; raising awareness of their skills.
• Enrichment – Pupils go out into the local community running, walking and using local leisure and fitness centres. Local businesses and leaders support pupils with activities such as yoga, hairdressing and first aid.
• Year 11 PSHE – Pupils receive visits/talks from local colleges and further education providers.
• Year 7 Harvest Festival – Pupils in Year 7 visited St. James Church to celebrate Harvest and donate produce to the local food bank.
• Year 8-10 Careers Fair - Pupils had the opportunity to discuss career options with local colleges, businesses, football academies, construction companies and local hospitality.
• Mock Interviews with local employers and colleges.
• BRAG careers event at The Grand – All schools in the community arrange this careers event with local colleges, sixth forms and training providers including RAF/Army Apprenticeships.
• Careers Week – Several employers visited the school to share their career experience and inspire pupils.
• Regular assemblies from local colleges and sixth forms.

 

• Year 10 Sports Leaders have assisted with leading sports day and with refereeing primary football tournaments after school at Roefield supporting the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Schools Partnership on four occasions.
• The Year 7, 8 and 11 football team got to round 5, and the Year 10 Football team got to round 6 of the English Schools’ Football League.
• The Year 9, 10 and 11 Football teams reached the quarter finals of the Lancashire School Cup.
• Links with Ribblesdale Wanderers Cricket Club for use of facilities in lessons.
• Links with Roefield Leisure, Clitheroe Golf Club, Masters Fitness and Tessa Clemson Yoga Studio for Year 11 Core PE
• Links with Simon Fina, Clitheroe Rugby Club for coaching sessions in school

 

• MFL – European Day of Languages assemblies for Key Stage 3, showcasing the importance of languages and celebrating the different languages spoken in the area.
• MFL – European Day of Languages activities in form, at whole school level and in language lessons.
• MFL – Video call with a class of French pupils. Exchange of questions in both French and Spanish. Discussion of various cultural aspects as well as how different schools can be in France and England.
• MFL – Visit to El Instituto Cervantes for Year 9 and 10 Spanish pupils. Practice of speaking skills and seeing a Flamenco show.
• MFL – Visit to L’Alliance Francaise for Year 11 French pupils. Practice of speaking skills and watching a short movie in French.
• MFL – Spanish play for Year 9 and 10 Spanish at the Hollins. Some of our pupils were even brave enough to interact with the crowd and actors in Spanish.
• MFL – French breakfast for Year 7 where they have to interact in the target language.
• MFL - Burnley College visits for A Level Spanish. Pupils get to experience what Spanish looks like at A Level with a focus on speaking skills.
• MFL - Burnley College visits for A Level French. Pupils get to experience what French looks like at A Level with a focus on speaking skills.

 

• Music – Bridgewater Hall trip to see the Halle Orchestra.
• Music – Burnley College did a BTEC music workshop in November.
• Music – Year 7 pupils learned, sang and signed two songs as part of their Harvest Festival celebrations at St James’ Church.
• Music – 20 pupils took part in the recording of the - Christmas Carol concert, which was shared to pupils online. The concert included songs by Ribbie Voices Singing Club, Ribblesdale Pop and Rock Band and readings by our Year 7 pupils. Plan to include primary pupils in 2023.
• Choir and solo musicians perform for the elderly.

 

• Textiles – Year 11 pupils went to the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe to visit the craft exhibition to gain an insight into becoming designer makers. Pupils also got the chance to visit the exhibition space where their work would be exhibited to celebrate their creativity over the previous two years.
• Design Technology - Links with UCLAN university running STEM-based enrichment programmes and visiting UCLAN’s technology labs.
• Design Technology – Working with Create education funded by BAE. Staff have taken part in training day and 60 Year 8 pupil have taken part in 3D printing workshops each year. More funding is available for 23/24 for a project working with local primary schools.

 

• Enrichment pupils presented at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London.
• Eco Committee – Stonyhurst College RVCAN.
• Eco Committee – Re-Cycle for Schools.
• Equans – Pupils visited primary site to talk to employees.
• Creative Writing Workshops – Lancaster University.
• Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, Maths Feast Competition.