Arncliffe School is doing well

However, I also told the tribunal what had happened since November 2003 and I hope you will allow me to inform your readers of what has occurred.

In November 2003 the head teacher, about whom there had been concerns, took sick leave, and North Yorkshire County Council, with commendable speed, identified and appointed an acting head teacher, Mrs Addy.

The head teacher resigned (as I understand it for health reasons) in early 2004, and the county council advertised the post. The post had to be re-advertised, but early in the summer Mrs Addy was appointed head teacher, a post which she took up at the beginning of the current term.

Throughout this period the governors kept parents fully informed (in contrast to earlier times.)

Mrs Addy, in the time that she has been at the school, has proved an excellent head teacher. I still have one child of primary school age, and he remains at the school. I have full confidence that he will receive excellent teaching during his remaining time there.

The school is a very important institution in Littondale. The steps taken by the county council and the governors have gone a long way to restoring the confidence that had been lost, and the school will, I hope, thrive and continue to play an important part in the community.

Nick Carter,

Miller's House, Littondale.

SIR - Your report about Arncliffe School (Craven Herald September 17) quite rightly quoted the Ofsted report from November 2001.

It said: "On inspection the school was found to be an effective school which provides good value for money. Teaching was reported as good and sometimes very good, whilst the leadership and management of the headteacher was both very effective and well supported by a committed and very well-led governing body."

Results at the end of KS2 were very good in 2003 and even stronger in 2004. Children have made good progress in their time in the school.

The school received the Primary Quality Mark from the Basic Skills Agency in 2001: this is an award for the quality of education which all pupils receive. The school was also recently awarded Investors in People status along with the other schools in the cluster, reflecting a successful organisation and very good collaboration with other local primary schools.

A new headteacher, Mrs Imogen Addy, has been appointed from September 2004 but had been working in the school since November 2003 as acting headteacher.

She has gained the confidence of parents, staff and governors alike and the school continues to move forward under her leadership.

The LEA continues to give robust support to the school and has every confidence in its future success.

For legal reasons the LEA is precluded from commenting about the tribunal case which the Craven Herald reported on last week.

Richard Geoghegan,

Chief adviser,

Education Department,

North Yorkshire County Council.

SIR - I am writing to you in a mixture of anger, disbelief and frustration at your article "Parent tells of loss of confidence in school" (Craven Herald September 17).

I worked as music teacher at Arncliffe School for two years (1999-2000) and was extremely impressed with Miss Ashworth's dedication, originality and competence as a headteacher.

I felt that the children at Arncliffe School were receiving an excellent education in a very caring and pleasant environment. The Ofsted inspectors of November 2001 were spot on when they concluded that "the school is very effectively led by a headteacher who has a very clear vision for the school."

My anger arises for the following reasons. Firstly, your article's omission of crucial information: Miss Ashworth was completely exonerated by the Leeds tribunal and is, therefore, completely blameless. Secondly, your misuse of statistics; nine pupils leaving a school over a period of six years is not out of the ordinary.

Finally, how easy it is to criticise a teacher! Would the article have been written about an accountant or shop assistant or bus driver? I think not!

I think the Craven Herald owes Miss Ashworth an apology.

Claire Bergman,

Aireburn Avenue, Steeton.

Editor's note: Our report was an accurate report of what was said at an industrial tribunal. The tribunal did not pass a verdict of exoneration nor of condemnation - the case was settled and the settlement was subject to a confidentiality clause. The case was thus halted before the respondents (the county council) presented any evidence in support of the former head teacher and Miss Bergman is wrong to accuse us of omission.

In fact, the Craven Herald chose to quote from the last Ofsted inspection, which was broadly supportive of the former head. This did not form part of the proceedings heard by the tribunal but I considered it a means of trying to present some balance. The Craven Herald does not choose the evidence or statistics which are laid before a court or tribunal, we merely report what was said in those legal proceedings and the evidence the authorities choose to present.

SIR - We write in response to your report entitled 'Parent tells of loss in confidence in school'.

Whilst we could doubt its legality, we were more angered by its bias and found its total disregard for those involved extremely upsetting.

We are the parents of children attending Arncliffe School (since 1996) and whilst there have been occasions for concern, we can honestly say there has never been reason to consider moving our children away from the village.

Since our new head teacher, Imogen Addy, arrived last November, she together with our infant teacher and a team of dedicated staff have worked hard to transform the school both in appearance and spirit. Parents have also been involved, assisting in the classroom, providing after school clubs, creating a new sensory garden and fundraising. There can be no doubt that the atmosphere is positive, enthusiastic and forward-looking. There is renewed confidence in the school and it's role in the community.

We hope this message will reach all your readers across the Craven area. We are very proud of Arncliffe School!

Richard & Sarah Paul,

Arncliffe

Editor's note: Again, we reject our report as being 'biased'. It was an accurate report of a matter which has to be of great public interest, particularly in Littondale. Mr and Mrs Paul's doubts about the legality of the report are also misplaced.r

SIR - I am writing to you for the first time in utter disgust and disbelief at the second, clearly misogynistic column by Hearld's World (Craven Herald, September 17).

First women were trashed for getting the odd tattoo, which as any body knows, can look good or bad and are a matter of personal taste, for him to pass comment on "40 year old women" in such a derogatory fashion is both cruel and sad.

Then we are presented with his views on young women who act like young boys - and this is wrong because...?

Their behaviour may be inappropriate but it is no more inappropriate than that of the boys. I wonder what will be next, working women, women who have careers and children, or will he pick on little old ladies next, complaining that they are a drain on society and should know better, I can't wait.

Why do you employ this horrid man and allow him to repeatedly vilify women, I am so upset to pick up the Herald and read this tripe.

I have been deeply upset by the comments of this women-hating old fart.

Penny Bird,

Park Lane, Carleton

SIR - Scanning the back of the Herald this Friday I thought that my eyes had deceived me and I had missed the punch line or literary twist. "Is this guy for real?" was my immediate reaction as I read on with heightened fervour. Were you, the editor on holiday this past week?

I cannot understand why a bigot is granted a voice in a community newspaper ranting on at leisure about society. Will Hutton he is most definitely not with his sweeping statements devoid of fact.

Mr Hearld (is that his real name or some spin on Herald?) puts forward that the young girls/women in Britain (we are never actually sure which group of females he is describing) are "disgusting these days".

His analysis of women in society goes from Skipton and Keighley via Amsterdam, Greece, Barbados in approximately 13 by 2.5 inches of copy, which he obviously believes is enough space in which to convince us of his research findings, namely a proxy description of graffiti on a toilet wall and the scene at a bar somewhere.

He refers to his 'traveller's tales' as the basis for his portrayal of British girls as the scourge of the world.

"In Amsterdam, I saw a teenage girl offer her tram seat to an elderly lady. In Greece, the girls on their waterfront promenade are beautifully dressed in what could pass for Chanel or Gucci and you never hear them swear," writes Hearld. Herein lies the problem with these self-confessed traveller's tales; that's exactly what they are, fanciful narratives of a short sighted hack.

When I was in Amsterdam I saw rooms lit by red light, young women inside showing men of all ages to their seats, although I am not exactly sure as to their motives. Perhaps you can enlighten me Mr Hearld?

I am, however grateful to Mr Hearld on one account. When some crazy young girl steals my toilet roll I know whose column I shall reach for to wipe my rear.

Got the message? Bring back the doctor; at least he had something intelligent to say.

I must confess I am no champion of women's issues, as my friends will attest, I just do not suffer reading foolish conjecture in my newspaper gladly.

Andrew Carr

Long Meadow, Skipton

Editor's note: Bill Hearld is a real person and his real name. He lives in North Yorkshire.

SIR - As I am about move away from Settle, (a fact that will be of relief to some in the town, and a matter of supreme indifference to most), I thought that I would take an opportunity to pass on a few 'parting comments'.

I have conducted a lively correspondence through these pages over the years on the subject of heavy quarry traffic through the town, and it might be interesting to sum up the present position:

In the 12 years of my residence in Settle, (yes I know, such a short period makes me a complete 'offcumden'), I have seen quarry traffic increase hugely, with drivers totally ignoring the A65 Settle by-pass. The latest findings indicate that around 600 of these vehicles pass through the town daily.

I have witnessed intimidation of anyone with the temerity to complain about these vehicles, and have heard many stories of verbal abuse, tearing-up of petitions and damage to the property of protesters.

I have watched with frustrated disbelief as the multinational quarry operators have ignored the concerns of residents and traders in Settle, preferring to initiate 'rehabilitation projects' on disused quarries, and setting-up totally ineffective 'voluntary codes of conduct' and 'complaint hot-lines'.

I have seen an unwanted (by locals) burger stand appear on the edge of the town, presumably with the intention of servicing the huge amount of truck drivers passing by.

I have seen, (and continue to see), truck drivers travelling swiftly through Settle whilst talking on mobile phones. I have seen business after business in Settle close, with premises often remaining empty and boarded-up. This in the Dales, a region with a growing tourist economy.

I have felt the town lose its spirit and optimism, and have heard countless holidaymakers, both from the UK and overseas vow not to return to a small town so blighted with noisy, polluting quarry vehicles.

So, what has been achieved by my protests, and those of others? Little, it would seem, in view of my foregoing observations. However, if I have managed to bring the problem to the attention of more people, I believe that my efforts have not been in vain.

So, in leaving, I wish Settle well. It is a delightful town, in a wonderful location. I hope with all my heart that when I revisit Settle in the future the problem of the quarry trucks will have been resolved. The town and its inhabitants will be the only beneficiaries.

AR Fawcett.

Skipton Road, Settle

SIR - In response to Mr. Wolfenden-Smith (Craven Herald Letters, September 17), I would like to answer his query.

I have been a professional driving instructor for over 40 years as proprietor of Regent Driving School in Skipton and now Ace Driving School in Otley.

In the 60s, 70s and even 80s, when the driving centre at Skipton had three examiners on Sackville Street, all three estates were used for tests and driver training - Raikes, Regent and Horse Close.

Since Horse Close was equipped with speed ramps, this estate has not been utilised as much as before. Driving in second gear at 15 miles per hour does not prove or show a driver's ability to make progress.

Raikes and Rockwood, Regent and Greenacres are not the only estates that are used. Test routes go to Gargrave, Bradley, Silsden, Steeton, Cross Hills, Addingham and even Airedale Business Centre in an attempt to minimise any nuisance caused.

When there are three examiners working from Skipton, they could conduct more than 100 tests per week. Many of the drivers seen will be on test.

We are based in Otley and cover test centres in Horsforth, Harrogate, Eccleshill, Keighley and Skipton. We wish we had one in Otley.

The majority of our lessons are held in the local area and it is only in close proximity to tests that tuition is carried out near the test centre concerned.

As regards number plates, these do not reflect where the driving schools are from. Cars are sourced from many locations. Some are leased, some purchased from afar. What is a Bolton number plate?

The serious point is important but slightly wide of the mark. Whilst these cars may be driven by 'learners', they are fully supervised and accompanied by experienced, qualified instructors. People who spend substantial time on the road, whose reaction times are better than most, who anticipate danger and hazards.

Driving school learners have more problems with other 'experienced' drivers. Those that reverse out of driveways without looking, that run into the back of them at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, that open car doors without checking, that fail to indicate, that drive over the speed limit.

When was the last time that he saw or heard of a learner in a driving school car being stopped for speeding?

Whilst I have every sympathy with his concerns, we have to present our pupils at test centres of their choice. But we are there to improve standards, to prevent accidents, to make our roads a safer place, to prevent children being injured on the street. That is what I have been committed to for all these years.

Barry Clark,

Proprietor,

Ace Driving School