St John Fisher Catholic High School is the first school in Harrogate to be awarded an ICE (Investing in Community Engagement) quality mark. Bestowed by the Special Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), this prestigious award recognises the school’s achievements in improving outcomes for all.
The SSAT assessor stated that “St John Fisher has a clear vision for community engagement that clearly strives to create the best environment for all its’ students.’
The school met the criteria for the award with clear demonstrations of effective leadership and management with clear aims and purposes for the school’s community role. By enhancing the learning and achievement for all stakeholders through a range of quality partnerships, it was also proven that St John Fisher is responsive to the needs of the local area as a centre of learning and provides a clear vision for its future impact in the community.
- ICE Award coordinator and Head of Year 7, Debbie Chattaway with Head Teacher, Paul Jackson
ICE Award coordinator and Head of Year 7, Debbie Chattaway explained, “We have worked hard to build local, regional and international partnerships that broaden educational opportunities for our students, and that enable the wider community to benefit from our facilities and specialities. Our partnerships are many and diverse. Just a few examples are our Fisher Arts outreach programme, which offers adult learning courses in subjects ranging from languages to performance arts; our connection with the Diocese of Leeds and the Leeds Trinity College, for which we provide teacher training placements, and the strong links we have with local and international schools, local businesses, for example, Betty’s and local government organisations.”
Paul Jackson, Head Teacher, commented, “The ICE mark is awarded to schools that demonstrate long term commitment and high standards in community engagement. Christian values are at the heart of our school and it is important for us to build solid, reciprocal relationships within our communities. Debbie has worked hard on behalf of the school to achieve this status, and I am delighted that her efforts and those of the school and our partners in the community have been rewarded with this national recognition. It’s a great accolade of which we are all very proud.”
