Year 10 students spent the day working with 16 organisations across the local area, supporting their work. They helped Leeds City Council Park Rangers on the Chevin, Friends of Weston Woods, Otley Parish Church, the Bridge Church, the Living Potential Care Farm, Spring Gardens Care Home, Otley Space Café, Wharfedale Talking Newspaper, Otley Action for Older People, Yorkshire Dales River and in most of the local primary schools.  

Tasks included balsam bashing, gardening, maintenance, river fly monitoring, reading with pupils, attending Lunch Club and doing outreach work, creating flowerpot scarecrows and feeding chickens and collecting eggs. 

Keith Wilson, from Otley Parish Church, where students helped care for the graveyard, said “It was a pleasure to work the Prince Henry’s students and teacher this afternoon. We had a good time despite uncovering a wasp nest between two graves! Despite the interruption we watered all the planted apple trees and wildflowers, plus trimmed a lot of ivy/bramble. I was pleased that we were able to show them something of the Church’s community, history and wildlife on a lovely summer’s day.” 

Meanwhile, John Simpson from Spring Gardens Care Home said “I would like to thank the teachers and students for their hard work. The customers also appreciate the job they have done.” Many organisations commented on what a pleasure it was to host the students, including Otley Action for Older People, who said “the students were brilliant, so engaged and happy to help.” 

In school, Year 10 students worked with Otley 2030 to consider what young people can do to make Otley a greener place. 

Other students in school hosted visitors from across the community. 

Poet Simone Yasmin returned to lead Year 8 in ‘Let’s Talk About Race’, talking frankly about her experiences. Diversity Role Models, the LGBT+ Young People charity led sessions with them and students also looked at solar power and the illegal wildlife trade. 

Year 7 learned about WaterAid and experienced the difficulties faced by people who have to carry water from the well to their homes, taking part in a WaterAid obstacle course. They also contributed to the ‘Send My Friend to School’ lobbying campaign and worked with the Anne Frank Trust tackling racism. 

Year 9 students began the day with Judith Rhodes, telling the story of her mother’s arrival in the UK on the Kindertransprt and then heard ex-student Chloe Tear speak about disability awareness. They also tried out the Brazilian martial art Capoeira, learned some British Sign Language and considered actions to improve sustainability. 

 “Our links with the community are very important to us and we always try to impress on our students that global citizenship, in all its guises, begins with how we lead our lives each and every day. We are extremely grateful to all the organisations who worked with our students on the day.” said Christopher Lillington, Assistant Headteacher, who organised the day.