SKIPTON Academy has received special recognition for its commitment to the government’s flagship youth programme, the National Citizen Service (NCS).

The Gargrave Road school received ‘champion school’ status after more than 20 per cent of its year 11 students took part in last year’s programme - more than any other school in the area.

The award is given to those schools that have exceeded expectations in promoting the programme and recruiting students to take part.

Open to all 16 and 17 year olds, whatever their circumstances, or additional needs, NCS focuses on the core principles of social cohesion, social engagement, and social mobility.

The aims of the programme is to benefit not only those who take part. but to the wider community.

The four week programme, which takes place in the school summer holidays, includes outdoor team-building exercises, a residential for participants to learn ‘life skills’, a community-based social action project and an end of programme celebration event.

Dominic Fitzgerald, the school’s year 11 achievement leader said taking part in NCS not only fitted in with the aims of the academy, but it also helped those students wanting to continue in further and higher education.

‘UCAS data tells us that university entrance rates are 12 per cent higher for NCS participants, with a 50 per cent increase for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“The Skipton Academy is very pleased to work with the National Citizen Service, as it reflects our school ethos of ‘Belong, Challenge and Inspire’.”

Richard McManus, academy principal, said “Being an active citizen and contributing positively to the wider community is a massive part of what it means to attend The Skipton Academy.

“This is the perfect example of our students living by our ethos – showing they belong to the community by giving something back, challenging themselves to push their own boundaries and achieving something very special for themselves while giving back to the community they come from. We are proud to be a champion school and proud that more of our students than any other local school get involved in projects like these. We look forward to this project continuing and going from strength to strength. Well done to Mr Fitzgerald and our fantastic students.”

Students at the school are set to enrol for the £35 programme once again this summer, with the aim of giving something back to the community.

Latest NCS figures show that for every £1 invested in the programme, between £1.15 and £2.42 was delivered back to communities.