SKIPTON Girls High School celebrated the achievements of its recent leavers at its annual alumni prize giving evening.

Held just before the school broke up for Christmas, more than 70 former students attended the event, returning home from their higher education studies across the country to celebrate their achievements during their time at the high school.

Teachers, parents and alumni took the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the year group, 92 per cent of which secured places at competitive higher education institutions, with an impressive cohort studying medicine, dentistry and taking up a place at Oxbridge.

A spokesperson for the school said: "The evening included a series of impressive musical interludes from Skipton Girls’ High School’s current, talented musicians from sixth form and key stage three, interspersed with some joyful subject and individual prizes and a stirring and inspiring talk from alumnus Rachel Cox, who left us in 1999 and who went on to set up an array of businesses internationally, specialising in human resources and talent management.

"Rachel shared her experiences with us of her time at the school, commenting on her pride that our institution afforded her the space to grow as a strong woman, without limits. She summed this up nicely with one of her concluding comments that “this school teaches you that you can be anyone you want to be”, commending Skipton Girls’ High School for its culture and environment in supporting the growth and championship of women."

Headteacher, Martha Featherstone in her key note address, talked about how the high school students benefitted from a world of opportunity, free from barriers, in an environment where girls’ voices are not marginalised or in a minority.

Ms Featherstone went on to thank long-standing governor, Howard Cutler, who served as a school governor for more than 30 years and is a respected and valued fixture at the school.

Ms Featherstone also talked about a charitable foundation set up by the parents of former student, Laura Nutall, who was tragically diagnosed with a brain tumour soon after leaving the school and who died in May 2023.

The Be More Laura Foundation seeks to build upon its inaugural donation of £25,000 to help fund clinical trials in memory of Laura. Supporters are invited to donate by buying a teeshirt in her memory at: https://www.doingitforlaura.com/shop-1

During her short life, Laura was one of The Brain Tumour Charity’s fiercest champions – from her work as a Young Ambassador and a fundraiser to spreading awareness of brain tumour signs and symptoms.