Speaking Board Success for Cundall Manor School Pupils

Pupils from Cundall Manor School are celebrating another superb set of exam results with a 100% pass rate in the recent English Speaking Board exams. Pupils from Form 4 and Form 2 sat the examinations in which they had to present a topic of personal interest. The ESB exams develops reading and listening skills while allowing pupils the chance to develop soft skills such as public speaking, delivering with confidence and debating, amongst others Head of Forms 1-4, Mr Bayne, said: “We are very pleased to say that all of our Form 2 and 4 pupils passed the English Speaking Board examinations at the end of last term. As a staff, we were delighted with each result and proud of the hard work that the pupils put into their presentations, poem recitals, book readings and listening/participation within their small groups.” He adds: “The ESB process really allows children to develop their confidence when interacting in small groups and this in turn leads to raised self-esteem and confidence for speaking in front of larger audiences and future business and social situations.” The pupils celebrated with a certificate presentation on the school lawn earlier this week. To find out more about our fantastic ESB results, how to apply for Cundall Manor School or to arrange a visit to one of the north’s leading schools, call 01423 360 200.

The Annual Go Kart Race

This year’s go-kart race happened to be more about fastest over the line, with all karts crossing the finish line, but there was still the uncertainty of a tumble, so it took great courage for all the participants to hurtle down the hill in their handmade carts. The event itself embraced risk — and taught resilience because of it. This year, the fastest time of the day belonged to Caleb and his partner in an adapted bathtub on wheels. Wills came a very close second, with Hedley and Gilbert taking third place. A special mention as well to Aggy and Jack in Year 3 for winning Best Newcomers, and to Will & Stan for taking home the Creative Kart Award with their brilliant Wallace and Gromit-inspired kart. Joseph was crowned Bravest Driver after hurtling down the hill at the front of a three-seater barrel kart that snaked its way over the line. The go Kart Race Event is far more than a spectacle. Behind the excitement lies a deliberate lesson in courage, problem-solving and character-building. Pupils spend weeks designing and constructing their own karts (a collaboration between pupil and parent) before taking on the challenge of racing them in front of parents, teachers and classmates. There are bumps, wobbles and the potential of a crash landing, but staff believe that element of genuine risk is precisely what makes the experience so valuable. Children need authentic, lived experiences that involve uncertainty and situations where outcomes are not instantly controlled, corrected, or curated through a screen. By giving children abundant opportunities to challenge themselves, the school helps them develop confidence, independence, mental resilience, and the ability to cope positively with setbacks. The day was rounded off perfectly with a wonderful family BBQ in the sunshine. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special.