Thornton v Staff Netball Match
New for this year! Join us for the Thornton v Staff Netball Match — who will claim the first glory?
Non-Uniform Day
Raising money for Comic Relief. Pupils are invited to wear non-uniform to school in support of Comic Relief.
Illustration Workshop with Eleanor Tomlinson
Join us this Easter for a special illustration workshop with Eleanor Tomlinson, a professional artist and illustrator. Eleanor is best known for her work painting Paddington and the Queen, and will be sharing her skills, techniques and creative inspiration in this hands-on session. A fantastic opportunity for pupils to develop their illustration skills and enjoy a creative Easter workshop. Tickets on sale soon
Chocolate Cake Race
Pupils will take part in our annual inter-house running event, competing for house points and the traditional chocolate cake prize.
Cundall Manor School Triumphs at 2025 Rotary Technology Tournament
Cundall Manor School is celebrating a fantastic achievement after our senior pupils secured 1st and 2nd place in the Intermediate Task at the prestigious 2025 Rotary Technology Tournament held at Catterick Garrison. This remarkable success highlights the outstanding design and engineering skills demonstrated by our students, reinforcing the school’s commitment to excellence in STEM education. The event, jointly hosted by the Rotary Club of Northallerton and the 1st Close Support Battalion REME, provided a thrilling challenge for participants. Teams were tasked with designing and constructing a mechanical car capable of navigating a tunnel, pushing debris to the end of the pipeline, and successfully reversing back to the start line. This challenge required innovative thinking, precision engineering, and expert problem-solving skills. Our talented pupils rose to the occasion, applying their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)knowledge to develop highly effective solutions. Their vehicle, built with four wheels, an electric motor, and a custom pulley system, met the strict competition criteria, including navigating under a bridge and operating via remote control. Additional points were awarded for completing the task in under 10 seconds, a feat our students impressively achieved. A key requirement was for the vehicle to feature a logo promoting Energy Conservation, reinforcing the importance of sustainability in engineering design. The creativity, teamwork, and technical expertise displayed by our pupils were truly commendable. We are incredibly proud of our students for their determination and ingenuity in tackling this complex challenge. Their success at the Rotary Technology Tournament not only showcases their engineering talents but also highlights Cundall Manor School’s ongoing dedication to fostering a passion for STEM subjects among our students. Congratulations to our winning teams – a fantastic accomplishment that reflects the hard work, creativity, and perseverance of our young engineers!
Excellent ISI Inspection 2024
We are delighted to share that we received an excellent Inspection Report following our most recent inspection that took place from 26th to 28th November 2024. ISI is regulated by OFSTED. Under the updated inspection framework, introduced in September 2023, the report no longer includes overall judgments. Instead, it provides a thorough evaluation across five key areas. Each standard is assessed as either met or not met, and we are thrilled to announce that we achieved the highest possible result, with all standards successfully met. Comments about life at Cundall are overwhelmingly positive and reflect the best aspects of the school. We are committed to maintaining these standards and ensuring that a Cundall education is of the highest standard. Download report LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT ✓ ALL STANDARDS MET “Leaders across the school understand their roles well and fulfil them effectively with commitment they have the skills and knowledge to prioritise pupils’ wellbeing in their decision making” “Leaders identify specific needs of individual pupils” EDUCATION, TRAINING & RECREATION ✓ ALL STANDARDS MET “Warm and respectful relationships between teachers and pupils encourage pupils to want to learn well and make good progress in lessons across the curriculum” “The school provides a diverse enrichment programme” PUPIL’S PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH & EMOTIONAL WELLBEING ✓ ALL STANDARDS MET “The school enables pupils to develop resilience and self confidence” PUPIL’S SOCIAL & ECONOMIC EDUCATION & CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY ✓ ALL STANDARDS MET “Pupils are encouraged to consider how they can contribute to the whole school and wider community” SAFEGUARDING ✓ ALL STANDARDS MET “There is a well developed and effective culture of safeguarding in the school. Pupils feel safe in school and know who to contact should they need support”
World Book Day
Dress up as your favourite literary character for our annual fancy dress day, in celebration of our love of books.
Cundall Pupils Embrace Charity Fun Run to Support Local Hospitals
Blue Monday was no match for the energy and enthusiasm of Cundall Manor pupils, who braved the wintry conditions for a colourful and spirited fun run, raising funds for York and Scarborough hospitals. Among the participants were superheroes, football stars, a T-Rex, and even a determined ‘President Trump,’ who launched his ‘Make America Great Again’ campaign by finishing the course—despite being tied to several classmates. Every pupil, from Reception through to Year 8, took on the challenge of completing at least one kilometre, with most running 3-5km and navigating various obstacles along the way. After braving the cold, pupils were rewarded with steaming hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies at the finish line—a well-earned treat after their spirited effort. Pupil sponsorship for the event raised £1,100 for York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity. At Cundall Manor, pupils are encouraged to contribute not just to their school but to the wider community. Events like this fun run reinforce the importance of giving back, fostering generosity, and proving that even in challenging weather, teamwork and determination can make a real difference. We are incredibly proud of our pupils for their enthusiasm, resilience, and commitment to supporting such a worthwhile cause.
How wonderful to be a child again.
How wonderful to be a child again. As most of us battled with the double challenge of getting our cars ready for the road in Arctic temperatures and the prospect of ‘Blue Monday’, the Cundall Manor pupils set their minds to the task of sliding down ‘the Hill’ as quickly as possible. And when they discovered that using sledges allowed them to go too quickly, they found other, less dangerous methods. Meanwhile, the opportunity was grasped to introduce curling to the co-curricular offering – watch out for Cundall’s involvement in the 2034 Winter Olympics. I am sure that in fifty years’ time some of the most vivid memories of school life will centre on the fun had this week in our winter wonderland. What has this got to do with learning? It is worth pointing out that this particular challenge required teamwork, cooperation, innovation, and a bit of risk and courage. Incidentally, the quickest sled I saw was ridden by two girls from Aram – #Gofaster. Temperatures are set to rise next week, hopefully in time to allow our sporting fixtures to take place. Meanwhile, Thornton pupils (Year 11) ended what might have been a less joyous twelve days of Christmas than usual by beginning their mock GCSE exams – mostly three papers per day. It is really important for them to understand the rollercoaster of emotions during the public examination season before the real thing in the summer and to get feedback on their current performance. Our intention is that the Class of 2025 will outperform their 2024 counterparts, who achieved at least one grade higher in every subject than the England and Wales average. We also intend that everyone will fulfil their potential, whether that be a raft of top grades or the qualifying grades for a Level 3 vocational course. These outcomes are equally important to us and very achievable, given the genuine individual attention each pupil receives in our small class sizes. My first week at Cundall ended with my involvement in the splendid Starworker Award ceremony in Pre-Prep – a lovely way to go into the weekend. As you will imagine, each day at the moment brings me a deeper understanding of the school and the chance to get to know every member of the Cundall community. I look forward to meeting you all in the coming weeks. Mr Simon Weale Headmaster
5K Park Run Takeover
Cundall Manor School proudly sponsored the Millfield Park Run event on Saturday, 28th September. As part of the Park Run takeover, Cundall staff and pupils took on key roles, providing refreshments, including homemade flapjacks, and assisting with marshalling. It was an engaging start to the weekend, with the school supporting this much-loved community event. Ian Swannell, Head of Seniors at Cundall Manor, shared the school’s enthusiasm for being involved: “Many of our staff and pupils run it regularly, so it was a great opportunity to give the usual volunteers a break. We were delighted to support the event and encourage more of our pupils to take part. Park Runs offer free, accessible sporting events across the country, perfect for families and individuals to enjoy a sense of achievement and community.” The event saw 201 participants cross the finish line, including standout performances from Cundall Manor alumni Will, who crossed the line first with an impressive time of 17:36, and Peter, a Cundall parent, who followed closely with 19:04. In total, 29 runners achieved personal bests, with plenty of cheering from the sidelines. This marked Millfield Park Run’s 207th event, and according to Race Organiser Clare, takeovers like this add a special energy to the day. “It’s always great to see new faces and have extra support,” she said. “The teas and coffees at the finish line also gave runners a chance to stay a little longer, enjoy a chat, and connect, rather than heading off right after the run.”