THE Skipton Academy is hoping to reach out to hundreds of prospective new parents later today with its ‘virtual open evening’.

Last year, it was standing room only at the school’s open evening with the assembly hall full of parents listening to presentations by the Principal, Richard McManus, and Helen Williams, chief executive of Moorlands Learning Trust.

It led to to the largest intake of Year 7 pupils since the academy was formed from the former Aireville School in 2014.

With coronavirus restrictions putting a temporary stop to normal open evenings, the academy has decided to hold it virtually instead.

Its two previous videos ‘ The Greatest School’ and ‘Don’t Stop Us Now’ went viral with the school’s own twist on well known songs. And this week, the film crews were back to give pupils and staff an opportunity to speak on camera to tell everybody what The Skipton Academy is actually like.

Pupils from every year group talk about their experiences and the opportunities they have at the school with messages from key members of staff. Two former pupils who now attend Ilkley Grammar School sixth form also talk about their further studies and pathways available to all pupils.

The video will be available from 5pm today on the school website and social media. www.theskiptonacademy.co.uk