Working with our community
More recently, we have been fortunate to be able to use the Church – St. James’, when we would like to as well. We often take the children into the Church for RE lessons even if we are not learning about Christianity.
Harvest Festival and Christingle
Our Harvest Festival takes place in October and food collections are delivered to a local foodbank at Knottingley. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Christingle Service is also a lovely event taking place at the beginning of December and serves to remind us about the message of Christmas.
Remembrance
Each year, we hold our Remembrance Service around the village war memorial. A few years ago, we worked with the Parish Council to produce a tribute to veterans by having mosaics and art work positioned on the front of the school and referenced across at the War Memorial.
Scarecrow & Pumpkin Festival
About four years ago, we initiated a Scarecrow and pumpkin Festival to the village which has gone from strength to strength. It began with school entries run on a Saturday and now involves the whole village and runs over a weekend.
Please enjoy looking at the dedicated page below.
Christmas Light Switch on- 1st December
A few years ago, we collaborated with a local electrician, Richard Twigg from CSR Electrical Ltd, to cover the school in Christmas lights and provide a lovely experience for the children. We started with a four year plan and created a great event which now has grown to include both of the local Pubs- The Three Horseshoes and The Waggon & Horses.
Names go in a hat to determine which family will press the red button to illuminate the school. Each year, a few more villages light up their own gardens for the same day so we are gradually ‘lighting up Fairburn’. A range of food and drink is available as well as Christmas crafts and treats. We are also delighted to now be joined by Kippax Brass Band and we have our very own Santa’s Grotto for everyone to visit.
Fairburn Community Pop-in Cafe
We have been delighted to visit Veronica Shearer and the ladies and gentlemen at the Community Cafe, here in Fairburn over the past few years. It began with us singing Christmas carols at their Christmas party but grew to the children visiting in smaller groups to play games and practise their conversation skills with adults throughout the year. It is always extremely enjoyed by all.
In 2023, we have extended this to include the Y6 children baking for the Cafe in the Summer term and helping to run it each week.
Lady Elizabeth Hastings Charity
We are fortunate to be beneficiaries of the Lady Betty Hastings Charity.
‘The Lady Elizabeth Hastings Charities award educational and ecclesiastical grants to individuals, groups and institutions within clearly defined areas of the North of England’.
Grants
EDUCATIONAL GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS can be made to people living in the area of benefit outlined on the page relating to educational grants. There are special provisions for present and past pupils of the Lady Elizabeth Hastings schools in Collingham, Ledston and Thorp Arch.
EDUCATIONAL GRANTS TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS can be made in the area of benefit outlined on the page relating to educational grants. Community groups must have been principally established for education, including social and physical education; scouts & guides and sports clubs are among those that qualify.
GRANTS TO RELIEVE NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS are restricted to residents of the ecclesiastical parishes of Collingham with Harewood, Ledsham with Fairburn and Thorp Arch.
ECCLESIASTICAL GRANTS have an affinity with the former counties of Yorkshire, Westmorland, Cumberland and Northumberland and relate principally to the work of the Church of England. Financial assistance is given to clergy and their families. Grants are also made for repairs to six churches named in the charity scheme. Click on the link below to access the charity website.