Harrogate Ladies’ College Sir David Attenborough letters

Pupils at Harrogate Ladies’ College, soon to be Duchy College, Harrogate, are beginning a new tradition after receiving personal, handwritten correspondence from the legendary TV presenter.

The school will hold its inaugural David Attenborough Day on Attenborough’s 100th birthday following a successful pupil-led campaign and a personal exchange with the iconic broadcaster and natural historian.

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They say the initiative began in the Prep 4 classroom, where pupils were studying “Eco-Warriors” and the life of Sir David Attenborough. Captivated by his lifelong dedication to the planet, the class intended to launch a national petition via Change.org to create a public holiday for his 100th birthday on Friday, May 8.

After sending letters to Sir David, the school received a surprise; handwritten responses from Attenborough himself. While he admitted he would be “extremely embarrassed” by a national day in his honour, Attenborough expressed his delight at the school’s proposal to hold an annual celebration, writing that he was “very happy” for them to proceed and hoped the event would be a “great success”.

Members of the Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield Eco Committee with letters from David Attenborough (Image: Supplied)

“To receive a handwritten note from Sir David is a wonderful feeling,” Highfield Eco Committee reps, Daisy and Georgia, said.

“It is amazing to know he is aware of our event and we are all very proud to be honouring such a wonderful human being.”

The upcoming David Attenborough Day is designed to empower the next generation of eco-warriors to shape the school’s environmental impact.

Activities for the celebration include a community bake sale with proceeds donated to a wildlife conservation charity, screening of wildlife documentaries and pupils creating endangered animal displays, providing the wider community with key facts, figures and how they can help conservation efforts.

Sir David Attenborough pictured at the Yorkshire Museum in York (Image: Newsquest)

In June last year, the school announced plans to begin the gradual transition to a fully co-ed school from 2-18 years from September 2026. Alongside the move to a co-ed senior school, their family of schools will be known as Duchy College from September this year.

There will be further developments to the school’s campus and academic provision from September, including: the opening of a brand new sixth form centre, which will offer individual study spaces; an extended sports provision; a new baccalaureate programme running from prep school into senior school; and an enhanced co-ed “boutique” boarding environment.

The school began life as a boys’ school in 1893, before becoming a girls’ senior school, and went on to open a co-ed prep school 25 years ago. 

It will once again welcome boys to the senior school in Year 7 and Year 12 from September, and will operate under the new name of Duchy College for all pupils from 2 to 18 years.

The school will continue to be led by principal, Joanna Fox along with the current senior leadership team and the existing board of governors led by chair of governors, Dame Francine Holroyd.