Winter/Spring 2018 Issue 13

Cycling the world One past pupil’s epic adventure School of rock Band formed at First class RGS is a big hit boarding RGS rated outstanding The award-winning illustrator whose work reaches millions GRAND DESIGNS

PLUS: A teacher turned preacher Reunion news RGS abroad A letter from the headmaster Where are they now?

Nicola Woolfenden catches up with former RGS students to discover what they are up to now

JOHN RICHMOND Left RGS 1951 Back to the future eachers who inspired me at RGS were Mr Thomas, who taught English, French teacher Historically much of our curriculum has been work flexibly and apply knowledge. But modern TMr Kempster and chemistry teacher, John While we are busy shaped by the past. The Greeks created the education has nevertheless stubbornly clung to ‘Masher’ Brown. But owing to my father’s ill preparing students for the foundation of most educational systems with four the traditional classroom’s focus on the teacher health, I left school at the early age of 15 to ‘scientific’ arts of music, arithmetic, geometry as the imparter of knowledge in its widest assist on the family farm. I could see small farms future, new head Jonathan and astronomy wedded to the three humanities of scope. In fact the proponents of subject-based were already in decline and decided management grammar, logic and rhetoric. Logic predominated knowledge have been mounting a fightback of of larger farms was for me so secured a post at Webb says we also have in the medieval schoolroom where scholars late in the social forums of the web. Transferable a highly intensive dairy farm near Harrogate. debated the rational basis of God’s divine will, skills will indeed only take you so far, they argue, After a couple of weeks my boss, who was part much to learn from the past but it was during the Renaissance that the study citing, for example, studies into the abilities of of the Bletchley Park code-breaking team during of grammar - more specifically Greek and Latin – air traffic controllers who, one might think, make the war, handed the reins over to me. I married predominated, with a smattering of history and the best multi-taskers, yet in reality seem just Barbara during the first month of my new job, Dear former students and friends of RGS, ethics for good measure. This emphasis on the as much at a loss outside the narrow confines of spending five years living in a small cottage on mechanics of the ancient languages of course their domain knowledge as the rest of us. We are the farm. Unbeknownst to many, except perhaps the gave us our ‘grammar schools’ which, in addition more alike in our learning preferences than we A full life: John in his garden today, above, and pictured fourth from right, middle row, in 1948 form picture most pedagogically nerdy, the educational to modern science, predominated well into the are different. In 1963, with two small children, we bought the world is something of a battleground of theory 20th Century. Nordale guest house in Ripon and I was elected year, I became captain of Ripon City Golf Club, has inspired me to write my memoirs, which I and counter-theory, much of which relies on While as teachers we should not see our subjects to the city council in 1967, becoming mayor in establishing a link with Ripon, California, and am wading through as I write. (A longer version the connectivity of the World Wide Web to The 1960s witnessed the developments of so- as bodies of discrete knowledge - witness the 1975 and a county councillor in 1977. The battle setting up a biennial golf tournament between of this article has been posted on the alumni generate its ideas and content. Educationalists called progressive child-centred education and, in radical attempts in Finland to recreate their over grammar schools was at its height, York the two countries, which still runs today. Having section of the RGS website) and teachers outside the established schools of more recent times, the preference for teaching education system on the basis of cross-curricular and Tadcaster having lost four grammar schools sold the guest house at the age of 52, I gained education have been able to use this platform to transferable skills, soft skills and employability. learning - it is nevertheless heartening to the between them. The prospect of the same thing another interest – filming family documentaries engage with other professionals in dialogue and Intelligence is no longer seen as fixed but as a old guard that what seems unlikely to change happening in Ripon, where both my children and civic historic occasions as well as Royal debate, giving rise to such manifestations as the malleable quality which can be expanded with is the need to apply knowledge taught in part attended the grammar school, was imminent. visits and Brian Stanley’s last speech day as social media-savvy ‘tweacher’ or blogger. ‘brain gyms’ and theories about learning styles. through well-planned teacher-led instruction. It At my first full county council meeting in 1977, headmaster. I have also been heavily involved In more recent years the concept of ‘growth is not quite as straightforward therefore to say I persuaded the ninety-strong council to agree with Allhallowgate Church and was a Methodist A core debate has centred around what the mind-set’ has won many converts. In essence that all students need are transferable skills and to defer a decision to administer comprehensive Lay Preacher for over 40 years. I spent 30 years school of the future might look like and whether many educationalists have been more interested the ability ‘to Google it’. Ripon Grammar School education. It was my only chance. The strategy in Ripon Rotary and was awarded the Paul our current system will continue to prepare in the process of learning rather than the content will, I hope, remain true to its foundation that paid off, and by the time Margaret Thatcher was Harris Fellowship in 2004. The same year, I was students for an unknown future, performing jobs itself. Students these days are meant to be able knowledge [grammar] once applied [logic] can elected in 1979, all existing grammar schools lucky enough to be made a Freeman of the city we supposedly don’t even know exist yet. Schools to collaborate and think creatively in any new therefore be presented [rhetoric]. were allowed to retain their status. Whilst of Ripon. More recently, I have joined Ripon’s of course help shape the future by educating the context. mayor, I also became the city’s hornblower over University of the Third Age and have enjoyed the next generation. To what extent therefore should Christmas, later sharing the duties. The same singing and writing groups particularly. The latter the future help shape the school? Much of this, of course, is right. We naturally With best wishes, want our students to be good communicators who Jonathan Webb research. Some of the data gleaned from this trip another former RGS student, Becky Stones. NIGEL STOCKILL contributed to an International Young Researcher Left RGS 1986 Award, proving it wasn’t all beaches and cocktails. I have many, many things for which to be thankful to RGS and Becky’s introduction is definitely one of hen I left school I took a year off to After five years at Lilleshall, I was offered a job them. I now live with Rachel and son Max in Dulwich travel and work out exactly what I with the England Men’s Cricket Team and became Village, South London, and work as a performance Wwanted to do before starting a sports their sports science manager (a posh term for scientist with professional sports and corporate science degree in 1987. fitness guy), touring with them full-time for nearly teams in the UK and Australasia, (proving my eight years. passion for travel has not waned). Seven years later, after gaining a first-class BSc honours degree (yes, I did finally knuckle down and By 2007, it was time to settle and put down roots Over the years my athletic pursuits have become concentrate on my studies) and an MSc, I joined the in London. To facilitate this, I helped set up a less athletic, though I do still enjoy running, team at Lilleshall Human Performance Centre and company called Optima-life, which enables me to weightlifting and, just to add to my frustration worked with professional footballers, elite athletes continue to work in sport as well as the corporate levels, golf. I have also recently, in true mid-life and national squads from a variety of sports. During world, combining my knowledge, expertise and crisis fashion, rekindled my passion for music in the this time I was lucky enough to be awarded a passion for developing people’s health, wellbeing form of, no, not Duran Duran (that never wavered) Winston Churchill Fellowship, which allowed me to and performance, both off and on the field. Just but drumming. Apologies to the residents of Dulwich combine my love of sport and travel, as I jetted off before I left my cricket job, I met my wife-to-be in advance - the new kit is arriving imminently! to Australia, the US and the West Indies to perform Rachel in India, courtesy of an introduction made by

Thankful to RGS: Nigel Stockill pictured as a prefect, back row fourth from right, in 1986 and celebrating Remaining true to England’s win Ripon Grammar at the Ashes in School’s foundation: 2015, back row, new headmaster middle Jonathan Webb

2 R G S ALUMNI 3 Where are they now? News report

Happy times: Diana is pictured below, front row, far left in fifth form, 1964, and, left, today

ipon Grammar School has had its The report details how boarders are part of a and not treating us all the same, while at the outstanding reputation enhanced still strong school community which recognises their same time treating us equally.” further with the same top grading for its individual needs and any vulnerabilities associated boarding provision. with living away from home. Harry Williams, 14, also of Wetherby, added: R “Boarding’s great because you always have your High praise for The school’s 90 boy and girl boarders, who pay to They are supported to manage their time doing friends around you.” board but not for tuition, enjoy an outstanding homework and revision, the comprehensive range experience, according to Ofsted, which says of activities, pursuing talents and socialising, and Abigail Burke, 15, whose father is stationed in the school’s boarding provision contributes to appreciate having house parents who are also Bristol, said: “My dad is in the RAF so although significantly improved outcomes and positive teachers. he’s been posted, boarding allows me to have a DIANA HALL outstanding experiences for children and young people. stable school life.” Left RGS 1966 “Sustained improvement in their lives is evident in Inspectors noted that boarding at Ripon Grammar their achievement records, academic results and There are a number of places still available for School brings significant benefits to boarders’ their higher education plans after A-levels,” the boarding students, for more information, visit fter RGS I studied viola for three years at the independence, their confidence and self- inspectors said. www.ripongrammar.co.uk/boarding or contact Royal Manchester College of Music with Frederick boarding discipline, and personal and Marita Murray on [email protected] ARiddle and it was a gift to study with him. I am academic achievements, Boarders are able to thankful for all the great teachers I had, notably Gilbert Boarding providing them with a “Boarding’s great influence life in the Shufflebotham, who started off so many of the string good springboard to their boarding houses, with ideas players in Ripon and also created the Gilbert String students at futures. “They are happy because you on menus, technology and Orchestra, a great experience for all us young players. RGS excel and enjoy being at school,” social events and inspectors the report says. always have friends noted the investment in a His daughter Gillian also went to RGS, a wonderful academically And the boarders new extension to the girls’ violinist. Music teacher Philip Miles was a great themselves are praised boarding house, the junior inspiration too, enthusiastic, encouraging and very while enjoying for being a credit to around you” boys’ washroom, new beds kind. I experienced a lot of the joy of music, especially themselves and the school. for boys and Wi-Fi. Brahms, playing chamber music, along with Andrew a positive live- and Stephen Orton, at the home of maths teacher Eric The school is welcoming and friendly and Recently retired headmaster Martin Pearman Kelsey. in experience, students make strong and lasting friendships, said: “We have implemented a long term plan of supported by very effective safeguarding practice, investment in the quality of accommodation to Since graduating, I have been fortunate to play with the say government specialist services for health and emotional meet the very high demand for boarding. This is Royal Ballet and Scottish National Orchestra, travelling inspectors. well-being needs, and outstanding leadership and a tremendous outcome of which we should all be to other countries, including Carnegie Hall in New York, management, added the social care inspectors. very proud.” with the latter. Sarah French “There is an excellent balance of safe risk-taking Boarder Lachlan Moon, 15, of Wetherby, said: I was a founder member of the inspirational New reports and promoting boarders’ development and life “Staff are very good at recognising our differences English Orchestra of Christian musicians, founded by experiences,” they observed. Nigel Swinford. A lot of our time was centred around Salzburg. Nigel’s wife, Carolyn, and I first met on a Grantley Hall chamber music course.

I was also a founder member of Opera North and in 1990 was number three viola, going on an exchange to Goteborg in Sweden.

In 1991 I was invited to do more work there, including one year as principal viola in a Portuguese chamber orchestra.

More recently, I have played in Israel. I now live in Ripon, freelancing, doing some teaching and also play with the Castle String Quartet, formed by Kelvin Gott, a multi-talented man who taught for a while at RGS.

Education is so important. Thank you RGS – but what counts most are our teachers & colleagues.

4 R G S ALUMNI 5 Be inspired

A former RGS student is cycling around the world on a bike he built himself. Ruth Savage caught up World challenge with him on the first leg of his epic 18,000-mile journey

rom his desk on the fourth storey of a city centre office block, accountant Iain Johnston used to look out on the same grey stretch of urban sprawl, with dismal congested streets below. F But, since ditching his job and jumping on a bicycle he built himself to set off on an epic 18,000-mile journey around the world, he is now greeted with a variety of stunning and ever-changing landscapes each day. Around the world on two wheels: main picture, Iain Inspired by celebrated Scottish cyclist Mark on his bike on the first Beaumont, 29-year-old Iain started cycling from leg of his journey in Ely, Leeds city centre just a week after Beaumont set off from the Arc de Triomphe on his record-breaking Suffolk. Above, at the mission to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul. Left, visiting Iain is planning to take a little longer, stopping off to the ancient city of Troy, see some of the sites along the way, and reckons he which he recalls learning will be returning home next July. about at RGS in ancient In order to help raise the £12,000 it is costing him history classes with Miss to fund the trip, he even slept in an under-stairs Richardson cupboard for the week before he left so that he could rent out his bedroom. Below left: Iain’s bike next to the Camlica Baraji Lake in Turkey,

So far, he has cycled more than 3,600 miles, climbed camping and with his odometer set to zero 44,500m and spent 360 hours in the saddle, having way, he says, include Istanbul’s Sultan Ahmed Mosque from Leeds to London in 24 hours last year, and built Early last year, he began to save and research a himself for company, but the incredibly generous and his bike, having only suffered five punctures and a travelled through Holland, Germany, the Czech and the ancient city of Troy and he enjoys seeing the his bespoke bike from scratch, purchasing parts from route: “As time went on, I thought I could potentially welcoming people he has met along the way make it broken pannier rack so far. Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and Turkey to sunrise and sunset every day. a specialist company. do it. I took the risk of leaving my job and told easier to bear: “I’ve had meals bought for me, and arrive in Georgia, the 11th country on his route. anyone who would listen about my trip to make it fruit and water given to me by locals, who enjoy When he returns home, he says: “I’ll have to get a More recently, he found climbing a challenging It was watching a BBC documentary about Beaumont difficult to pull out,” he says. having a friendly chat, by the side of the road.” job to start paying the bills as James is planning a He camps in secluded spots most nights and gets up 2,550m summit on the Turkish border, where the with his twin brother James, back in 2010, that 12 month motorbike trip after I get back. But, for at 5am to set off by 6.30am, cycling 100km, or 62 Eastern Anatolia converges with the Lesser Caucasus gave Iain, then studying economics at Manchester With the help of additional money coming in from And, although he decided to camp to cut costs, he now, I’m living my dream, and loving every second. miles, in temperatures ranging from minus four to 43 mountain range, particularly breathtaking. University, the idea of setting himself a challenge: renting out a spare room in their house, it took says: “I enjoy the camping as much as the cycling.” degrees Celsius for around six-and-a-half hours each “We decided we would go on a cycling trip once we around 18 months to save what he needed to cover “It would be nice, though, if I could inspire a few day. Having descended from there into Georgia, he now graduated, before starting work.” the cost of equipment, flights, visas, food and hotels. Carrying a GPS transponder, so friends and family can people to get on their bikes and head off on an track his progress and alert emergency services if adventure themselves.” It’s a far cry from the 62 miles a After university, the pair flew His parents, a retired police officer and a carer, are necessary, Iain is delighted with the performance of week he normally cycles in the to Venice with their bikes and keen walkers and campers and encouraged their temperate climate of Yorkshire “One of the biggest challenges is staying cycled the 1,800 miles back over three children to be adventurous and explore new throughout the year: “But it’s a four weeks. It planted the seed places. So Iain is no stranger to physical exertion and good balance between getting the on my bike for hours at a time with only for something bigger and better: challenge. miles done and not feeling too “I enjoyed it so much and Mark FAVOURITE TEACHERS rushed to stop off for a cup of tea myself for company” Beaumont’s trip had sparked my Having completed both the Yorkshire and national or two.” imagination, although I wasn’t Three Peaks challenges with his brother, also a originally planning to cycle former RGS student, he ran the London Marathon in “Mrs Swainston because During rest days Iain, who grew up near Ripon and plans to cross the Caspian Sea, through Turkistan, around the world.” three hours 56 minutes last year. And at RGS, which of her patience, sense of left RGS in 2006, stays in hotels to shower and Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, into China, India and older sister Zoe also attended, he played football charge his gadgets: “If I want to visit a city, I’ll take through South-East Asia to Australia. While working and studying for his final chartered every day and was house captain for rugby and cross humour and willingness a detour. But in more remote parts, I end up cycling Then he will take a flight to the States and cycle accountancy exams, Iain, who has recently purchased country. non-stop.” across North America, before returning home. a house with James, found the idea of taking time to spend time helping out difficult: “Then I came home from work one day “I’m coping well, health-wise, and it has all gone Some of the astonishing sights he has seen along the Iain has long been a keen cyclist, biking 240miles and said if I didn’t commit now, I never would.” smoothly so far,” he says. “But cycling can be tough, me understand things. especially when cycling up the mountains in Eastern Also Mrs Knowles, Turkey and I’ve come down with food poisoning several times, especially as I travel further east.” who was so supportive

Surviving on a diet of bread, noodles, beans, pasta and even tracked me and eggs, supplemented by the occasional meal in a local restaurant, he is finding it difficult to source down on results day to nutritious food in shops the further east he goes. congratulate me on my Iain pictured far left, next to brother James, on One of the most challenging things, he says, is their last day in sixth form at RGS in 2006 GCSE English mark” staying on his bike for hours at a time with only

6 R G S ALUMNI 7 Alumni news Sky’s the Nick’s limit for high Formula flyer David for A former student and RAF cadet who hopes for a career in aircraft design has been awarded a major success accolade. Ruth Savage reports ormer RGS student David Owens was “We were lucky enough to get a flight One of the behind-the-scenes honoured to be one of just 50 people over Baltimore and the East Coast in stars of the Grand Prix world selected from the UK’s 45,000-strong a five-seat Civil Air Patrol Airvan. With RAF Cadet organisation for a prestigious my cadet flying experience, I was returned to his old school and FUS exchange trip this summer. able to take the co-pilot’s seat and fly Flying high: David in the US Civil Air Patrol gave current students useful the aircraft, the largest I have flown to date,” aircraft he co-piloted over Baltimore The 19-year-old, who is studying aeronautical says David. advice. Sarah French reports and aerospace engineering at Loughborough University, so impressed his superiors that on Other memorable moments from the highly- A member of the City of Ripon squadron since former student who spends his life in city’s Dallamires Lane. “I was fascinated by Taking the chequered flag, retiring Ripon his return he was promoted to the highest rank prized trip, attended by cadets from Canada, he was just 13, David has flown with the RAF the Formula One pit-lane returned to cars and engineering from an early age and Grammar School headmaster Martin possible in the Air Cadets. Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South in light aircraft, motor gliders and the mighty A Ripon Grammar School for the annual got my first taste of racing at club level with Pearman, Old Riponian and Renault F1 Korea, include exploring Merlin helicopter. lower school prize-giving ceremony. my father. technical director Nick Chester and chair The newly-appointed search and rescue of governors Peter Mason cadet warrant officer, and special forces Keen musician David, who leads the trombone Nick Chester, who is technical director “If ever I did drift off in lessons I would find who hopes to pursue FAVOURITE aircraft and a tour of section of the Air Cadet National Concert Band, of Renault F1, a key position in the most myself sketching car layouts, but now I work a career in aircraft an operational nuclear also represented his squadron on an overseas prestigious motor racing class in the world, for a French team I realise I should have design, is now the attack submarine. “It camp at Gibraltar last year and has qualified as urged today’s students to consider the worked harder in languages. You need to work most senior non- TEACHER was amazing, certainly an instructor, teaching other cadets subjects huge array of possibilities available, to find hard in everything as you never know when commissioned officer in “Mr Ward because he was approachable, the pinnacle of my such as principles of flight, aircraft engineering something they felt passionate about and that knowledge may come in useful.” Great honour understanding, knowledgeable, relaxed, a squadron of more than cadet career to date,” and first aid. work hard to achieve their goals. OLYMPIC champion Jack Laugher’s mother yet respected. When I was struggling with 50 cadets. adds David. The packed hall also heard how Ripon Jackie has shared this photograph of Jack statistics, he tutored me and I came out with His commanding officer, Flight Lieutenant He was a student at Ripon Grammar School Grammar School, now considered outstanding 100 per cent” receiving his MBE from Prince Charles for One of the highlights of This is not the first Howard Bickerdike, said: “David is an exemplary from 1980-87 before studying engineering for both learning and boarding by Ofsted, services to diving: “What a wonderful day, the American exchange, accolade he has cadet. Places are highly sought after and only at Cambridge University and breaking into is the top school in North Yorkshire and the full of pomp and ceremony and certainly where David was received. Four years the best cadets in the UK get this opportunity.” motorsport in 1991, joining Renault in 2000. North East for results for the fourth successive memories that I’ll treasure for a long guest of the US Civil Air Patrol and the United ago, David was awarded a special commendation David is encouraging RGS students to consider year, with current and past students achieving time,” she says. States Air Force, was a visit to a ground attack for administering first aid and calling an joining the organisation: “This is just one “I hugely enjoyed my time at RGS,” said Mr at the highest levels on a local, national and squadron which has recently returned from ambulance to a man he found collapsed in the example of what you can do and we have a Chester, whose father owned a garage in the international stage. operations in the Middle East. road. fantastic unit, just down the road from RGS.”

FORMER student Paul Carolan, who left RGS in Paul’s 1. You can’t teach 1989, has returned to school to inspire current attitude and passion students with a talk about his career in the Thank you, advertising industry. top tips 2. Give yourselves options – skills are Paul, managing director and executive coach of Mr Pearman transferable training company Archipelo, entertained students 3. Use your friends with a brand logo quiz and his top ten tips for how WHEN Martin Pearman retired in July, the Old and family to win at life. Riponians RGS alumni association was keen 4. Start/keep building to show its appreciation and gratitude for his your network Paul, who has a post-graduate diploma in outstanding contribution during 13 years as advertising, is a volunteer with Speakers4Schools, 5. Always be curious headmaster. a UK-wide education charity which provides young 6. Have the courage of people in state secondary schools and colleges “The gift,” says Martin, “is a kind and your convictions with talks from influential figures, who share thoughtful gesture which will be a permanent 7. Fail fast their experience and insights free of charge. This reminder of my association with the Old Rips 8. People buy love summer, the charity expanded to enrol speakers over many years.” 9. Love what you do who will offer work experience at their companies. 10. Be yourself We hope Martin will continue to join us for Old For more information, visit Riponian events in future and wish him a long, speakers4schools.org and S4SNextGen.org happy and fulfilled retirement. Inspirational: Paul

8 R G S ALUMNI 9 Alumni news RGS worldwide

A boy band formed at Ripon Grammar School is tipped ‘I found to be the next big pop the sensation. Ruth Savage School of catches up with them in the career middle of their UK tour I love hree school friends who formed a band while they were at RGS are taking the UK by storm with their Down debut single, which has gone viral on rock TAmazon and Spotify. Rising star: Multi-talented Grace also played piano, harmonica, saxophone, Under’ When :PM, formerly known as Purple Mafia, clarinet and flute in Footloose released Grown Ups in the summer, the music Polly Sands, who press likened them to the new McFly. The catchy left RGS in 2010, track, accompanied by a quirky, light-hearted video which they shot themselves, was launched with an IN THE NEWS is an account exclusive release on the Metro website in London. manager at a ctress Grace Lancaster, who left RGS in The site, which reaches 1.7 million visitors, 2010, has received rave reviews after global branding announced: “Boy bands come and go but there’s Astepping into the lead female role of Ariel, consultancy in something rather special about this brand new the preacher’s daughter, alongside stars Gareth Melbourne Yorkshire fivesome who are about to swing a Gates and Maureen Nolan in the hit musical wrecking ball through the boy band market with Footloose. Grace took centre stage for the last their addictive debut single.” two weeks of the production’s seven-month UK and Europe-wide tour, taking her final bow at the Global branding account manager Polly Guitarists, 20-year-olds Harry Yates and Josh Liverpool Royal Court Theatre. One reviewer said Why did you decide to work abroad? in Melbourne and at school, below Stockdale, founded the group during their early Famous five: will these Yorkshire lads, who are taking the UK by storm with their debut of her: “With more zip and bling, zest and bravado I visited Melbourne on a family holiday when I was school years and when they heard Dan Reynard sing single, Grown Ups, be the next One Direction? Alex, Harry, Dan, Josh, Joe of :PM than almost everybody else on stage, hers is a 12, fell in love with the city and decided there and during a school assembly they immediately asked performance to savour.” Grace, who graduated in then I would move here after finishing school. What do you miss least? him to become lead singer, with drummer Alex where we decided this is what we want to do. We And the boys’ experience on the road would seem actor musicianship from the Rose Bruford College The weather. Though Melbourne does sometimes Boulton, who was Josh’s neighbour, joining soon loved our time there.” to confirm this. It was a recent tour of girls’ schools of Theatre and Performance, will be appearing as How did you go about getting a job? remind me of Britain with the amount of rain we after. throughout the UK which brought them national the princess in Aladdin, the Rock’n’Roll Panto, at I was lucky in that I knew people working at the get. And he praised staff for their support: “Being such attention: “We’d never released any recorded the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall over Christmas. design studio where I now work in Melbourne The boys write all their own songs and started out an academic school, it could be easy to imagine music, but they all went online before the gigs and and asked if I could help out with general What advice would you give to others? rehearsing in a spare bedroom: “We’d paint :PM all staff being opposed to what we wanted to do, searched for anything they could find about us. ack Render was one of the youngest 2017 administration. I tried to get involved as much as Try and make contacts before you move over, I over the walls and blast but teachers were so They were so enthusiastic,” says Dan. general election candidates in the country possible, to embed myself into the company and have friends who have moved over and tried to out music for a good few supportive of us.” Jwhen he stood for the Yorkshire Party in show my passion. Eventually, after working as find a job once they get here and really struggled. hours every day,” says “There’s something rather The band also played at a number of music festivals Skipton and Ripon, aged just 19, shortly after receptionist for six months, the managing director Make sure you do your research about visas and Dan, 21. Having added bassist Joe before being signed to Marshall Arts Live agency of finishing sixth form, winning 1,539 votes. Jack, offered me a position in client services and a where you want to stay as well. Other than that, special about them. Morley to the band three London and Los Angeles. who now works as a product designer and enjoyed working visa. just go for it! After they won the They’re about to swing a years ago, and inspired by taking part in political debates while he was at Harrogate AMP Music everyone from Nirvana to Currently on UK tour with X Factor’s Emily RGS, said: “I have visions for the future and wish What are the Do you plan to return to the UK eventually? Awards in 2012, they wrecking ball through the The 1975, Kings of Leon, Middlemass, the boys say they are enjoying every to make the UK better for the youth of tomorrow.” advantages? I’m planning to become an Australian citizen this were invited to Los Justin Bieber and Arctic minute of their new-found fame: “We don’t take I love the lifestyle year and then I think I will move back to the UK Angeles to record in actor boy band market” Monkeys, they say their ourselves too seriously. We just want to play music. A Yorkshire Party spokesperson said: “Jack here. That is a huge for a couple of years. After that, who knows? Jonny Depp’s studio, aim now is to create ear- We don’t care about getting a job that pays well. represents a generation of young people who feel advantage. Everyone which inspired them to catching, buoyant pop. When you’re on stage playing, there’s no better disengaged with what the main political parties has such a great What do you wish you’d known at 18 that you pursue their passion for music instead of going to feeling in the world,” says Dan. offer and he and the Yorkshire Party are setting relaxed attitude. know now? university or travelling. Metro described Grown Ups as a tune that ‘gets out a plan for what a modern, prosperous Yorkshire Of course there are Not to stress too much. In my last year of school trapped in your head’, praising the ‘tight vocals To find out more, will look like in future.” beautiful beaches as I was worried because I hadn’t figured out what I Dan says the boys owe much to Ripon Grammar with an endearing Yorkshire twang’, with their visit www.pmtheband.com well, which doesn’t was going to do, beyond moving to Australia, and School: “RGS is where we met, started the band, reviewer remarking that :PM sing ‘pop tracks bound Facebook - :PM; Instagram – pmtheband ormer student Ellie Eve’s textile work at the hurt. I ended up finding a career that I really love but rehearsed, recorded, wrote a lot of the songs and to make girls go weak at the knees.’ Twitter – thebandpm; Snapchat – pmthe band Glasgow School of Art fashion show has been never expected to be doing. Ffeatured in The Telegraph newspaper. Her And the mother, Jane Eves, told Clocktower: “She had disadvantages? www.elmwood.com Grown Ups chorus: wonderful art teachers, it’s taking her far!” It’s so far away. I FAVOURITE A song can’t pop home and see my family, and that can I wanna’ go buy a bed for two, be really challenging at times. atherine, also known as Kat, Spedding, who *Past pupil Chris Barber, who left RGS Have a couple of kids that look like you left RGS in 2010, has appeared in the Daily TEACHERS that gets in 1962, is seeking former students Everything that comes with love, everything but growing up. CMail and Sun newspapers, helping to increase What do you miss most about home? “Mr Fell, Mr Demir and Mr Pepper, inside I wanna’ get drunk in the afternoon, awareness of the skin condition vitiligo, which Mum’s Sunday roasts with Yorkshire puddings is who have made a new life abroad for along with loads of others, were so Buy a Haribo ring & marry you. she was diagnosed with at the age of 13. Optical definitely a big one, but I also really miss the our ‘RGS worldwide’ series. Please supportive of us” your head Ooooh ooooh but I don’t wanna’ do, do what grown ups do. assistant Kat says she has learned to embrace her Yorkshire countryside, there is nothing like it in contact him on: condition, which causes the immune system to Australia. [email protected] attack pigment in the skin.

10 R G S ALUMNI 11 COVER: Light Bulbs for Design Week A fine body of work As a schoolboy, Andrew Baker spent much of his free time in the RGS art room. Now his illustrations reach millions of people. Ruth Savage talks to the award-winning artist about his work and new book about the human body

he name Andrew Baker do sports at RGS, which he left, after taking may not ring a bell. But his O-levels, in 1982. most of us will recognise the award-winning artist’s “Drawing was my thing,” he explains. “I used eye-catching images, which to spend lunchtimes in the art room and all regularly appear in our weekend drawing diagrams for biology, I was leading national newspapers obsessed with making pictures.” and magazines. He was an early pioneer of computer THaving mastered the art of encompassing illustration and wrote animation and graphics complex ideas and a myriad of information programmes on one of the earliest and most in one strikingly beautiful image, using fresh basic of computers, a Lynx 128K: “I bought it block colours and crisp, clean lines, his with an insurance policy Mum and Dad took pictures, as the old cliché goes, really do out for me, although they wanted me to buy speak a thousand words. a car. It cost £225, a fortune back then.”

Former Ripon Grammar School student Inspired by his art teacher LV Smith, he went Andrew’s latest project, a stunning book on to study advertising design at Harrogate called BODY: A Graphic Guide To Us, shows School of Art from the age of 16: “I don’t us as we’ve never seen ourselves before, think it would have happened otherwise,” he with witty graphics shining a spotlight says. on everything from the smallest cells to the largest “Mr Smith had come up bones and the secret from London and only elements hiding in our recently left art school bodies. himself. He thought a bit differently about things, Given Andrew’s talent for and got us to see things transcending language, differently. making things appear simple and straightforward “I think he had been a when they are anything hippy in the Seventies but, it is hardly surprising and had enjoyed the much of his inspiration alternative scene in the comes from the comic capital before he started THIS PAGE: books he read as a child. teaching. There wasn’t anyone else like him. illustrations Born in Ripon, the son of He was a really inspiring from BODY a painter and decorator, teacher.” Andrew, 50, remembers his OPPOSITE: mother Barbara, who still When Andrew got to art from top, works in a fish and chip school, he felt it was what illustration shop in the city, buying he had been waiting for him early Marvel comics: “I Comicbook fan: Baker all his life, and knew just for an article must have been about four. what he wanted to do: about how I remember reaching up “Art school was brilliant. It people who to get them from the top of the ice cream completely changed my life. cabinet.” aspire to “I had never been to any art exhibitions when work in film He started drawing as a toddler and grew to I was a boy, but I saw plenty of comics, book production love watching and talking about old science covers and vinyl album sleeves in the shops often have to fiction films and TV series like Thunderbirds so I knew someone had a job making these. I and Stingray with his dad: “This helped my wanted that job.” start at the imagination grow. bottom of He went on to study graphic design at the industry, “I drew as soon as I could get my hands on a Liverpool Polytechnic, where he specialised pencil, creating pictures of superheroes and in illustration, then won a place at the Fertility and cars, futuristic cities and cross sections of prestigious Royal College of Art, where he had Sperm for the King Kong’s Skull Island.” access to the cutting edge technology of the Radio Times time. He suffered from bad asthma and couldn’t and Oil Fields Continued over

12 R G S ALUMNI 13 FAVOURITE TEACHER: “L V Smith encouraged me to go to art school. I don’t think it would have happened otherwise.”

LEFT: Debt, for The Times Money section ABOVE: Map of the UK, illustrating popular holiday activities, for The Times. BELOW: the cover and inside pages from Andrew’s new book, BODY THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE: a selection of Andrew’s small illustrations which appear regularly in the Radio Times listings pages

“The RCA was ahead of the game. There were Apple Macs with Now BODY has been published, Andrew has ambitions to Photoshop, and Illustrator and colour photocopiers, which were produce a graphic novel and already has storylines in his new. I embraced all these things.” head: “I want to go back to comics,” he explains.

Even now, he still draws everything with his Apple Mac mouse: He loves returning to Yorkshire, particularly his home city “I never use a tablet or pen,” he explains. But the RCA was a of Ripon, where his love of art was nurtured. Looking back peculiar environment, he says: “They push you to the point where on his time at school, he says he is grateful for the valuable it’s uncomfortable, disorientating you. You have to find your feet education he received at RGS: “There were lots of good again and start a process of reinvention.” teachers, including Mr Smith and Mr Allinson, a maths teacher who had amazing confidence in us.” As a result, Andrew emerged producing edgy, experimental pieces, which didn’t make him particularly employable. It took But he says the greatest lesson he learnt was to follow his him a year to get his first commission, for Vogue magazine’s own path. horoscope page. At the time, he was signing on, looking for work and sharing a room in Camden with his artist girlfriend Linda, now “I liked all subjects, I was getting the best education in his wife: “I had to call clients from a phone box in the park.” Yorkshire but I didn’t want to do more of it. You have to stick to what you want to do. I wanted to do art and the grammar BODY, A Although they didn’t have much money, they were doing what school provided an excellent springboard into that world.” they wanted and enjoyed city life: “We always kept busy doing GRAPHIC free work to build up our portfolios and I sold my records to He suggests current RGS students interested in a similar GUIDE TO produce folders of work to show magazines.” That first horoscope career should consider prospective art courses carefully. commission, he says, changed his life: “It was the first time in a US, by Steve year I thought I might well be an illustrator.” “It’s a great way to make a living and live a life, but it’s very competitive too, so you need really good training from Parker and But after that his income, based on occasional pieces for the a good art school. Look carefully at where you want to study Andrew Observer and Guardian newspapers and a BBC music magazine, and make sure it has the right ethos.” remained patchy. Then the animation company Linda worked for Soon his images were regularly appearing in the UK’s leading When Andrew, who has exhibited his work in London, was offered the Baker went bankrupt: “We could just about pay rent and buy food but I design magazine, Design Week, which propelled him to national chance to work on the 225-page BODY book with science writer Steve The best advice he can give, he says, is to keep on drawing: (Aurum needed other work, so went into teaching.” prominence. Parker, he knew it would be a challenge: “They wanted it in six months “If you stop for a little while it’s hard to start again, and if and I worked out I would have to work every day apart from Christmas you stop for a long time it’s harder still. And don’t worry Press, £25) After working full-time at Barnet College in London for two years, Before long, he was seeing his work blown up onto huge bill boards Day.” what other people think about your work. Just keep he decided he had to create time for his art: “I was going mad in the street and had regular commissions from publications like the drawing.” He adds: “When you start up professionally, keep not doing any of my own Radio Times, Financial Times and It meant missing out on time with Linda and their sons, 17-year-old Ray going and get good at self-promotion.” work. So I went part-time the Guardian. Andrew knew he had and 15-year-old James, he says: “But the thought of somebody else and decided I had to make finally made it when, in 2003, he doing the book was more than I could bear.” Andrew reflects that, even today, his time at the grammar my work more palatable, “My art teacher won the distinguished Association school influences his life, both as an artist and art lecturer: to find a way of constantly of Illustrators Gold award. So every other day, when not teaching, he worked on BODY at his East “Both involve a lot of communication and problem solving, bringing in money. London home from 9am to 10.30pm, occasionally breaking off to walk and my time at school really helped me organise the way I was inspirational” Having gone on to lecture at the dog or go to the supermarket. In the end, he managed to take think. “What I had been Middlesex University, Andrew Valentine’s weekend as well as Christmas Day off. producing was a bit ‘beyond’, scribbly drawings of machines, continues to enjoy teaching art part-time: “I find the students “A good, all-round education is vital and my knowledge of which didn’t make me employable. I had to temper it. I made stimulating, engaged with the world and lovely to be around.” While Linda, who now works as an illustrator and printmaker, held the sciences and also English is very important for my work a conscious decision to become more mainstream,” he says. “I everything together, his sons helped with the book: “They would say they now. Some of the illustrations in BODY remind me of the wanted every picture to be like a hit single - popular. I got an They force him to think about how and why he makes images: didn’t understand certain things, which was good because they’re part of drawings I did in biology and physics classes all those years agent and was promoted widely. I have worked non-stop ever “Technology may have changed but the job hasn’t. It’s about how the target audience.” ago.” since.” you fill that white rectangle. You start with the written word, what it’s about and what you want to say.” *Andrew has donated a copy of BODY to the school library

14 R G S ALUMNI 15 Tributes A true inspiration orn in 1927, His former students sent us the following memories: Kenneth Simon Memories of Clem Bjoined Ripon “Mr Simon was a very formative influence on my Grammar School in learning of French, which I studied at university before 1957 with a BA from taking up a teaching career in languages.” Leeds University after teaching in both France ”I have many fond memories of his lessons. On Friday and Leeds. He retired afternoons we used to read and translate the French in July 1980 after 23 magazine Chez Nous. I have vivid memories of the serial based in the Luxembourg Gardens. It has given me an years of service to abiding love of those gardens. Every time I visit Paris, I RGS. A considerable insist on visiting them.” scholar and linguist, his main contribution “I well remember his signature (KRS) on my reports to the work of the language department was and the generous words he often wrote. The seeds in the teaching of French, but he will also be he sowed led to me going to Merton College, Oxford, remembered for his work in junior English and in 1967, to read French and German - a happy and his courses in Italian and Spanish for sixth- Left: In the thick of it: Clem, worthwhile time. I could see he was a decent, formers. Mr Simon gave up much of his spare pictured third from right with honourable and sincere person. Today I mourn his his team after enjoying a mud time to helping in the school library; his keen passing.” bath on the rugby pitch. Right, interest in it was shown on his retirement by his Clem, middle row, second left, gift of a variety of books to suit all age groups. “Good memories of a dedicated teacher and many with friends from Ripon Rugby He also was known for his whole-hearted singing informal chats on the school bus back to Harrogate. He Club at an awards evening and acting in the chorus of many school musical is single-handedly responsible for my love of languages. to celebrate the last time his productions. Mr Simon died in July, aged 92. I went on from learning French in his classes at RGS to team played together, in 2012 learning German, Italian and Russian, with a smattering Dedicated teacher: Kenneth Simon, above. of Spanish. A true inspiration to many of us back in the Below: Back row, fourth from right in RGS Sixties.” Clem Carter, who left Ripon Grammar staff photo from 1959 School in 2014, died suddenly aged 21. Sadly missed: Clem, pictured with his mother, below, and with friends from Some of those who knew him well at Ripon Grammar School RGS share their memories of the talented student, who was studying pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Huddersfield

ormer RGS headmaster Martin Pearman: and even rarer to find a student with an ability “I have many fond memories of Clem – he to consume and then share knowledge in a more Former student, Aidan Clancy: was always keen to engage in debate and articulate manner than those who had the pleasure “Words have always felt too imprecise challenge the accepted view of everything, to teach him. to describe Clem. I used to find that, when I Ffrom school rules to politics. He never accepted introduced him to new people, no matter how received wisdom and his fierce intellect shone “There are too many stories concerning Clem’s much I prepared them for the meeting, he would through, particularly at moments of animated originality to detail within a short passage; always manage to surprise them. He was utterly never be able to show him how much his Pioneer’s lasting legacy debate. however I will always remember my debates with unique in a way that still managed to constantly friends loved him. I’ll never be able to show orn in 1947, Dr Margaret Colquhoun, and study at Pishwanton and in May this year Margaret Clem regarding ‘what if?’ counterfactual scenarios surprise those who knew him best. He would him the beautiful, heart-wrenching tributes daughter of Ripon Grammar School maths opened the first residential chalet on the site. The “Clem was loyal to the school and to his friends in the works of Tolkien (he was very well-read and always have a conversation or question up his left on his Facebook wall. But what gets me, Bteacher Eric Kelsey, studied zoology and pioneering project, which explores ways of integrating and I know he was a very good friend to many. Tolkien-literate) and Clem’s ability to win these sleeve that would manage to surprise or interest. Clem, is I never got to tell you I love you. I genetics at Edinburgh University after leaving agriculture, horticulture, woodland management lengthy arguments through his persuasive language Over the almost ten years Clem was my best friend love you because I respect you, like you and RGS. Her interests included rock climbing in and conservation activities to create a practical “I also knew Clem well through his involvement and intelligent humour. I can’t think of two conversations that were alike. understand that you are part of what made the Highlands and she even trekked to the base demonstration of sustainable land use, continues to with Ripon Rugby Club. He enjoyed his rugby I don’t think any of us who knew him will ever get me how I am today: an irreplaceable and camp of Mount Everest. Following her Ph.D, thrive. Margaret died in August, aged 70. and I recall many visits to far-flung venues on a “Clem’s enthusiasm for learning and his penchant used to his absence and I’m confident I can speak majestically unique thread in the tapestry she spent four years studying Sunday – Guisborough or maybe Whitby. We have for debate was evident throughout his time at for all of us when I say he will forever occupy his of my life. We played rugby together, we scientific methodology in a very happy photo of the team ‘aqua-planing’ on the school, from discussions relating to the legal own, unique, indescribable Clem-shaped place in sat in the same classes, and we shared the Germany and Switzerland, a water-logged pitch following a match, the kit requirement of white fish content in fish fingers our lives.” same jokes, the same friends. I never got before returning to Britain barely recognisable as that of Ripon Rugby Club. to his encyclopaedic knowledge of quotations to tell you that mate, but I do. We all do. where she continued teaching Clem was beaming. I also have cause to be grateful relating to Nicholas Cage. Teaching Clem was Former student, Charlie Yates: “Clem was 21 And we miss you mate. If only death gave a and researching, with an to Clem for protecting my son during many a hugely enjoyable and his contributions to lessons years old. One year older than me. The striking day’s notice, we could have all come to you emphasis on landscape, ruck! Clem’s dry sense of humour will always be and form time are etched in the mind of his friends thing about Clem’s death is that he’s not coming and said goodbye. We would have told you medicinal plants and animal remembered by me. He touched the lives of so and teachers alike. In his later years at RGS Clem back. Not ever. I’ll never see his stupid little black how much we care, shown you how much of evolution. Later, she founded many students at RGS, particularly in his year, developed a wonderfully eccentric interest in blazer again, his feral hair, his idiotic moustache, a poorer place the world is without you: our the Life Science Trust, an and as far as they are concerned he will never be augmenting popular music through incorporating his endearingly gappy smile. I’ll never see him outspoken, offensive, glorious Clem. I hope environmental education forgotten. A true character, the world will be much cow bells and it was both poignant and fitting sitting in Wetherspoons, haranguing the clientele, there’s a memorial bench with spikes on it charity in East Lothian less interesting with Clem’s absence.” that cow bells accompanied him during the or harassing his friends, recounting his latest or a plaque on the wall that tells offensive which, in 1996, purchased celebration of his life at Ripon Cathedral. Clem misadventures on the internet in brutal detail (I jokes, because that’s what you would have Pishwanton Wood, at the foot History teacher Michael Spiers: “Clem was a truly will be remembered very fondly by all who had the urge no one to ever google a Cleveland steamer). wanted.” of the Lammermuir hills. Hundreds of people, Pioneering scientist: Margaret pictured middle row, third from right, in lower sixth form in 1964, original student. It is rare to find such curiosity pleasure to meet him.” I’ll never be able to tell him that I miss him. I’ll from all over the world, have come to work and, right, at the Pishwanton chalet opening

16 R G S ALUMNI 17 Former staff news Photo courtesy of Kippa Matthews From teacher to preacher A former RGS history teacher swapped the classroom for the Church. Rebecca Chamberlain finds out about his important new role supporting the Archbishop of York

ormer teacher turned vicar Richard McTaggart put up her hand and announced ‘There’s Carew says he has always thought of a squirrel in that tree, Mr Carew.’ the word ‘career’ as a verb, rather than a noun – but there is plenty to “That was my first lesson in how teaching can keep unite the two apparently different you on your toes and can bring you down to earth Fpaths he has taken. with a bump.”

His first role after qualifying was as history teacher It was soon followed by the challenge of teaching at Ripon Grammar School, and he very nearly sixth form students: “A-level classes were didn’t take the job. “I was shown round the school stretching. I taught some outstanding minds, far and it was very pleasant, but seemed starchy, not more intelligent than mine. the sort of school I thought I’d end up in. I had imagined a comprehensive.” “Working at RGS was great fun. We took the teaching incredibly seriously, but had a laugh too. I He was ready to pull out of the interview itself had some terrific colleagues, and Terry Fell, Simon Important role: Richard, pictured behind the cross in the back row, joined the Archbishop, along with the Queen and later that afternoon but went for a walk in the city Naylor, Steve Rouse, Alan Chamberlain and I still other members of the Royal Family on the steps of York Minster on Maundy Thursday first. “I went inside the small chapel underneath meet up as a group to talk about our days at RGS.” the cathedral and prayed. And all the misgivings I When English teacher Mr Fell suggested starting had felt evaporated.” the house drama competition, Richard agreed selection process to discern whether the calling “It was hard work to co-ordinate, but something to help. “Each house was given a £25 budget to was genuine, and when the right time to begin wonderful happened every day. He met recently- So, in September 1996, Richard began his life put on a one-scene play, and for me, it was the training might be. diagnosed cancer patients, and time seemed as history teacher, later also becoming general highlight of the school year,” he says. to stand still when he talked and prayed with studies coordinator and deputy head of sixth form. The time was right in 2002, and Richard began them. He carried out impromptu baby baptisms in He also helped out in the boys’ boarding house and “The acting, directing, lighting and costumes his theology degree at Durham University, moving streams and wells, what an incredible memory for with rugby and cricket practices: “I was straight were all up to the students, they were set free to from one glorious building in Durham to another, in the parents, and an experience to share with their out of teaching college,” he says. “I remember excel. There is so much delight in seeing young East Yorkshire, when he went to Beverley Minster children as they grow up. being in a first form class that first week and people discover how talented they are. House and as a training minister for five years. asking if there were any questions after outlining junior drama productions gave so many children “It is an amazing and inspiring job, full of the lesson, thinking, ‘I’ve got this sorted’. Isla the chance to believe they could be the best at When the time came to move on, he applied for incredibly public moments – like standing on the a parish role in York, but was unsuccessful. “Mum steps of York Minster with the Queen and Prince Answered a calling: Richard Carew something, no matter what that was. For me, that is what teaching is all about.” said, ‘Don’t worry, God has something else in mind Philip on Maundy Thursday – contrasted with for you.” private moments of prayer with one person in Richard continued at RGS until 2002, when he need. The Archbishop’s energy is phenomenal. began to fulfil a destiny – one that had been Then came the opportunity to become domestic foretold when he was younger. “When I was 17, I chaplain to John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, “The delight I had in teaching – seeing pupils supporting him in his role as bishop for his local discover their strengths, and excel in them – I now Richard and was at a friend’s house and his mum asked what diocese, which stretches from the Humber to the have from helping people to see how God can his uncle, I planned to do in life. My friend said: ‘He’s going Tees and from the A1 to the coast. intervene in their lives, bring transformation, and Malcolm to be a vicar’ which was news to me, but it stayed Rice, pictured with me. show them something of all that they have been together Every day at the Archbishop’s Bishopthorpe Palace created to be.” during a “Then after the death of my father, who was a is different, but most begin with a morning pilgrimage lay preacher, I was listening to another preacher service. One of the biggest tasks in recent years For more information visit with one Sunday. A voice inside my head said ‘One has been the Archbishop’s Pilgrimage of Prayer, www.archbishopofyork.org/ Archbishop day, you’ll be doing that’ and I remember silently Witness and Blessing. and http://pilgrimage.archbishopofyork.org/ John Sentamu replying, ‘I bloomin’ won’t’. But from that moment I began thinking and praying about it.” It was the idea of the Archbishop himself back in 2015 to walk the whole of his diocese between Richard found it hard to believe God could possibly December and May, meeting parishioners, talking School days: Richard with be calling him to be ordained. “I was very happy and praying with them and blessing the good things his form class, top, in a staff he sees. teaching.” It took him four years to approach his photo, middle, and with staff local vicar to talk about it. That led to a Church on a second year French trip

18 R G S ALUMNI 19 My career story School news

The latest band of students to join our RGS alumni network have done themselves proud with Pressing Star students some of the best A-level results in the school’s history. Sarah French reports

his year’s A-level results were among the best ever, with our hard- matters latest to join working students achieving the highest number of A*s and As. Whitby Gazette reporter Sam Students scored a 100 per cent pass rate, with 55.3 per cent of grades at A* Tand A, placing RGS, once again, as the highest performing state school in the North. Jones, who left RGS six years ago, And with 78.6 per cent of grades being A*-B, that makes them the second highest set tells us how he got into journalism of results recorded for RGS. our alumni More than 17 students got three or more A* grades with the vast majority securing and what he loves about his job places at their first choice degree courses, most of them at prestigious Russell Group he job of a journalist is not an easy one. It carries a what on earth I was going to do for a career, I set my heart on universities. huge weight of responsibility, a responsibility that journalism and have never looked back. A postgraduate degree, must be taken very seriously. What we write and coupled with the NCTJ course (the qualification you need to be They were the last results received by Martin Pearman, who retired in July after 13 produce can truly change people’s lives, whether for a reporter) at Teesside University followed, before I landed my years as headmaster, but came into school to meet students on results day. Tgood or bad, meaning fact checking and accuracy is of paramount current job shortly after finishing the course. importance. But it is also a great privilege. Congratulating them personally, he said: “I have been with this cohort for seven Would I recommend the job of a journalist as a prospective years so I wanted to see them get their results and wish them well. I am very Whereas some stories do naturally provoke an unwelcome career path? Absolutely. It is not for everyone and is renowned pleased their hard work and commitment has paid off.” reaction, it’s the ones that make a difference which stay with as a fiercely competitive industry to break into, but anybody you. Any journalist will tell you, human interest stories that who can demonstrate a passion and desire to tell other people’s One student who combined A-levels with duties as a deputy head boy, including help change people’s lives for the better really do make the job stories in a tight and concise manner has a real chance. My organising the end of term ball, achieved the highest number of top grades. worthwhile. advice is to start building up a portfolio of work, however small or futile it might seem. Demonstrating Will Stobbs’s five A*s and an A grade saw him lead a host of successes at the school, I started working for the Whitby that commitment opens doors and a lot including Ross Sullivan, who gained five A*s to secure a place to read natural sciences Gazette around one year ago, of people know each other in the media at Cambridge University and Ben Wayne, whose five A* grades secured a place at and I love it. My strengths have business. What you might perceive as FAVOURITE Durham University. always been on the writing side of a small opportunity can often lead to things, meaning working as a print much bigger things down the line. journalist really is my dream career. TEACHER Will, of Bishop Thornton, who has joined Ben at Durham University, where they are both also reading natural sciences said: “I did much better than I was expecting so Like any job, there are challenges, “Mr Spiers got the balance perfectly right. Training to be a journalist is not an easy I’m really happy.” but our hard work at the paper has He was knowledgeable and passionate about process, with learning shorthand the been hugely rewarded recently. In his subject, commanded respect, but equally stumbling block that often separates late September we were crowned was always willing to have a laugh and a the men from the boys, but with a bit of With ambitions to be an actuary, Will, who juggled study with his part-time job at the Best Weekly Newspaper in joke. I look back on those history lessons persistence and enthusiasm it’s perfectly the Sawley Arms, revealed his systematic approach to revision: “Being deputy head Yorkshire at the O2 Media Awards, with affection” doable. boy was a nice way to switch off and do something completely different like ordering while I was highly commended as balloons for the ball.” a runner-up in the Young Journalist Also, to be a reporter you have to be category, something that makes me really proud. prepared to talk to anybody, to ask the tough questions others Ross, of Beningborough, who was born in Kildare, in Ireland, and joined RGS in the daren’t. If the prime minister was sat in front of you right now, sixth form, said: “After going on a school trip to Oxford and Cambridge I absolutely Looking back on my time at Ripon Grammar School, it’s almost what questions would you ask? A journalist could reel off five loved it. Cambridge is a gorgeous place, and the education and research is second to impossible to believe it’s now more than six years since I left, and questions instantly, and not just any old questions, ones that none. I made it my ambition to go there. I’m over the moon with my results.” a lot has happened in that time. Inspired by the religious studies probe important issues that matter to everyday people. department, I opted to study the subject at the University of Ben, of Copgrove, said: “My results are way off what I was expecting. It’s been Manchester for three years, then following a spell of wondering That is what it takes. fantastic at RGS. Everyone knows each other, it’s a great community and it’s so easy to make friends, who I will stay in touch with. Neither of my parents went to university so I suppose you could say the apple fell far from the tree in that respect. They are very proud.”

Jonathan Tanner achieved four A*s and will follow in both his parents’ footsteps to study mathematics and computer science at St John’s College, Oxford University.

Josh Belward, who has been a regular performer in school productions, is continuing Above: Top student: Will his acting career at prestigious Bird College having achieved A*s in maths and Stobbs chemistry and a B in physics.

Top: Ben Wayne (left) Josh, of Ripon, said: “At my auditions they looked shocked and surprised at my and Jonathan Tanner, Question time: Sam, top, subjects, even wondering if I was in the right place. I’ve proven I can achieve good who achieved nine A*s academic results as a back-up, but there is nothing I would rather do than perform. interviewing Brigg and Goole between them MP and former Northern It’s my passion.” Powerhouse minister Andrew Left: Josh Belward and Fellow actor Grace Branch is also pursuing theatre and performance at Surrey Percy Grace Branch who are University after gaining two A*s and an A: “I’ve taken pretty much every opportunity following their passion for I could to perform at school and in amateur groups, but I also wanted to follow the Prizewinner: Sam, second right, and colleagues from the Whitby Gazette, Bottom, Tool of the trade: drama and theatre academic side,” she said. collecting the Best Weekly Newspaper trophy at the O2 Media Awards Sam’s shorthand notepad

20 R G S ALUMNI 21 School news Phone mast rejected after parents object The four tops Ripon Grammar School now has four national champions RIPON Grammar School governors turned down the offer of £50,000 from a development company among its sporting stars. Ruth Savage reports in return for installing a telecoms mast on the school grounds. our students from Ripon Grammar girls’ section title at the national championships School have been crowned national in Birmingham last year, has also made a big champions in their chosen sports of impression in her sport. Jenny Unwin with This followed a number of parents voicing serious Ripon Grammar concerns about having such a mast on our site. mini marathon, orienteering, cycling School’s sixth and skiing. Chosen to represent England in the world form coordinator While the £50,000 one-off payment offered by F championships in Sicily this year, Tara was one Emma Griffiths Talented young triathlete Toby Osman raced of a five-strong England team, and one of just the company would have helped school at a time We are the champions: RGS sporting of tight budgets, governors felt this should not into first place at the London Mini Marathon, 40 athletes from the country taking part. override the genuine concerns of parents. to win the title in the under-17 men’s category stars Tara, Ella, Toby and Harry with a time of 14.25 for three miles. With more than 800 athletes from 27 countries, Outgoing head Martin Pearman said he It’s the latest in a series of high-profile wins, including China, Israel and New Zealand, appreciated parents contacting him: “The including coming third in the British Elite competing in the prestigious international arguments put forward by parents were Duathlon Championships, for Toby, 17, who said: event, Tara arrived in 12th place at the finish, Jenny inspired to study thoughtful and well-balanced. Governors were “The atmosphere was amazing, with lots of scoring highest for her team, which managed to also aware other parents who had not expressed spectators cheering us on.” come in 5th place. views in writing also had reservations and I believe it is the right decision not to go ahead,” Another dedicated sporting student, Ella Up-and-coming British skiing squad member medicine after accident he said. Jamieson, impressed the crowds this year when Harry Cosham, 14, came first overall in the she sped into the lead to win the National British Alpine Skiing competition in Holland. RGS student Jenny Unwin is now studying to be a doctor. Under-12 Road Race Cycling champion after a 2km street circuit around Milton Keynes, with a Harry, who has been skiing since he was 18 Sarah French discovers how she was inspired by the care starting peloton of 66 riders. months old, has also competed in the English she received in hospital following a cycling accident Alpine Ski Championships and represented British schools’ orienteering champion Tara England against five other European countries in student whose life changed when “I love this school. They have been amazing, Winning pitch Schwarze-Chintapatla, who clinched the year 12 September. she was confined to a wheelchair so supportive, and I have really enjoyed sixth after breaking her back in a form. All my teachers were amazing but set for spring cycling accident aged 16 has Mrs Griffiths, the sixth form coordinator, in Awon a place to study medicine at Leeds particular was so supportive to me and my PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for a floodlit How Sir Gary Our students University after being inspired by the care family. £750,000 state-of-the-art artificial football and she received. rugby pitch to be installed at Ripon Grammar bagged the need your help “Before my accident I wanted to be a vet and School. RIPON Grammar School is always looking for opportunities to Jenny Unwin’s remarkable recovery has did a lot of work experience. But afterwards develop links with employers and would love to hear from past impressed everyone at Ripon Grammar School, I saw there were so many interesting Funded by property developer Persimmon Homes, Tour de France pupils who could contribute to our careers advice programme. who watched her overcome the accident, gain opportunities in medicine and spending five the 3G ‘third generation’ pitch will not cost school THE man who brought the Tour de France to 11 top GCSEs and return to the school’s sixth months in hospital opened my eyes to the anything and will be available for community use Yorkshire is coming to RGS to tell us just how he Our next careers and higher education evening will be held on form where she celebrated gaining A*s in all health service. I’d been healthy before and as well as for our students. did it. Wednesday, March 14 and will focus on sciences and sport to her A-levels. had never had cause to use it so was quite raise students’ awareness of the wide range of opportunities oblivious really. The pitch’s durable, all-weather surface, with Welcome to Yorkshire tourism boss Sir Gary Verity available. After three years of porous layers which let water drain through easily, first thought of bagging the world’s largest annual study, Jenny, from “School has “The care I received can be played on for 80 hours a week as opposed sporting event for the county one morning seven We would be grateful to anyone who could share their first- Burton Leonard, from doctors and to the five hours a week natural grass pitches can years ago, while he was shaving. hand knowledge and provide inspiration and ideas about achieved top grades been amazing, nurses was really withstand. how to stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs in biology, chemistry inspiring. It made Four years later, two million spectators turned or university. There will also be opportunities to work with and English literature me want to give Headmaster Jonathan Webb says: “I am delighted out to watch as the Grand Depart showcased specific year groups on practice interviews or take part in to read medicine at so supportive” something back.” plans are now progressing smoothly for the Yorkshire’s stunning scenery to the world. The informal lunchtime presentations at our careers club, which Leeds University. construction of the 3G pitch on the school site. rest is history. meets every month. It will be a great asset, now and in the future, Mr Yorkshire: Sir Gary Verity Leeds University has reserved a fully-equipped will talk at RGS Ripon Grammar School invested in adaptations studio in student accommodation for Jenny, both for the school’s sports teams and for wider Sheep farmer Sir Gary, who went on to create a If you, or your employers, can contribute to any of these to the school buildings to ensure Jenny, who who now has her own car and enjoys swimming community use’. legacy with the annual Tour de Yorkshire, which has encouraged thousands of people to get events or in any other areas of our careers programme, please was cycling home from her job at a garden in her spare time. into cycling, will explain how he made it all happen. contact Jill Locke on [email protected] centre when she was in collision with a car, The project, which Persimmon agreed to pay for could return and join the sixth form. Reflecting on how the accident changed her in return for securing planning permission for a The Evening with Sir Gary Verity, on February 8, will finish with a question and answer session life, she said: “The hardest part was watching housing development on the former Cathedral and all money raised will go towards school funds. Jenny, 19, who underwent surgery and five my family have to go through what they went Choir School site on Whitcliffe Lane, will take Poetry prize months of treatment and rehabilitation through. But without a doubt it’s the support around eight weeks to install, hopefully in spring Sir Gary first got involved with RGS when, as chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, he, FIFTH former Tabitha Milton is the winner of this year’s Dr in hospital, said: “Straightaway after the of my family and friends that got me through 2018. along with Beadnall Copley estate agents and Sunlite dry cleaners, agreed to help sponsor the Paul Hullah Poetry Prize for her poem Stop. Former student Dr accident I knew I wanted to come back to it.” school’s Under-15 rugby tour to Paris. Hullah, now a poetry professor in Japan, said he thoroughly school, I wanted to do A-levels and I wanted to RGS has also submitted a bid to the Department For further information and tickets, please contact the school office on 01765 602647 or email enjoyed the shortlist. The theme for next year’s prize is get the career I thought I was capable of. for Education for a new dining hall. Claire Kinread on [email protected]. ‘Truth’.

22 R G S ALUMNI 23 Reunion news Friends reunited A group of former students who made life-long connections at Ripon Grammar School returned for a nostalgic reunion. Nicola Woolfenden reports on how old friendships were rekindled and memories stirred

We just couldn’t stop talking” says John says Lesley. “I literally can’t remember the last Dodd, who travelled up from London time I was here. It may even have been when for this year’s summer reunion. John, a I was in my twenties, playing in an Old Rips boarder at RGS in 1955, hadn’t seen some hockey match against the school.” of his former classmates for more than fifty years but the decades seemed to roll away as Joan (nee Hall) attended the Girls’ High School the library was filled with the sound of laughter and was one of a few girls to attend the boys’ Above: Class of ’55: John Dodd, ‘and nostalgic conversation. grammar school for her A-level physics and Michael Thompson, Peter Ellis, chemistry lessons which, she recalls, took place John Tennyson, Colin Smith, Neil Photographs, magazines and the digital archives in what are now the art rooms. Richmond triggered more memories, as former students like Kathryn Sedarati (nee Spooner, 1971-76) “We spent the afternoon going round each recalled their former school days. and every classroom, discussing memories and Above right: Linda Cresswell 1983- remembering where we sat for each subject. 84, Vicky Derbyshire 1983-88 Kathryn, who works as a sensory specialist Yes, we could still remember,” marvels Lesley. teacher with blind and deaf students in “There was a wonderful atmosphere,” she Far right: Derek Crookes 1964-71, Manchester, remarked how, despite the new continues: “And it was great fun to see the old Kathryn Sedarati (Spooner) 1971-76, buildings, so little has changed: “It was just like place as we remember it, along with all the new Ali Lunderstedt stepping back in time.” changes which have been made since our day.”

Joan Hainsworth was accompanied by her three The afternoon rekindled a great many memories Right: Jo Jackson (Raw) 1979-84, daughters, Jackie, Lesley and Nicola, all of for former pupils and it is reassuring and Julia Cresswell 1980-84 whom attended the grammar school in the late heartening to know that the school still holds a Seventies and Eighties. “It was so nostalgic to special place in the hearts of so many. visit the old school again after so many years,” More photographs overleaf

Robert Marchant 1983-85, Martin Pearman (headmaster 2004 -17), Alistair Sedman 1955-62, Tim Class of ’83 Kate Johnson (Gibson), Jill Crozier (Gibson), Annabel Andrew (Bleiker) 1978-85, Kate Johnson Lesley Jennings 1978-85 Wolstencroft 1957-64 Charlotte Weatherill (Stone), Belinda Bemrose (Gibson) 1979-84, Nigel Stockill 1979-86

24 R G S ALUMNI 25 Reunion news Calling past pupils

Rocking the glam Seventies look: Julia Bowe (former group press and marketing director at Harvey Nichols), Helen Weatherburn (head girl in 1978) Above: Simon Stockill 1980-87, Nigel Stockill 1979-86, and Jackie Cooper, in her on-trend Max Stockill, Rachel Stockill Afghan coat,who is organising a reunion Right: Class of ’85: George Mullen, Hazel Atherley (Robinson), Laura Polito, Jane Swiers, Richard Payne

Below Left: Adrian Abbott 1978-83; Nicola Woolfenden (Richardson) 1978-85, Richard Payne 1978-85 f you were a student at RGS in the Fifties, you Please email us on [email protected]. Below middle: Margaret Dunning, Jenny Moore 1959-66 may be interested to know that Peter Ellis (1951- uk and look out for updates on the Old Riponians’ I57) is organising a reunion at school on Saturday, section of the RGS website. July 7. If you are interested, please contact Below right: Two generations: Nicola Smith, Jackie [email protected]. Smith, Joan Hainsworth (Hall), Lesley Jennings (Smith) Follow RGS Jackie Cooper (nee Barnby, 1971-78) has also been in touch to say that she, Louise Cook and Trish Smith are arranging a 40th Ruby reunion for their year group. The last time they all met was for their 25th anniversary in the Black Bull in Ripon. Jackie is trying to contact those from her earlier /RiponGrammarSchool list, including former teachers, but would welcome people spreading the word to reach as many others as possible. The plan is to meet at RGS in the afternoon of July 7 for tours of the school and refreshments in the library and possibly hold an informal event in the evening. @RiponGrammarSch Old Rips winter reunion OUR popular annual winter reunion will take place on Saturday, December 30, 2017, beginning with our annual general meeting at 12pm and followed by our customary hockey, football, netball and rugby games. CHRISTOPHE KEREBEL My Twitter : @chriskere

There’s always a great atmosphere at this get-together and we warmly welcome all former students, families and friends, whether to play in the matches or support from the sidelines.

AfterCHRIST the OPHEgames, KEREBELplease join us for refreshments in the sports hall. If you are interestedMy T witterin taking : @chriskerpart e in one of the games, email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you. HELP WANTED WE need volunteers to help write, take photographs, edit and distribute Clocktower magazine.

If you are interested in getting involved in any way, or would like to advertise in the next issue, please contact editor Ruth Savage Class of ’55: Neil Richmond, George Topping, Greta Hills, Barbara Dean, Joyce Baslington Bev Curtis, Claire Green, Jane Spink on [email protected] or Old Rips president Derek Crookes on John Dodd (Ellender) 1972-77 [email protected] Thank you.

26 R G S ALUMNI 27 IT was a joy to come to RGS’s speech day, partly to applaud the achievements of current FEEDBACK and recent students, and partly in reminiscent vein. The last time I saw the Jolly Your news and views Memorial prize for history and the Bishop Burroughs prize for religious studies being Write to the editor at: [email protected] awarded, 49 years ago, it was me who was receiving them! I was delighted to see several SERVING as a headmaster whom he met as the upgrade of the teachers who were on appears a peculiarly difficult in RGS’s fortunes. He was the staff when I was at the and unusual job. It combines an inspiring headmaster, school now have prizes named a staggering variety of roles: balancing deep warmth in their honour. Quite right teacher, administrator, with a rigour and boundless too. I am thinking particularly manager, budget-holder, ambition for the pupils under Fond farewell: Martin Pearman pictured in our last issue of Robert Atkinson (a man orator, disciplinarian, his charge. He embodied a of great compassion despite politician, and - above all spirit of public service that morning whether or not I Pearman. In the meantime, the implacable persona he else - leader. It seems from was deeply influential and believed that some of the I, and so many of my fellow projected), Ethel Allison the outside a lonely and touching. Pupils were also more outrageous jokes pupils, can pay him the (an inspirational teacher relentless job, requiring grateful for his approach to from a charity week were ultimate compliment by who is remembered by Paul a commitment above the more challenging aspect appropriate… saying how proud we were to Binding in the last edition and beyond the already of headship: he steered the have attended RGS under his of The Clocktower), John significant one displayed by school through a challenging With his recent powerful headmastership. Brown and Marguerite Terry. all teachers. So it is a true fiscal environment, and articles on the benefits of a Looking back, they were testament to Mr Pearman’s was always a judicious selective education system, Hugh McHale-Maughan remarkable people – more unique character and ability disciplinarian. I can vividly I am sure that I am not the (Left RGS 2013) remarkable than we pupils that he has performed the remember explaining to him only RGS alumnus wondering probably realised at the role to such acclaim and on an autumnal Tuesday what comes next for Mr time. In the immortal words success. THANK you very much for the of Joni Mitchell: “You don’t latest edition of Clocktower. know what you’ve got till it’s When Mr Pearman arrived at It was surprising how many gone”. It was also a pleasure RGS in 2004, it was a good WIN Hazel’s new game people I knew. to see Ben Smith, a geography school that you attended Our work with Changing teacher in my time, who - despite the shoddiness of FORMER RGS student Places is going very well. despite his current state of the school estate. In 2017, Hazel Reynolds, who left We have Windsor and frailty - was remarkably full of it is a truly outstanding one, in 2005, has created an Warwick Castles, Legoland, good anecdotes. with enviable facilities. exciting new game which Alton Towers, M6 motorway Mr Pearman’s vision and has sold 20,000 copies and services and cricket grounds Thanks for giving me the extraordinary work ethic was one of Amazon UK’s included on our list now. opportunity to enjoy this can take the lion’s share best-selling card games last Please keep up the good delightful event. I wish the of the credit for this Christmas. work! school well, especially as it transformation. The change enters a new era under a new in the school buildings that I You can read Hazel’s Margaret Clough headteacher. saw over my seven years at story in the next edition (Founder of the charity Changing the school was remarkable; of Clocktower. In the places, left RGS 1968) John Rawson I am sure that Mr Pearman meantime, we have (Left RGS 1967) must have cleared out every three copies of Hazel’s North Yorkshire County Randomise game, which MANY thanks for Clocktower. THANK you for Clocktower. Council capital account she created in an attempt to I found reading the articles You’ve done me proud. replacing portacabins with lure her younger sister, also Fun and games: Hazel on former students, teachers Incidentally, I’ve donated a music, sixth form, maths and an RGS student, away from and headmasters very copy of Shadows of the Past, arts-and-humanities blocks, her iPad. It involves acting, RGS for our next edition interesting. It’s great to hear which I mentioned in the last and building a new sports drawing and describing and the best three letters will what’s going on in relation issue, to the school library and hall. random, and silly, identities. win a game of Randomise. to RGS. offered to give a talk on it to Write to Clocktower with To find out more about any interested parties. But Mr Pearman’s legacy is your news and views on Randomise, visit Vicky Cowie as much the mark he left on anything connected with randomisegame.com (Left RGS 1994) Maggie Cobbett the thousands of children (RGS languages teacher until 2001)

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