RIPON GRAMMAR SCHOOL Issue 15

The RGS community magazine 2018/19 TOP CLASS RGS is one of the best-performing INSIDE schools in the WESTMINSTER country How Tommy got into the thick of it

GIRL POWER The past pupils making history Art &

SOUL WHAT KATIE A talented former RGS DID NEXT student’s remarkable The benefits of creative legacy taking a gap year

PLUS: Careers network launched Reunion news Sports successes 1 Past pupil updates Where are they now? We catch up with former RGS students to discover what they did after leaving RGS and find out what they’re up to now ALISON WILSON A letter from Left RGS 2006 fter leaving RGS, I went on to study A sport and exercise our chair of science at the University of Bath, before going on to complete my MSc governors in physiotherapy at the University of Southampton. reasure your schooling’ was just one of the messages Having worked in the given to us at Speech Day. National Health Service for ‘TOur Spring Concert in the beautiful a few years and loving the environment of Holy Trinity Church was great outdoors, I decided just one justification for the obedience to pursue my dream and of this command. The performance move to New Zealand, of Haydn’s Nelson Mass at the end where I am currently of a musical extravaganza involving working as a private more than 150 students, staff and practice musculoskeletal supporters epitomised the values of physiotherapist. our precious institution. A consequence of collaboration, perseverance and In 2015, I re-discovered my dedication, combined with amazing love of sport, which was talent, students and staff delivered a always something I enjoyed beautiful masterpiece. at school. I have taken part in Ironman long-distance We have, over the last year, had triathlons, competing in in Wanaka. And in Gippsland, Victoria, I helped build much cause for celebration, both on the 2016 and 2017 Ironman the first approved ‘earth bag’ sustainable roundhouse and off the sports field, including DAVID PRESTWICH in Australia, using a combination of ‘earth bag’ or World Championships in Left RGS 2017 outstanding musical, drama and Kona, Hawaii, where I super adobe construction, with layered long fabric bags academic achievements. This edition of filled with adobe to form a compression structure, and finished sixth and second fter sixth form. I secured a place at Newcastle Clocktower, celebrating the many and rammed earth. respectively in my age University to study medicinal chemistry but diverse accomplishments of past and group. I still continue deferred my place to take a year out. I found present members of our school, provides to pursue my love of A After I returned from my travels, in early June, I went myself at the Swinton Park Hotel working as a food and evidence of the numerous opportunities back to Swinton Park to work there for a further two sport and racing and am beverage assistant in The Terrace restaurant in mid- available. From diving to teaching, months before taking up my place to study medicinal regularly found on the start August and worked there until mid-December. I then journalism, politics, community projects chemistry at Newcastle University. line of numerous events. went to Australia and New Zealand for 22 weeks in overseas and scientific research, what is I am continuing to pursue total, all from the money I earned at Swinton. During abundantly obvious is how the alumni of Earning money to pay for his adventures abroad: a career in physiotherapy my travels, I saw the whole of New Zealand, which was our school are equipped with the skills David Prestwich at Swinton Park, above Living the dream: sporty Alison Wilson is enjoying the great outdoors in New Zealand here in New Zealand. spectacular, and hiked the infamous Roy’s Peak Track and talents to strive to succeed and follow their dreams. had the opportunity to briefly volunteer for Our role as governors is to support AMY BARRETT a charity in India. Focusing on palliative care the school in the maintenance of this Left RGS 2010 in Kerala, I worked with some of the poorest exceptional environment, where students communities to support families with end-of- fter seven years of attending almost every can pursue their love of learning, feed life care. extra-curricular club Ripon Grammar their curiosity and achieve their very best School had to offer - rather than revising - I within a community of mutual respect, A Finally emerging from academia, I am missed out on my first choice course at Newcastle care and support, where co-curricular working as a foundation-year doctor in University. life is as fundamental as the rigour of the respiratory medicine at Heartlands Hospital in classroom. Birmingham. This has followed placements in Instead, I studied biomedical science at Keele paediatrics and colorectal medicine. Clocktower is a celebration of everything University, achieving a first class degree after three years. Following my unexpected move to RGS has to offer and we are indebted to Perhaps because of my long-winded and the Midlands, I enjoyed working in laboratories, our editor Ruth Savage for yet another unexpected path to becoming a doctor, I am almost full-time in the Students’ Union and exceptional publication. In a world where still undecided where my passion lies in terms rediscovering a love of academia. Success in my news is not always good, and there is of specialist training. That said, I am enjoying undergraduate course opened the door to take on uncertainty, scepticism and concern, we the many varied opportunities foundation a medical degree as a postgraduate at Warwick can be justifiably excited by the diversity training offers and a long overdue study break! and talent celebrated here. University in the West Midlands. Dr Amy Barrett, left. Right, pictured at the After being ‘sent to Coventry’, four years of With best wishes, Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences in intense placements and relentless examinations Kerala with colleague Dr Lucy James and Dr followed. Outside the lecture theatre, I also Elizabeth Jarvis M R Rajagopal, founder of Pallium India 2 3 Alumni news ‘It’s great these Cooking up success Joy Sutcliffe is one of two gifted former RGS students who have made history at Durham Cathedral. The talented singer opportunities tells us how she won its first female choral scholarship are finally being made GIRLS available’

t may come as some surprise to hear that She looks back on her time at RGS with Jack Baldwin, who left RGS in 2017 to follow his passion for allowedthere are still church choirs which won’t fondness: “I was incredibly lucky to be accept female altos. Thankfully, the fact surrounded by so much high-quality music- cooking, is making a name for himself as a young chef that Durham Cathedral had never appointed making at school,” she says. Joy was a chorister a woman in the role didn’t put former RGS at Ripon Cathedral and a member of RGS’s former student who left RGS to take friend and work colleague,” he said. Istudent Joy Sutcliffe off. chamber and senior girls’ choirs before she left up an apprenticeship as a chef has RGS, where she studied music at A-level with A been crowned Young Chef of the Year After two years there, the talented young chef The 19-year-old recently made history when Edward Seymour, in 2017. at the Flavours of Herriot awards, just a year has now been snapped up by the new five-star she won the first female scholarship at the after leaving school. luxury hotel Grantley Hall, near Ripon. prestigious 900-year-old Norman-built place of “Mr Seymour showed me the importance worship: “It’s great that these opportunities of studying music academically as well as Jack Baldwin beat off stiff competition Jack says: “I love so much about my job: the are now finally being made available to female encouraging my choral involvement,” she from 200 other entrants to win the coveted accomplishment I get from serving good dishes singers and I hope that Durham is setting a says. Her advice to other student singers is: award. He also got down to the final six in the of food, the feeling after a long successful trend for other UK cathedrals,” she says. “Definitely keep your eyes open for scholarships Grand Final of the Toque d’Or competition in shift and also working with a great group and places in choirs that will London, having reached the last 60 out of 500 of colleagues. The most difficult part is the Now in her second keep you singing regularly chefs selected in the semi-finals. working hours, but I have a passion for the year studying music at alongside your job or degree catering industry and I wouldn’t have it any Durham University, Joy and certainly don’t let Jack said of the Herriot award: “It’s been the other way.” explains how she wasn’t traditions limit where you highlight of my career so far. It was a tough His signature dish is a mouth-watering hopeful when auditions apply.” competition and to win it meant a lot. It has for the scholarship given me the confidence to grow further.” chocolate torte and many of his recipes came up: “I knew there Mr Seymour adds: “I’ve are inspired by eating out in acclaimed hadn’t been a woman had great pleasure in His first job was with The Bruce Arms in West restaurants, he says. “I’ve always wanted before.” working with many talented Tanfield, where he worked part-time as a pot to be a chef and this was apparent through musicians at RGS. Joy is washer and was inspired by head chef Dave my food technology lessons with my brilliant Having already not only talented but also Mathews, who trained him up as a commis teacher, Mrs Solden. Other favourite teachers joined the college chapel choirs and Durham incredibly determined. She would never settle chef: “I couldn’t have had a better mentor, at RGS were Mr Spiers, Mr Fell and Mr Walker.” Cathedral’s Consort of Singers, she examined for ‘adequate’ or ‘second best’ and would the website before applying and discovered the always strive to give the best of herself and cathedral didn’t actually state a preference for encourage the same in others. I’m delighted countertenors – the male equivalent of Joy’s she is pursuing her passions as a singer and even Hebe’s star voice part. “I had to check because there are more delighted to see her championing women still many places in the UK which won’t accept in church music.” Championing women in church music: Joy Sutcliffe, above, and left, singing in the cathedral applications from female altos,” she explains. continues After her audition, she was delighted to hear she had been offered one of the two alto choral Entrepreneur Hazel defies TV Dragons scholarships but was initially slightly nervous ard games designer Hazel Reynolds stunned she launched before having her first child, now to rise to enter such a male-dominated workplace. viewers of TV’s Dragons’ Den when she took employs two further staff members, in addition However, the appointment of another former the brave decision to turn down a £50,000 to Hazel and her husband. Having launched two C ans of actress Hebe Beardsall may have RGS student, Imogen Morgan, as Durham’s first investment offer, leading Peter Jones to remark: German language games, they are now operating spotted the former RGS student - who female organ scholar last year soon boosted her “She’s going to live to regret that.” in the UK, Germany and the USA and have sold played the half-blood Ariana Dumbledore confidence. more than 70,000 games, with 25,000 games sold F in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 But Dragon Jenny Campbell was asking for two- last Christmas on Amazon alone. She needn’t have worried: “Everyone at and-a-half times the 10% share of the equity Hazel - in the acclaimed film Funny Cow, which stars the cathedral has been very supportive and was offering in her Gamely Games company. “The business is my third baby and I couldn’t give Maxine Peake. welcoming and it’s been very easy to settle into away such a large part of it. I can understand The film, an unflinching, gritty comedy-drama, the routine of performing in such a stunning The 31-year-old entrepreneur, who left RGS in why the Dragons were surprised, it was fantastic follows the life of a woman trying to make place every day,” she says. 2005 and featured in Clocktower in 2018, says she to get such a great offer, but we’ve had amazing a name for herself in stand-up comedy in has no regrets after her appearance on the BBC2 success without it,” said Hazel. Gamely, which northern working-men’s clubs in the Seventies Joy now sings in the magnificent cathedral TV show, which saw the Dragons enjoying playing has also developed Soundiculous and The and Eighties. building eight times a week, alongside five her original game, Randomise. Since filming, Pretender games, plans to reach a £4m turnover other scholars, all undergraduates at the Hazel’s company, which wanted new investment within five years and will be releasing two more Hebe, who left RGS in 2011, has also recently university, and six lay clerks, who are local to help move into international markets, has gone games this summer. appeared in a number of TV series, including professional singers. from strength to strength. Gamely Games, which Victoria, Casualty, Press and Lore. Brave decision: Hazel has no regrets www.gamelygames.com 4 5 Alumni news What Katie did next people would say hello. Family is central in KATIE VEITCH, who Khmer culture, as is Buddhism, the national religion. Monks in saffron robes were an everyday left RGS in 2017, sight for me, along with seeing at least five people and a basket of mangoes crammed onto worked in Cambodia a single motorbike! It is incredible to see how much positivity and progress there is in the with the charity Project country given its turbulent recent history.

Trust and spent three What was the most challenging aspect of the months au-pairing whole experience? I think that creating a new life for yourself in in Paris during her any new country is a big challenge, and one I experienced twice in my year. Adjusting to first gap year. She is now Parisian and then Cambodian life was not easy. Teaching was another huge challenge. I had to studying theology go from being a student to a teacher in a short space of time, and so finding a teaching style at the University of and authority was difficult. This was especially hard given the language barrier - communicating Cambridge with children who don’t speak your language, whilst trying to get them to listen and behave was really hard! I have a huge amount of respect for teachers now, having experienced for a short time what a challenging job it is.

What did you enjoy most?

Although at times it was difficult to settle in, my favourite part was forming a routine for myself and becoming integrated into a community that is completely different to the one I'd grown up in. I loved that things like going to a market or dancing at a Khmer wedding were part of my day-to-day life for a while.

What was the most important thing you learnt?

The most important thing I learnt was actually how narrow my world view prior to this year had been. I realised that my British way of life is only one way of life, that there are incredible places, cultures and people out there that previously I just had no idea about. Also, I learnt just how resilient and adaptable people are; I have so Why did you decide to go abroad for a year ‘Everyone should take a gap year’: Katie in Paris, left, and, right, teaching in Cambodia, where she enjoyed the local fish market, above much more confidence now that I can take on a rather than straight to university after leaving challenge and learn to live just about anywhere. RGS? of Coll and all applicants travel to Coll for a with homework and bedtimes. Au-pairing is an Where did you live and what were the week-long selection course a year before they amazing opportunity to experience a different conditions like? Did you travel with anyone else and did you I felt that after an intense few years at school, plan to go overseas. This was a very intense culture without spending a lot of money, through There are make new friends easily once you got there? I needed a break from studying, and as a week of workshops, team activities, interviews living with a local family. I became very close to I lived in pretty basic conditions in a cottage in and practice lessons. It was hard work but also my host family and felt a lot more Parisian than the school grounds. There were many times when lover of travel, I wanted to use this year as an Project Trust matches you to another young really enjoyable and it gave me so much more if I'd been living alone. I also loved exploring we had no running water or electricity and I got opportunity to live in a different country and see incredible person, so that every project has two volunteers. information about what I could spend my year Paris in my time off! used to living with geckos, spiders and rats in our a bit more of the world. Having someone to experience it with is such doing. A few weeks later, I got my letter of house! Once, I came into our outdoor kitchen to a big reassurance and living that closely with Why did you decide to volunteer with Project Trust? acceptance and the saving began! What did your volunteering involve? discover that my precious Nescafé sachets had another person creates a unique relationship - I been nibbled into by rats... as was my shower gel places, cultures know I'll always stay in touch with her given what Project Trust is one of the only gap year What costs did you have to pay towards the I was a teacher at a small, rural primary school and anything else I left lying around!! I have a we've been through together. I also made friends organisations in the UK to offer long-term trip and how did you finance it? called Sala Monkey. I had a class of 11-year-olds huge rat phobia so that was not easy! with the Cambodian teachers at school, which volunteering placements (for seven or 12 with little to no English ability and my job was to and people out helped me understand their culture a lot better. months) as opposed to just a couple of months. Part of the experience is raising around £5,000 teach lessons in very basic English. I worked with What sort of food did you eat? My sister had spent a year with Project Trust in to finance your time. I did this through applying the same class every day; this meant I got to see How did you cope with the language barrier? India and through going to visit her, I saw how to charitable trusts, running cake stalls at RGS, their progress over the seven months I was there, I ate a lot of Khmer noodle soup, coconut curries there that I had working in Ripon and then going to work in Paris which was hugely rewarding. I watched them and fried bananas. well Project Trust is set up for young people to I picked up a little bit of Khmer (I found that for three months. I got a job as an au pair in grow in confidence in speaking English; listening become fully immersed in a completely different telling children to stop fighting in their own the autumn of my gap year, which turned from to students reading their first ever English book How would you describe the country and culture and do some very rewarding work. language was a lot more effective than trying to a money-making time-filler into a wonderful because of the work I'd done with them was culture to someone who has never been? no idea about shout at them in English...) but a lot of people How difficult was it to get a place? experience in its own right. I looked after five just as proud a moment as anything I had ever spoke enough English for me to get by. children (which was very daunting at first!) doing achieved academically. Cambodian people are very warm and Project Trust is based on the Scottish island the school run, cooking for them and helping welcoming; wherever we went in the village, More over... 6 7 Head of RGS sixth form TERRY FELL argues that, used productively, taking a year out can be a valuable life-changing experience, which can make applicants much more attractive to universities and employers Eight good reasons The basic bungalow where Katie lived in the school grounds to take a gap year She enjoyed he last few months of school can visiting seem an overwhelming time, when local places life is swallowed up by the raft of of interest, huge life decisions to be made, the such as looming examinations, pressure from this temple, Tcomparing ourselves with friends who always below seem to be far more collected and certain about life (although they very rarely are!), and the unsettling knowledge that we are coming to the end of a major and largely stable phase of What did you miss most about Yorkshire? our lives, and facing uncertainty and change.

I definitely missed the food! After a few too many At times like these, it can be tempting to follow noodles and vegetables, I was dreaming of cake the crowd and to find certainty and security and a good cup of tea. in treading a well-worn path directly into a ‘My favourite university course or taking up the promise of a Did you ever feel like giving up and coming teacher was Mr job or apprenticeship now and getting a career back home? If so, what made you stay? started. Pepper. He had an There were a few times when I was considering However more and more of our students are giving up but it felt like letting myself down - I'd infectious enthusiasm choosing to pause for breath after completing Opportunity knocks: Mr Fell, above, believes gap years can be a great experience worked really hard to get there and knew I'd their A-levels, and to build into their plans a regret it if I spent my gap year in Ripon. Both in for RE and started period away from formal education or training. whether through a series of work experience Using a gap year to undertake volunteer Paris and Cambodia, the children I was working This may be in the traditional form of a gap placements, internships or industrial placement 5work – whether as part of a charity or non- with always made it worthwhile. my interest in year where a deferred university offer awaits schemes - can give a real steer to future governmental organisation abroad, or within them in a year’s time, or it may be that they career plans, as well as priceless technical the UK - can be immensely rewarding and Did you have much free time and were you able studying religion’ will simply apply again in the next UCAS cycle, and life experience that sets you apart from allow you to acquire and develop key qualities to travel to other parts of the country while safe in the knowledge that they will be fully other applicants. It may also give you valuable such as people and communication skills, self- you were in Cambodia? supported by school in doing so. contacts and links to use later, or alternatively confidence, leadership, time management and offer you an entirely new and different life experience that will form the foundations In weekends and school holidays, we were able As a school we, like most universities, see direction to follow that you hadn’t considered for the career which follows. to travel and so I saw a lot of Cambodia. It is a immense potential value in a gap year so long before. country of huge diversity with beaches, cities, as it is used productively, and to enhance the Taking a gap year also usually involves jungle and its most famous attraction - the student’s experience and skillset. Whether Travel can broaden your horizons immensely, 6working to raise funds, which in itself ancient temples of Angkor Wat, the largest through travel, volunteer work at home or 4allowing you to meet new people from carries benefits in terms of acquiring skills, religious monument in the world. abroad, work experience and internships, au a wide range of cultures and backgrounds experience, work history and a measure of pairing, gaining additional qualifications, Year and to see places and try experiences which financial independence. What advice would you give to current RGS in Industry programmes, organised gap year are totally new to you. Whether journeying students who want to do something similar? programmes such as Camp America or the independently, as part of an organised group, or It is very noticeable that young people International Citizen Service, or a combination even just inter-railing with friends, travel builds joining university courses or employment I would advise everyone to take a gap year! Even 7 of several of these activities, a gap year well confidence, resourcefulness and all manner of after a gap year tend to be significantly more if it's not teaching or travelling, being given a used can be a life-changing experience, and life skills. mature and at ease with themselves than year to do something completely different is an can make an applicant even more attractive to peers fresh from school. The gap year allows opportunity that doesn’t come along very often. universities and employers. you to reflect on what you want from life, and I think it’s really beneficial to take time away to establish a sense of purpose that is a great from studying to gain some perspective and try Here are eight very good reasons to take a It’s a golden quality when undertaking study at the highest something new: university will always be there, gap year: level, or to take the first steps upon a career. and I feel better-prepared now that I've had some time doing something else. It gives you time to decide on what you want opportunity for Finally, the year after school is perhaps 1 to do next – away from the pressures of the 8the one time in your adult life when you Do you want to go back again? final year of school. tend not to have considerations of family, adventures you career, health etcetera to tie you down. I definitely want to spend more time in both Paris Opportunity for reflection also ensures you This is the golden opportunity to undertake and Cambodia- Paris is a little more achievable, 2 don’t rush into a university course (and the experiences and adventures that you may but I know I'll be back in Cambodia, even if it student debt that accompanies it) which isn’t may never have never have chance to do again. So, whether takes me a while! right for you. it is a month volunteering with the National Trust, backpacking through Greece, working as Where do you plan to travel next? A gap year can be an opportunity to actually a nanny in the US or training as a lifeguard in try out working in a particular field or the chance to 3 Knaresborough, a gap year can be an amazing Wherever my student budget will take me! I have profession before you commit to the degree opportunity. the travel bug now, so I'll be keeping an eye out course that could take you there. Taking time for more opportunities to explore or work abroad. to gain insight and experience of industry – undertake again 8 9 Unpicking the whirlwind cclaimed singer-songwriter Billie Marten has been releasing music Billie Marten has emerged since she was 15 years old. After too much time spent juggling from a tumultuous few constant travelling and back-to- Diver Jack back recording schedules with her years, having unlearned Astudies and exam revision, Billie has spent the everything she thought crowned the past few years working to unpick the whirlwind. The result is a revelatory new album, Feeding she knew. The result is a Seahorses by Hand, which includes the stunning best in Europe single Betsy. It’s the result, she says, of stunning and revelatory unlearning everything she thought she knew new album previously. iver Jack Laugher has been crowned With her previous single receiving the best me. It’s about my view on other people, other European male diver of the year for a reviews of her career to date, critics are things.” second time. D predicting 2019 will be her big, break-out year. The politically-inspired Betsy was actually ‘The lyrics Olympic champion Jack, who also picked The new 12-track record follows on from her written back in 2017 with longtime collaborator up the title in 2016, has celebrated 2016 impressively sophisticated debut album, Rich Cooper. poured out. a successful season in 2018 with five Writing of Blues and Yellows, released while she international titles. was still at school. It’s a slow burn of a track which combines serious, ghostly vocals with a summery hand- It’s about The 23-year-old, who left RGS in 2014, Following a tour of the US, where she is clapping, tambourine-shaking vibe. Billie has confronting won three golds at the Commonwealth supporting multi-platinum-selling stadium rock not lost any of her endearingly lyrical, folksy Games on Australia’s Gold Coast last April. band Snow Patrol, in May, the mesmerising style. a politician, At the European Championships in Glasgow 20-year-old will be setting off on a headline tour of the UK in June. Billie explains how the lyrics were instant and four months later, he secured two further spontaneous: “They poured out. It’s about sort of golds. Billie left RGS - where she was known as Billie confronting a politician, no-one in particular, Tweddle - in 2017. By then she had already but sort of ridiculing them. I didn’t want the The award is organised by Ligue ridiculing been signed to Sony’s Chess Club Records and big political stance. It’s representing Parliament Europeenne de Natation (Len). shortlisted for the BBC Sound of 2016 award. as a whole institution really. and “This award is the culmination of a lot As if that wasn’t enough, pop star Ed Sheeran “The song turns the wise old politician into infantilising of hard work, not just last year but announced to his 19 million followers on Twitter a child, infantilising them takes away their throughout my career,” said Laugher. that Billie’s delicate songs and haunting voice power. them, was ‘stunning’. With the Olympics in Tokyo now just a “I think most people feel a bit unsafe with year-and-a-half away, Jack has been It was a tumultuous period. After leaving it all, because it’s impossible to relate to representing performing well in the new Diving World school, Billie headed to London and got a job these characters. No-one shows any personal Series, claiming a pair of bronze medals, in a pub. Observing the never-ending conveyor weakness or empathy, and if they do, they’ve Parliament already cracked.” in both the 3m synchro - with new partner of curious punters who propped up the bar, she gradually began to find her feet in the capital as an Dan Goodfellow - and the individual 3m Billie says she considers herself very lucky: springboard event, in Japan. and also got a job volunteering in a charity shop. “None of this has been an ambition. I never had institution’ a specific goal: “My motto is: Nobody’s looking “I was really happy with the synchro with Her songs - originally written as fragmented at you,” she says echoing the lyrics of her Dan,” said Laugher. “To come out at our diary entries - gradually began to reflect the single, Bird. first international and get a medal was people around her. really good.” “When I did my first gigs, my dad used to say The album also takes a magnifying glass to that to me and said if no-one shows up, it’s He added of his individual dives: “The first the outside world, giving a fictional appraisal fine. It’s a general sense of just do your thing. three were great, the last three not so of Donald Trump from the perspective of his I say it to myself all the time: Nobody’s looking much. But it’s a learning curve. Hopefully daughter on the saccharine Cartoon People, and at you and don’t think too much about it.” I’ll use what I’ve learned to move forward poking fun at unnamed politicians on Betsy. When asked where she is happiest, she and do better.” They’re a contrast to her previous, more responds: “Home.” And home is with her parents in North Yorkshire, she says. In Beijing, in the Chinese leg of the World introspective work: “I feel like I’m more awake No place like home: Series the following week, Laugher won his to society than I was aged 15. That’s bound to Billie, above, is happiest happen,” she reasons. *Billie’s UK headline tour kicks off on June 5 second World Series bronze in a row in the in Birmingham and concludes on June 13 at when she is in Yorkshire men’s 3m springboard event. “This record is definitely not as much about London’s Islington Assembly Hall.

10 11 School news High-achieving students have taken Ripon Grammar School to new heights as one of the top-performing schools in the country The 18-year-old boarding student from Helmsley was also in the winning RGS Yorkshire Cup teams Rugby in his first, fourth and lower sixth years. Ted’s team-mate Ollie Williams, teams are 18, from Ripon, who represents his county, has also been selected Top of the league for the Yorkshire Carnegie tudents are celebrating taking Ripon Academy. Grammar School to new heights in the the pride of “I wasn’t expecting it, this is the national league tables as latest exam first year I’ve been picked and it’s results place it in the top 15 schools in a huge honour, I’m very proud,” the country. he said. S Yorkshire RGS’s exceptional GCSE results, alongside Others who have won selections the progress students make, have secured its wo RGS rugby teams returned triumphant with the Yorkshire Carnegie high ranking in the Daily Telegraph’s ‘Top 100 from the Yorkshire Cup finals. The Junior Academy are RGS fourth schools’ league table, which includes both TUnder-18s and Under-16s sides brought former Will Groves and four fifth formers, independent and state schools. the coveted trophies home to Ripon following Harry Williams, Oscar Lees, Toby Boyce and Will outstanding performances against Prince Henry’s Barrett, who have also been picked to represent RGS is the only school from Yorkshire and the Grammar School and Ermysted’s. Yorkshire this season. North-East to make it into the Telegraph’s top 40 league table. Seven of the school’s gifted players have RGS Director of Sport Adam Milner said: “They been talent-spotted by Yorkshire’s premier all put in outstanding performances in the Alongside this, Ripon Grammar School has also professional club, Yorkshire Carnegie Academy, finals in very poor weather conditions. Our 1st retained its Sunday Times ‘Top state school in which seeks out the best young players in the XV retained the Under-18s Yorkshire Cup they the North’ title, the sixth year running that it county and is considered a stepping stone to won last year with a 15-3 win while this was has been awarded top place. playing at the highest levels. the first Yorkshire title at Under-16s level in the school’s history - which they won 29-0. They Headmaster Jonathan Webb congratulated Rising star and captain of the school’s 1st XV have been working towards this for five years. both students and staff for their outstanding squad Ted Wainwright was part of the England achievements, hard work and dedication, Under-17s squad last year, while five of the boys “It was also the last time a number of players especially during such a period of educational also represent Yorkshire. will play for the 1st XV, some excellent players change, as schools adapt to new and expanded who have achieved great success. They have lots For Ted, who is on the Elite Yorkshire Carnegie syllabuses and styles of assessment: “This is of positive memories to take away and will be programme, which develops top players with a a testament to the quality of teaching and Top (l-r) Will Barrett, Oscar Lees, Ollie missed. Headmaster Jonathan Webb with some of RGS’s high-achieving students view to going on to play in the premiership and learning at Ripon Grammar School. Students Williams, Ted Wainwright, Toby Boyce, committed to a holistic education with music, our boarding community where specialist for their country, this was the fourth year he has “We are extremely pleased for all the boys, they have worked hard to attain so highly, building drama and sport all thriving, added that facilities, tutorial and peer support play such brought the cup back to Ripon. Harry Williams and Will Groves. Above, put in a huge amount of hard work and they all an excellent platform for their studies at progress scores at GCSE place the school near an important role in fostering their personal Ted and Oscar with the trophies have exciting opportunities ahead of them.” A-level and beyond,” he said. the top of the tree nationally: “Of particular development.” Mr Webb, who stressed RGS also remains note has been the success of students in The Daily Telegraph ranks schools according to the percentage of students achieving five or more A*-C/9-4 grades and Progress 8 scores, which measure progress in eight core subjects from primary to secondary school. A neutral Then and now We’re all talking ‘zero’ measure at Progress 8 means a school he boy band :PM, formed is performing at the national average. With at Ripon Grammar School, a score of 0.98, Ripon Grammar School is Tcontinues to make its mark performing significantly better than the average on the national music scene. school. :PM (formerly Purple Mafia) about House music - founded at school by Harry round 1,000 students and staff filled the In The Sunday Times listings, the school also Yates and Josh Stockdale, who sports hall for the first ever RGS House jumped up the national rankings, from 54th asked Dan Reynard to join them Singing Competition, which lit up the place last year to 49th out of the 2,000 top- A performing schools in the UK which feature when they heard him singing in whole school community in March. The hugely school assembly - are pictured, popular inaugural event, judged by director in the 2019 league table. The newspaper’s right, on stage at London’s O2 of music Edward Seymour’s brother John Parent Power guide - regarded as the most Arena, where they performed (of Sedburgh School) and our own Chantal authoritative analysis of the country’s best in front of 22,000 people as Lancaster, saw Porteus House win both the schools - also reports that state schools are support act to The Vamps. They group and part-performance sections of the closing the gap on private schools, with are also pictured, inset, as 12 competition. Edward Seymour, who organised grammars leading the race to the top. and 13-year-olds at the Battle the event, said he could see the positive of the Bands competition at impact it had not only on House spirit but Latest results reveal a surge in the number Northallerton Forum, when they the whole school community: “There was of top grades awarded to grammar school appeared before a crowd of 100. such a feeling of fulfilment as people left the pupils in this summer’s harder GCSEs, says the Headmaster Jonathan Webb and head of newspaper. Students at RGS achieved 79.5% sports hall. I’m sure it will go from strength Porteus House Libby Rickard with judges Past pupils may have recognised of A-level results at grades A*-B and 65.8% of to strength.” Singing at RGS has become more John Seymour and Chantal Lancaster the band’s Driving Me Crazy track prominent in recent years, with students GCSEs at A*-A/9-7. Skipton Girls’ High School, on trailers for the new Channel 4 gaining a growing reputation for stunning school’s musicians and singers have also had which achieved 68% and 50.7% respectively, All Star Driving School TV series: choral performances. The number of choirs the chance to shine at a wide range of school is ranked in second place in the northern “They asked if they could use has risen from two to five and, at the end of performances throughout the year, including league table. Fulford School in York is placed it. It was a really quick process last year, around 100 of the school’s talented our popular autumn concert, when players fourth and Ermysted’s Grammar School, also and the next thing you know we singers got together to release a debut from the Under-13s rugby team rushed back in Skipton, in sixth place. Now in its 26th year, turned on the tv and there was album of Christmas carols, recorded in the from a match while still in their muddy kits The Sunday Times guide aims to help parents our song, which was crazy,” Dan magnificent setting of Ripon Cathedral, where to leap on stage and take their places in the compare the performance of schools, linking up told Clocktower. the chamber choir regularly performs. The junior choir. That’s dedication... to school websites and Ofsted reports.

13 Cover story

Art & SOUL

A talented eith School of Art is a hub of creativity. Vibrant and energetic, it’s an former RGS environment which has inspired the thousands of students who have passed student was through its doors over the past 30 years. LTragically, Lottie and Mark Cheverton, the tragically visionary couple who founded the art school killed in a car with the aim of offering a centre for creativity, intellectual awareness and personal growth, crash with her were killed in a car crash when they were just husband three 31 and 39 years old. years after the Although their pioneering Leith School of Art had been an instant success when it opened couple founded three years earlier, they sadly didn’t live to Sunshine on Lottie and Mark were convinced anyone could child of Harrogate MP James Ramsden and his While in London, Lottie painted people living see it grow and develop into the acclaimed and Leith: Lottie learn to think and communicate visually: “They wife Juliet, she left Ripon Grammar School in on the streets, a topic she continued to explore an innovative prestigious institution it is today. Cheverton, were a remarkable couple, both were very 1975 and went on to study at the Slade School of when she moved to Edinburgh to teach at Fettes art school charismatic and personable and everyone loved Fine Art in London. College. Drawn to religious themes and later to This year the art school, also known as LSA, is pictured top them,” he explains. the fishermen of Leith Docks, she was fascinated in Scotland. celebrating its 30th anniversary with a series of left (and with Although cut down in her prime, the body of by other people’s lives and became well known Thirty years on parties, events and exhibitions. With its alumni husband Mark on During their many idealistic discussions about work she did leave behind – some of which has for her sculptural still lifes. including leading names in both the Scottish our front cover) art in the Seventies, Archer recalls he, Mark and been exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy and their artistic and international art scene, it serves as a has left behind a Lottie concluding that it would be wonderful to Westminster Cathedral crypt - is both powerful She married Harrow-born Mark, who was head of magnificent legacy and fitting tribute to its two creative legacy see a small, community-like art school, which and impressive. art at The Edinburgh Academy and a skilful and legacy is still remarkable founders. passionately believed in teaching art with clarity innovative printmaker, at West Tanfield parish which thousands and structure, as well as any other subject, while Community-spirited and with a broad, church near Ripon, in 1982. thriving LSA principal Phil Archer, who met Lottie and of students have nurturing and caring for each individual student. international outlook on life, she won a travelling Mark in London in the late Seventies, stepped benefited from, scholarship to study Christian iconography in Driven by their shared vision, both left secure up and took over the school in order to ensure the Leith School That was when the idea for Leith School of Art Cappadocia in Turkey and also persuaded artists teaching jobs to set up the art school in a run- its work would continue after the tragedy of Art, right. was born. from all over Scotland to donate paintings for down 19th century Norwegian Seamen’s church in because, he says, he shared and fully believed display in aid of developing countries in an Art for Leith, which they bought with their own savings. in the couple’s vision for it. Talented artist Lottie’s artistic potential was, Africa appeal. sadly, never to be fully realised. The youngest More over... 14 15 One of Lottie’s creations, titled A dream Boat for Tim come true: (1986), below. A the restored foundation course 19th century exhibition at Leith Norwegian School of Art, Seamen’s right, showcases church, left, students’ talent which remains at the centre of LSA today

With the initial aim of creating a college with a both 2002 and 2007 and was commissioned by BBC Celebrating 30 vital artistic life, emphasising both tradition and Scotland to create an artwork outside its Glasgow successful years: innovation, they opened a summer school with headquarters. the invite to a big, community courses to begin with but, before creative party at long, LSA was offering a foundation course, Painter Mary Ramsden (who also happens to be alongside a wide range of other short courses. Lottie’s niece) was the first LSA alumna to exhibit the end of March at Tate Britain, London, while Pernille Spence, this year - one of Recognising that studying art could be a a recipient of the Scottish Arts Council Creative a series of events challenging experience, Lottie and Mark were Scotland Award, has been exhibiting her ground- marking Leith determined to create a positive teaching breaking installations, performances and moving- School of Art’s tradition and a nurturing learning environment image works throughout Europe. milestone - far which would foster work of distinctive quality right, middle and character. The school, which now has 40 members of staff, has expanded into a nearby building, adding It was an instant success, with courses quickly additional studios and lecture space to the original filling up, their dream rapidly turning to reality. studios established on three levels in the main church building. Further developments include a Since their tragic deaths, the school has sculpture courtyard, library and gallery area. continued to grow and evolve. Today, around 300 students a week pass through the studios, with Alongside the highly successful year-long most of those taking the foundation course going foundation course, and in keeping with its Leith encourages on to secure places at top universities. founders’ original ideology, LSA has expanded students both its community classes, aimed at local people on to innovate - as Distinguished past students include the award- benefits who have never had the opportunity to in this thought- winning Aleppo painter and refugee Nihad Al study art, and has established a school outreach provoking Turk, who was supported by LSA after fleeing to programme, offering an art school experience to installation, right, Edinburgh from Syria. A winner of the prestigious pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. international Golden Prize at the Latakia - and to explore Beinnale, his work has been exhibited in New The school also offers three of the strongest more traditional York, London and Dubai. performing art school graduates career-launching mediums, such residencies with a professional development as oil painting, far Renowned Scottish artist Toby Paterson went programme aimed at helping to establish them as right on to win the esteemed Beck’s Futures Prize in artists. More over... 16 17 Leith’s 40 members of staff support and guide the 300 students, from beginners to established professionals, who pass through its studios every week

Inspirational teacher wins top award A former RGS chemistry teacher, who uses chocolate, songs and scratch cards to get her message across to students, is one of the youngest ever winners of a prestigious national award ormer RGS chemistry teacher Jo Rushworth is one of the youngest Fwinners of a prestigious national higher education award for teaching excellence. Dr Rushworth, who was known as Miss Humphrey during her three years at RGS, has been presented with a National Teaching Fellowship, which celebrates and recognises individuals who have made an outstanding At the core of all these developments, the impact on students and teaching. primary vision of its founders remains as strong as ever: “The legacy of Lottie and Mark The 35-year-old’s unconventional lecturing Cheverton continues,” says Archer, who points methods include using chocolate, songs and out that one of the lecturers on the foundation scratch cards to teach biochemistry, and she course is another alumnus of Ripon Grammar, is keen for her students to co-create their the award-winning illustrator Andrew Baker, own lectures. Having joined RGS as a newly- who left RGS in 1982. qualified teacher ten years ago, she left to study for her PhD before getting a job as a Mark and Lottie are a continuing inspiration, lecturer at De Montfort University (DMU), says Lottie’s brother George, who has written a where she has worked for four years. book, Leith, Scotland’s Independent Art School, to commemorate their work: “Their lives cast She champions an innovative teaching long shadows,” he says. approach, which provides a flexible learning experience for every student, and is known *Leith School of Art, 25, North Junction for introducing her lectures in 20 languages. Street, Edinburgh EH6 6HW. T: 0131 554 Jo now teaches other lecturers on the 5761 E: [email protected] W: Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education www.leithschoolofart.co.uk course that she helped to create at DMU.

Year-long courses start in September, day Professor Jackie Labbe, Pro Vice Chancellor and evening courses are booked on a termly for Teaching and Learning at DMU, said Jo basis. was an inspirational role model: “She places her students at the heart of everything she *LEITH, Scotland’s Independent Art School does.” (Founders and Followers) by George Ramsden, published by Stone Trough Books, When she left RGS to study for her PhD, £25. Jo said her ultimate ambition was to make teaching and learning more inclusive and *Clocktower cover photomontage by Andrew engaging in higher education. Baker. Photo of Lottie and Mark by Pat She told Clocktower ‘My time at RGS inspired Aithie me and provided me with the foundations to progress in my career.” 18 19 School news Young investors take the stock Students inspired to raise £15,397 for hospice market by storm RECORD BREAKERS school fundraising drive led by of the way the whole school got behind the our budding economists from RGS beat two inspirational students who lost cause and made it such a school community more than 5,000 school teams from all their fathers to cancer has raised a fundraising effort.” She said staff at the hospice over the world to make it to the semi-finals record-breaking £15,397 for the local had helped her whole family when her father F of a prestigious stock market challenge. The hospice which cared for both men Chris, a builder, sadly died aged 54: “I know our ambitious fourth formers, competing against Awhile also supporting their families. fundraising will make such a difference to so students up to four years older than themselves, many people’s lives,” she said. Pupils at Ripon Grammar School threw were, at one point, positioned in the top 1% of themselves into raising the staggering amount Louise added that she was pleased to have those taking part. for Saint Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate during helped make the rest of the school more aware The boys - Archie Heap, Shen Jie Yaw, Bertie the school’s Charity Week with events including of the great work Saint Michael’s does, following Wood and Tristan Paris - narrowly missed out on dance battles, a staff rock band concert, sumo a visit to the hospice by school officers: “I making the top eight schools from the semi- wrestling and a pantomime. think we did get the message across about the finals selected to compete for the big prize - an amazing work that all-expenses paid trip to New York. The Student The whole school rallied they do, not only in Investor Challenge, run by the London Institute behind the campaign, the hospice itself but of Banking & Finance, enrols teams to invest with history teacher also through their grief virtual money on the London Stock Exchange and David Bruce running counselling and home trade stocks and shares to make a profit. his first marathon to care services.” add £1,000 to the total Archie, Jie, Bertie and Tristan (pictured l-r and fourth former Ella Chief executive of Saint above) made up one of the 5,622 teams who Foster completing Michael’s Hospice, started out in October 2018 with £200,000 of ten 10K runs to raise Tony Collins, described virtual money to invest. After three months, they another £1,500. the amount raised were ranked 62nd in the world among the teams by Ripon Grammar - from countries including the States, China, Students from all School - the largest United Arab Emirates, India, Spain, Malaysia, the year groups ran amount ever raised by Czech Republic and Thailand - taking part. RGS stalls, sixth formers one school fundraising work-related learning co-ordinator Bob Walker organised a charity event for the hospice The history girls said the students had picked up vital skills which function and pupils in - as remarkable and hese gifted hockey players make up the amazing to play on such a professional pitch. Our national champion would equip them well for the future: “I have one form raised £390 inspiring: “We would most successful sports team in Ripon The great team spirit and support carried us been very impressed with the team’s work ethic by swimming more like to extend a sincere Grammar School’s history. They are through.” hockey players are the most and their interest in the world beyond what than the distance of thank you to all the pictured above after achieving their dream Tby beating the best in the country following a Just weeks later, the girls’ team was one is taught in the classroom.” They ended up in a marathon – 2,131 pupils, staff and parents successful team in RGS of only two state schools competing in 27th place overall, which was still a tremendous lengths – in the school for their enthusiasm and tense penalty shoot-out at a prestigious national the prestigious National Indoor Finals in achievement, he said. pool during their lunch generosity,” he said. finals in London’s Olympic stadium. sporting history, with our hour. Worcestershire. As well as reaching the “This truly impressive The Under-18s team, who have been competing netball players close behind National Indoor Finals once before, as Louise Taylor, 17, and donation of £15,300 at top national level for the past two years, were Under-16s in 2017, they narrowly missed bringing home the National State Boarding Royal honour Grace Withyman, 16, will help us ensure local crowned State Boarding National Champions the finals last year. This time, they defeated Schools championship trophy in March and also uccess has come in initiated the fundraising campaign when they people living with a terminal illness, and their in front of an ecstatic crowd of parents and Hymers College in a thrilling semi-final reached the national schools finals four years threes for community- presented a moving assembly to the whole families, can make the most of precious time supporters who travelled to the Queen Elizabeth match in Bradford and, having beaten Ilkley ago. PE teacher Rachael Clark said they played minded RGS PE school, explaining how the hospice, which needs together.” Olympic Park from Yorkshire. Grammar to secure the top North seeding, S teacher and founder of to raise £5m annually, had helped them. outstandingly against Gordon’s School in the semi they were up against tough opposition Ripon City Netball Club Students at RGS raise around £10,000 every year They followed this by winning a place in the and Cranbrook School in the recent final and from leading independent sporting schools Helen Mackenzie, whose After urging their fellow pupils to support this for a chosen charity, but this one has been the Under-18s girls’ National Indoor Hockey Finals, for praised the girls’ dedication: “They are a superbly including Wellington College, Repton, King’s contribution to society has worthy cause, the two sixth form students were best yet, said Louise: “It was the most successful the second time, as north of England champions, talented squad and have fantastic versatility.” Bruton, St Lawrence College, Millfield and been recognised locally overwhelmed by just how much everyone took charity week in my seven years at RGS, not where they faced the best Cranleigh in the finals. Although they didn’t The hockey players, who have and nationally. Shortly the appeal to their hearts. only in raising the sum of money raised but also U-18 indoor hockey players come away with the trophy, they certainly played together for seven years, after being crowned general awareness. in the country. did Yorkshire proud during the two-day Grace, from Ripon, whose father Jim, a were also up against Surrey’s tournament, having established themselves Riponian of the Year, she received a prestigious British Citizen Award barrister, sadly died aged 49 in 2017, said she “Despite the fun we all had it was for a good PE teacher Siobhan Gilfillan Gordon’s School in this year’s as one of the top ten girls’ teams in the certificate of recognition. And, to top it all, was delighted at how much the school had cause, which was something that was echoed said the 15-strong squad state boarding finals, where country. Mrs Mackenzie, known affectionately by her raised: “It’s such an amazing cause. This charity throughout, and it makes me proud that it was were, undoubtedly, the they dominated the first half, students as Miss Mac, then received a letter is so important as I think all families should for the charity that I put forward and is so close most successful sporting but ended up in their second Miss Gilfillan said: “It has been a real inviting her to the Queen’s Buckingham Palace have the same support on offer if they need it. to my heart.” team ever to have emerged penalty shoot-out of the day privilege to work with the girls, they are I know from first-hand experience that it makes from Ripon Grammar after finishing 2-2 at full time such a credit to our school. The fact they Royal Garden Party on May 29. She also leads the world of difference when you’re losing your Pictured above: Grace Withyman, left, and School. before emerging victorious. have trained together, played together and a swimming academy, on top of her Saturday loved one,” she said. Louise Taylor, right, surrounded by their been good friends for seven years has made role with the ACE academy, is an enthusiastic Although hot on their heels is the Under-18s Player Bethany Hamby said parents were waving fellow students, present the £15,397 cheque to them gel the way they have.” member of Ripon Lions and was one of the 2012 netball team (pictured above), who celebrated the Yorkshire flag from the stands: “It was really Louise, from Grewelthorpe, said: “I am so proud St Michael’s Hospice fundraiser Beth Crewe Olympic torch bearers. 20 21 My career story Inside Westminster What was your first job, and what did that entail?

My first ever job was working in retail (Next and Jack Wills) whilst doing my A-levels and at university, but my first actual job was working on the new business development team for a tech start-up called Webroot. The company had developed one of the first cloud-based internet security software packages, and my role was to identify possible corporate clients and sell our solution to them, whilst gathering business- critical information about renewal dates and their competitors. It was a fun company, but relatively tedious, and based in Bracknell which is the back-end of beyond. The job only lasted three months before the entire new business team was outsourced to Ireland for efficiency savings and tax purposes.

What is your job title now and what is your day-to-day role?

Senior parliamentary assistant. I’ve worked for four MPs in my time (one backbencher, and three cabinet ministers) and each office TOMMY GILCHRIST left RGS in 2006 to study geography is varied. My current role is to support the at university after seven happy years as a boarding leader of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon. Andrea Leadsom MP, in her position as MP for student. He is now senior parliamentary assistant to the South Northamptonshire. I manage all of her constituency priorities, from campaigning leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom for bypasses to opposing unwanted planning applications. A lot of my work is meeting with over a pint or few in the pub. I left Page a lot of applications and an unpaid internship stakeholders on Andrea’s behalf, including Group to take up a more senior position with with Hove Conservative MP Mike Weatherley, senior management for organisations like HS2 a small bespoke recruitment agency – RedHAT but I managed to secure a paid role with former and Highways England, and pushing these Recruitment – in central London that focused on secretary of state for education and minister priorities forward on her behalf. I am also in financial recruiting for the media industry, and for women Nicky Morgan before moving to Liz frequent contact with her constituents across a I worked with some very cool clients including Truss and finally into the role I have now with variety of matters. I manage her social media VICE, Tiger Endemol, Hearst Magazines, and Andrea Leadsom. presence, create content for her website, write Channel 4. However, recruitment is a very speeches, and do a whole host of other ad hoc repetitive industry. I got itchy feet, and decided Could you give us an example of a typical day? activities. I also have responsibility for parts I needed a career change. I was already of Andrea’s early years/secure attachment involved in politics in my spare time, and had They don’t exist! But the day always starts a passionate believer myself that our future is so with processing the varying amounts of In the thick of it: Tommy, left with Leadsom and transport minister Nus Ghani, above, on agenda, which is focused on changing policy to lots of friends working in Westminster, so I much brighter outside of the EU, it was amazing the steps of No. 10, top right with MP Mike Weatherley and below with Stanley Johnson ensure every baby has the best possible start pivoted in that direction in 2013/14. It took inbound correspondence Andrea receives from to be working alongside one of the leading lights in life. constituents, government departments, local of the Brexit campaign. authorities and private companies - both via important? To stand up for what you believe in, What do you wish you’d known at 18 that you and not to accept authority without questioning Could you outline your career path and what hard post and email – before cracking on with And what do you like least about the role? know now? led you to the job you are in today? making progress on her constituency priorities. it. I get an absolute My role is mainly desk-based in the Palace of When someone gets in touch with an issue, and That you don’t have to know at 18 precisely After being made redundant from Webroot (we Westminster, but an average day can see me there’s literally nothing that you can do because What do you miss most about your time at what you want to do when you’re older or were all told to pack up our desks and leave thrill walking holding meetings on various local or national they’re not a constituent, or it’s a legal matter. school? have a career plan mapped out by the time at the end of the day), I fell into recruitment issues, sitting down with journalists to outline MPs (and their offices) are prohibited from you leave school or university. That you will Looking back, I really enjoyed boarding but for Page Group. Initially based in Guildford Andrea’s position or views, representing Andrea dispensing legal advice, and often people will continually be discovering new things about didn’t realise how character-building it would be and Reading, I worked with corporate clients around the Palace of at an event, or meeting with constituents. I contact asking for help with something we can’t the world and yourself as you grow older, and at the time. I think the thing I miss most is the to fill part-qualified financial vacancies (for tend to go to the constituency at least once a get involved in. You always try and signpost them it is important to be open-minded about other freedom RGS gave to explore your own interests, management accountants, financial accountants Westminster late at fortnight. Most evenings there is a reception somewhere if you can. people’s views and experiences. and the support given by many teachers to and finance Managers) across a range of sectors. to attend in Westminster in aid of one cause pursue extra-curricular work. I remember Mrs What is the one piece of advice you would I was promoted and asked to take on Page’s or another. The average day is around 12 hours What careers were you interested in when you night. But the thing I Wright encouraging me to contact Margaret give current RGS students? new non-London insurance recruitment market, long. were a student at RGS? Atwood when we were studying The Handmaid’s based in Reading but covering the entirety of love most is working Tale, and she ended up sending me facsimile Take advantage of every opportunity the South West of England – a lot of very early What do you enjoy most about the job? I wanted to be a palaeobotanist, marine biologist copies of all the original research she undertook presented to you. Open every door. Be curious. and very late train journeys were involved to or volcanologist. I left RGS wanting to teach for the book. Or Ms Charlton helping me to Oh, and do your Duke of Edinburgh Award. get to and from clients in Cornwall and Devon! for someone with a I still get an absolute thrill walking around the geography. research viral haemorrhagic fevers following my This was, singlehandedly the most important I was then moved into Page’s head office Palace of Westminster, especially when it’s late interest after reading Richard Preston’s The Hot non-academic thing I did at school and would in central London to work on their London passion for tackling at night and you have the building to yourself – What was the most important thing you learnt Zone. Or Miss Murray and I discussing alternative always come up in conversation during job insurance market; this was lots of fun and there’s a real sense of majesty about the place. at RGS? theories of glaciation, and whether ‘Snowball interviews. involved some great client meetings. Brokers But the thing I love most is working for someone social injustice Poetry by Martial, our Latin class’s favourite, was Earth’ or ‘Slushball Earth’ was more likely. The tend to finish their working week at around 3pm with a real passion for tackling social injustice, one of the best things I learnt. One of the most teachers at RGS were and are amazing. on a Thursday, so we would discuss business particularly through her early years portfolio. As More over... 22 23 Alumni news

Medics, dentists, vets, engineers, economists and historians studying at universities including Durham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, London’s Imperial College, Oxford and Cambridge are among the latest former A great start in students to join the ranks of life: Sir Gary, below, says RGS’s alumni our recent leavers received igh-attaining students at Ripon a fantastic Grammar School have been urged education at to go out and achieve great things Ripon Grammar to make the world a better place. School Record-breaking A-level and Houtstanding GCSE students at the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony in November were told that they are destined to be our future leaders.

What advice would you give those students “You are the most talented group I have probably who are interested in following a similar ever addressed. And that is saying something,” career to you? said Sir Gary Verity, former Welcome to Yorkshire tourism boss, who presented the awards. If you want to work in politics, particularly in Westminster, then do as much work The presentation marked another year of experience as you can. Decide which party exceptional results for the school, with students you most closely affiliate with and join it. achieving 95% of GCSEs at grades A*-B/9-5 and Go out campaigning at weekends with your 79.5% of A-levels at grades A*-B. local association. Ask your MP for a week’s experience in the summer. Go to party The 2018 sixth form leavers, whose impressive lookingLeaders towards you to take things forward. subject wereof recognised, andthe also given prizes future value, he told the audience that latest conferences. performance broke all RGS records, returned Reflect on how you are going to change the for high achievements in particular subjects. measurements of the progress pupils make from to their old school to take pride of place in world for the better.” primary school to the end of their time at Ripon Who was your favourite teacher and why? front of a packed hall, filled with parents, civic Headmaster Jonathan Webb described RGS – one Grammar School now place RGS 60th out of dignitaries, governors and staff. Sir Gary presented prizes to those A-level of the few state schools which offers boarding Too many to name them all. Miss Richardson 6,000 schools nationally. students who achieved four A*-A passes or three - as a ‘proud Yorkshire school’, where boys and (ancient history in first year, Latin in second The former pupils, most now studying at elite A*-A plus a B grade, as well as for exceptional girls excel and secure their dreams. Sir Gary concluded: “You all have talents. You and third years) for being so passionate about Russell Group universities, were joined by those performances in individual subjects. GCSE owe it to yourself to be the very best you can her subject area, and for taking the time to students who excelled in their GCSEs in the students who gained a C or higher in every Near the top of the tree nationally for adding be. Have great lives and achieve great things.” teach an otherwise unruly student. All of my ‘The teachers at summer, achieving some of the best results RGS geography teachers (Chris Wise, Sarah Maude has ever seen. and Marita Murray over seven years) for RGS were and being brilliant and creative in their teaching are amazing’ But the audience hadn’t gathered to celebrate methods, they all inspired me to go on to academic achievements alone. The school is study for a BSc in physical geography at the also renowned for its sports, music, drama and Treasure your school University of Reading. community and volunteering work and students received special awards for excelling in these past pupil now working for the you don’t know what you want to do, don’t Mrs Knowles (English in second year) for her areas. Treasury says Ripon Grammar School is worry.” ability to bring you into the story of the text A a very special place which is preparing we studied, and for her mad love of Harry Among the school’s new alumni are medics, students well for the future. Hugh McHale- “The best way to prepare for the new jobs Potter (she proudly wore the Quidditch top dentists, vets, engineers, economists and Maughan, who left Ripon Grammar School in of the future is to learn a set of skills at she’d bought from the Harry Potter store in historians, studying at universities including 2013, was special guest at the annual lower school that you can apply anywhere. New York). Terry Fell (GCSE English) for his Durham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, London’s school prizegiving. “Working hard, being kind to each other, riotous sense of humour, and determination to Imperial College, Oxford and Cambridge. they are the core skills that RGS will make sure everyone in the class achieved his Hugh, who is assistant private secretary to teach you that will set you apart in the or her potential. Ms Charlton (biology for seven Others are reading subjects as diverse as city minister John Glen MP, said the school workplace.” years) for her wonderful way of explaining a commercial pilot training, international was the place where he had spent his relations, marine technology, creative writing, happiest years. complex subject-matter, and being so engaging Hugh said globalisation would be the single astrophysics, fashion merchandising and with her classes. Mr Postlethwaite for just biggest influence on our society going aerospace engineering, while a number have He told students: “Your lives are going to being ‘The Poss’. forward but this would not diminish the taken up high-level apprenticeships in business, be great. You are some of the most well- importance of the local community, which Too many great stories about too many accounting and with ITV. educated students in the world living in a will remain crucial to people having better fantastic teachers. country that is one of the wealthiest, safest The inside story: Tommy, top, with Sir Gary told them: “You have received the and happiest on the planet.” and more grounded lives. Who or what inspired you when you were at greatest start in life from your education here, Andrea Leadsom at the Conservative “This community is very special and will school? in this city at this fantastic school, a great Hugh, who gained a first-class degree in Party HQ and catching up with his remain so. It’s a place of high achievement Yorkshire school. I think this is a really special philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford former Geography teacher, Marita but also of happiness, fun and kindness. This I was and am a huge supporter of Mrs Thatcher, place. University, said the world of work the and she was an inspiration for wanting to get Murray, during a return visit to Ripon students would enter in the late 2020s would is a wonderful and precious place that will set you up for long and interesting lives.” involved in Conservative Party politics. Grammar School. Above, Tommy “All of you have been equipped to be the next Happy days: Hugh catches up with his be unrecognisable: “Eighty five per cent of jobs in 2030 haven’t been invented yet, so if with his boss, Andrea Leadsom generation of leaders in our world. It is now former history teacher Michael Spiers 24 25

Alumni news Grace in favour He’s done it! Former RGS student Iain Johnston has ome RGS students may spot a familiar cycled around the world on a bike he built himself face on TV in May. Actress Grace SLancaster, who left school in 2010, recently finished filming a guest role on BBC1’s TV series Doctors, which follows the lives of staff and patients in a Midlands practice. Grace has been particularly busy over the past year. During her role as Miranda in Eastbourne Theatres’ production of Return to the Forbidden Planet, she played a total of seven instruments, followed by a run as Cinderella in The Rock ‘n’Roll Panto at Leeds City Varieties music hall. WORLD “Dotted amongst acting jobs I have been travelling all over the world with the New York Brass Band, in places such as China, Georgia, Spain, Kuwait, Belgium and Ireland, with a European tour planned for this summer,” she explained. “The next thing coming up on stage is a new musical about the Giles Family cartoons called Grandma Saves the Day which will be opening in CLASS Ipswich New Wolsey theatre and running until former Ripon Grammar School progress with interest through regular updates May 18,” she said. student has achieved his dream of in our alumni magazine. It is an incredible circumnavigating the globe by bicycle accomplishment.” after arriving back home in Yorkshire, where his epic 17,134-mile journey Inspired by celebrated Scottish cyclist Mark Abegan 15 months before. Beaumont, who cycled the world in 80 days, Iain even slept in an under-stairs cupboard so Iain Johnston successfully completed his that he could rent out his bedroom in order to monumental challenge when he cycled into his help fund the £16,000 cost of the trip. home town of Ripon after pedalling for more than 1,600 hours through 29 countries. “I took the risk of leaving my job and told anyone who would listen about my trip to make Alma Mater: Iain returned to his old school after completing his monumental challenge The 30-year-old accountant marked the it difficult to pull out,” he explained. occasion by stopping off with his bike at his old His journey took him through Holland, Germany, local people showed me, building fires to keep school, where students, staff and parents have Unlike Beaumont, Iain completed the solo trip the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, me warm and sharing their food.” been following his progress. with no back-up support, camping in secluded It would be nice Serbia and Bulgaria, where he climbed a spots most nights and carrying all his kit on a challenging and particularly breath-taking After spending a few months in Southeast “It feels surreal that I can now say I have cycled bike which he built himself. 2,500m summit on the Turkish border before Asia, he cycled across Australia, from Perth to around the world. It has been an incredible if I could inspire descending into Georgia. Sydney. journey and I’m sure the trip has changed me as Now that he’s back home in Yorkshire, and a person,” he said. about to start a new job, Iain says it feels odd Some of the astonishing sights he saw along the “The biggest challenge in Australia was the vast not sleeping in a tent at night: “I’m sure I’ll a few people way, he says, included Istanbul’s Ahmed Mosque distances between settlements and the camping “My plan is to rest up as the last week of soon get back into the swing of ordinary life and the ancient city of Troy, which he recalled in Australia was a challenge in itself with huge cycling in the wind, rain and cold really took again.” learning about in ancient history classes at ants’ nests, mice, curious kangaroos visiting me it out of me. I’m sure it’ll take a little getting to head off on school. at dusk and, on one occasion, a dingo stealing used to not having to get up on a morning Getting up most days at 5am, he cycled an one of my panniers full of food.” Amazing Grace: as Miranda, above and get on the bike,” added Iain, who spent a average of 56 miles in temperatures ranging From Georgia, he crossed the Caspian Sea, remarkable 305 days in the saddle. from minus five to 50 degrees Celsius for around an adventure through Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, From Australia, Iain took a flight to the six-and-a-half hours each day, surviving on a Kyrgyzstan, into India: “India was one of the States:“I found North America the most difficult Human rights Headmaster Jonathan Webb said the diet of bread, noodles, beans, pasta and eggs, hardest countries to cycle through, the roads part of the trip due to the heat and remoteness whole school was proud of Iain’s amazing supplemented by the occasional restaurant themselves were in an awful state of repair and the amount of some sections, especially cycling across the achievement, an inspiration to students and meal. of pollution gave me a persistent cough. But I Mojave Desert, the hottest desert in the world. journalism award staff alike: “We’ve all been following Iain’s really enjoyed the friendliness and kindness the ongratulations to Julia Apart from the heat, I have been faced with CAtherley who was daily thunderstorms, hail the size of golf balls, highly commended in Best coyotes, altitude sickness, sandstorms and the Reporter and Best Human threat of tornadoes. Rights Journalist categories Mighty gift from two grateful students at the Student Publication “But visiting the Petrified Forest National Park, Association Awards in April. wo past pupils grateful for the education our time and the time of our peers spent at RGS. and Dr Grime: “They both helped guide me the Grand Canyon caverns, the starry night Julia, who left RGS in 2016 they received at RGS returned to present It is nice to think that future students may relax and pick my career path which I am now skies in the deserts and the friendly Americans and is studying English the school with the gift of an oak tree. in the shade during summer lunch breaks when perusing’. T I met along the way made all the hardship literature at Durham it’s grown, long after Rob and I are gone.” worthwhile,” added Iain, who cycled across Rob Gibson and Lucas Fawcett both left school Lucas said his favourite teacher was Mr Demir: University (where she has Ireland and Wales before returning to England in 2018, Rob to study chemistry at the University Rob added: “The oak tree is a tribute to the “He was brilliant and it was in his lessons just finished her role as editor-in-chief of and making his way to Yorkshire. of Nottingham and Lucas economics and social school and a mark of the time we spent there. where I grew a deep interest in economics. Mrs the student newspaper) won her awards for policy at the University of Edinburgh. It’s a fantastic school that really provides Fell was also a favourite, not only an excellent articles exposing unfair working conditions “It would be nice if I could inspire a few for staff at the university and for a range of excellent opportunities for those who work teacher but the support she offered me people to get on their bikes and head off on an Lucas said: “Both Rob and I felt we should try stories including reporting on racist chants hard’. outside of lessons was unbelievable.” adventure themselves,” he said. and find a meaningful gift as we both cherish our at college balls and plans to introduce 8am time at the school and an oak tree represents Rob said his favourite teachers were Mr Walker lectures. She has also had work published in Rob pictured left, and Lucas, right The Sunday Times and Euronews. 26 27 Alumni news

Former RGS boarding student Ed Ellerington set up his first successful company when he was just 16 years old, in fifth form. He has now launched a new £25m property business

Ed, far left (centre) on the panel at the West Yorkshire Economic Growth Conference, and as a student at RGS, below

Developments he has worked on include Finzels Reach, left, Clippers Quay in Salford, below, and the Yorkshire Evening Post GRAND DESIGNS building in Leeds, below left

round-breaking entrepreneur Ed Ed had already paired up with an IT specialist Ellingerton was a 16-year-old business partner he met through a summer job: boarding student at Ripon Grammar “He had created a server which allowed us to School when he set up his first create short code messaging but couldn’t think Gsuccessful company. of a way to deploy the technology.” The ambitious fifth former established a The duo linked up with Ed’s sister who was pioneering text messaging house sale business, working in publishing at the time: “So we 118 Text Unlimited, after watching his parents started by trying to advertise the next book in look for a new property in Ripon and finding the a series by putting the short code at the end of whole process frustrating. books, however take-up was low.

“They had to spend hours staring at estate “It was after this I came up with the idea of agent windows and waiting for details advertising properties instead and set up 118 to be sent through the post. It seemed a Text.” completely inefficient way of finding out basic information,” he explains. The fledgling SMA promotion business, for pre-internet enabled phones, provided home purchasers with details regarding properties via a text message and ended up being a great success.

Sixteen years on, Ed is still making waves in the property market, having recently launched an innovative new £25m build-to-rent property business, with the aim of creating 1,500 new ventures and harnessed my entrepreneurial constantly challenge the norm,” he says. as part of the purchase, HBOS subsequently He went on to take up a place at Newcastle homes in residential schemes across 20 towns spirit.” brought Ed into its banking business and Business School, gaining a first class degree and and cities throughout the UK over the next few After leaving RGS in 2005, Ed, who was deputy thereafter its equity investment business, achieving the highest grades on his economics years. He was also inspired by a number of teachers at head boy, had originally planned to follow his focusing on creating dynamic property joint and management course. RGS: “My business studies teacher Mr Andrew, passion for history at university. But that was ventures across Europe. “Packaged Living will create purpose-built, English teacher and form tutor Mr Fell and before the world of business beckoned. Following his graduation from Newcastle high-quality accommodation with service at history teacher Mrs Deeming were all genuinely “This is where I got my first taste for property,” Business School, Ed joined Grainger Plc, the its core,” he explains. “It’s about taking the passionate about their subjects and the pupils “I ended up deciding to defer my university he says. largest listed residential landlord. headache out of renting.” they taught.” place and continue with the small start-up business I had begun whilst at school in 2003 Ed left HBOS in 2009, having moved from start- “Thus began an eight-year career spanning Ed was encouraged by his mother and father, Having boarded for seven years, Ed says instead,” he says. up to banking without pause, working through the UK and Germany, which involved investing who ran an education business: “They were he learned a number of key life lessons at an extremely interesting time in the banking more than £1bn in building a new style of rental always quite entrepreneurial so I suppose RGS: “The most important thing I learnt was The intellectual property and server rights (IP) world following the global financial crash of accommodation, now dubbed the private rental some of that must have rubbed off,” he says. confidence and the ability to put my views of Text 118 were ultimately bought by HBOS 2007. sector (PRS).” “And they were always quite supportive of my across, to enjoy discussion and debate and to through its Halifax Estate Agency brand and, More over... 28 29 School news Doing the Wright thing One of our longest-serving members of staff, English teacher SARAH WRIGHT has taught students at RGS for the past 17 years. She looks back fondly on her time at the school

he past seventeen years seem to have flown by and I have seen a few changes at Ripon Grammar School Ventures new: since I made my way up the driveway Mrs Wright will in 2002 for an interview for the post be developing Tof full time English teacher. Three headmasters her holiday and three heads of department later I have cottage decided to try my hand at a very different line business, after of work. bidding a fond I have thoroughly enjoyed my teaching career farewell to RGS and have taught in a wide a range of schools, after 17 years from a comprehensive in Middlesbrough, two schools in the south of England and a few years at Northallerton College before landing at the - educators and non-teaching staff alike – who of life. The newest member of our family, Freddy, doors of RGS where my interest in education has all contribute to the very special ethos of this a nine-month-old Great Dane, is also keeping continued to develop. The reasons for embarking grammar school where our students genuinely me busy (he has all the traits of a rumbustious on a teaching career - the love for my subject, appreciate the high level of education and teenager), and we are enjoying stretching our legs ‘Mr Andrew, Mr Fell and Mrs the feeling of satisfaction that I was contributing opportunities offered. However, I feel that the along the local lanes. to the preparation of future generations for time is ripe for a change in direction. their lives in the wider society, and the joy of I look back with great fondness on my time at Deeming were the teachers interaction in the classroom – have never faded. For the first time since I was five years old I Ripon Grammar, it is a very special school and my I will miss the enthusiasm and exuberance of am facing the challenge of organising my own thoughtful English colleagues have ensured that who inspired me. They were all the younger pupils; I will miss witnessing the time instead of being prompted by a rigid I will be reminded of the essence of the place; rapid growth of intellectual maturity during timetable and the insistent demand of a bell. at a recent evening out I was presented with a genuinely passionate about their the GCSE years and the academic curiosity and We are renovating two cow byres that adjoin montage of iconic RGS images (Mr Fearnley really thirst for knowledge that I see during the more our home and I am currently project managing should add professional photography to his already subjects and the pupils they taught’ seminar-style sixth form sessions. I have valued the development of the second of our holiday impressive list of qualifications), and was given the support of my highly committed colleagues cottages; my plan is they will provide some sort strict instructions to hang it in the smallest room, of income as we head towards a different pace where it can be frequently viewed! I wish every success to the students at RGS and He left Grainger, where he was acquisitions raise a glass to my hardworking colleagues. director, in 2018 and studied for an executive MBA at Regensburg University in Germany and e also said farewell to Harvard in the States with a view to going back A decade of making a difference at RGS WMichael Spiers, whose into the world of start-up, which is exactly eter Mason was talent spotted for RGS school to continue its progress without enthusiasm for his subject was what he’s done with Packaged Living. governors by the then headmaster, the burden of unnecessary, if well truly infectious. He departed Martin Pearman. As chemists, they Dr Peter Mason led the RGS intentioned, reforms. after eight years as head of His new business will hopefully now become a P had worked together at Stamford School, history and a houseparent leading developer and operator of homes for governing body through a period when Mr Pearman was head of science and It was typical of this modest unassuming in School House to take up future generations, he says. Dr Mason was Principal. of change, with the constant man that he made no reference to his the post of head of history contribution over the past decade, which at The Mount School in York. Unlike most companies in the build-to-rent pursuit of excellence at the heart It was our good fortune that earlier in his is why he has been such an outstanding Headmaster Jonathan Webb praised his obsessive sector, Packaged Living acts as an investor, career, following a move south to Reading of all he did. IAN PRINGLE looks chair and will be greatly missed in the passion for the minutiae of historical argument developer and manager, buying sites without School as headmaster, Peter and Sue Mason future. and practice, which earned him a cult following planning consent, designing schemes and taking back on his decade at the school bought a cottage in Mickley as a holiday among students: “Under Mr Spiers, the history them through the planning process to develop home-cum-bolthole. When retirement from *We are delighted co-opted governor department flourished,” he said. and manage them. Stamford beckoned in 2008, they moved to The progression to vice-chair in 2011 and A number of major premises developments Elizabeth Jarvis, who has been a governor chair in 2012 was almost inevitable and have come to fruition during this time, at RGS for four years, has agreed to step ighly respected maths The company has already identified 20 towns North Yorkshire. widely welcomed by all those who had worked namely the music block, the humanities into Peter’s shoes as chair. Elizabeth is teacher, deputy head of and cities in the regions where it is looking to H Peter joined the governors in 2008 as with him. Peter has led the governing body building and the sixth form boarding a consultant renal physician at Leeds upper school and a house acquire sites. an associate member, taking up a vacant through a period of continuing change and a extension at Johnson House. Never one to Teaching Hospital and is an honorary parent in School House, Alex climate of tight finances. Quietly authoritative claim personal credit, it would be true to say “We’ll talk to customers and local authorities co-opted place in 2009. At the time senior lecturer within the University of Margerison left us after seven and keen to engage all governors in the that Peter has played more than his fair share first to create a building that is integral to the he was vice-chair of the governors at Leeds. An examiner and advisor for the years to take up the post of debate and decision-making, the process in bringing these projects to completion. local community. Manchester Grammar School, a post he Royal College of Physicians, she has a head of sixth form at North relinquished in 2012. Possessed of a keen of governing at RGS has been honed to a particualr interest in undergraduate and Bridge House School in London. considerable degree under his constant eye. When asked for his recollections on his time “I want to help create truly innovative intellect and great clarity of thought, his postgraduate medical education and has As well as leading a number of at RGS, he remarked on the pleasure of communities for the future,” he says. worth and contributions were quickly responsibilties for the training of junior successful school ski trips, he understood and appreciated, particularly A stream of emails on a whole variety of working with two headmasters, and seeing doctors. She is married to Stephen, with helped develop the 1st XV rugby at RGS, with the in the areas of boarding and curriculum. topics and issues, which reflect his wide the school grow in terms of its ambition, four children, the eldest two of whom are team fittingly winning the Yorkshire Cup in his Inspired at RGS: Ed and wife Melanie experience of educational matters, have achievement and confidence. Regarding with daughter Beatrix, above, at their His long experience in boarding schools students at RGS. final year: “I have always been impressed by his and his work as a senior examiner proved maintained the tempo of governing body the future, his only real concern was calm and assured manner,” said Mr Webb. See page 2: A letter from our chair of governors home in Lincolnshire invaluable. activity. that future governments would allow the 30 31 School news

Wilfred’s grandson Andrew Wells, from Great Ouseburn, said the story of the five Wells More than 1,000 people brothers reminded him of the plot of the film Saving Private Ryan, although his family was gathered at RGS to remember extremely lucky four out of the five brothers those who fought for their survived the conflict. country, including the five “They were all so young when they went to fight. Grampie Wells was wounded when he was Wells brothers. We have since 19 years old on October 23, 1918 and awarded discovered a second family of the Military Medal for gallantry and conspicuous coolness under heavy shell and machine gun fire five brothers from RGS who in attacking enemy strong points. But he never also fought in the Great War spoke of his experiences during WW1. - whose parents appealed “Laying the wreath helps me remember the five Wells boys, who were part of this great school against their sixth son being and then went on to fight in the Great War,” he called up said. “It was very moving to see all 928 pupils come out onto the playing fields and lay their elatives of five brothers from Ripon poppies today. I felt very proud.” Grammar School who served in the First World War led the tributes to Students at the school were also remembering Swimmers those from the school who fought and those who fought and died from their families, died for their country at a poignant Act said Headmaster Jonathan Webb: “This is a Rof Remembrance. unique opportunity for the whole school to congregate and reflect together on this, the win top titles The school playing fields were tinged with red centenary of the ending of the First World War. as more than 900 pupils laid individual poppies hree talented swimmers are the in memory of the 50 former students and “As well as the 99 known Old Rips who died pride of Ripon Grammar School after masters killed in WW1 and 49 killed in WW2. in both world wars, we are remembering Ttwo were crowned double county those who have served and died in subsequent champions with the third winning the title Descendants of the Wells brothers laid a wreath conflicts and reflecting on the impact war has for the region. The dedicated trio, who put in memory of Arthur, who died in action in BROTHERS IN ARMS had on Ripon and its wider community.” in hours of training, usually twice a day 1916, aged 22, and his four younger brothers, and often involving 4am starts, are among Norman, Tom, Wilfred and Christopher, who all To coincide with the ceremony, the Old survived the war. the fastest swimmers in the country. old in 1914, is one of the 72,337 names on Heroic band of Rips organised an exhibition of the WW1 photographs, documents and memorabilia they Among others being remembered were boys the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the brothers: pictured Christa Wilson, 15, from Dishforth, has Somme in France. gathered after scouring military records, school been selected to represent the North-East from the school’s 1913 cricket team. Fifteen from top, Arthur (who archives and the internet, as well as reading out of the sixteen players pictured in their last region in the 200m butterfly against top We have five sons in Both Norman and Tom joined up in 1915, was killed in action through copies of old school magazines, in order school photograph together, including Norman competitors from all over the country at when they were aged 19 and 18. Wilfred aged 22 in September to discover more about those who died. Wells, went off to fight. Five never returned. the English Schools National Swimming active service and was 18 when, following Arthur’s death, he 1916), Norman (who Championships in Crawley in March. With Old Rips president Derek Crookes has since Given that RGS had fewer than 100 pupils at went to fight in 1917. And the youngest was a member of the her sights set on making it to the Olympics hospital. He is our son, Christopher, only 12 years old when RGS 1913 cricket discovered the story of the Nesbitt brothers in 2024, her time of 2min 15sec has the time, the scale of the loss was devastating, from Leyburn, who were also all students at both for the school and the wider community. war broke out, volunteered the year after team, five of whom already seen her ranked second fastest in Arthur had been killed, when he was just Ripon Grammar School. Norman Nesbitt was Britain in her category. sixth son. It is right were killed in the killed in action in August 1918, he was 28 years As the nation marked the centenary of the end 16. war), Tom, Wilfred old. His brothers Arthur, Ashton, John and Eric of WW1, more than 1,000 people, including Anna Marley, 17, from West Tanfield, and and fair we should (who was awarded all fought and survived. The sixth and youngest students, former students, staff, parents and Norman’s granddaughter Rachel Wiecek, Imogen Vollans, 15, from Ripon, each the Military Medal son, Bernard Noel, had his call-up revoked after the mayors of Harrogate and Ripon, gathered from Ripon, said it was difficult to won the Yorkshire Amateur Swimming his parents appealed. around the school’s Memorial Stone, overlooking have one son left to us comprehend the suffering endured by for gallantry) and Association County Championship titles so many families at that time: “I can’t Christoper Wells in the 100m and 200m backstroke for the original playing fields where these boys and His father, Revd John Nesbitt, wrote to the young men enjoyed playing rugby and cricket imagine what my poor great-grandparents (awarded the French their age groups. Both Anna and Christa Revd John Nesbitt must have gone through, losing their appeal tribunal: “We have five sons in active were also among the best swimmers from before the dark clouds of war changed their Croix de Guerre) service and hospital and he is our sixth son. It lives for ever. first-born, Arthur, and with every one of across Britain to be picked to take part their sons going off to fight at such a young is right and fair we should have one son left to in the British Swimming Championships in us.” Third formers Eva Scullion and Hetty Simenacz age.” Glasgow. and second former Maisie Willis played the Last RGS director of sport Adam Milner Post and the school’s brass ensemble performed described all three girls as supremely during the sombre and touching ceremony, talented: “They do amazingly well, when wreaths were also laid by Old Riponians Rising star Abi races against Olympic heroes balancing their commitments. They spend alumni president Derek Crookes and head boy and girl, Thomas Mewes and Sola Sowole. a huge amount of time before school and ising cycling star Abi Smith has been “I was pretty star-struck, to be honest,” said Storey, during the three-day event: “That after school travelling long distances to Until recently, descendants of the Wells racing againt Olympic legends in the the teenager, who is from Oswaldkirk, near was amazing.” train, while also swimming for school brothers didn’t realise two of the younger sons finals of the star-studded National Track Helmsley and boards at Ripon Grammar School. teams. They are a real credit to school and R of Ripon wine and spirit merchants Isabella and Championships. Earlier in January, she raced in the themselves.” Arthur Wells had also fought in the war and “The crowds were incredible, with all the Netherlands for the GB junior team against attended Ripon Grammar School. The talented 16-year-old sixth former, who stands packed. The pace was incredibly fast and top cyclists from the US, France, Germany Christa, a member of the Newcastle Swim was selected for the elite GB cycling team last it was such hard work just to keep up. and Denmark. Team, travels more than 1,000 miles a But thanks to the Old Rips, who carried out year and has also competed for her country week to train with her elite swim squad, extensive research into the lives of all the in mountain running championships, remains “I think the average speed was 48km per hour. “I competed in many events, the most competing at county, regional, national and school’s war heroes to ensure the stories of quietly modest about her success. But I was just incredibly grateful to be able successful being the team pursuit, where international level and winning numerous their bravery and sacrifice would never fade to race against such brilliant role models and the GB second team came 3rd. Germany was titles over the years. She qualified for the from our memories, they now have a clearer Qualifying for the final at the Manchester legends and be able to just about keep up.” second and the GB first team won. European Youth Olympic Festival trials picture of what happened. championships saw her compete against the last year and has been crowned county top 23 cyclists in the UK, including Olympic and Abi, studying PE, psychology, biology and “I gained good experience, coming 6th in the champion for Northumberland and Durham Arthur, a lieutenant in the Northumberland world champions Laura Kenny, Katie Archibald geography at AS-level, was also lucky enough to points race and 7th in the tempo race.” 20 times for different events. Fusiliers, who joined up when he was 20 years and Elinor Barker. meet one of her all-time heroes, Dame Sarah 32 33 Tributes School news Teacher A tireless Pitch perfect who ipon Grammar School’s reputation for sporting excellence is to be given a massive boost as our dream of campaigner establishing a new world-class, purpose- inspired Rbuilt artificial grass floodlit pitch becomes a great advocate of selective education, David then participated in the first elections for reality. David Andrews served as a governor of parent governors in 1978 and retained this role A Ripon Grammar School for over thirty until 1982, when he no longer had any children It’s been several years in the planning, but work years, being instrumental in seeing off the at the school and was co-opted onto the board. has now begun on the new 3G ‘third generation’ Bruce threats from both the Wilson and Callaghan After many years, he left the board of governors, all-weather surface, which will also benefit the governments of 1974 to ‘79 and the Blair continuing as a foundation governor until 2010. wider community of Ripon. government of 1997 to 2001. As Treasurer of the Ripon Secondary Schools Students will begin playing on this exciting new First steps: work begins on the 3G pitch Born in Scarborough on April 13, 1934, David Partnership, David was again instrumental in facility, which is fully-funded by a property compliant football pitch and three cross-width Oldfield developer, in the autumn term. There are was brought up by his mother in Wakefield and retaining the system of selective education seven-a-side football pitches, all with goals on attended Thornes House Grammar School. This in Ripon following the election of the Blair also plans for a new changing block, providing wheels. It will also provide a full-size World proved to be an experience that shaped his administration in 1997, which introduced dressing and locker rooms, showers and toilets Rugby-compliant artificial pitch. Alongside this, ashion designer Bruce Oldfield was one of politics and passion for education. legislation to allow local votes on the system. for about 80 students, due to open at the same contractors will re-level and re-site the 1st XV many students who credited former RGS A challenging campaign began in time. grass rugby pitch to create another first-class Fsenior mistress Constance Gilbey with Leaving school in 1950, he joined the the autumn of 1999, focused on a facility. inspiring them. Merchant Navy as an officer cadet, ballot the following year. David’s Headmaster Jonathan Webb said the latest making two voyages on the tramp experience from the campaign in the addition to the school’s first-class sports The 3G pitch’s durable, all-weather surface can Constance Gilbey, a graduate from Durham in steamer, SS Durban Bay, and seeing 70s, his passion and his eagerness to facilities was an amazing asset, which would be played on for 80 hours a week and will be French, joined Ripon Grammar School in 1962 much of the world. He did not settle help in any way, whether providing help further enhance the development of available for public hire outside school hours. from the Ackworth School near Pontefract. Her in this role and on returning from strategic leadership, writing to the next generation of sporting stars: “It will It will also serve two partner clubs, Ripon RUFC role and abilities as senior mistress were crucial his second voyage, joined the RAF newspapers or stuffing envelopes, make a huge difference to the amount of time and Ripon City AFC. Persimmon Homes agreed in ensuring the successful amalgamation of for his national service. He attained again helped win the day. The students get to train and play outdoors, even to fund the sporting facility - which will be the Grammar School with the Ripon Girls’ High the rank of sergeant, serving as an final result – 2 to 1 in favour of the in the most challenging weather conditions. part-constructed on the Memorial Field owned School. Headmaster Robert Atkinson praised air gunner on B29 Superfortresses, selective system - was announced on Its community use will also make it a major by the Old Rips alumni society - as part of her as she had done so much to establish sound known as the Washington B1 in the March 10, 2000. addition for the city of Ripon.” the planning requirements for a new housing standards within the school, while always being UK. These aircraft were the UK’s development in the city. welcoming when approached by the students. Students will also remember Constance’s role nuclear weapons delivery system David also was active in local The pitch encompasses a full-size FIFA- as a magistrate, an area in which she remained until they were phased out in favour politics, representing the Constance’s responsibilities also included very active. At the age of 68, she was chair of of the Canberra. Once demobbed Conservative Party on Ripon Council being the first housemistress of the new girls’ Wakefield Magistrates and received an MBE in from the RAF in 1954, David moved from 1987 to 1991 and serving a boarding house (Johnson House). The building 1999 for services to the Administration of Justice into local government, and after term as deputy mayor of the city was not completed in time for the amalgamation and to the community in West Yorkshire. a number of jobs became a public between 1989 and 1990 so for the first year, she had to look after health inspector in Ripon in 1963. Bruce Oldfield remembers being under the Dramarama some girls boarded out in Ripon homes and He took early retirement from a senior role alented the transformation of the sanatorium into a watchful eye of Miss Gilbey who he looked The election of the Labour Government in 1974, in Leeds City Council in 1986 and filled his students at temporary girls’ boarding house. on as a kindly guardian: “She took me under on a manifesto committing it to comprehensive retirement with freelance work and travel. her wing.” And it was Miss Gilbey who helped education, led directly to David’s involvement He was a published poet, being particularly RGS shone Constance initiated many of the charitable Bruce pursue his flair for fashion design. “It was Ton stage in a wide as a founder member of the Ripon Grammar successful in his writing for children, and had a activities carried out by the school and Constance Gilbey who came to my rescue. I had School Parents’ Association. Strongly supported number of poems included in anthologies and range of theatrical continued to be very involved in local Wakefield no focused idea of what I wanted to do with my by the headmaster, Brian Stanley, the Parents’ broadcast by the BBC. productions Charities during her later career. life,” he says. Association collected two petitions with throughout the thousands of signatures, and after three years David married José (née Smith) in 1958, school year. Here In 1968, Constance left RGS to be a senior tutor Constance died aged 89 in Wakefield in the High Court ruled against the local education remaining happily married until his death. He is are just a few at the Sheffield City College of Education but December 2018 also survived by his sons, Richard and Jonathan, authority. The case was to be heard by the Court of our pictorial donated funds for an RGS speech day prize - The of Appeal, but the election of the Conservative and grandchildren, Michael, Verity and David. Constance Gilbey Prize for French. Government in 1979 removed the threat, at least He died in Pannal, January 2019. highlights. for a while. Clockwise, from top left, Matilda, The Curious Incident of the Innovative physicist whose creations live on Dog in the Night- Time, Alice in hysicist Alan Fergusson was an innovative where he studied physics and was also secretary and Rock Club in the Lakes and the Austrian Wonderland and designer of a number of pioneering devices of the college rowing club. As a student, he Alpine Club. Pygmalion. Pand also created an immune supplement designed and built a device for identifying which is sold all over the world. the radiation spectrum of alpha emitters to He and wife Eleanor relocated to Northern identify compounds which subsequently became Rhodesia after they married, where he worked A boarding student at Ripon Grammar School a standard piece of equipment for Durham as head of adult education for a mining from 1945 to 1952, Alan was born on February physics students. company. They later moved to Canada, where 4, 1934. His father died 18 months after he was he spent the last 38 years of his life. born and his earliest memories are of a five-star He went on to work for a nuclear engineering hotel, which his single-parent mother managed, company and developed the first alpha gauge, After being diagnosed with cancer he began on the south coast of England. They moved capable of measuring the thickness of paper researching alternative treatments, which to the safety of Yorkshire after war broke out as it was being made in rolls 15 feet wide and led to the creation and patent of an immune and he attended Ripon Grammar School. On travelling at around 400ft per minute. supplement approved by Health Canada and leaving, he worked as an apprentice fitter- sold around the globe. turner and studied as an external student at the He was also interested in hiking, climbing and University of Westminster, eventually winning skiing - he once abseiled down the walls of The father of three died aged 84 in October an open scholarship to Durham University, Durham Castle - and was a member of the Fell 2018. 34 35 Former boarding student My career story JANET ERSKINE, who New careers left RGS in 1965, offers a fascinating insight into the life of a public service network launched interpreter f any young person is looking for a part-time, The job that gave me top-up job and they are fluent in a second language, they should look into qualifying as a public services interpreter. IHaving been taught French to A-level at Ripon Grammar School by Miss Craig and Miss Houston and after ten years in French-speaking a taste of prison life countries of Europe, I had a series of jobs before finding myself working in this interesting role.

There has been no such thing as routine in this job. Like the English writer and Puritan preacher John Bunyan, I’ve been to Bedford jail but, unlike him, I had problems getting in. I’ve been into many underground court cells and routinely locked in at a psychiatric hospital, as well as in the dogs’ compartment in the back of a police van.

The role came into being in the late 1980s, when magistrates noticed interpreting was at times inaccurate, to say the least. Apart from the fact that justice was being seen not to be done, it cost the Ministry of Justice a great deal ur Old Riponians alumni society of money in re-trials. In fact, at times children is launching an exciting new were relied upon to interpret for their family careers advice service with the members outside the courts. aim of inspiring current RGS sixth Oformers in the face of increasingly fierce The Nuffield Foundation funded a training competition in the jobs market. course in Cambridge for European languages and Mandarin in 1989. Soon after our return Old Rips are appealing for former students to England, after ten years in Switzerland and very much part-time, often at night, always For example, when a locked-up client was to become RGS careers ambassadors by France, I took the part-time evening course varied, sometimes amusing and at times very hollering from his cell “Les assassins”, the sharing their knowledge and experience in in interpreting whilst working as a teacher of stressful. The worst bit was finding out where police and I were urged not to approach even various employment sectors, covering as English as a foreign language. During the course to go in the dark ages before the days of SatNav though I’d been called out. He needed to be many different careers as possible. we compared legal systems and built up word especially sometimes at night and having to go told - by shouting at him through the door - banks which interpreted rather than translated to work in my day job as a teacher or translator that the police in England would reciprocate “The job market has become increasingly the English legal terms into those of the other the next morning good behaviour. Children on a shop-lifting competitive and the demand for places at European country. Both consecutive and spree were not uncommon and they were university is at an all-time high,” said Old simultaneous interpreting had to be practised. The varied callouts made the job interesting. always surprised when they received a TOBY Kinread (above) was one of a Rips treasurer George Owram. The first is used in interviews and the court formal caution and not just a finger wagging. number of past pupils among more than room and the latter as a running update for the Call-outs were sometimes at night, as when 50 exhibitors who came to talk to current Sporty: Janet “Internships and work experience client. We even drew up a code of practice. a suspected drink driver was taken to the students at our popular RGS Careers and was captain opportunities can be valuable, but We also had role plays with police officers so police station to be breathalysed then told duped into driving a get-away car and then, on Higher Education Fair, which was attended of athletics competition is fierce. We believe that, that they could learn how to use an interpreter he could go home but without his car and release, deported or were they cautioned by a by around 460 pupils and parents. and hockey at collectively, former students of RGS in an interview situation. The interpreter RGS. Favourite dressed in paper overalls. Once, an unhappy kindly judge? could offer a vast amount of information (not translator, please) was ideally to be only teachers include man in a car was in a dissociative fugue state Toby was representing his employers, Did that indecent exposure client who was linked to those who are starting out on their heard and not directly addressed by the service Mr Crawford and needed a meal and a new car battery. Swedish bank Handelbanken, one of 50 to a murder investigation find himself in a police careers.” worker who was to ask the questions directly of for his sense Because my husband and I were about to go exhibitors taking part. station again? Did that Biblical looking refugee the client. This meant that if ‘I’ was originally of humour and out to eat when I was called out to a lay-by find the hostel after I’d put him on the right bus He appealed to former students to used by the client, it had to be relayed back Latin teacher Mr by police, we were able to oblige with a Toby left RGS in 2013 to study International with instructions to the bemused driver? I’ll add their profiles to the new database again as ‘I’ and not ‘he/she’. Rowland. She much-needed meal. I’ve been left, against Relations at the University of St Andrews never know. outlining the career paths of past pupils: and did a summer internship with the bank, also recalls: good practice, in the company of potentially “Looking back now, what advice would The Institute of Linguists took it upon itself to “Miss Houston violent suspects but fortunately nothing ever where he now works as an account manager. The most distressing assignment I had was at devise exams for the new diploma in public introduced us to happened. you give to your younger self?” said Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, during an service interpreting (DPSI) offering legal, local direct method George. “Please remember that your Getting work experience with prospective 18-month clinical trial for a treatment for Hunter government and medical modules. Applicants learning which I On one occasion, a young solicitor asked me experience is priceless.” employers is key to getting a head start Syndrome where one of the patients, a young in your career, he told students: “Most who applied to be on the public register - which found most vivid. if I thought he should have asked any other had to be used by the courts and police from man of 21, finally died. By way of contrast, Ambassadors can choose whether they are investment and private banks recruit from Miss Holland questions in court. He had to learn that it 2000 - were vetted. An annual fee per foreign I was once obliged to interpret instructions willing for students to contact them for those who do internships and placements was an excellent wasn’t my job to enlighten him. language was and still is charged and proof of whilst a young mother-to-be was being further details by email or would rather with them. It will also give you a taste of games teacher having worked at least ten hours in the previous It was interesting finding out about the clients internally examined. No need to interpret, “I’m provide more extensive information, the job.” and gave us year is required. when I was left with them to talk. Sometimes embarrassed” with all those red faces. including hints, tips and advice about confidence to He also told students that it doesn’t matter play teams like I would see clients more than once. If you their chosen field, within their profile. Later, the government decided it wanted Some people feel that foreign nationals who which degree they choose for a career in Easingwold, start off interpreting in the police station to save money on interpreting so ordained are lucky enough to have an interpreter to keep banking: “They are keen on variety and inspiring us in 4th you become a police witness, so cannot If you are interested, please email that a private body, ignorant of languages or them constantly up-to-speed are better served in want to know more about your interests. Do year to win the interpret in a subsequent court case. I found [email protected] for futher details. interpreting, should register, organise and pay the court room than nationals, who at times can you watch the Bloomberg channel and read form hockey cup, this frustrating because I’d have liked to have Members can withdraw from the database interpreters peanuts. be equally flummoxed by our sometimes complex the Financial Times, for example?” beating even the known what finally happened to these people. at any time. Were they imprisoned in the end for being and confusing legal terms. The work was on an ad hoc basis, consequently sixth formers.” 36 37 Alumni news

Ripon Grammar School loves to welcome past Rich rewards pupils back to school. high-flying past pupil returned to his These inspirational former old school from Geneva to inspire students travelled from A current students with his story about navigating the ups and downs of life. all over the UK to give Rich Bradley, who left Ripon Grammar School in 2000, is a director of the leading global our current sixth formers consulting company Deloitte, leading their valuable advice about digital supply chain team in Switzerland, which works for some of the world’s largest university courses and brands. careers But after initially planning to study law, then changing course to take economics and ore than 40 past pupils returned French, he didn’t follow a straightforward to Ripon Grammar School to talk career path and took a year out after to current students about careers, university to travel the world. university and life after leaving school. “Life is long, many things will happen, M some of which you can control and others They included an accountant, banker, doctor, you can’t. No decision you make now is police officer, solicitor, recruitment manager, permanent and it’s about navigating the and RAF officer as well as apprentices in ups and downs of life,” was his message to engineering and food technology and one around 150 RGS sixth form students. former student enjoying a gap year.

Rich went to the University of Leeds after They were joined by those studying a range of RGS. He spent his holidays travelling the courses, from anthropology to art, chemistry, world and, continuing his love of music economics, law, medicine, philosophy, politics, developed during his time at RGS, he played theology and tropical disease biology at jazz piano in bars and restaurants to help university, who were all keen to share their fund his student life. experiences. Rovers return Alice, who wants to run her own recruitment University while working for the four-star Cedar After university he took a year out to travel, Head of sixth form Terry Fell said he was agency one day, added: “I would encourage Court Hotel as a field sales executive. then joined a large US consulting firm in extremely grateful to all those who returned students not to panic about being on the right London, moving out of the UK after a year. for this increasingly popular annual event: “Our course, because you don’t have to stay on one “I really enjoy what I am doing and, once I’ve Since then, he has been working, living and wonderful former students all had something specific route, you can change direction. had more experience in different areas of the travelling in around 80 countries, including a useful to tell our current sixth formers about industry, would like to run my own hotel one year seconded to a small non-governmental the process of making post-school decisions, “And often you don’t work out what you really day.” organisation working in sub-Saharan Africa to changing your mind, living away from home, want to do until after you leave school.” improve the lives of small-holder farmers. getting work experience, as well as handy hints Ben Widdowson, 23, works as a police constable about life at university and in the world of work Dominic Butler, 23, agreed. After two years in Harrogate after studying for a BTEC level 3 He also writes and does radio broadcasts on or employment.” studying veterinary science he decided to in uniform public services at Harrogate College: the future of technology in business. take a different route and enter the world “It’s a career I would definitely recommend,” Alice Scorer, 24, who is working in London as of hospitality, after working for an events he said. “I look back fondly on my time at RGS,” he an account manager for a recruitment company company part-time as a student: “I just loved says. after studying human biology at university, said it and realised that was what I wanted to do,” “I love the fact I’m not sitting in an office, I’m out in the fresh air and every day is different. I Current sixth former George Vivian said she had taken an unusual route. he said. enjoy helping the public and working as part of he was inspired by the talk: “Mr Bradley “During my degree, I took up a work placement After working for The Majestic Hotel in a fantastic team.” has had a very interesting life and was so in recruitment and decided that was what I Harrogate as a sales executive, he is now motivational.” wanted to do, I enjoyed it so much.” studying part-time for a degree in hospitality Ryan Turner, 18, said he would also recommend and business management at Leeds Beckett a career with the RAF. The aircraftman, who has just finished his training at RAF Halton, will be taking up his first post as a technician at RAF Cosford, near Wolverhampton, in January.

“It’s the best decision I ever made,” he said. Old friends reunited after 20 years “I’m with a team of 14 other lads, who feel like family. And I have a secure future, with wo RGS past pupils had a pleasant surprise Leisha’s Teddington team beat Catherine’s of Defence as an optical physicist before accommodation and bills taken care of.” when they unexpectedly found themselves Newcastle: “It was an amazing game, a great studying for a PhD in neuroscience at Newcastle playing on opposing teams at a prestigious experience and super to see Catherine again. University and is now working as a senior Pictured above, main photo: Ben, left, and T Ryan, right, centre front row. Above left: Alice national knock-out finals tournament in the We were both goalies at school but she played healthcare photonics scientist, developing and London Olympics hockey stadium. in defence and I am now a forward.” testing optical technologies for healthcare and Dominic. applications, including health monitoring and The pair were at school together more than 20 Leisha left RGS in 1997 to study modern treatments. *If you are interested in offering years ago. languages at Durham University. She is now help, information or advice to our regional head of operations for the England and “It is always great to connect with Ripon current students, please contact Jill Leisha Hawkins and Catherine Hossain were Wales Cricket Board. Grammar School again,” she said. Locke in our careers department at competing in the Investec England Hockey [email protected] or Masters (over 35s) national knock-out final at Catherine, who left RGS in 1996, studied Game on: far left, Leisha, left, and Terry Fell in sixth form at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre. physics at the University of Bath. She went Catherine, right. In the tunnel at the on to work all over the world for the Ministry Lee Valley Hockey Centre, right [email protected] 38 39 Reunions A blast from the past Some of the old photos the Class of 71-76/78 shared

Together again n speaking last year to two school Past pupils flew in from as far as Hong Kong and Australia to get Main photo (l-r) back row: friends - Louise Cook and Trish Kathryn Sedarati (Spooner), John O’Shea (Pat Smith) - who I had kept together with old school friends 40 years on. JACKIE COOPER Darnborough, Louis Cook, Cath in touch with, we were shocked (nee BARNBY), pictured left in Afghan coat and gown, reports Brimmil, Carolyn Dooner (White), when we realised that, in the Osummer of 2018, it would be forty years since Karen Ogden, Mark Hastings, Jackie we all left Ripon Grammar School. who is not a member of the teaching staff is a everyone was so keen to stay in touch, so much Cooper (Barnby), Carol Saunders very progressive step. so that a couple of members of the group have (Fawcett), Phil Quinn. Front row: Bill We had previously organised a 25th anniversary created a WhatsApp site (Riponians 76/78), Page, Bridget North, Helen Metcalfe I would like to say thank you to the current reunion back in 2003 at the Black Bull in the where people are posting even more stories and (Collard), Val York (Taylor), Mike sixth formers and the deputy head for taking us memories of those years, which has proved very Market Square, when the main method of trying Curry. Below, the year group at their to contact past pupils was with pen, paper, and round, and to the staff and pupils who laid on entertaining. We would encourage any more last reunion in 2003. Top right: Judge postage stamps! refreshments, which were much appreciated on from our year who wish to join to let RGS know, what was one of the hottest days of the year. and they will happily pass on your details. Paul Richmond with Val York (Taylor) Fifteen years later, with the advances in social Above: David Crompton and Phil media, word spread very quickly, and when The second part of the reunion was held at To any other year groups considering a reunion, Quinn, who flew in from Australia. one person was contacted they invariably knew Ripon Rugby Club, where it was wonderful to I would urge them to go ahead. After all, time someone else they could get in touch with. see so many people enjoying reconnecting passes faster than any of us could ever have MORE PHOTOS OVER... Consequently, the links grew, and it culminated and sharing memories on a glorious summer’s imagined... in a very successful summer reunion. We have evening. Many had brought photographs and it made links with well over half the original 117 was great fun seeing our younger selves from pupils, with the number growing all the time. more than forty years ago.

The day comprised of two parts. The first was It was remarkable that so many of our year a tour of the school and boarding houses which engaged with the project, and a special thank was a marvellous trip down memory lane. The you must be made to all those still in Ripon tours allowed us to see the further investments who worked so hard on tracing former pupils that have been made since we were there, like locally, and others who helped by phoning and the sports hall and new music block. emailing. It was very touching to see how many took the time to travel from the length and As a former boarder, I found it very poignant to breadth of the country to attend, with a special revisit Johnson House where I lived for seven mention to the two who flew in from Hong Kong years. I was greatly heartened to see that it is and Australia. That was a wonderful surprise... now four to a dormitory - not eight as it was in my day. I also feel the role of a House “parent” A lovely result of the reunion is the fact that 40 41 Reunions

Clockwise from top left: David Crompton, Linda Horseman (Bassett), Carol Abbott (Smith), Jennifer Spurgeon (Taylor), Jane Kettlewell; Jackie Cooper, Johnny Chiu; David Crompton, Mike Curry, Helen Metcalf (Collard), Carol Saunders (Fawcett), Phil Moorhouse; Simon Garside, Simon Petchey; Mike Curry, Phil Moorhouse, Jimmy Sweeney, Phil Quinn, Anthony Duncan; Bridget North, Cath Brimmel, Linda Horseman; Caroline Dooner, Julia Bowe; David Crompton, tudents from the Fifties also got together this summer, compete against current pupils in games of rugby, hockey Patricia O’Shea (Smith) and on the day England played Sweden in the quarter final of and netball, was as popular as ever. Old Rips president Derek former head boy Fred Alves the World Cup, above. Organised by Peter Ellis, who left Crookes said it was great to see so many old faces back at SRGS in 1957, the group met in a local pub at lunchtime before school: “We benefited from the best weather of that week. And Thank you to Derek Crookes arriving back at their old school. thanks to all the players, who showed that, on this occasion at and his team at Ripon Rugby least, youth can beat experience.” Club for the catering, right Our winter reunion, when former students get together to

42 43 RiponGrammarSch @RiponGrammarSch THANK you for the recent copy of the Clocktower. FEEDBACK I have just had my 92nd birthday so I may be the Your news and views oldest Old Riponian. All my four children are Old Rips. Write to the editor: [email protected] John, the second, still visits RGS and is a trustee for AS an RGS governor whose OVER the last decade or the Memorial Field, making three children have all so, entomologists, myself sure the county keeps passed through RGS, I included, have drawn paying the rent – he is a know just how the RGS attention to the drastic judge so it’s good to have a community is willing and decline in the numbers senior lawyer on the job. I able to contribute to of insect species that, in am now officially a retired worthy causes. All I am my youth, were relatively priest and rely on a walking asking for here is a little of common. Attention has stick and walking machine, your time. recently been focused on Insect crisis: Prof Simon Leather, above, is concerned otherwise I am fully fit. I the state of health of wild declines would threaten apparent reaction from gave up driving years ago I have recently undertaken nature, first by a report the stability of wild science funding bodies or but my wife Shiela (ex a ‘later-life’ career suggesting diverse insect nature. Loss of pollinators the government. Knowing matron of Johnson House) change and I’m now a populations are declining at would adversely affect about insects and their does all the driving now. postgraduate student alarming rates (Guardian, agriculture, since many ways is not a luxury; the US Tony Lodge at Durham University February 10), and now by crops depend on insects to entomologist Thomas Eisner (former housemaster of researching ‘healthy another showing that UK set seed. said “Bugs are not going School House and head of cognitive ageing’ for my pollinators are in trouble to inherit the Earth. They religious studies) PhD thesis. I’m looking (Guardian, March 27). Similar reports in each own it now.” We dispossess to recruit volunteers who There is good evidence of the last three years them at our peril. might be prepared to give that insects are declining, provoked a brief flurry up a little time to undergo and the ecological of media attention and Simon Leather a series of fairly standard consequences may be expressions of concern (RGS 1968-73) psychological tests. I’m serious. Since insects followed by deafening HarperAdams University, investigating factors underpin most non-marine silence. Most worrying Honorary Fellow of the that may protect healthy food networks, serious of all, there has been no Royal Entomological Society cognition as we get older. For this, I need to get as many willing participants I JUST wanted to thank tries, goals and runs on as I can over the coming the Old Rips and Ripon the very same field as we year. I’m particularly keen Grammar School, on behalf were standing on! to hear from people at or of the Wells family, for around retirement age, all your research into the Finally, the respect and although provided you are Wells family, and also the interest shown by all over 18, there is no age rest of the pupils who went the school was a real limit. All volunteers are to the school and then testament to Ripon welcome! onto the Western Front. Grammar School and I am sure Wilfrid and his If you think you might The service out on the brothers would have be able to help, please field was a superb tribute been very proud of Ripon contact me through the to those pupils who were Grammar School today. school or at mark.d.avery@ killed in both world wars. durham.ac.uk and I will tell My overriding memory will Thank you. you more about the project be of the thought that a n d w h a t i s i n v o l v e d . ” our grandfather and his Andrew Wells and brothers will have scored Amanda Allen Mark Avery Superb tribute: members of the Wells family

RIPON GRAMMAR SCHOOL Outstanding education and boarding

Boarding places now available at the North’s top state school Where an outstanding education comes free

Find out more about RGS boarding and selection test dates on www.ripongrammar.co.uk/boarding Contact Marita Murray on [email protected] T: 01765 602647