ripon grammar school Archives - Page 2 of 9

Ripon man with incurable cancer to walk 268 miles for Harrogate charity

A Ripon man with an incurable cancer is walking the length of the Pennine Way to raise money for Harrogate cancer care centre, Active Against Cancer.

Anthony Henson, 53, aims to raise £10,000 for the charity, which helps cancer patients maintain a level of fitness as well as supporting their mental wellbeing.

Mr Henson, an architect from the outskirts of Ripon, was rushed to intensive care at St James’s Hospital in Leeds in 2022 after collapsing suddenly. He was later diagnosed with incurable pancreatic and liver cancer.

At the end of 2022, he was given a pioneering operation and treatment which has extended his life. The operation was successful, but he the had to go through eight months of radiation therapy.

The treatment began last July and involves being injected with radiation, spending 24 hours in a lead-lined room and being checked with a Geiger counter to see if he can go home. The medication is flown in from Italy with Mr Henson saying, “it’s all a bit James Bond”.

He then has to isolate at home for two weeks until the radiation has diminished enough for him not to be harmful. This is repeated every two months meaning he is in isolation for eight weeks. He had his last treatment in January and has his final blood test next week.

During this isolation he began to walk the Pennine Way, which is 431 kilometres (268 miles) virtually in his garden, as well as taking walks along the way with friends and family when not isolating. His wife Fiona Henson, a teacher at Ripon Grammar School and their two children will support him on his virtual journey.

Mr Henson said:

“At first I was drained and just was trying to do up to two miles a day, your body takes such a pummelling but I have been fortunate in that I have had no pain, I just had sickness from the treatment. I started because I couldn’t go out and it kept me fit and I wanted to give something back to the phenomenal service.

“We have had amazing support. An incurable diagnosis is horrific for any family but the staff at Action Against Cancer, Macmillan’s and St James’s have done an amazing job keeping me alive I can never thank them enough. Active Against Cancer have kept up my physical and mental well-being for the past eight months and helped me live as normal a life as possible.

“Without them I would not have been able to deal with the treatments I have received and would not be able to continue to move forward, they have been a key part in keeping me alive and positive. I am therefore aiming to raise £10,000 to help support them so that they can help provide this vital service to those with cancer.”

Mr Henson is nearing the end of his challenge and has already raised over £8,000 of his £10,000 target.

To follow his journey or donate click here.

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Looking Back: King’s coronation was a royal affair in the Harrogate district

King Charles III celebrated his coronation this year – and the Harrogate district certainly celebrated with him.

From street parties and parades to afternoon tea and live music, people went all out to mark the new king in May.

See our gallery below to look back on the royal celebrations near you.

Harrogate

Over the three-day weekend, Harrogate saw a range of celebratory events.

People gathered for an afternoon tea at the Oatlands Community Centre, others watched a livestream on the big screen in the Valley Gardens.

Local businesses also showed their colours — and some four-legged friends even waved the flag for the day.

Afternoon tea at Oatlands Community Centre.

The Valley Gardens was also looking patriotic for the occasion.

People watched a livestream in the Valley Gardens.

West Park in Harrogate has changed its signage for the coronation

Local businesses got into the royal spirit.

Betsy got coronation ready too!

Ripon

Ripon kicked off the royal celebrations with a live performance from Complete Madness in the Market Square.

Services in the cathedral and street parties followed, and surrounding villages gathered to mark the occasion too.

Former Ripon Grammar School student, 72-year-old Bruce Oldfield, even designed Queen Camilla’s coronation dress.

Fountains Abbey was lit up in honour of the King.

Floral displays created by the Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club.

Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Ms Jo Ropner and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson.

Complete Madness kicking off the celebrations.

Residents of Carr Close threw a street party.

Around 100 people partied on the street.

Masham and Kirkby Malzeard

Masham and Kirkby Malzeard residents came out in their droves to celebrate the royal event.

There was a car rally, a float parade, BBQs, maypole dancing and more.

Masham had a float parade.

Maypole dancing in Kirkby Malzeard.

Vintage cars also rallied as part of the parade.

Knaresborough

Knaresborough House held a livestream of the coronation service, as well as a Coronation Concert over the weekend.

The concert, which was held at Knaresborough Castle, celebrated at music through time and people smiled as the sun shone down.

Livestream at Knaresborough House.

Hundreds gathered for the Coronation Concert.

Knitting Pretty and Number Thirteen in Knaresborough are decorated for the coronation

Knitting Pretty and Number Thirteen in Knaresborough were decorated for the coronation.

Ripon Grammar School teacher Helen Mackenzie retires after 18 years

A Ripon Grammar School PE teacher will retire after 18 years in post tomorrow.

Helen Mackenzie began working at the school in 2006. She was director of sport for all Ripon schools, including the former Ripon College (now Outwood Academy), as well as 19 other primary schools surrounding the city.

However, after going part-time and focussing her efforts solely on Ripon Grammar 10 years ago, she said “the time has come” to retire and spend more time with her husband.

Ms Mackenzie, who is an England Netball level 3 coach, has taught a wide range of sports at Ripon Grammar, where she was formerly a pupil until 1986. These include netball, badminton, swimming, gymnastics, football, basketball, dance and aerobics – and that’s all in one day.

Asked about her favourite memory during her time as a teacher, Ms Mackenzie she had “far too many” to mention. But she did recount leading the netball team to qualify for the national school’s netball competition in 2015, where the girls placed fourth in the country:

“At the finals in Chester, I was checking the scoreboards and I overheard someone say ‘Ripon Grammar are the dark horses of this competition’ and I nearly burst with pride.

“In the end – having drawn with Millfield, a school with more PE staff than we have actual staff, we made the third/fourth play-off, coming fourth in the country and the highest-placed state school throughout the whole competition.”

Ms Mackenzie has “never been an elitist”, she added, and said her main priority is pupils enjoying being physically active.

“Once, when I was demonstrating a long fly over the vaulting horse, a boy said to me, ‘I never thought anybody as old as you would be that good at gym.’ A backhanded compliment, but when he then had a go himself, he said ‘did you see me miss? I flew!”

“I was buzzing for the rest of the day.”

Ms Mackenzie was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. She said one pupil’s comment helper her mental health “no end” during the “worst time of her life”:

“It was touch and go for a while but when I pulled through the worst of the treatment and returned to school, a little boy said, ‘oh miss, your eyes have turned back on!’”

What’s next?

Ms Mackenzie’s life shows little sign of slowing down in semi-retirement.

She is also a deputy housemistress of the girls’ boarding house at Ripon Grammar School, which she will continue to do after stepping down as a teacher.

Ms Mackenzie said:

“Fortunately, I will still be around as will be continuing my boarding role, but RGS is in my blood.

“I came here as a student, my children came here, I’ve worked here.

“If you cut me through the middle, Ripon Grammar School will be stamped through me like a stick of rock.”

She won the British Citizen Award for outstanding work tackling food poverty, through her charity, and encouraging sport in 2021. The same year she won the Stray Ferret community awards Harry’s Heroes for her work helping disadvantaged families.

Back to Basics, which was founded in 2019, provides free ingredients and guidance for a cheap and nutritious meal to those in need.

Ms Mackenzie, whose mother Sylvia Grice died this year, said she hopes to invest more time into the initiative following retirement.

She also runs Ripon City Netball Club – which she set up 10 years ago – as well as Ripon Swimming Academy. She said:

“I intend to get fit — well fitter than I am now! — and enjoy spending time with my husband, John — not sure he will enjoy it that much!

“I also plan to volunteer in my teacher daughter Laura’s primary school, Kirkby Malzeard, to get my PE fix. I also love reading and never have time, so reading and crossword puzzles will also fill my day.”

Ms Mackenzie’s final day at Ripon Grammar School will be tomorrow.

“I will miss the very essence of the place, the beauty of the grounds, the buildings, the fabulous pool, which is my favourite place, and, above all else, I will miss the kids.

“What amazing people they all are – I adore them and have loved working with them.”

‘Remarkable’ and ‘inspirational’ Ripon woman Sylvia Grice dies

One of Ripon’s most remarkable and best-loved residents has died at the age of 90.

Sylvia Grice taught an estimated 250,000 people to swim, including Olympic diving champion Jack Laugher, over the space of 50 years.

She died yesterday — three months after celebrating her 90th birthday.

Sylvia, who lived in Littlethorpe, devoted much of her life to teaching people to swim in a city that has three rivers and a canal. She was awarded an MBE in 2010 and given the Freedom of the City of Ripon in 2019.

Daughter Helen Mackenzie announced the news on social media this morning. She said:

“While we are thrilled she is now at peace, we are distraught at the thought of life without her. Rest in peace Dame Sylvia – you were loved by many and will be missed by all.”

Sylvia with Olympic champion diver Jack Laugher.

Hundreds of tributes have already been paid on social media — many by people Sylvia taught to swim.

The messages included “such an amazing and inspirational lady who will be missed”, “Sylvia was a remarkable lady, she was respected by everyone who knew her”, “One of the most incredible and impactful woman I have ever had the joy to meet” and simply “What a Ripon legend”.

A life helping others

Speaking to the Stray Ferret at her mum’s 90th birthday party, Helen said Sylvia broke her leg at the age of three and was in traction in hospital until she was eight.

She added:

“She learnt to swim when she was 15 and married my dad, Jim, the love of her life, when she was 20.

“When my sister Alison and I came along she regularly took us to swim at Ripon’s Spa Baths and caught the eye of the manager Fred Windsor.

“He encouraged her to become a qualified swimming teacher and over the years she went through all of the grades to become an Amateur Swimming Association tutor and then a Fellow of the Institute of Swimming Teachers.”

Sylvia used her qualifications to help people of all ages and abilities, from toddlers having their first visit to the pool to her mother-in-law Florrie, who learnt to swim when she was 58.

She taught people to swim at Ripon Grammar School and at Ashville College in Harrogate, where she set up Triton Swimmers and away from her busy teaching schedule, found time to run the Spa Gardens cafe, be an active member of Ripon Lions and raise money for numerous charitable causes.

Ripon man to run four ultra-marathons in memory of father

A Ripon man will run 224 kilometres in November in memory of his father.

Former Ripon Grammar School pupil Harry Cleary, 25, will aim to complete four ultra-marathons, which are each 56km.

The first three will be in London and the fourth and final leg will begin in Ilkley and end inside Elland Road Stadium — which he described as “a lifelong dream for a Leeds United fan”.

Mr Cleary’s father died this year after a long-term struggle with alcoholism and mental health.

Harry said:

“As a young man, watching the male figurehead in your life pass away as a shell of the man he once was, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m determined that won’t happen to me.

“My dad was a very proud man who struggled to accept and discuss his emotions, and instead, leaned on the vices of life.

“The distance represents the 56 years of my dad’s turbulent, but incredibly impactful life.”

Harry Cleary, pictured at the front, taking part in a race.

Following his father’s death, Mr Cleary took up running as a coping mechanism and found it has been “invaluable” to his own mental health.

“As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for several years, I have sought these physical outlets as healthy coping mechanisms.

“I want to show men the importance of talking and asking for help if they need it.”

He is raising money for men’s mental health charity Movember and has set a target of £5,000.

The charity hosts an annual event which involves growing a moustache for the month of November. It aims to raise awareness and de-stigmatise male health issues, including suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

It won’t be the first time Mr Cleary has punished his body for the charity. Over the last three years, he has walked from the Scottish border to Newcastle in 32 hours and walked the 140km-length of Hadrian’s Wall — both on no sleep.

He added:

“I think about my dad every day, and I hope he’ll be looking down with pride as I complete these ultra-marathons to stop men like him dying far too young.

“I know I’ll be completing all my ultra-marathons with my dad.

“We’re marching on together, dad.”

Mr Cleary’s London runs will take place on Saturday, November 4, 11 and 18, and his Yorkshire leg will be on Sunday, November 26.

He told the Stray Ferret anyone is welcome to run with him and those interested should contact him on Facebook.

Young Pateley triathlete brothers inspired by Yorkshire Olympians

Two young brothers from Nidderdale are following in the footsteps of their sporting heroes, who have sent them words of encouragement.

Angus and Alfie Millar received hand-written letters from the Brownlee brothers, along with treasured items of their sporting kit, after writing to the famous pair.

The Yorkshire-born Brownlee brothers rank among Britain’s greatest living athletes. Alistair Brownlee won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, and younger brother Jonathan Brownlee won gold in the mixed relay at the 2020 Olympics and is a six-time world triathlon champion.

Inspired by their success, Ripon Grammar School pupils Angus, 13, and Alfie, 12, are representing their county in triathlon, with ambitions to go further.

Having taken up the endurance multisport six years ago, both were selected for the Yorkshire team in national championships, held at Mallory Park in Leicestershire, after beating off stiff competition from throughout the county.

In the finals, where their county came ninth overall, they were up against the best young athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands. Angus has since been selected for the Yorkshire Talent Squad, following challenging trials, and won bronze at the recent national schools fell-running championships.

Young Nidderdale triathlete Angus Millar competing in a fell-running race.

Angus Millar during a fell-running race.

The boys live near Pateley Bridge, about 20 miles from Bramhope, Leeds, where the Brownlees were born.

In his response to the boys’ fan letter, Alistair Brownlee wrote:

“We started when we were the same age as you are now. We are both thrilled that we are an inspiration. Keep up the training and hopefully we will meet at a race one day!”

Angus said they were also delighted to receive a signed swim cap and photo, along with a World Series tri-suit. He said:

“The Brownlee brothers are a big inspiration. We love watching them race.”

Alfie, who fits in his triathlon training at 6.30am before school and at weekends, said he was inspired by their story:

“Even at the age of 12, Jonny came last at his cross country and started to train even more until he improved greatly and got really good.”

Having been placed third in several Yorkshire triathlons, Angus said:

“Triathlon is my main sport and I devote lots of time to it and love to train. I did lots of training for the latest race, where the level was very high.

“I would love to compete in other big races around the country and it would be nice to keep doing triathlon at a high level.”

Only one Harrogate district secondary school rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted

The publication of Boroughbridge High School’s Ofsted report this week means all local state schools have now had recent assessments.

The government schools’ inspector’s stricter regime means the ratings for local schools have been mixed since the pandemic.

Only one is rated ‘outstanding’ but four are graded as ‘good’.

Three others received ‘requires improvement’ assessments, which is the third highest score. None are rated ‘inadequate’ – the lowest of the four options.

Here’s how each one fared in its latest inspection.

Boroughbridge High School – requires improvement

This week Boroughbridge High School was rated ‘requires improvement’ in a report published by Ofsted.

The school was previously rated ‘good’.

The inspectors noted:

“Not all teachers have high enough expectations of pupils’ behaviour and do not routinely challenge low-level disruption in classrooms.

“Although many pupils feel safe in school, some do not. Some pupils in lower year groups say they are worried or concerned about the behaviour and conduct of some older pupils.”

The report added school behaviour is “not always calm and orderly”.

Despite this, the school, which is now part of a federation with King James’s School in Knaresborough, was assessed as ‘good’ for its quality of education and personal development.

Harrogate High School – requires improvement

Harrogate High School was also downgraded to a ‘requires improvement’ rating from ‘good’ when it was assessed in June this year.

The school, which is part of the Northern Star Academies Trust, has seen a decline in the quality of education and older pupils in particular do not achieve well in exams, according to an inspector.

The report said some students with bad attitudes were “not challenged quickly enough” and some truant pupils were “disrespectful to staff and cause disruption.”

It added:

“Teachers do not consistently check if pupils know or understand what has been taught. As a result, misconceptions are not always identified and addressed.”

The inspector did note, however, the new school leaders understood the problems and the actions “have secured improvements in the quality of education.”

Headteacher Sukhraj Gill responded to the report:

“This is an exciting time for Harrogate High School. Inspectors have recognised the improvements we have already made and confirmed that we are on the right track to make Harrogate High a great school. We have achieved a great deal at Harrogate High School – with a lot more to do.

“We will continue our relentless drive to make Harrogate High the best school it can be for all the young people that we educate.”

Ripon Grammar School – good

After 11 years of holding an ‘outstanding’ status, Ripon Grammar School was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in April.

The personal development and sixth form provision remained ‘outstanding’, according to the report, but “a very small minority of staff do not speak to pupils in an appropriately encouraging manner” – which was a contributing factor to the downgrade.

It added the behaviour policy “is not always consistently applied” and “behaviour is weaker in a small minority of classrooms, particularly where a substitute teaching is leading the lesson.”

Despite this, the inspector said:

“Across the school, and particularly in the sixth form, teachers challenge pupils and students to stretch themselves academically and to take risks in their learning.

“Pupils benefit from the broad range of provision offered by clubs and societies, for example, in science, the arts, humanities and sport. Pupils are eager to seize the extensive opportunities presented to them.”

Pupils and students “achieve very highly in the GCSE and A Level examinations”, it also noted.

A letter to parents signed by headteacher Jonathan Webb and chair of governors Elizabeth Jarvis, said:

“Overall, we are pleased with the headline conclusions that RGS is a school which offers students a culture of high expectations, an ambitious curriculum, high academic achievement, strong teaching, outstanding opportunities for personal development and strong community-based relations, as well as effective and secure safeguarding.

King James’s School – good

King James’s School in Knaresborough retained its ‘good’ rating following an inspection of a good school report by Ofsted.

The report, which was published in March, said the school had a “caring environment where pupils learn well” with a “strong focus on ensuring that everyone feels welcome.”

The inspector added the “vast majority of pupils are keen and engage confidently in their learning” and bullying is “rare”.

Despite the praise, the report also said King James’s provides “insufficient opportunities for pupils to engage meaningfully with the world of work” and “pupils who struggle with reading do not receive effect interventions routinely”.

Schools graded ‘good’ are usually visited once every four years to confirm its status – a process known as an ungraded inspection.

Saint John Fisher Catholic Academy – good

Harrogate’s Saint John Fisher Catholic Academy was also rated ‘good’ following a report published in February.

It was the first inspection since it was converted into an academy in 2021.

All areas received a ‘good’ status, and the inspectors praised the “rich set of extra-curricular opportunities”.

The report said:

“[Pupils] leave well-equipped for their next step in education, employment or training.”

However, the inspectors did add “a small but significant minority of parents do not feel that communication between school and home is effective.”

St John Fisher school

Rossett School – requires improvement

Rossett School in Harrogate still ‘requires improvement’ according to the inspectors for the second time in four years.

The report, which was released in January, said high staff turnover, disruptive pupils and extremely high absence rates in disadvantaged students were all among concerns highlighted.

It said:

“Most pupils who communicated with inspectors feel safe at school, but the conduct of the minority makes some pupils feel unsafe at times.

“Some pupils’ conduct out of lessons is variable, with overly boisterous behaviour. Some pupils ignore staff requests and instructions.

“Some staff do not apply the school’s behaviour policy consistently. A minority of pupils are regularly late to lessons, or have to be rounded up by leaders and escorted to class.”

However, the school, which is part of the Red Kite Alliance, was described as “warm, friendly and welcoming.”

The report added:

“Leaders, governors and staff are deeply committed to the pupils who attend the school. A strong determination to be inclusive and supportive permeates the school.”

The school was rated ‘good’ for quality of education, personal development and sixth-form provision and ‘requires improvement’ for behaviour and attitude, and leadership and management.

John Hesketh, chair of governors, said the school was “incredibly disappointed” by the report.

St. Aidan’s Church of England High School – good

St. Aidan’s School received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted in July last year – just six months after being rated ‘inadequate’.

Prior to the ‘inadequate’ grading – the lowest of the four Ofsted grades – the Harrogate school was declared ‘outstanding’.

Usually, an ‘inadequate’ school has to wait up to three years before another full inspection, however after the first routine monitoring visit, inspectors felt the rating was “not a fair reflection of the school”.

As a result, the inspection was revised.

The most recent report found the school to be “a happy school with a positive and nurturing environment where pupils flourish”.

It added the sixth form was ‘outstanding’ and pupils “demonstrate a real love of learning”.

The report said:

“Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They bring their subject to life for pupils with the clarity of their explanations and richness of examples. Pupils are captivated in lessons and are keen to answer the questions that teachers ask.”

Chair of governors, Jo Wicks, said:

“We are truly delighted that we can end the year so positively and hope that we can build on the recent success when Ofsted next visit us to secure an outstanding judgement overall.”

Nidderdale High School – good

Ofsted said “Nidderdale High School continues to be a good school” in a report published in March.

Like King James’s, it was only a short inspection due to its previous ‘good’ rating, but the inspectors praised the school for its ethos and “high ambitions”.

The report said:

“There is a full personal development programme in place for pupils. This has a clear focus on important issues such as careers education, personal safety and relationships, sex and health education.

“Morale among staff is high. They feel valued by members of the leadership team, who are mindful of their workload. All staff who responded to the staff survey said that they were proud to work at the school.”

It did also cite areas of improvement and said “where behaviour is not as strong in some lessons, learning activities are not as challenging as they could be”.

Headteacher Kath Jordan responded:

“We were delighted to see the importance of strong relationships highlighted through our emphasis on ready, respectful and safe.

“The new inspection framework places great emphasis on curriculum development and we were very pleased that the school’s ‘high ambitions’ were recognised and that our ability to provide a ‘wide curriculum offer’ is also noted.”

The school became part of the Red Kite Alliance in August.

Harrogate Grammar School – outstanding

Harrogate Grammar School is the only Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ school in the district following a report published in March last year.

It retained the status from its last inspection 15 years prior.

Inspectors described the school, which also a member of the Red Kite Learning Trust, as “an extremely rewarding place to learn” with “an exceptional curriculum”. They added:

“Effective teaching and assessment enable pupils to learn well. This depth of knowledge is sustained from key stage 3 to the sixth form.

“Through sports, outdoor pursuits and performance opportunities, pupils develop their skills and self-confidence. Pupils are articulate and polite. They are keen to engage in discussion and debate. Teachers make sure that pupils’ views are heard.”

The report also said “the headteacher has built a very strong team of leaders at all levels.”

Headteacher Neil Renton responded to the report:

“It makes us very proud to see the exceptional commitment that we experience every day from our community, being recognised in this way.”

Students collect A-level results at Harrogate district schools

Hundreds of students across the Harrogate district have collected their A-level results this week.

The teenagers, whose education was severely disrupted by covid as they prepared for their GCSEs, are now preparing for the first steps in their careers, via further education or work.

Nationally, the number of the top A* and A grades have dropped after rising in the pandemic. However, 79% of students in the UK still got into their first choice of university.

At Rossett School this year, 38% of grades were A* to B, and 21% A* or A, while there was a 100% pass rate in BTEC subjects. of which 78% were graded ‘merit’ or above.

Newly-appointed headteacher Tim Milburn said:

“We’re seeing similar results to those of 2019, which reflects the national picture and is remarkable given what these students have faced over the last three-and-a-half years.

“We are so proud of all our students today. They have shown resilience and versatility in navigating the challenges of the last few years, and their fantastic results are thoroughly deserved.”

Among the outstanding individual results was Kenneth Burt achieved two A*s and two As in physics AS level.

Beth Cannings will use her three As and an A in the extended project qualification to study medicine at Lancaster University..

And Jamie Tucker is set to read biochemistry at Birmingham University after achieving an A* and two As.

Amy Beardmore, Beth Cannings and Jamie Tucker collect their A level results from Rossett School

Harrogate Ladies’ College today celebrated an increase in its top grades compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The percentage of A* and A grades was 41%, an increase of more than 17% compared to 2019.

More than half of the A* grades were in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

In five subjects, including further maths, students acheve a clean sweep of grades at A* to B.

Elsewhere, 75% of French grades were A*, 85* of geography grades were B or above, and in creative arts, 90% were A*-B.

Sylvia Brett, principal of Harrogate Ladies’ College, said:

“These are an exceptionally good set of results across a huge range of subjects and the class of 2023 should be so proud of everything they have achieved.

“They have shown a huge appetite for hard work and incredible resilience. It’s very rewarding to see them propelled into the next exciting stage of their lives.

“Today is about celebrating their personal achievements – however big or small. We have watched with pleasure as these incredible young women have fulfilled their potential in an inspiring and supportive environment.“

Among the high achievers was Sophie McHugh, who achieved an A* and three As, securing her place to study engineering at Durham University.

Eve Brasher’s A* and two As will see her go on to study law at the Newcastle University.

Exeter University is the chosen destination for Lucy Thomson, who also secured an A* and two As, and she will study international relations.

And Ukrainian twins who were separated from their family thanks to the war have gone on to achieve top grades, as reported earlier today by the Stray Ferret.

Ripon Grammar School, meanwhile, was celebrating after 82.5% of results for its 149 students were at A*-B.

That figure matches last year’s total, despite grades declining nationally, and there were a total of 98 A* grades across the year group.

Four students achieved four A* grades apiece, while Ben Statham was the top-performing pupil with five A*s.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said:

“While the national figure for A*-A has fallen from 45% to 27%, RGS has maintained its high percentage of A*-A grades, which I think reflects the integrity of our procedures in previous years.”

At King James’s School in Knaresborough, 120 students collected their results, though the school has not published details of the grades achieved across the year group.

The school said 93% secured a place at university and the proportion getting their first choice was “in line with 2019”, with “only a handful” were waiting for places through the clearing process.

Harrogate Grammar School has not released details of its results, but said in a statement the current students “faced the pressure of taking formal exams for the very first time” after having GCSEs cancelled in 2021.

The school said 81% of students applied to university and 70% of those had achieved their first choice, with 91% getting a place somewhere.

St Aidan’s and St john Fisher Associated Sixth Form said around 90% of students had secured a place at their first or second choice university.

The sixth form has not published details of its results, but said in a statement they were “in line” with those achieved in 2019.

Littlethorpe’s legendary swimming teacher celebrates 90th birthday

Family and friends gathered in Littlethorpe at the weekend to celebrate the 90th birthday of one of the Ripon area’s most inspirational women.

Over 50 years, Sylvia Grice taught an estimated 250,000 people to swim, including Olympic diving champion Jack Laugher, who won gold and silver medals at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro and bronze at Tokyo 2020.

Her lifelong devotion to teaching a much-needed skill in a city with three rivers and a canal, earned her an MBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours and Freedom of the City of Ripon in 2019, but that’s just part of her remarkable story.

Sylvia Grice, pictured with Jack Laugher after his medal-winning success at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.

Daughter Helen Mackenzie, herself an accomplished swimmer and swimming teacher, told the Stray Ferret:

“Mum suffered a broken leg when she was three and was in hospital in traction up until the age of eight, but she didn’t let that hold her back.

“She learnt to swim when she was 15 and married my dad, Jim, the love of her life, when she was 20.

“When my sister Alison and I came along she regularly took us to swim at Ripon’s Spa Baths and caught the eye of the manager Fred Windsor.

“He encouraged her to become a qualified swimming teacher and over the years she went through all of the grades to become an Amateur Swimming Association tutor and then a Fellow of the Institute of Swimming Teachers.”

Sylvia used her qualifications to help people of all ages and abilities, from toddlers having their first visit to the pool to her mother-in-law Florrie, who learnt to swim when she was 58.

Ripon Co-op reopens with fresh look and new facilities

A Co-op in Ripon has re-opened with a new look and food and drink facilities after a lengthy refurbishment.

The store on Clotherholme Road, which includes a post office, now serves coffee, ice-cream and hot snacks to take away.

The Co-op is popular with pupils from nearby Ripon Grammar School and Outwood Academy Ripon.

It is run by Southern Co-op, which operates about 200 Co-ops as well as other convenience stores and funeral homes.

The company said in a statement:

“The store was closed for three weeks in order to have a full refurbishment as it was looking a little dated.

“The store now has a completely new look featuring energy-saving refrigeration and LED lighting throughout to help use less energy. The post office remains offering the same services as before.

“The store continues to stock a delicious range of Co-op products. There is also an improved range of food and drink to go including coffee, ice-cream and hot food.”