Ripon Grammar School has been named the top grammar school in the north of England.

The school, which was founded in 1555, received the accolade from Corporate Vision magazine’s national awards.

The awards highlight educators who are considered to be leaders in their field.

Chloe Smart, education and training awards coordinator at Corporate Vision, said:

“Skills, personality, outlook, ethos, drive, hobbies and ambition, are all rooted in early life.

“The role of an educator is utterly fundamental to the fabric of our society.”

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The Corporate Vision education and training awards were open to organisations including boarding schools, independent schools, early education organisations, adult education institutions, training centres, vocational schools and grammar schools.

Ms Smart said:

“The education and training awards were launched to spotlight the paragons of education and training and we have endeavoured to showcase those that have truly come to define the sector they work in.”

Students across the Harrogate district have been celebrating their GCSE results after the challenges they faced this year.

Year 11 students received their results by email, marking their achievements in similarly subdued style to the way the year ended.

Having not sat exams, the grades awarded were based on centre assessments. So far, there has been much less controversy over the results than last week, which saw more than a third of centre-assessed results in the Harrogate district downgraded by the government’s algorithm.

The process has since been reversed and assessed grades reinstated – but it has left many students still uncertain over their university places.

GCSE results from each school will be published below when released by schools across the Harrogate district.

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Ashville College

Two students achieved grade 9s across the board at Ashville College, as 25% of all students gained the top grades of 7s, 8s and 9s in all their results.

Three of those pupils were new to Ashville last September and have made significant progress since – despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The school described the pupils’ engagement with online lessons as ‘remarkable’. Acting head Elspeth Fisher said:

“Our Year 11 pupils have faced a challenging year with lockdown and a lack of opportunity to demonstrate their hard work over the preceding two years.

“We were therefore delighted that centre-assessed grades would be the basis of the grades awarded for GCSE pupils.

“We are very pleased with the commitment our pupils have demonstrated to their GCSE studies and also towards the transition lessons they have recently attended in preparation for A Level and BTEC courses and we look forward to welcoming them back in September.”

Harrogate Grammar School

Harrogate Grammar School has not published details of its students’ grades. Headteacher Neil Renton said:

“We are very pleased with the outcomes our students have achieved this year.  The outcomes reflect the high standards that we typically achieve along with our continued emphasis on providing a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting the differing needs, aspirations and interests of our learners.

“We are very proud of our year 11 students who embraced all the opportunities that the school offered them, not only in a broad curriculum in areas such as science, maths, languages, humanities and the arts, but also the wide range of extra-curricular activities such as sport, music and charities. We admire them for their commitment, sustained effort and for achieving their own excellence.”

Nidderdale High School

Students at Nidderdale High School received their GCSE results this week – though those who studied for BTECs are still awaiting results.

As well as traditional subjects, students were able to gain skills in other areas, including working alongside professional crafters at Number 6 Studio in Pateley Bridge in order to gain a GCSE in art, craft and design.

The school has not released statistics for the grades achieved by this year’s students.

Headteacher Kath Jordan said:

“Our Year 11 students are very much more than the grades they have achieved this year. Many of this talented year group have been involved in student leadership, charity fund raising, sport, music and drama extra curricular activities. They have been excellent role models for our younger students.

T”he grades our students have received today are a result of their hard work and commitment, the excellent support of their parents and other family members. They are also the product of the skill, expertise and professionalism of their teachers and other support staff.

“We wish our students all the very best of Team Nidderdale luck and success as they move onto Sixth Forms, Colleges and Apprenticeships.”

Outwood Academy Ripon

The schools is celebrating after 77.3% of students achieved a grade 4 or higher in both English and maths, along with 68% of combined science students achieving two grade 4s or higher.

Student Ryan Chandler was among the high achievers, gaining six grade 9s and two 8s. The school congratulated all those who are now able to move on to the next phase of their education and careers.

A spokesman for Outwood Academy Ripon said:

“It is wonderful to finally congratulate our students for the many fantastic outcomes of their hard work. This year 11 cohort have had to contend with some significant challenges and have done so admirably and without any loss of enthusiasm.

“Although they have missed seminal moments at the end of their final year with us we have no doubt that they will be successful in the next steps they take in education and employment.”

Ripon Grammar School

A total of 97.6% of grades awarded to the 131 students were 9-5s (equivalent to A*-B in the previous ratings system) and 67.7% were 9-7s (A*-A).

Seven students achieved 10 or more grade 9s, Lucy Cox, from Ripon, gained 11 grade 9s and an 8, while Eleanor Chaplin from Boorughbridge, Eloise Hopkings from Ripon and Sophie Pointon from Thirsk all achieved 11 grade 9s.

Chloe Stringwell, from Ripon, and Bertie Wood, from Brafferton, were both awarded ten grade 9s and two grade 8s. Bertie, an aspiring lawyer and keen sportsman, will return to RGS in September to study chemistry, history, maths and economics or business studies.

He will be joined by Henrietta Jarvis, from Roecliffe, whose eight 9s and three 8s have helped her take the first step towards a career as a vet.

Joel Wilson, meanwhile, will study A levels in psychology, history, English literature and chemistry as he pursues a career as a barrister. Already an accomplished fencer, he said his biggest challenge over the last two years has been balancing the sport with his academic studies.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said:

“Without the opportunity of an examination, our departments worked hard to award grades which we believe were fair, valid and as accurate as possible in the situation.

“Consequently, I am extremely encouraged by our results today and am really looking forward to welcoming our new sixth formers back to school in September.”

Despite the disruption to the academic year caused by the covid 19 pandemic, the future is looking bright for Ripon Grammar School students celebrating outstanding A-level performances.

With 79% of grades awarded at A* to B, and more than half of all grades at A* or A, most students have secured their first or second choice of university on a diverse range of courses, from aeronautical engineering to fashion, medicine and philosophy.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said:

“Results days are days of joy and celebration as examination results open up new pathways in life and new institutions of learning.

“While today has inevitably been like no other with grades awarded without examinations being sat, the achievements of students at RGS are real, valid and worthy of huge celebration.”

Eight students achieved a clean sweep of A*s with top performers Phoebe Hall and Tabitha Milton awarded four A*s in addition to an A* in their extended project qualifications, worth half an A-level.

Mr Webb emphasised that, while the school’s results had been adjusted down slightly, as they have been nationally, they remain, overall, consistent with previous years:

“I am delighted to say our results are as good as ever and the students, and staff who have supported them, are to be congratulated on another tremendous performance.

“Grades were rigorously assessed and awarded by teachers at RGS and then mathematically adjusted by Ofqual to reflect, it is hoped, the historic trends achieved by the school.”

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While there have been impressive performances across the board, with more than 20% of grades awarded at A*, Mr Webb stressed:

“We must focus on the process of learning as much as the end result, however arrived at. School is about learning, exploring new avenues and making real life choices. I am sure the lessons learnt will mean very bright futures for our leavers of 2020.”

The majority of the school’s 142 A-level students have secured places at Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge:

He added that the school’s sixth form team was working hard to support those students facing the process of clearing, contemplating gap years or seeking to adjust their offers upward:

“Inevitably amongst the many successes there are some who may be disappointed with how the process has worked for them. We will be guiding and supporting them and wish them all the best in their search.”

The school’s overall pass rate is 99.1%, with a total of 106 grades at A* and 147 at grade A.

A Ripon student literally has ambitions that are out of this world, as she plans to study aerospace engineering at the University of Manchester.

Layla Osman, from Ripon, wants to be an astronaut, but first hopes to become an RAF pilot before going into space.

The 17-year-old, who took maths, physics and chemistry A Levels at Ripon Grammar School, said:

“I have wanted to do this for a few years now due to my passion for maths and physics and love for space. The thought of being able to be even a small part of exploring it excites me tremendously. To become an astronaut is my dream job.”

Layla Osman, who has ambitions to be an astronaut

The school’s upper sixth form students, whose school lives came to an abrupt end in March, have secured offers and internships from a range of universities, art colleges, employers and voluntary organisations

A total of 167 have applied to university this year, alongside a significant number planning to take a year out, gaining industry insight and life experience.

Around 70 per cent of students plan to take up places at Russell Group universities – despite most universities planning to run their first terms online – with seven receiving Oxbridge offers, nine having offers to study medicine and one for veterinary medicine.

Head of sixth form Terry Fell said:

“These are among the most challenging applications students can put themselves through, and the most demanding of universities, and their success reflects a very bright year group indeed.”

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He added:

“But our students and staff are very clear that there is so much more depth and success to be celebrated in this year group than just these simple headline figures.”

The unique year group is setting off on a wide range of paths, with some pursuing their art and others gaining internships and undergraduate placements in industry. A number are looking forward to setting off on adventurous expeditions and volunteering projects, with two students choosing to study abroad, in New Zealand and the US.

Jack Ibbotson, 17, from Burton Leonard, who studied economics, history and geography at A-level, will be starting a deck officer cadetship, sponsored by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines at Glasgow College, where he will take a degree in nautical sciences and marine operations. He said:

“This is something I have always wanted to do, and it is a fantastic opportunity to travel the world for a living,”

The Prince’s Trust Coronavirus Support Hub for young people is to receive £2,705, after Ripon Grammar School Student Araminta Praud, organised a charity Colour Dash at the school.

With competitors coated in the colours of the rainbow at the end of the event, those taking part were reminded that there is continuing hope that COVID-19 will eventually be conquered.

Araminta, who lives in Boroughbridge, anticipated that the Colour Dash would raise £1,000, but with support from students, families and teachers within the school community, almost tripled that amount.

The final total of money raised from the event, which was staged in the Ripon Grammar grounds the day before the government brought in restrictions on mass gatherings, has now been calculated and 18-year-old Araminta told The Stray Ferret:

“My aim was to raise £1,000 and I didn’t expect to raise this much. In these testing times, I know the money is going to a great cause. The Prince’s Trust is helping young people with the new Coronavirus Support Hub, as well as continuing to provide opportunities through other programmes for those aged 11 to 30.”

Araminta (pictured above) who has worked with the Prince’s Trust previously through the school, arranged the Colour Dash as part of her extended project qualification. Support was received from a benevolent fund and Yorkshire-based Harron Homes, which paid for the non-toxic paint used to provide the rainbow’s end effect at the finishing line, where she handed out medals to those who took part.

The work of the Prince’s Trust is very important for Araminta, who said:

“They help underprivileged young people my age and give them the opportunities that I am lucky enough to have. I strongly believe everyone should have the same opportunities, no-one should be limited.”

The Ripon Grammar School community has been involved in a number of activities in a bid to beat coronavirus and support the NHS and healtchcare workers, including a YouTube video recorded by the Sladden family, whose son Ned, is a year 8 student at the school.

The musically-gifted family, whose vocal talents have been heard in the Ripon Cathedral choir, recorded their version of Take That’s hit song ‘Shine’ adapting the words to present an important stay at home, stay safe message.

Ripon Grammar has also given practical assistance to the NHS, by donating protective glasses and other equipment usually used in the school’s laboratories.

With Easter approaching, Ripon Grammar School (RGS) is doing its bit to support the NHS, by donating safety spectacles to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

All pairs of new and nearly new spectacles from the school’s laboratories have been given to Darlington and Durham NHS Trust’s medical director, Jeremy Cundall, for use by key hospital workers. RGS head of science, Dr Richard Grime, said:

“They were accepted with grateful thanks. The school is only too happy to donate anything that can help in the fight against coronavirus.”

While RGS thinks of the wider community, it has also been reflecting on the school community and the early closure caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb, spoke of the ‘sense of sorrow’ that the school community felt with the early departure of year 11 and 13 students.

In a message to students, their families and staff, he said:

“We have been living in strange times, with the school running largely in a virtual world.”

Mr Webb, added:

“We have particularly felt a sense of sorrow that our year 11 and 13 students departed school rather earlier than was expected and that their end goal of preparing for formal examinations, which they have worked so hard towards over the last two years, will not be happening. Once we have greater clarity from Ofqual, we will work hard to ensure the right grades are awarded for these two year groups.”

Mr Webb (pictured above) said that there will be opportunities to welcome the school’s departing leavers back as RGS hopes to run a reunion event for upper sixth-formers.

With the focus very much on home working, as students prepare for exams later in the year, RGS psychology teacher, Claire Judd, is keeping in touch with her students and colleagues via Microsoft Teams, and has offered some calming advice. She said:

“You’re not alone” and “Don’t panic.”

Mrs Judd has given practical tips on homeworking for both students and her colleagues.

For students, it includes setting up folders for emails in different in boxes covering each subject, establishing realistic periods of time for completing tasks and ensuring that they get enough sleep.

For both students and fellow teachers, working in isolation at home, the advice is to keep in touch with colleagues and friends and don’t panic.

Mrs Judd pointed out to all:

“You’re not alone in this!”