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!”