Ripon Grammar School

Summer Half Term Newsletter

2013-05-23

From the headmaster

24 May, 2013

Dear Parents

SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2013

I thought it would be helpful to update you with some of the events since Easter.

The fifth and sixth form are now on study leave and the fourth form are out of school on work experience, so it has been a very quiet week in school. The third form are undertaking prefect duties this week and the fourth form will have that opportunity the week after half term. When the lower sixth return to school on 6 June, prefects will be formally announced and will take up their duties from Monday, 10 June.

I hope the examinations go well for all students and that their hard work will be rewarded. Results days are Thursday, 15 August for A2 and AS and Thursday, 22 August for GCSE.

I am delighted for the upper sixth generally in securing university offers; I know some have not been successful in securing the offers they desired but many of those are taking a gap year and re-applying. It is worth noting that two students are going directly into employment on management trainee programmes with Barclays and Armstrong Watson, a leading accountancy firm. The excellent careers guidance provided has allowed students to secure these opportunities to which they are very well suited.

With the excellent news that funding for a new classroom block has been granted, ground surveys and design plans are now being undertaken before planning permission is sought. The swimming pool, totally refurbished, is now back in use. Consideration is currently being given to installing a ‘heat-savr’ unit which is a liquid pool cover. It involves a chemical, which is non-toxic and biodegradable, which will act as an insulating layer thus saving energy costs and reducing humidity. It is more hygienic than a traditional pool cover since conventional covers need stringent and regular cleaning. It is used in many hotels and spas, forming a transparent layer on the water when it is calm. The plan is to install the unit as soon as possible. The toilets in school are also being upgraded with auto-sanitizer units being installed to increase freshness and they are to be fitted with improved water management systems. New hand driers (‘Air Force’) will also be installed.

There have been a number of teaching appointments made in the last few weeks – all excellent ones I am sure. I will highlight all the changes in staffing at lower school prizegiving and in the RGS News at the end of term. Miss Mann, cover supervisor, has secured a place on a PGCE course. This post is being advertised currently and if you, or someone you know, might be interested in applying I hope you will let them know. Details are on the school website. Both Mrs Caldwell and Mrs Fell return from maternity leave this term and will teach part-time next year.

The biannual student survey will be undertaken this term and we are also looking forward to 13 July when there will be an Old Riponians’ reunion to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the building of the swimming pool. Details are in the fourth edition of ‘The Clocktower’ magazine, which is on the school website. I am very grateful to Mrs Ruth Savage for all her excellent work on producing this edition of ‘The Clocktower’, outlining the success of alumni in many different walks of life. It is an excellent production and I hope you will enjoy reading it.

The second half of the summer term is always very busy (see below for key dates) with the Lower School play, prizegiving, sports day and commemoration service held in Ripon Cathedral.

We enjoyed a wonderful evening earlier this week when we said goodbye to the upper sixth and their parents at their farewell evening. We welcome the new first form for September 2013 on 25 June and the open evening for prospective first form students (2014) is to be held on 1 July, whilst the local authority hold their evening to explain the selection process on 9 July at 7pm in the RGS school hall.

Unfortunately, the price of a two-course school ‘meal deal’ will need to rise by 10p from September 2013 to offset increased food costs. Other items of food will be kept to the same price for as long as possible. This is the first increase for many years and I hope this is acceptable.

The calendar for the academic year 2013-14 is on the school website for information. It is in draft form but I thought it would be helpful to share it with you at this stage.

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman

Headmaster

KEY DATES

Mon 3 June – School Opens after half term holiday

Mon 10 June – Fri 14 June – 1^st and 2^nd Year Examinations

Mon 24 June – New 1^st Form Welcome Evening 6:30pm

Tues 25 June – New 1^st Form Induction Day

Mon 1 July – Open Evening for 1^st Form Intake 2014, 5:30pm

Wed 3 July – Sports Day 1:30pm

Thurs 4 July – Junior Production of Peter Pan

Fri 5 July – Junior Production of Peter Pan and French Exchange Arrive

Mon 8 July – Fri 12 July – Lower 6^th Work Experience

Tues 9 July – LEA Selection Evening, 7pm

Wed 10 July – Lower School Prizegiving 2:00pm Speaker Dr Lucy Whitton, Old Riponian

Thurs 11 July – Staff Training Day – School Closed

Mon 15 July – French Exchange Leave

Fri 19 July – Commemoration Service at Ripon Cathedral 11am

School Closes 12:30pm

To Parents of Sixth Form Students

2013-05-09

April 2013

To Parents of Sixth Form Students:

Dear Parents,

As you may be aware, once AS examinations and study leave are over, students in the Lower Sixth take over the duties and responsibilities formerly carried out by the Upper Sixth. In order to recognise this change, Lower Sixth students will also assume some of the privileges of seniority when they arrive back from study leave on Thursday 6th June to start their A2 courses provided they have returned all relevant forms relation to the forthcoming higher education trips.

With parental permission, from Thursday 6th June, they may leave the premises once their afternoon registration is completed and other timetabled lessons or activities are over, in order to study at home. It is essential that students use the time wisely and should not be using the time for activities such as part-time paid employment or for leisure. Students are required to fulfil all their school commitments e.g. sports practices, rehearsals etc., and may have the privilege withdrawn if it is abused. Private study facilities will still of course be available in school in the afternoons. It is vital that students attend all lessons of any subjects which they may continue for A2, unless students have returned forms signed by their parents to confirm that they no longer intend to continue with a specific AS subject. Wednesday afternoon enrichment activities will continue until the end of term and all L6 students should continue to attend their allocated activity. If parents do give consent to an early departure from afternoon school for their daughter/son they are asked to complete the attached pro-forma and to return it to Mrs Griffiths by Thursday 6 June. To fulfil fire regulations, students who leave school during the afternoon MUST sign out at main reception.

This arrangement has been made in a spirit of co-operation with the students and with yourselves. One further area in which such co-operation is vital, and which is a matter of concern to the school, is the use of cars by students. We recognise that more and more students enjoy this facility, and that this may be the only transport option available to them, and that they are predominantly skilled and sensible drivers. However, we do have a deep-rooted concern, sadly reinforced by experience, when we see groups of students climbing into the car of an inexperienced driver. We would therefore appreciate your co-operation in several ways:

i) Ensure the attached pro-forma is completed and returned.

ii) Car parking spaces are limited and this means that it is not possible for Sixth Formers to park their cars within the school grounds.

Yours sincerely,

Mr T Fell

Head of Sixth Form

To download a copy of the permission slip please click the link below and go to the second page.

Higher Education Events

2013-05-09

April 2013

To: Parents of L6 Students

Dear Parents

Students have the opportunity to participate in a number of higher education preparation events this term.

All students are strongly encouraged and advised to attend the UCAS Higher Education Conference on the morning of Wednesday 19th June at Leeds Metropolitan University. This event will be attended by representatives from virtually all of the higher education institutions, as well as gap organisations and some other advisory bodies such as student finance. Past experience has shown that, even where students are not currently planning to apply to university, the trip provides invaluable information to help make decisions and look at other options. We will leave school at 9.00am and return in time for afternoon lessons, non-school uniform.

All students are invited and encouraged to visit the Open Days at Newcastle and Northumbria Universities which take place on Friday 28th June. Many of our students apply to Newcastle for their higher education courses, but even those students not at this stage intending to do so can benefit from visiting subject departments and attending talks to find out more about the subjects which they may wish to study at university. We will leave school at 8.00am and return by 5.30pm, non-school uniform.

For those interested in Oxbridge there are separate trips available. Please contact Mrs Griffiths for further details if necessary.

If you agree to your son/daughter participating in any of the visits described above, please complete the attached permission slip, delete any that are not applicable, and return to Mrs Griffiths, Sixth Form Co-ordinator. Payment can be made through Parentpay, however if this is not possible please ask your son/daughter to bring the payment (cheques made payable to Ripon Grammar School) to N2 at morning break.

We have a 16-19 Bursary available for those students who made need assistance with any aspect of their sixth form studies. Please contact Mrs Griffiths in confidence if the cost of these visits poses undue financial problems or you would like any further information on the bursary.

If you are happy with these arrangements, please complete and return the relevant permission slips below by Wednesday 8 May 2013.

Yours sincerely

Mr T Fell

Head of Sixth Form

A2 Choices

2013-05-09

April 2013

Dear Parents,

We are writing to inform you about the decision that your son or daughter needs to make about which subjects to continue to A2 in the Upper Sixth. As you are aware, in the lower-sixth students take four subjects, and in most cases drop one of these at the end of the year, continuing with three to the full A Level qualification.

In order to construct the timetable for the next academic year we need lower sixth students to indicate their choice of three subjects for next year. For most of them, this will involve confirming the provisional choice they made before entering the Lower Sixth.

However, we believe it is right for students to review their decision in the light of how this year has gone. Information about progress in individual subjects has been provided by the reports which came home at the end of last week, and by module results, all of which should help inform their choice. Students are also being encouraged to research Higher Education options or alternative routes to university. Students can, of course, seek out advice from our careers advisors in school, Mrs Wilson or Mrs Locke.

There will be a number of additional events in the forthcoming weeks and months such as the Higher Education Evening on Thursday 25th April as well as, after AS examinations, the UCAS Higher Education Conference at Leeds Metropolitan University on Wednesday 19th June and the Newcastle and Northumbria university open day on Friday 28th June. Further detailed information about these events will be given at a later date.

We are asking for a provisional indication of A2 subject choices by Monday 28th April; although it is understood that decisions may well change in the light of AS level results, or further clarification of university requirements. Where students are undecided about which subjects to continue with, we recommend that they to continue with all four AS subjects until they have their results, and it will be essential to attend lessons in all four subjects until the end of the summer term as some key A2 material will be studied in those weeks. If there is any further information you need, please contact the school. We would be grateful if you would return the reply slip by Monday 28th April 2013.

Yours sincerely,

N McGrann T Fell

Deputy Head (Curriculum) Head of Sixth Form

First and Second Form Examinations 10th-14th June 2013

2013-05-03

3^rd May 2013

First and Second Form Examinations 10^th-14^th June 2013

Dear Parents/guardians,

As we approach the summer examination season, we thought it might be useful for you to be advised of the dates for the first and second year summer exams and to share with you the advice and information that we give to our students regarding preparation and revision.

The examinations will take place from 10^th June until 14^th June. They will be held in classrooms in a formal examination style. First year girls will be seated next to second year boys and first year boys will sit next to second year girls. Your child will have the same seat in the same classroom for each exam, unless it is necessary for them to sit the exam elsewhere.

It will be stressed to students in tutor time and assemblies that it is important to have a sensible and balanced approach to their exams, and we do hope that students will aim to prepare effectively in order to achieve their full potential.

As a school, we feel that the structure of this week provides a meaningful experience in preparation for future public examinations, but it is also important to keep this week in perspective. End-of-year reports are based upon application and achievement throughout the year, and not just upon what happens during examination week. I shall stress to students that there is no need to be unduly worried about these examinations and that, if they have particular concerns, they should speak to their form tutor and/or subject teachers so that their concerns can be addressed.

The week following examination week is referred to as ‘clear week’. It is an important time for teachers to go through the examinations with students. This reflection process is a crucial part of the examination cycle, and we would urge parents to avoid student absences during that week.

Guidance regarding preparation and revision for examinations

Where to study:

Find a quiet place. Most people find that listening to the radio or TV is distracting.
Make sure that your study area is well lit.
Sit in a suitable chair – a straight-backed chair is generally more suitable than an armchair!
Assemble and keep to hand all the materials you will need. These may include a dictionary, calculator, planner, ruler, pens, pencils, highlighter pens, note cards etc.
Keep your study area tidy and organised!

Planning your revision schedule:

Prior to your revision period check that you have complete sets of notes in all subjects – ask your teachers what you need to cover in your revision.
Make a revision timetable and try to keep to it! Don’t revise for too long – short periods of revision followed by short breaks can be more effective – but be disciplined about sticking to your timetable. Enlist parents’ help to keep you focused.
Spend some time on a number of different topics. If you find one particular subject more difficult than others, spend more time on that.

Methods of revising: Different people prefer different methods, but some ideas are given below:

Re-read notes and highlight/underline key points
Write summary notes of the main points you need to remember
Write separate notes on revision cards
Draw summary diagrams, such as spider diagrams or mind maps, of the important points
Make a GLOSSARY of important words or terms for each topic. Test yourself or get someone else to test you on these terms
Read notes aloud and record them so that you can play them back to yourself later
Do practice questions
Make up memorable phrases or rhymes e.g. ‘Richard of York gave battle in vain’ = colours of the rainbow

Immediately before the examination:

Pack your bag with everything you need – remember especially your pencil case and calculator
Have a good night’s sleep
Eat a good breakfast before you come to school

Above all, be well prepared and keep calm. Speak to your form tutor or another member of staff if you are worried about anything.

Students will be working on study skills in form time which should also help them to plan revision and use their time effectively.

I hope that this information is useful, and I look forward to a very successful examination experience for your child.

Please do contact myself, Mr Colley or your child’s form tutor, if you have any other concerns or questions.

Yours sincerely,

Miss L Raymer

Head of Lower School

4th Year Work Experience

2013-05-02

29 April 2013

Dear Parents

We are fast approaching the start of Work Experience on Monday 20 May and I am writing to confirm the arrangements for this week.

We have been sending out copies of the WE4 form. This gives details of working hours, uniform, lunchtime and supervision arrangements. It is vitally important that you sign and return one copy of the completed WE4 form before FRIDAY 17 May 2013. If you have any queries about this please let me know.

There will be an assembly giving students details of the arrangements in place during work experience. Students will be asked to co-operate with the employer’s arrangements during any breaks. Where no detailed arrangements are specified please agree with your son / daughter where they should have lunch.

At this assembly students will also be given their work experience journal which we ask that they complete for the week. The journal has space for the employer to write a brief comment about the student and the work they have done. These comments can be quoted on future application forms as evidence of the value of the placement to each student.

If there are any queries either now, or once work experience starts, do not hesitate to contact me as shown below:

Contact Telephone Number 01765 602647

Email address southwellb@ripongrammar.co.uk

Thank you for all your help with the organisation of work experience. I am sure this will be a valuable opportunity for your son / daughter as they prepare for their adult life.

Yours faithfully

B A Southwell (Mrs)

Work Experience Co-ordinator

Visit by the Flying Theatre Company

2013-04-30

18^th April 2013

Dear Parent

VISIT BY THE FLYING THEATRE COMPANY

On Friday 24^th May, the entire first and second year will be attending a production by the Flying Theatre Company (La Compagnie Théâtre Volant) titled “Bon Voyage” at 2.45pm in the main school hall.

The Flying Theatre Company, based in Whitby, perform a unique blend of physical comedy, circus arts and theatrical skill to help motivate the learning process and inspire spontaneous use of spoken French. We will be preparing for the visit in class time by introducing some vocabulary required. For more information, please refer to the website www.flyingtheatre.com.

We would invite you to contribute £3.00 per pupil, and your child should bring the money to Mrs Grime in N2 during break time before the 15^th May 2013..

Due to the volume of students attending this production, receipts will not be issued as standard. However if you wish to obtain a receipt, please ask your child to request one. If you have any concerns about the cost involved, please do contact me at school to discuss the matter in confidence.

Yours sincerely

MRS F J STEVENS

RIPON GRAMMAR SCHOOL PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU!

2013-04-26

The RGS PA support the School by paying for the entire running costs for the School mini-bus which is used by most of the pupils during their school career. They have also raised money recently that has paid for the following:

The large etching press for the art department
A digital camera for the IT department
A defibrillator for School and community use
A 'life saving' dummy for the swimming pool
The new curtains, the projector, speakers and screen in the assembly hall
Camping equipment to support the Duke of Edinburgh award students
And a sound system for the languages department

In addition, they are ever-present at RGS events supplying fresh coffee and cakes to thirsty parents and teachers and they provide some well attended social opportunities during the year from Murder Mystery Nights to Comedy Nights to the ever-popular Christmas Fair and Burns' Night.

They are a small team of parents and teaching staff who would really welcome your help. There are plenty of opportunities ranging from just a couple of hours a year upwards. Please could you use this form to let us know if you can offer your help in any of the following areas?

To access the full form please click on the link below

SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2013

2013-04-25

From the headmaster

26 April, 2013

Dear Parents

I hope you had an enjoyable Easter, despite the unseasonably low temperatures. The term has started very smoothly and GCSE AS and A2 examinations are imminent, with GCSE examinations particularly early. I hope that students are prepared and looking forward to the challenges ahead. I am particularly looking forward to seeing students and parents at their ‘farewell evening’ on Tuesday, 21 May at 7pm in order to thank them for all they have done for the school during their time here.

I am delighted to be able to write to you with some excellent news. I heard last week from the Local Authority that funding has been allocated to Ripon Grammar School for a new classroom block to house languages, history and RE. This will involve the removal of eight temporary classroom units. The new classroom block will be sited next to the sixth form centre and will involve the removal of the caretaker’s bungalow. £800,000 has been allocated in this financial year and £1 million allocated in the following financial year. I am optimistic that the building will be ready for use in September 2014 but there is, needless to say, a lot of work to be done before then. I am sure you will agree that the allocation of £1.8 million to RGS from the LA is a significant investment in the future of the school and I am very grateful for this support in these difficult economic times.

The swimming pool refurbishment is almost complete and will be ready to be used again very soon. The job has taken longer than anticipated because the contractors had to deal with the removal of asbestos, which was not anticipated. The water filtering plant has been replaced and a new air handling and heat recovery unit has been installed to regulate the humidity in the pool hall. Damaged tiles have been replaced and the whole pool and been re-grouted, cleaned and polished.

I am sure you are aware of the problem with the sixth form centre roof. I am grateful to the LA for fitting a board to catch any tiles which may slip from the roof. This means that students and staff are safe from any potential loose tiles. The legal process to resolve this problem permanently is ongoing.

Rugby has been very successful and I am delighted for both the U12 and U13 teams. The U12’s won the Yorkshire Cup on Saturday, beating Crossley Heath 5-0 with the winning try scored by Ted Wainwright, whilst both the U12 and U13 teams reached the grand finals with both teams winning their respective competitions.

Matt Clare has been selected to play badminton for England in the European championships in Holland.

Louisa Chatterton and Annabel Fry won the national ‘Step into the NHS’ competition and were presented with this award in assembly. Very well done to both students.

The Parents’ Association continue to work very hard on behalf of the school and are organising a Fashion Show on 22 June. Your support for this event will be much appreciated; details are on the school website.

I am very grateful to Mrs Ruth Campbell (Governor) for all her work on the next edition of ‘The Clocktower’ magazine. This will be ready this term and will contain news of former students.

It will appear on the school website and I hope you will enjoy reading it.

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman

Headmaster

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Monday, 6 May School closed for May Bank Holiday

Wednesday, 8 May Third form exams begin

Friday, 10 May Study leave commences for Y11/Y12 students Third form exams end

Friday, 17 May Second form RE trip to London departs

Sunday, 19 May Second form RE trip returns

Monday, 20 May Fourth year work experience all week

Tuesday, 21 May Upper Sixth form farewell evening – 7pm

Wednesday, 22 May Upper Sixth study leave commences

Friday, 24 May School closes at 3.55pm for half term holiday

4th Year Work Experience

2013-04-18

15 April 2013

Dear Parents

4^th Year Work Experience (Monday 20 May – Friday 24 May 2013)

I am writing to update you on the progress the 4th years have made in organising work experience placements for May 2013.

It is pleasing to see that we have secured placements for all 4^th year students and as ever the placements are very varied and scattered around North Yorkshire and neighbouring counties.

In the next five weeks we must now press on to ensure that all of the relevant paperwork is completed and held on file for each placement. Without the completed WE4 contract, a risk assessment and an in date health and safety check we cannot secure insurance cover so the work experience placement will be unable to go ahead. Your support in completing and returning the completed WE4 is much appreciated.

Now is also a good time for your son / daughter to renew contact with their employer and organise a pre placement visit. This will give them the opportunity to go through the details in preparation for 20^th May such as their start time, where and who to report to and what arrangements they intend to make for lunch and break times. They also need to consider any transport to and from work to ensure that things run smoothly in May.

If your son / daughter is staying away from home during work experience can you please give details of these arrangements to school to enable us to have the necessary contact details on file?

We are arranging insurance cover for the duration of the work experience placement for all 4^th Year students through NYCC. Details of the cover are available on request.

I am sure the students will gain a valuable insight into the world of work from their time spent out of school.

If you have queries about work experience do not hesitate to get in touch by telephoning school or emailing me on southwellb@ripongrammar.co.uk

Yours sincerely

B A Southwell

Work Experience Co-ordinator

L6th Parents Letter March 2013

2013-03-27

March 2013

To parents of Lower Sixth Form students

Dear Parents

Please find enclosed the full annual report for your son/daughter. This report provides information that should be helpful during this important revision and preparation period for AS examinations. It is vital that effective use is made of the Easter break and subsequent weeks so that students can go into the examinations confident that they have prepared as fully as possible. Please be aware that there will be no opportunity to resit examinations in January 2013.

In order to allow adequate preparation time for students during this period of external examinations, all members of the Lower Sixth will be on study leave from 4pm on the Friday 10th May, and will return to school to begin their A2 courses on Thursday 6th June.

I am pleased to note that many students have organised and returned the documentation for their work experience/work shadowing placements for the week beginning 8th July. The purpose of this week is to enable students to broaden their experience and to obtain placements that will enrich their university applications in the autumn term, or their CVs for future employment, and all students are expected to undertake work-experience at this time. Any students who have not yet organised placements should seek to do so as a matter of urgency. They may speak with the careers department or Mrs Southwell if they are struggling to do so.

I would also like to draw attention to a forthcoming higher education information event which will be of benefit to students and to parents. On Thursday 25th April representatives from Lancaster and Leeds Universities have agreed to come into school to present at an information evening for parents and students on a range of matters related to higher education. A range of topics will be covered on the evening including the financial implications of higher education, gap years, factors affecting choices of courses, the UCAS procedure and Oxbridge. This should be a most useful evening. The presentations will commence at 6.30pm.

Please may I mention one other matter that has caused us some concern in recent weeks, which is that a number of sixth formers’ parties have been organised for Thursday nights, leading to tired students in school the next day. Whilst we have absolutely no desire to cramp the social lives of our students, we would ask that such festivities avoid school nights, especially at critical points in their education such as the months approaching examinations.

Thank you for your on-going support. Do, of course, contact me if there are any matters relating to the report, to study leave or to work experience/work shadowing or any other issues that you would like to discuss further.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Fell

Head of Sixth Form

U6th Parents Letter March 2013

2013-03-27

March 2013

To Parents of Upper Sixth Students

Dear Parents

You will find enclosed the annual report for your son/daughter. This should provide guidance on how they should use effectively the important preparation period ahead for the summer examinations. The Easter holidays are a valuable block of time in which students can be consolidating their knowledge and understanding and, in some cases, putting the final touches to coursework assignments. It is advisable for students at this critical stage of their education to consider whether they should be reducing commitments to part-time paid employment, at least for the period prior to and during their examinations. Please also be aware that there will be no opportunities for resitting examinations in January next year.

The vast majority of our students are looking forward to the exciting prospect of some area of higher education, and we wish them well in their endeavours to achieve the necessary grades to get onto their chosen courses. Some students will be entering the world of paid employment, or taking a gap year before the next stage in their education. Whatever lies ahead, we hope that all students will be striving to obtain the best results possible as a foundation for their future plans. Should you wish to make an appointment with your son or daughter to meet with the careers department, Mrs Wilson or Mrs Locke can be reached through the school switchboard, or via the following e-mail addresses: wilsonf@ripongrammar.co.uk or lockej@ripongrammar.co.uk

To enable students to have sufficient individual preparation time for the summer examinations, formal study leave for U6 students will commence at lunchtime on Wednesday 22nd May. There will be a celebration assembly during the morning of 22nd May to mark both the many achievements of the U6 students and the significant contributions of the students to the school community. For the remainder of that week subject teachers will be available at the usual lesson times for consultation with students individually or in groups. Students may wish to avail themselves of this opportunity to go over topics or past questions in order to consolidate their knowledge of certain areas of the syllabus.

I would like to thank you for your support during the past two years. We have very much enjoyed working with the current Upper Sixth and we would like to invite you and your son/daughter to a celebration to mark their successes and contributions to Ripon Grammar School. The celebration drinks and a light buffet will take place in the school hall on the evening of Tuesday 21st May between 7.00pm and 9.00pm. Dress will be formal.

Do, of course, contact me if you need clarification or further details about any aspect of the end of year report or the arrangements for the summer term.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Fell

Head of Sixth Form

Girls Uniform

2013-03-27

26th March 2013

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Girls' Summer Uniform 2013

As you are aware the girls at Ripon Grammar School are able to opt to wear a school dress in the summer months (Easter onwards). The dress is available from local uniform suppliers 'Broadbank and Empson' and 'Smart Start'. We have received many favourable comments from the local community regarding how smart our girls look when wearing their dresses and blazers. I would like to remind you that the blazer is a compulsory item of summer uniform and if girls elect to wear the school dress, it should be worn with a blazer. The school dress should be worn at knee length and without a belt. Girls may opt to wear a school jumper in addition to their blazer in inclement weather. Since the introduction of the summer dress, the open neck shirt which some older students may have worn, has been phased out and is no longer an acceptable item of summer uniform. Girls may opt to continue to wear their winter uniform during the summer months if they so choose.

Winter Uniform September 2013

I appreciate that school uniform is an expensive item and we aim to ensure that parents are getting the best value for their money. I would like to remind you that blazers are a compulsory item of winter uniform for all girls who joined Ripon Grammar School from September 2008 onwards. If you recall the decision was taken in response to comments from parents, students and our belief that the girls look very smart when wearing their blazers. I am also aware that because we insist that girls wear their blazers at formal occasions such as prize-giving and commemoration, all the girls do indeed own a blazer.

Students commencing their sixth form studies in September 2013 will also be required to wear a school blazer. The navy blue sweater currently worn by the girls is an optional item of uniform, when a blazer is worn.

I have also received a number of queries from parents regarding the style and length of the school skirt. The navy blue skirt should be an A line style skirt and when purchased, should be knee length or just below the knee. Short figure hugging Iycra skirts are not an acceptable item of uniform. We would encourage you to support our named uniform suppliers and make your purchases locally. Ripon Grammar School Parents' Association also have items of second hand uniform available for purchase and contact details are available on the school website.

In anticipation of your support, thank you and please contact me at school should you have any queries regarding uniform.

Yours sincerely

Miss M J Murray

Deputy Headteacher

Second Spring Term Newsletter

2013-03-07

From the headmaster

8 March, 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians

SECOND SPRING TERM NEWSLETTER 2013

I thought it would be helpful to write again after half term; there is much news to convey to you before the end of term when the Spring edition of the RGS News will appear.

The ski trip over half term was very successful and I am grateful to staff for providing this opportunity. The students were a real credit to the school and their conduct was impeccable. Staff were very positive about their experience.

The final total raised during Charity Week for ‘Operation Smile’ was £11,274.74; the students deserve enormous credit for their organisation of the whole event which was gratefully received by the charity. The Parents’ Association were also delighted with Burns’ Night, which raised approximately £2,500; our thanks to all the parents who supported this event.

Module examination results from January were available to students on 7 March; an anxious wait has finally come to an end and overall the outcome was very positive. This provides a firm foundation for the summer for the final AS and A2 examinations. Reports for the Upper and Lower Sixth forms are almost ready and will be available for parents on the last day of term. The advice in these reports will be vital in helping students to prepare effectively over the coming weeks.

Applications for places in the sixth form have been at a record level this year which is excellent news. It is expected that the lower sixth will comprise around 140-145 students in September with some exceptionally able students joining from other schools. This will be good for our own students as it will provide an incentive to aim even higher.

Interviews for school officer positions for September 2013 are currently taking place and I hope to announce the new Head Boy and Head Girl, along with their deputies, early in the summer term.

Examinations took place in school on Saturday, 9 February for current Year 8 students to join the school in September as Year 9 students. Five students will be joining us, which means that there will not be a need for an extra form in the third form in September 2013.

The bid for funding for the new classroom block is lodged with the local authority and I expect to hear the outcome in the next few months. The capital funding allocated to the local authority from the government has been delayed repeatedly, so the actual allocation to North Yorkshire is still unclear. The projected cost is in the region of £1.7 million including provisional sums for an electricity supply upgrade to the school.

There have been some issues with asbestos during the installation of the air handling units in the swimming pool which has delayed their installation. I hope that this will be resolved as soon as possible.

The school archives have been catalogued electronically and I hope to make them available to parents and former students very soon. They are kept in the Borthwick Institute at York University and anyone is able to view them. Mr Crookes, an Old Riponian, has scanned many of the archived documents (including the 1555 Charter) and these images will be able to be accessed from the school website, via a link, in the near future.

There are many staffing appointments being made currently and I will update you next term. I am very pleased with the quality of fields which are being attracted and very good appointments have already been made for September 2013. Miss Wilton in the chemistry department got married over half term and is now Mrs Lewis. Our congratulations go to her.

Badminton success

Both the U14 Girls and the U16 Boys have reached the County round of the Centre Parcs National Badminton Competition. Both teams remain undefeated after winning the Harrogate and Craven district and Area rounds of this competition. The U16 Boys will compete at York RI on Wednesday, 6 March and the girls’ competition will be held on Wednesday, 20 March. We wish both teams luck as they compete to reach the regional round. Our grateful thanks go to Mr Willis for coaching and managing the teams and giving up many of his days off to accompany the teams to competitions.

U14 Girls’ Badminton team U16 Boys’ Badminton team

Lucy Wicks Matthew Cotton

Tamsin Cutmore Chris Lythe

Grace Branch David Bates

Mary Cox James Donaldson

Meghan Williamson

I trust that this letter finds you well and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman

Headmaster

Please see the Forthcoming Events attached below ….

Forthcoming events

Monday, 18 March: Third Form Outdoor Pursuits Course at

             Bewerley Park begins
            and
            Fourth Form examinations begin.

Friday, 22 March: Third Form return from Bewerley Park

and

Fourth Form examinations end.

Thursday, 28 March: School closes for Easter holidays at 12.30pm.

Monday, 15 April: School opens for Summer term.

Thursday, 25 April: Higher Education evening 6.30pm

Thursday, 2 May and Whole School production of ‘Our Day Out’ by

Friday, 3 May: Willy Russell (unfortunately this has now been cancelled)

Monday, 6 May: School closed – Spring Bank Holiday

Wednesday, 15 May: Third form examinations begin

Friday, 17 May: Third form examinations end and

Second year RE trip to London departs

Sunday, 19 May: RE trip returns

w/c Monday, 20 May: Fourth year work experience – all week

Friday, 24 May: School closes at 3.55pm for half term

Monday, 3 June: School re-opens

School term and holiday dates for 2013/2014 have now been confirmed as follows:

Monday, 2 September 2013 Training Day - school closed for staff training

Tuesday, 3 September 2013 School opens for autumn term

w/c 28 October 2013 Half term holiday

Friday, 20 December 2013 School closes at 12.30pm for Christmas holidays

Monday, 6 January 2014 Training Day - school closed for staff training

Tuesday, 7 January 2014 School opens for spring term

w/c 17 February 2014 Half term holiday

Friday, 4 April 2014 School closes at 12.30pm for Easter holidays

Tuesday, 22 April 2014 School opens for summer term

Monday, 5 May 2014 Bank holiday - school closed

w/c 26 May 2014 Half term holiday

Thursday, 10 July 2014 Training Day - school closed for staff training

Friday, 18 July 2014 School closes at 12.30pm for Summer holidays

L6th Higher Education and Career Planning 2013

2013-02-14

14 February 2013

To Parents of Lower Sixth Students

Dear Parents,

Higher Education and Career Planning

I am writing to update you on the lower sixth careers programme which is intended to help prepare students for their future.

Since September the students have participated in a range of career related activities outlining the variety of options and career paths available to them. This has included an introduction to the career planning process and to the excellent computer resources that we have in school to support this. In December a number of former students visited the school to talk about the varied careers and training which they have pursued, and students also attended talks introducing them to the wide range of routes available to them. These covered higher education in the UK and overseas, management training schemes, sponsored and part-time degrees, apprenticeships, vocational training and starting up in business. Students have also had the opportunity to attend lunchtime talks and presentations with external speakers.

Now that students have had chance to settle in to the sixth form, they are strongly encouraged to research the post-18 options which are of interest to them and to identify ways to add to their skills and experience. Students who are considering applying for university entry in 2014 will be completing UCAS applications during the first half of the autumn term and it is important that they spend time over the coming months thoroughly researching the range of courses which match their interests, abilities and career aspirations. Similarly, applications for many of the most sought after apprenticeships and sponsored degree programmes open in September 2013 and it is vital that students use the next few months to research these opportunities and gain suitable work experience, so that they are equipped to make well informed choices later this year.

Opportunities are planned throughout the year to support the students in their research, and at this stage I would particularly like to draw your attention to the following:

Careers Appointments. Students can arrange individual careers guidance appointments with Mrs Wilson to discuss their career ideas and plans. In addition a drop in facility is offered daily during free periods, breaks and lunchtimes, with both myself and Mrs Wilson.

Centigrade Analysis at a subsidised cost of £16.95. Many of our students have found this a useful aid to choosing the right university course and it has recently been extended to include courses taught in English at European Universities as well as the full range of UK university courses. If you wish your son or daughter to participate, please return the slip in the attached brochure to me together with a cheque made payable to Ripon Grammar School by Tuesday 26^th February, 2013.

Careers Notices. These are delivered through tutor groups and are intended to inform students of opportunities to add to their skills and experience and explore career ideas. They include external events such as industry days, leadership courses and university taster courses as well as careers presentations within school. These are also posted in the careers section of the ‘shared area’ which can be accessed through Portico on the RGS website using the student’s username and password. It is recommended that students check this regularly.

Careers Noticeboards. Students should also keep a look out for events advertised on the sixth form careers noticeboard in the corridor leading to the school hall and on the boards outside the careers library.

RGS Website. The careers education section of the RGS website is designed to assist students to explore their options and includes pages on higher education, studying abroad, job hunting and gap years, together with links to recommended websites for further information.

Higher Education Evening, Thursday 25 April, 2013 at 6:30 pm. Parents and lower sixth students are invited to attend this event, which will include presentations from university representatives and senior staff on choosing universities, the UCAS application procedure and student finance etc Further information will be sent out nearer the time.

Work Experience 8-12 July, 2013. It is important that every effort is made to ensure that this is organised and that Mrs Southwell is informed of placements by 25 March, 2013 at the very latest.

Higher Education Visits. Arrangements are being made for students to visit the West and North Yorkshire Higher Education Convention at Leeds Metropolitan University on Wednesday 19 June, 2013 and the Newcastle University Open Day on Friday 28 June, 2013.

More information about future events will be provided by the 6^th form office and the careers department during the year.

Our careers programme is continually reviewed in order to enhance the information, advice and guidance that we can offer to the students. We are always pleased to hear from parents, whether it is to discuss courses or careers that are of interest to your son or daughter, or if you would like to be involved in the careers programme. If you feel that you, or your organisation, would be able to assist in future events please complete the attached pro-forma or email lockej@ripongrammar.co.uk

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Jill Locke

Careers Department

To view the Parental Involvement Pro-forma please click the link below.

Catering at Ripon Grammar School

2013-02-13

2013.02.11

Dear Head teacher,

Horse Meat

Bad news about the adulteration of food with horse meat continues with suggestions that school meals may be affected. I wish to assure you and parents that we only use fresh meat and poultry and that this is all sourced from farms in the Yorkshire region.

We do not use frozen processed products which contain meat in the meals we provide. Our policy is based on making food from raw ingredients on school premises freshly every day.

For information I have included a copy of our Food Policy and a Notice which you may wish to put up for parents with regard to our approach to buying meat and poultry.

Regards,

Keith Tillbrook,

Manager County Caterers

Spring Newsletter

2013-01-31

From: The headmaster 1 February, 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians

SPRING NEWSLETTER 2013

A belated happy New Year to you. The term has started with a closure due to snow and I would like to extend my apologies for the inconvenience that such an event can cause for working parents. The decision to close the school is not taken lightly but the health and safety of staff and students is paramount. External examinations did take place when the school was closed which was a very high priority. I hope that the cold weather will soon be a thing of the past and we can look forward to uninterrupted teaching for the remainder of the Spring term.

The usual battery of A2, AS and GCSE examinations are coming to an end and we look forward to the results on Thursday, 7 March. This will, of course, be the last time for January examinations and any proposed re-sits will now have to be taken in the summer term. A major advantage of not taking examinations in January will be that teaching and learning can carry on uninterrupted. A possible re-introduction of mock examinations for sixth form students in the January period is being discussed but the introduction of these will be considered very carefully to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

I was delighted with the news of Oxbridge successes with a record ten students receiving offers, six from Oxford and four from Cambridge. All the students deserve much praise for the preparation that they undertook and I am also very grateful to the staff for all the support and encouragement that they gave to the students. Nine of these offers are conditional and one is unconditional. The full list of the students is as follows:

Oxford

Madeline Corman Chemistry St Hilda’s

Jack Lale PPE Wadham

Hugh McHale-Maughan PPE Brasenose

Benjamin Nabarro PPE Pembroke

Georgina Sanderson Medicine Brasenose

Elizabeth Tearle Archaeology
& Anthropology St John’s

Cambridge

Siân Avery English Gonville & Caius

Cameron McCormack Engineering King’s

Fionnuala Morris Veterinary Science Newnham (unconditional offer)

Julia Stanyard Classics Girton

I am also delighted that students in the Upper Sixth who are seeking university places are being extremely successful with offers for courses. These include medicine, optometry, history, psychology, chemistry, biology, biomedical science, classical studies, architecture, natural science, computer science and mathematics to name but a few.

Major refurbishment work on the swimming pool will take place over half term with the installation of air handling units which will heat the swimming pool and keep condensation down to a minimum. The cost of this project is just over £50,000 so it is a very expensive investment in what is a very valuable facility. The work should take approximately two to three weeks to complete.

There have been on-going problems with slates coming adrift from the roof of the new sixth form centre and this is currently being tackled with support from the local authority. I hope to find a resolution to this problem as soon as possible.

A feasibility study is underway for a new classroom block comprising ten new classrooms to allow for the removal of the Temporary Classroom Units (TCUs) from the school site. The local authority are due to produce plans for this new building by the end of the month. Due consideration will then be given by NYCC members to see whether funding for this project can be found. There is strong support from the local authority in terms of it being a priority and I hope that funding will be found for this vital development. I will keep you informed of the outcome as soon as I know.

The refurbishment of boys’ boarding is now complete. Both School House and Johnson House have undergone complete refurbishment over the last two years. The standard of accommodation is now extremely high and provides the students with a level of accommodation that they deserve.

Mrs Mars, teacher of English, and Mr Winston, teacher of history, both started in January and have settled well. Mrs Mars replaces Mrs Garner who left at Christmas whilst Mr Winston is covering Mrs Fell’s maternity leave. Mr Jack Marchinton, the new GAP student from Australia, has arrived in school. He has experienced a considerable drop in temperature since his arrival but I hope he will enjoy his time at Ripon Grammar School!

The Sixth Form Open Evening on 28 January was extremely successful with all of our fifth form students attending plus a very high number of students from other schools. The reputation of the school in the area, as well as nationally, is very high and competition for places from students outside Ripon Grammar School is clearly going to be very strong. I would expect the lower sixth in September 2013 to be around 140. The closing date for sixth form applications for September is Monday, 25 February 2013.

Sporting achievements

Congratulations to Dominic Butler and James McDaniel, both of whom have gained selection to the North of England rugby squads. To attain this level of excellence is a considerable achievement which deserves the fullest recognition and celebration.

Dominic plays at senior level in the under-18 age group and he managed to supplant the current England hooker from Lancashire to win his place this year. Dominic has captained the school's 1st XV this year with distinction and he has led from the front by showing an ultra-competitive but sporting edge to his play.

James has developed impressively as a scrum half, having moved in from centre last year and he has been selected at the under-16 age level. In addition, James has shone against opposition a year older and is a free scoring player with a real eye for the tiniest of gaps and the acceleration to match.

School colours in senior rugby this year have been awarded to the following students:

Peter Marsden, Dominic Butler, Guy Watkinson, Ben Nabarro, Scott Christy, Glenn May (full colours)

Sam Hudson, Jonathan Bucktrout, Reece Farren, Sam Wainwright, Joe Peill, James Woolfenden, Oliver Baldwin (half colours).

Hockey

The following students have got through to JAC and have been selected to represent North Yorkshire: U13 - Ella Durkin and Lucy Williams; U15 - Anna Durkin and Holly Oldham.

Badminton

The KS4 Boys won both their matches in the second round of Area Games. They beat Harrogate Grammar School 5.0 and Rossett School 5.0 – an excellent performance by the team which consisted of Matthew Cotton, Chris Lythe, David Bates and James Donaldson. The team will now represent the area in the regionals on 13 February in York.

Steve Matthews, who refereed the ladies volleyball final in the Olympics, is setting up a club for the seated version of the sport. He and Steve Jones, who is the Team GB paralympic coach, have chosen Ripon Grammar School to be the hub school for this new activity. The club will take place on a Wednesday evening from 6pm in the school gymnasium. Although Seated Volleyball is a paralympic sport, you don't have to have a disability to play it. Mr Matthews will be running a Level 1 Seated Volleyball coaching course this term as well as putting Ripon Grammar School Sports Leaders through the ‘Young Volleyball Leadership Award’. This is a very exciting partnership to be involved in and it is possible that RGS will be able to host courses and international festivals as the club becomes more established.

A reminder that school will be closed on Friday,15 February for a staff training day. The day will involve staff visiting other schools to share good practice. Half term for the students will therefore start on Thursday, 14 February at 3.55pm and we return on Monday, 25 February.

A list of forthcoming events is attached for your information. This letter is also on our school website, as are other key letters and notices. Please do refer to our website to keep up to date with school news and events.

With best wishes for a happy and successful 2013.

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman
Headmaster

To view forthcoming events please click the link below.

Privacy Notice - Data Protection Act 1998

2012-11-27

26 November, 2012

From the Headmaster

To parents of and students aged 16+ as at 1 December 2012

Privacy Notice - Data Protection Act 1998

We, Ripon Grammar School, are a data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act. We collect information from you and may receive information about you from your previous school and the Learning Records Service. We hold this personal data and use it to:

· Support your teaching and learning;

· Monitor and report on your progress;

· Provide appropriate pastoral care, and

· Assess how well your school / PRU is doing.

This information includes your contact details, national curriculum assessment results, attendance information [1] and personal characteristics such as your ethnic group, special educational needs and any relevant medical information.

We will not give information about you to anyone outside the school without your consent unless the law and our rules allow us to do so.

We are required by law to pass some of your information to the local authority, North Yorkshire County Council, and the Department for Education (DfE) and where appropriate we will send to relevant national health service personnel (e.g. school nurses) information on individual pupils changing school (or address) to ensure continuity of health care. If a child moves to another school we will ensure a handover of appropriate data we hold, and we will cooperate with other schools s/he has attended to endeavour to complete any outstanding issues.

If you want to see a copy of the information we hold and share about you then please contact Miss Lancaster, data manager.

If you require more information about how the Local Authority (LA) and/or DfE store and use your information, then please go to the following websites:

www.northyorks.gov.uk/schoolrecords and

http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/doc/w/what%20the%20department%20does%20with%20data%20on%20pupils%20and%20children.doc

http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/childrenandyoungpeople/a0064391/who-the-department-passes-pupil-data-to

If you are unable to access these websites, please contact the LA or DfE as follows:

· Data Management Officer

North Yorkshire County Council,

Financial Services,
County Hall,

NORTHALLERTON,

North Yorkshire,
DL7 8AL

website: www.northyorks.gov.uk

email: datamanagement.officer@northyorks.gov.uk

Telephone: 01609 533219

        ·           Public Communications Unit
    Department for Education
    Sanctuary Buildings
    Great Smith Street
    London
    SW1P 3BT

Website: www.education.gov.uk

email: http://www.education.gov.uk/help/contactus
Telephone: 0370 000 2288

In addition for Secondary Schools

Post 14 Qualifications: If you are enrolling for post 14 qualifications we will be provided with your unique learner number by the Learning Records Service and may also obtain from them details of any learning or qualifications you have undertaken. Further information regarding the Learning Records Service can be found on the Internet at www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk .

Youth Support Services

Once you are aged 13 or over, we are required by law to pass on certain information to the provider of youth support services for young people aged 13 to 19 in this area, North Yorkshire County Council. We must provide the address of you and your parents (and your date of birth) and any further information relevant to the support services' role.

However, until you are aged 16 or older, your parent(s) can ask that no information beyond your name, address and date of birth (and their name and address) be passed on to the youth support services provider. This right transfers to you on your 16th birthday. Please inform Ripon Grammar School if this is what you or your parents wish.

For more information about young peoples’ services, please go to the Directgov Young People page at www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/index.htm or the LA website shown above.

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman
Headmaster

[1] Attendance is not collected for pupils under 5 at Early Years Settings or Maintained Schools as part of Censuses for the Department for Education.

16 - 19 Bursary Fund

2012-11-19

September 2012

Dear Student & Parents

The 16-19 Bursary Fund is designed to help students who are in full time education who are in need of financial support during their time at school.

The Bursary can pay for a variety of things, e.g.

Any essential course trips that students have to attend.
Any equipment or books students need to assist with their course.
Any other costs that may apply e.g. uniform, transport, meals.

The school is required by law to assess who is eligible, and if you apply for funding you will need to provide evidence to the school of your family’s financial position. We are usually able to provide financial assistance to those who have a total household income of under £20,000 per year. The bursary is subject to attendance, behaviour and performance which will be monitored throughout the year.

If you think that you may be eligible for funding please complete and return this form, with evidence of income for the last tax year, to Mrs Griffiths, Sixth Form Co-ordinator as soon as possible. All information provided is treated with the utmost confidence and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me on 01765 602647 ext. 264.

Kind regards

Mrs E Griffiths

Sixth Form Co-ordinator

Summary notes from the presentation to parents of lower sixth form students Friday 28th September

2012-10-16

16^th October 2012

Dear Parent,

These notes are a summary from the presentation at the lower sixth tea on the 28^th of September. We hope that they will prove useful in underlining the key elements of these crucial years for your son or daughter, as well as ensuring that parents who missed the presentation are kept informed.

Summary notes from the presentation to parents of lower sixth form students

Friday 28^th September

The next two years will undoubtedly be the most critical in the education of our sixth form students. With a fluid post-18 educational landscape, and an uncertain employment market beyond that, it has never been more important that our students use this time well, realise the importance of every opportunity that comes their way, and aspire to be the very best that they can be.

Our sixth form establishes a firm ethos of high expectations – both in academic terms, and in the contribution of our sixth formers to the life of the school around them. We want them to be curious, passionate, wholehearted young men and women, who take responsibility for their progress. This is the point at which our students start to really stand on their own two feet – making decisions and choosing paths that will define their futures. These decisions and choices can only be made by them, but they are not alone, and as a school we will always give them the springboard they need to succeed, and the advice and support to make the decisions that are right for them.

It is a busy time – daunting but exciting too, and it is time that will fly past. Our mantra for the year is that at the end of it, each student should feel that they can look back upon their time in the sixth form with no regrets.

Alps target setting

To give our students a focus and direction, we use the ‘A level performance system’ of target grades. This is a process built upon a vast database of results, which provides a profile of what a student is capable of achieving at AS and A level, based upon their average GCSE score. The targets suggested are minimum projected targets, and many students will aim and achieve higher grades than those suggested by the Alps system.

Each subject area will negotiate a target grade with each student, informed by the Alps profile and by the student’s own aspirations. This is the grade which the student is then aiming towards in each piece of work during the year.

We have emphasised to the students that the Alps target grade is not a guarantee, and the data from our own school last year shows that students with the same GCSE points profile can have widely differing rates of success at the end of the course. How the student uses their time, the focus and commitment that they show, and their independent study skills and organisation are critical to their success. It is perhaps also worth pointing out that as a school we are unable to offer the opportunity to resit the lower sixth year, and that it is not practical for a student to continue to an A2 course with any grade lower than a D. With this in mind, it is crucial that each student makes the very most of their ability, and the opportunities that sixth form study offers them.

To achieve success:

- Aim high, and be totally committed to reaching your target.

- Be organised – with work, note-making and revision.

- Use your time wisely (you should be doing a minimum of 4 hours study per subject per week in addition to lesson time.)

- Don’t miss school time unless it is absolutely unavoidable.

- Ask for help whenever, and as soon as, you need it.

- Don’t compete with those around you – focus on your own goals.

- Make sure that you have a life beyond your studies!

Paid employment

The Alps data shows that often, paid work can be beneficial, giving students a break from school, a chance to learn and exercise a range of new skills, and some financial independence. Where students undertake paid employment for up to 10 hours a week, there is actually a statistical improvement in their grades. However when the working hours exceed 10 per week, the same data shows a massive and abrupt decline in grade scores.

Stress

It is beyond doubt that the next two years are going to prove stressful for students, especially at key points before modules and examinations, and when they are making post-18 choices.

Parents, students and school need to be aware of the potential for stress at these times, and to be able to respond as needed. There will also be a focus upon stress management and coping strategies as part of the sixth form pastoral programme in the coming weeks

For students, the key is to recognize that stress is not a weakness, nor something to be handled alone. Talk about how you are feeling, whether at home; with friends; or with tutors, teachers or the sixth form team at school. Organisation is important too – since feeling swamped by work, events or deadlines is a big factor in the build up of stress.

Careers and post-18 choices

Although it feels very early, post-18 choices will be made in the next 18 months, and the sheer range of options, as well as the financial ramifications of these choices makes it important to start thinking and planning early.

Our starting point is that:

There is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution; every student will have a different set of priorities and aspirations, and will follow an individual route into the world of employment.
Every student should aspire as highly as they can, and should take an open-minded approach to all the options available, before narrowing down their choices, and making the decisions that are right for them. (Concerns over student finance should not immediately rule-out an option, until the options have been explored and understood.)
These life decisions cannot be made for the student by the school, but we will give them every support and help in discovering and considering all the options available, and in preparing them to make these decisions.

There is a huge range of different possibilities, from moving straight into employment via an apprenticeship or other employment-training scheme, to vocational training, foundation degrees, university courses in Ireland, Europe or America, to taking a gap year. Our careers programme will provide information on all of these areas over the coming months.

Careers Department – Mrs Wilson and Mrs Locke

Our careers advisors, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Locke (who starts in November), will be working with all students over the next two years to consider their options, and to the routes that are most suited to them.

They are also very happy to meet with parents and students to discuss advice and guidance if that is helpful. They can be contacted through the school switchboard, and details are also available on the careers section of the school website.

The careers website www.ripongrammar.co.uk/careers contains sections on higher education, job-hunting, gap years, studying abroad etc, as well as a range of useful links to other sources, including information on student finance through the new government website www.gov.uk/studentfinance, and a link to ‘Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert Guide to Student Finance.’ (Parents wanting to learn more about this subject may also find useful a youtube clip labelled: ‘Martin Lewis student finance 2012’.)

The careers notices, advertising many excellent external opportunities for students to add to their skills and experience, are circulated through form tutors and displayed upon the careers noticeboards. Examples include university taster days, industry insight days and leadership courses. These are also accessible to parents through the Portico system on the school website, using the student’s username and password.

The school’s programme for careers and post-18 choices is already underway, with work encouraging students to identify their current skill-sets, and to consider what they can do to add to these in the months ahead.

After half term Mrs Locke will be introducing students to the process of career planning and encouraging them to make individual careers guidance appointments with Mrs Wilson.

In December we will provide a session for the lower sixth where past students who have followed a variety of routes will be available to talk about their experience, and the practicalities they have encountered. There will also be presentations on university study, and on alternative routes beyond school.
On 25^th April 2013 there will be a higher education evening for parents and students starting at 7pm, which will include presentations from universities on student finance and university choices.
Alongside this there will be further sessions on alternative routes into employment, and on gap-years.
In the summer term 2012, all students will attend the UCAS convention in Leeds, and the Newcastle and Northumbria university open days.
There will also be residential trips to Oxford and Cambridge for those interested in applying to these universities.
In July there will be a presentation to the lower sixth form on writing good personal statements – and time set aside for all students to work on these.
There will also be a week set aside for students to gain work-experience in July 2013 (8^th-12^th).
In the upper sixth year there will be further guidance on applications to university and employers, mock interviews for all students, and a careers fair with representatives from a wide range of companies and other organizations.

If parents feel that they would be willing to be involved in our careers process – either through acting as mock interviewers, or through presentations to students on career areas, Mrs Wilson would be delighted to discuss this with them. She can be contacted on wilsonf@ripongrammar.co.uk.

Work Experience

Whether applying for university courses, or seeking alternative routes into employment, relevant work-experience is increasingly becoming a key factor in successful applications, and this is something which many universities state should be continuing right through the degree course.

Additionally, certain very competitive courses such as medicine and veterinary medicine place particular emphasis upon a range of such practical experience.

As part of our sixth form careers programme, we set aside a week in early July (8^th-12^thJuly 2013) when we expect all lower sixth formers to arrange work-experience placements for themselves.

Since we are in direct competition for placements with Harrogate schools, and given the need to ensure insurance and health and safety cover for all those taking part, it is critical that students start making these arrangements as early as possible, confirming the placement and passing details on to Mrs Southwell when agreed.

Communication

There are a wide range of members of staff available to offer support, advice and encouragement – from form tutors and the sixth form pastoral team, to subject teachers, Mrs Wilson and the Careers office, Heads of Department, and of course the Headmaster and senior leadership team.

All of these will play some part in the monitoring and support of every student, and all are very happy to speak with parents and students at any stage.

As a sixth-form, we value feedback and communication from our students and parents. There will be a series of surveys during the next two years where we will ask for observations on various aspects of sixth-form life, (starting with a transition questionnaire later this half-term). Please understand that we do take these extremely seriously, and that our planning is in significant part shaped by these views.

We will be in touch with parents regularly over the next two years to update them on the progress of their son or daughter.

There are three reporting points during each year of the sixth form, each accompanied by a letter updating parents on the key areas of sixth-form focus at that stage.
There is a review of each lower sixth former’s progress in December, involving discussion between tutors, subject teachers and sixth form team. Any concerns arising will be communicated to parents.
A similar review for selected student takes place at the start of the Autumn term in the upper sixth, to reflect on AS level results.
There is a parents’ evening on the 6^th December 2012 to meet with subject teachers, and another such event in November for the upper sixth.
There is a Higher Education evening on the 25^th April at 7pm for parents and students, when speakers from universities will talk about the process of choosing a university, and about student finance arrangements. Mrs Wilson will also be available to meet with parents.
Finally there will be a celebration evening at the very end of the upper sixth, to celebrate the success of the students, and to wish them farewell.

Overall then, there are 11 points of formal contact between school and home over the two years of sixth form, in addition to any other communications that may take place. Please rest assured that we will be monitoring the progress of each student very closely, and keeping parents informed at every stage, and do get in touch with the form tutor if you have any concerns.

For information, the lower sixth form tutors are as follows:

L6A – Mr Duckworth

L6B – Mr Demir

L6C – Mr Chamberlain

L6D – Mrs Ball

L6E – Miss Nicholson

L6F – Dr Grime

Yours sincerely,

Mr T Fell

(Head of Sixth Form)

sixthform@ripongrammar.co.uk

Sixth Form Work Experience 2013

2012-10-02

September 2012

Dear Parents

WORK EXPERIENCE 2013

I would like to give you some information regarding our Work Experience programme for lower sixth students next year. Once again we will be offering students the opportunity to spend one week at a work placement. This year Work Experience will commence on Monday 8 July 2013 – the last full week before the end of term.

The aims and objectives of Work Experience have been explained to all of lower sixth students, the value of which is enhanced when students take as much responsibility as possible for planning and finding their own placements. It is vital that students start organising their placements immediately as explained below.

Competition for work placements has become quite fierce, as many employers are reducing their commitment and offering fewer placements, it is therefore vitally important that the search for a work placement begins in earnest this half term. Larger employers, such as Rolls Royce and Harrogate Hospital, organise all of their placements this term. Many employers are only taking one student a year and places are soon snapped up. In addition many local schools are also sending their students out in July.

Placements and Employers

Most employers have taken pupils from a number of schools for many years, and have well established practices. All participating employers have to sign a form (WE4) agreeing to strict NYCC regulations which include items on insurance cover, risk assessment and Health and Safety. Because of these regulations it is important that placements are within the North Yorkshire area – or in a local authority that borders the county such as Leeds. Any placement outside the area will necessitate a special Health and Safety inspection on behalf of NYBEP (North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership) and this may incur a cost. Where a fee is being levied you will be contacted and the health and safety check will only be carried out if you agree to pay the additional cost. In 2012 the average additional cost was £50 per out of county inspection. If you have any queries on this matter, please feel free to contact me at school. Employers should make no payment for the work performed during a placement.

Student Preparation

RGS works in partnership with NYBEP who complete the health and safety checks on our behalf. They also provide access to an electronic database which shows all employers in North Yorkshire who have taken students on work experience in recent years. Details on accessing the database are detailed below.

Insurance

Pupils are treated as employees under the Employers Liability policy and the employers must put details of their policy on the WE4 form. Personal Accident Insurance is arranged through NYCC.

Getting Started

Due to the increasing cost of NYBEP processing a student’s work experience placement documents we are asking lower sixth students to contribute to this. Please complete the attached form and return as soon as possible. The payment of £15 can be made through your Parent Pay account (if you do not have access to this account then a cheque made payable to Ripon Grammar School can be paid into school via Mrs Grime in N1 at break). Once we have received the payment we will log your son / daughter’s details with NYBEP and provide login details to access NYBEP’s extensive employer’s database.

There is inevitably some competition for places within North Yorkshire. We would therefore ask that parents and students talk about possible placements and the sort of experience the student hopes to have as soon as possible.

Once a placement has been secured:

1) students should pass the details to Mrs Morris in the Sixth Form Learning Centre. The placement will then be logged with NYBEP and a health and safety check will be booked with the employer.

2) ideally students will take responsibility for ensuring that the WE4 contract form is completed by the employer and yourselves. Copies of the WE4 form are available from Mrs Morris and the school website. Once completed the WE4 needs to be returned to Mrs Morris. A photocopy of the completed WE4 is available from school in July.

To enable us to meet the rigorous external checks we do need to have all placements booked on to the NYBEP database by 4pm on Tuesday 9 April 2013. This deadline is fixed by NYBEP and we have to meet it if a student is to go out on work experience. Under no circumstances will the school sanction any work experience placement that has not been agreed with NYBEP as this invalidates the insurance cover held by the school.

We hope that you will agree that students can gain enormous benefits from Work Experience and our experience is that it is a hugely important part of their sixth form experience.

If you have any questions regarding any aspect of Work Experience please do not hesitate to contact me via email (southwellb@ripongrammar.co.uk) or by telephone 01765 602647.

Yours sincerely

B A Southwell (Mrs)

Work Experience Co-ordinator

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RE WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS

Information for students seeking work experience placements in local government

Harrogate Borough Council

Leisure Services - If your son / daughter is seeking a work placement in a leisure centre run by Harrogate Borough Council all applications have to be sent to, Department of Community Services FAO Angie Clark. Applications are usually allocated on a first come first served basis.

Angie Clark, Harrogate Borough Council, Department of Community Services, Scottsdale House, Springfield Avenue, Harrogate HG1 2HR (01423 556738)

Harrogate Borough Council

Work experience placements are available in various departments. Students need to apply via the HR department.

North Yorkshire County Council

NYCC offer a wide range of work experience placements in various locations. Examples are shown below:

Facilities Management (finance)
Harrogate & Ripon Libraries
Technical Services (highways)
Clerical Assistant (various posts)
Legal Services
Human Resources
ICT (various)
Countryside Ranger

Mrs Southwell has details of the location of the different placements. All applications should be made through Kate Race (Young Persons Development Adviser) on 01609 780780 or email kate.race@northyorks.gov.uk.

Information for students seeking work experience placements in medicine

There are very limited places available as the majority of hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and clinics in this area are swamped with applications for work experience placements. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals both offer a programme to prepare students for a career in medicine. All applications must be made through school (see Mrs Southwell). Additional information regarding placements at South Tees Hospitals is attached.

Harrogate Hospital offers work placements in a range of departments, many in clinical areas. All applications have to be submitted on the official Harrogate Hospital application form (available from Mrs Southwell) and RGS will send the applications direct to the Student Co-ordinator at the hospital. The deadline for applications is December 2012. Placements are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Information for students seeking work experience placements in the legal profession

There were very few successful applications to local firms of solicitors last year. It is increasingly difficult for law firms to be able to offer a suitable programme for students below the age of eighteen. If your son / daughter is keen to undertake a work experience placement in a law firm an early approach is essential and having a personal contact is desirable. The law courts in Harrogate, Northallerton, Leeds and York offer work placements. There is considerable competition for these places.

Information for students seeking work experience placements linked to veterinary science – There are a number of placements available with local vets. There is considerable competition for these places. The Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Thirsk, no longer offer placements.

Information for students seeking work experience placements with North Yorkshire Police – We have had no success in securing placements with NYP in recent years. Their website says that applications have to be sent via school and HR can be very slow at processing applications. They took no work experience students in the 2011/12 financial year. This maybe subject to review and RGS are happy to contact them if anyone wants to apply this year.

Information for students seeking work experience placements with North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue – No placements are available in Ripon this year because of cuts to staffing.

Information for students seeking work experience placements with the armed forces

RAF Linton on Ouse and RAF Leeming – placements are not usually available to sixth formers but the situation is ever changing. Direct approach can be made to RAF Leeming and approach to RAF Linton is through NYBEP (01904 567616).

Army – placements available in Ripon, Catterick and York. Details from Mrs Southwell

Information for students seeking work experience placements with Wolseley plc – Wolseley offer a range of work placements at their HQ, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon such as IT, sales and catering. ALL applications have to be processed through school. Application forms are available from Mrs Southwell

Information correct May 2012

To view the Year 12 Reply Slip please click the link below.

Year 9 Work Experience Consent Form

2012-07-13

Click the link below to view the Year 9 Work Experience Consent Form.

Year 9 Work Experience Additional Information

2012-07-13

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RE WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS

Information for students seeking work experience placements in local government

Harrogate Borough Council

Angie Clark, Harrogate Borough Council, Department of Community Services, Scottsdale House, Springfield Avenue, Harrogate HG1 2HR (01423 556738)

Harrogate Borough Council

Work experience placements are available in various departments. Students need to apply via the HR department.

North Yorkshire County Council

NYCC offer a wide range of work experience placements in various locations. Examples are shown below:

- Facilities Management (finance)

- Harrogate & Ripon Libraries

- Technical Services (highways)

- Clerical Assistant (various posts)

- Legal Services

- Human Resources

- ICT (various)

- Countryside Ranger

NYCC produce a list of all placements available across the county. Details are circulated to each form and Mrs Southwell has further information about the application procedure. All applications should be made through Kate Race (Young Persons Development Adviser) on 01609 780780 or email kate.race@northyorks.gov.uk.

Information for students seeking work experience placements in medicine

Harrogate Hospital

There are very limited places available as the majority of hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and clinics in this area do not allow students under the age of 16 to undertake work experience placements. The exception to this is the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust which offers a programme to prepare students for a career in medicine.

Harrogate Hospital offers work placements in the planning department, on the switchboard, as general administration assistants, in supplies, in hotel services (catering) and in portering,

All applications have to be submitted on the official Harrogate Hospital application form (available from Mrs Southwell) and RGS will send the applications direct to the Student Co-ordinator at the hospital. The deadline for applications is December 2012. Placements are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Information for students seeking work experience placements in the legal profession

There were very few successful applications to local firms of solicitors last year. It is increasingly difficult for law firms to be able to offer a suitable programme for students below the age of sixteen. If your son / daughter is keen to undertake a work experience placement in a law firm an early approach is essential and having a personal contact is desirable. The law courts in Harrogate, Leeds and York offer work placements. There is considerable competition for these places.

Information for students seeking work experience placements linked to veterinary science – There are a number of placements available with local vets. There is considerable competition for these places, early application is recommended. The Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Thirsk no longer offer placements to students of school age.

Information for students seeking work experience placements with North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue – No placements are available in Ripon this year because of cuts to staffing.

Information for students seeking work experience placements with the armed forces

RAF Linton on Ouse – Very limited placements available 2012/13 and the dates may not coincide with the RGS work experience slot.

RAF Leeming – placements fill very quickly. Direct approach to be made to RAF Leeming

Army – placements available in Ripon, Catterick and York. Details from Mrs Southwell

Information for students seeking work experience placements with Wolseley plc – Wolseley offer a range of work placements at their HQ, Boroughbridge Road, Ripon such as IT, sales and catering. ALL applications have to be processed through school. Application forms are available from Mrs Southwell

Information correct 5 July 2012

Year 9 Work Experience Letter to Parents

2012-07-13

July 2012

Dear Parents

FOURTH YEAR WORK EXPERIENCE 2013

I would like to give you some information regarding our Work Experience programme for the current third form students next year.

This year we will be offering students the opportunity to undertake a one week placement commencing on Monday 20 May (the week before the summer term half term break) PLEASE NOTE the change of dates.

I will be discussing the aims and objectives of Work Experience with all third year classes and encourage students to take as much responsibility as they can for planning and finding their own placements.

Placements and Employers

Most employers have taken students from a number of schools for many years, and have well established practices. All participating employers have to sign a formal contract WE4 document (copy available from the school website) agreeing to strict national and NYCC regulations which include items on insurance cover and Health and Safety. Because of these regulations it is important that placements are within North Yorkshire – or in a neighbouring authority. Any placement outside the area will necessitate a special Health and Safety inspection by NYBEP (North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership) which will incur costs, as well as creating difficulties in terms of arranging the school visit carried out during the duration of the placement. For this reason out of area placements are appropriate only in exceptional circumstances. If you have any queries on this matter, please feel free to contact me at school. Employers should make no payment for the work performed during a placement.

Student Preparation

The students will be fully briefed on how to make the most of the experience as well as about administrative arrangements and Health and Safety issues. There will be a number of assemblies and briefing sessions leading up to the start of work experience in May 2013.

Supervision

One person is nominated by the employer to be responsible for the student. During the placement every pupil will be contacted by someone from the school to ensure that all is going well. Parents will also have out of hours contact numbers for school should they need them. In the unlikely event of a serious problem the school should be contacted immediately. Employers will have emergency contact details for the student for the duration of the placement.

Employers are asked to write a comment on each student at the end of the placement and this is recorded in the student’s journal.

Insurance

Students are treated as employees under their Employer’s Liability policy (the employers sign a form to confirm this cover is in place). RGS arranges personal accident insurance through NYCC for all students.

First Steps

Clearly most schools conduct a similar work experience programme with other students going on placement at some point in the year. There is inevitably therefore some competition for places within the Harrogate District. Students are therefore encouraged to start the process of finding a placement as early as possible. We would ask that parents and students talk about possible placements and the sort of experience the student hopes to have. Where parents and students may have their own contacts for such placements, it would be helpful for students and parents to make an initial contact and enquiry, and to keep us informed of any progress made.

Once a placement has been confirmed in writing please send the details into school. We will then contact the employer and NYBEP to ensure that the relevant paperwork, such as the WE4 contract form, and checks are completed.

NYBEP have developed their database of employers and further ideas and guidance on work experience is available on their website. All fourth years will be given their individual login for this site in September. In addition please find attached some guidance on securing a placement in medicine, local government with either Harrogate Council or NYCC and in the legal profession.

In the unlikely event that a student is unable to find a placement in time we are able to make arrangements to engage in aspects of work experience in school – working in various departments such as the library. We would hope to place everyone with a suitable employer.

Final Deadline - To enable NYBEP to meet the rigorous external checks and for us to have completed all the administration linked to the WE4 agreement form a final deadline will be set. This is likely to be in February (three months prior to the commencement of work experience) and the exact date will be confirmed next term.

We hope that you will agree that students can gain enormous benefits from undertaking Work Experience at this time and it is our view is that it is an invaluable experience.

Please complete the school reply slip and return it to school no later than Monday 16 July 2012.

If you have any questions regarding any aspect of Work Experience please do not hesitate to contact me in school by telephone or email southwellb@ripongrammar.co.uk

Yours sincerely

B A Southwell (Mrs)

Work Experience Co-ordinator

Summer Uniform for Girls

2012-03-22

23^rd March 2012

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Girls’ Summer Uniform 2012

As you are aware the girls at Ripon Grammar School are able to opt to wear a school dress in the summer months (Easter onwards). The dress is available from local uniform suppliers ‘Broadbank and Empson’ and ‘Smart Start’. We have received many favourable comments from the local community regarding how smart our girls look when wearing their dresses and blazers. I would like to remind you that the blazer is a compulsory item of summer uniform and if girls elect to wear the school dress, it should be worn with a blazer. The school dress should be worn at knee length and without a belt. Girls may opt to wear a school jumper in addition to their blazer in inclement weather. Since the introduction of the summer dress, the open neck shirt which some older students may have worn, has been phased out and is no longer an acceptable item of summer uniform. Girls may opt to continue to wear their winter uniform during the summer months if they so choose.

Winter Uniform September 2012

I appreciate that school uniform is an expensive item and we aim to ensure that parents are getting the best value for their money. I would like to remind you that blazers are a compulsory item of winter uniform for all girls who joined Ripon Grammar School from September 2008 onwards. If you recall the decision was taken in response to comments from parents, students and our belief that the girls look very smart when wearing their blazers. I am also aware that because we insist that girls wear their blazers at formal occasions such as prize-giving and commemoration, all the girls do indeed own a blazer. Students commencing their sixth form studies in September 2012 will also be required to wear a school blazer. The navy blue sweater currently worn by the girls is an optional item of uniform, when a blazer is worn.

I have also received a number of queries from parents regarding the style and length of the school skirt. The navy blue skirt should be an A line style skirt and when purchased, should be knee length or just below the knee. Short figure hugging lycra skirts are not an acceptable item of uniform. We would encourage you to support our named uniform suppliers and make your purchases locally. Ripon Grammar School Parents’ Association also have items of second hand uniform available for purchase and contact details are available on the school website.

In anticipation of your support, thank you and please contact me at school should you have any queries regarding uniform.

Yours sincerely

Miss M J Murray

Deputy Headteacher

UCAS Parent Letter

2012-03-16

March 2012

Dear Parent,

You will be aware that alongside the many other priorities facing our lower sixth form students at the moment, we are also beginning to focus them on planning their post-sixth form routes into higher education, training or employment, and on considering the wide range of options that they have – from university or college courses (in the UK or abroad,) through gap-year activities, to apprenticeships and training in employment opportunities.

Clearly this is a critical stage in each student’s life, and particularly with the well-publicised changes to student finance, and the cost of university education which will come into force this year, it is important that both students and parents are well-informed in making such decisions, and that there is a clear and practical understanding of these new costs, so that they are not seen simply as a barrier to aspiration.

With this in mind, we feel that it is important to keep parents up to date with the this process, and so we enclose details of the pattern that we will take all our students through over the coming months, along with details of where further information can be found – both on the application process, and on student finance. There will also be a Higher Education evening in school on the 26^th April, where parents and students can hear a number of presentations from university staff and finance officers, and have the chance to ask any questions that they might have.

Whilst we will carefully guide all our students through the process, providing a great deal of advice and guidance (including presentations and workshops on a wide range of relevant aspects such as: making decisions about education, alternatives to higher education, student finance, preparing personal statements, preparing for interviews etc.) this is of course ultimately a decision which the students themselves must take, and therefore we see it as our role to provide the best advice, support and information that we possibly can, in order to equip them to make the choices that are right for them.

I hope that this information is useful to you, and please do not hesitate to contact your son or daughter’s form-tutor, or the sixth form team if you have any particular queries.

Yours sincerely,

Mr T Fell

Head of Lower Sixth

UCAS - Parent Guide 2013

2012-03-16

Introduction

UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.

The parents section at www.ucas.com/parents has all the information you need to support your son or daughter choose their courses and apply to higher education, including important dates, the application process and additional resources.

Types of higher education qualifications

Certificate and Diploma of Higher Education

Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND)

Foundation Degree

Degree

Postgraduate

The Applicants Journey

Choosing a course

Your son or daughter should:

· Use the course finder at www.ucas.com to find suitable courses and the universities or colleges that offer them.

· Speak directly to university or college for advice about the course they are interested in.

· Attend Open Days and taster courses at universities that they are interested in. They will be able to find details of these on the relevant university or college website.

· Attend UCAS conventions and higher education fairs – some of these will be arranged through school.

· Check entry requirements for course and be realistic

UCAS Tariff

Students can collect points through a variety of qualifications. These points allow students to use a range of qualifications to help to secure their place in higher education.

Applying

Your son or daughter can apply for up to five courses at different universities or colleges using the online application system www.ucas.com/apply

They will be guided through the process by staff from the Sixth Form Office.

Deadlines

15 October 2012 Application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications to Cambridge, Oxford and applications for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/science.

15 January 2013 Application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications to all other courses, except some art and design courses.

24 March 2013 Application deadline for the receipt at UCAS of applications for art and design course (except those with a 15 January deadline).

What should a Personal Statement include?

The personal statement must be written by your son or daughter and not copied from another source. They should expect to produce a couple of drafts and staff in the Sixth Form Office will provide advice, guidance and proof read the personal statements. They need to include the following:

· Why they are applying for the course and what interests them about the subject.

· Why they think they are suitable for the course and university or college.

· What skills and achievements do they have that are relevant?

· Positions of responsibility.

· How do their hobbies and interests relate to their chosen course?

· What relevant work experience and voluntary work have they done?

· What they would like to do following higher education?

References and Payment

The school will write a reference for your son or daughter and submit this to UCAS. Students will need to pay with a credit or debit card.

Offers

Your son or daughter can check the progress of their application using Track online. This will be updated as UCAS receives decisions from universities and colleges. If they don’t receive any offers they may use Extra online allowing eligible applicants to apply for a new choice.

Universities and colleges make offers at different times of the year so not all students will receive offers at the same time.

Results

Most exam results are received directly from the awarding organisation. If your son or daughter’s qualification is listed online they do not need to send their results to their university or college. They can check Track online to see if they have a place on their chosen course.

Next Steps

If your son or daughter has received different grades than expected there may be other options available. They will need to look at Track and Course Vacancies online.

There will be members of staff from the Sixth Form Office in school on results day to help students who have not got their expected grades through the clearing system.

Starting University or College

Your son or daughter needs to make sure they have everything ready such as accommodation, finance, travel arrangements and equipment.

Student Finance

Details regarding student finance can be found at www.direct.gov.uk. We will also be holding presentations, have visits from a representative from Student Finance and will distribute further information in the Upper Sixth

Ofsted Report 2012

2012-02-29

Date: 29 Febuary, 2012

From: The headmaster

To: All parents/guardians

Dear parents/guardians

Re: Ofsted Inspection February 2012

I am delighted to inform you that following the Ofsted inspection held in early February, conducted on the more demanding framework introduced at the beginning of the year, Ripon Grammar School has been graded outstanding for the first time in its history. Three out of the four categories were graded

1 (outstanding) which resulted in a grade 1 overall. This was an integrated inspection where the boarding element of the school was inspected at the same time; this was graded 2 (good).

This is the first time that Ripon Grammar School has been recognised as an outstanding school by Ofsted. My thanks go to governors, staff, parents and students who worked together to achieve this excellent outcome. My particular thanks go to the parents who returned questionnaires – the response was an outstanding one where there was overwhelming satisfaction for the work the school does.

I would urge you to read the report which is on the school website. There are many highlights – teaching is outstanding as is the behaviour of the students. The curriculum is outstanding and meets the needs of the students exceptionally well. The sixth form is outstanding where progress and attainment are outstanding. There are no weak subjects at A-level or GCSE and students’ skills in numeracy and literacy are outstanding.

Half of the lessons observed during the inspection were outstanding; lessons have pace and high levels of challenge. Ofsted recognised the excellent opportunities for extra curricular activities. Students are well-rounded, confident and relate to each other very well. The excellent behaviour of the students is a feature of the school; inspectors commented that students choose to behave well rather than being coerced. They are very accepting of differences between students and are outstanding learners outside of the classroom, contributing to the outstanding level of attainment at A-level and GCSE.

Students have very good awareness of different cultures and the well-balanced, confident students at RGS is a reflection of the excellent promotion of social, moral, spiritual and cultural development. The students are outstanding ambassadors for the school; they value the community and are immensely proud of their school. The students were exceptional during the two day inspection.

The inspectors recognise the clear vision the senior leadership team have and how deficiencies in the previous inspection have been tackled very successfully. My own drive and tenacity has been recognised but without the support of governors and the Senior Leadership Team this would not be possible. Governors challenge and support the school well.

The inspectors recognised the quality of boarding provision; a strong community exists and the behaviour of boarders is excellent. The extensive and high quality refurbishment programme was recognised and staff/student relationships are good.

The areas for development include greater integration of boarding into the main part of the school and greater consistency between boarding houses. The skills of middle leaders have been strengthened since the last inspection but further work is still needed. This affected the leadership and management outcome since this applies to all staff within school with leadership and management responsibilities. (A post-Ofsted action plan will now be formulated and agreed by governors to address these issues.)

Ripon Grammar School has been recognised as an outstanding school on a challenging new inspection framework. I am delighted for everyone associated with the school and I would like to thank parents for their support. The staff were excellent during the inspection and clearly impressed the inspection team.

Key findings

■ Ripon Grammar is an outstanding school.

■ Students’ attainment and achievement are high, at both GCSE and A-level.

■ Students’ behaviour and safety overall are outstanding. Students show

excellent attitudes to learning. Attendance is high, reflecting students’

enjoyment of school.

■ Teaching is outstanding, representing an improvement since the school’s

previous inspection. Lessons are challenging and intellectually stimulating.

■ The school offers an outstanding curriculum that includes a wide range of

optional subjects at both GCSE and A-level and which meets students’ needs

exceptionally well. Students are well-rounded, confident individuals.

■ The sixth form is outstanding; students attain high grades at A-level and leave

school very well prepared for further study or training.

■ Leadership and management are good. Senior leaders have a clear vision for

the school and have secured further improvement to the overall quality of

teaching. The skills of middle leaders are clearly improving but are not yet all

of the same high quality.

■ The overall effectiveness of boarding is good. The school meets the national

minimum standards for boarding schools. The leadership and management of

boarding are good.

■ The safety of boarding students is good. However, there is some inconsistency

in how the two houses operate.

■ Boarding and educational aspects of the school do not operate in a fully

integrated way. Oversight of policies and plans for both are not always

sufficiently coordinated.

The challenge now is to make the school even better. Ripon Grammar School is not perfect and there is much work still to be done, as outlined in the school’s development plan. There will be no complacency from governors or the leadership team. At this point in time, we can all reflect on a superb achievement resulting from a magnificent team effort by everyone. The full report can be read on the school website and it has also been e-mailed to you. Please contact my secretary, Mrs Storey, at school if you would like a hard copy to be sent in the post to you.

Thank you once again.

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman

Headmaster

Information for fifth form parents regarding GCSE examinations

2012-01-27

From the headmaster

27 January, 2012

Dear Parents

Information for fifth form parents regarding GCSE examinations

I thought it would be helpful to cover some issues close to the time reports are distributed at February half-term. The summer GCSE examination schedule is approaching very quickly and I would like to draw your attention to the following information. I thought it would be useful to issue this information in the form of bullet points.

· There are six weeks from half term to the end of term

· Science re-sit modules for P1a, P1b, C1a, C1b and B1a, B1b
are on 1 March.

· School is closed on Friday, 4 May and Monday, 7 May for the bank holiday weekend.

· Study leave begins on Tuesday, 15 May, five weeks after returning from the Easter break. This date has been chosen to maximise the time available to students with their teachers in school.

· There are examinations just before students go on study leave, and some immediately after, namely:

o Food and Nutrition on 14 May

o French listening on 14 May

o Religious Studies on 15 May

o French reading on 17 May

o Biology (B2, B3) on 21 May

o English literature on 22 and 24 May

o Chemistry (C3) on 24 May

· This is not an exhaustive list so an individual statement of examination entry and a detailed examination handbook will accompany your son/daughter’s report in February for your information.

· This does illustrate the point that in the year of the Queen’s Jubilee, when we have an extra bank holiday, many examinations are before the half-term break in the summer term. There should therefore be a real sense of urgency at this stage regarding revision and the need to prepare thoroughly for examinations which will take place soon.

· The Easter break of two weeks is essential time for revision, given the number of examinations in May.

· Some students are committed to paid employment and it is important to moderate this over the coming months. I would suggest no more than four hours per week in the run up to the summer.

· Students need to consider their weekend sporting commitments over the coming months – playing a lot of sport during the weekend before a heavy examination week is not advisable.

· Your son/daughter’s report will highlight appropriate guidance for them in the run-up to the summer. I trust that it will be helpful in giving advice on how to improve and make the most of the remainder of their time in the fifth form. Teachers will be available after study leave should students wish to make an appointment and departments are running lunchtime revision sessions for students to help with preparation in the run up to GCSE examinations. I would expect students to take advantage of this opportunity.

I trust this information is helpful. This year is unusual because of the large number of examinations in May and I thought it would be good to draw your attention to it at this stage.

Please feel free to contact myself or Mr Illingworth, head of upper school, should you need to.

I wish your son/daughter good luck for the summer examinations.

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman

Headmaster

5th Form Careers Information, Advice and Guidance

2011-09-14

9 September 2011

Dear Parents

5th Form Careers Information, Advice and Guidance

During the course of the year all 5th form students will be making important decisions about their future, and the Careers Department is able to offer them support in a number of ways.

During the autumn term students will be following a careers education programme to help them explore their interests and abilities and make informed and realistic decisions about their post 16 options and beyond. I shall also be visiting form groups to encourage students to come along to lunchtime drop-in sessions in the careers library and to use our excellent online resources.

In addition all students will have an individual careers guidance interview with Mrs Linda Howard, from IGEN, our local careers service. The interviews normally last 40 minutes and provide the opportunity for students to discuss career ideas as well as to talk through their options for next year. Parents are welcome to attend the interview if the student feels this would be helpful and follow up interviews will be arranged if appropriate. All students will receive a career action plan, which will outline the key points discussed, and any action that needs to be taken.

I would also like to draw your attention to the Careers Education section of the RGS website which contains a summary of our careers programme as well as information and links to useful websites to assist with research into a wide range of career related issues. We aim to give parents the best possible support when they discuss subject options and career ideas with their son or daughter and we hope that you will find this to be a useful resource.

Careers staff will be available at the forthcoming parents evening on Tuesday 1 November and also at the 6th form information evening on Monday 23 January. If you would like to discuss your son or daughter’s career ideas please do come and see us on those evenings. Alternatively do not hesitate to telephone me at school on extn 229 or email: wilsonf@ripongrammar.co.uk.

Yours sincerely

Frances Wilson

Careers Department

Careers Education Programme

2011-09-14

9 September 2011

Dear Parents

Careers Education Programme

At Ripon Grammar School we recognise that an effective careers programme can help prepare young people for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences that lie ahead. In addition to the careers education and guidance delivered by staff, we run careers events throughout the year that involve representatives from businesses and other organisations coming in to school to work with our students.

We are constantly looking for opportunities to develop further links with employers and would like to hear from parents who could contribute to our programme. Contact with employers is of huge benefit to our students as they prepare for their future, and is often welcomed by organisations wishing to build links with young people in the community.

One event currently being planned is a large scale careers evening to be held on Thursday 8 March. We hosted the first evening of this type in 2008 and it has now become a biennial event. It is not intended as a recruitment fair and the purpose of the evening is to raise our students’ awareness of the wide range of career and educational opportunities that lie ahead of them.

The evening is open to all students at the school and parents are also welcome to attend. During the evening students have the chance to speak directly to people who have offered to share their first-hand knowledge and experience. In particular it is an opportunity for students to ask advice on how to prepare for a career within a particular employment sector and to get ideas about things that they can do now to help them to stand out from the crowd in future university or employment applications.

In addition to this whole school event there are a number of opportunities for business representatives to work with specific year groups. This term we are aiming to give all our upper sixth students the chance of a practice interview to increase their confidence in an interview with an adult they have not previously met. This is planned for Thursday 3 November from 1.30pm-4pm. We are looking for a team of interviewers from outside school and would very much welcome help from parents with interviewing experience. Guidance notes will be provided and there will be a briefing at the start of the afternoon.

If you feel that you, or your organisation, are able to contribute to either of these events, or to other areas of our careers programme, please complete the attached pro-forma or e-mail wilsonf@ripongrammar.co.uk. Further information about our careers programme and links to useful careers and higher education related websites can be found on the careers education pages of the school website.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Frances Wilson

Careers Department

Please tick as appropriate and return to Mrs F Wilson in the Careers Library

	My organisation may wish to participate in the careers evening on Thursday 8 March 2012.

	I, or a colleague, would be able to help with practice interviews on the afternoon of Thursday 3 November 2011

	I would be willing to give a presentation / run a workshop relating to my field of employment

	I would be willing for a group of pupils and appropriate staff to visit my workplace

	My organisation may be able to offer a work experience placement to a suitable student

	Other (please give details)

Name…………………………………………………………………………

Parent of………………………………………………………………………

Organisation……………………………………………………………………

Contact Details (please include email and / or telephone number)

……………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………….…………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

Higher Education and Alternative Post 18 Options

2011-07-11

Higher Education and Alternative Post 18 Options

To Parents of L6th students

8^th July 2011

Dear Parents

We have spoken with sixth form students today about the alternative routes that students may wish to investigate alongside the usual UCAS route that the vast majority of our students take.

Given the changing situation in relation to the costs of higher education in the UK, we feel that it is important to ensure that students are as fully informed as possible about the full range of opportunities open to them. Information has been provided to the students about the opportunities to study degrees taught in English in Europe and in the USA. Additionally attention has been drawn to the existence of some sponsorship schemes for higher education offered within the UK. There is also information on various websites about some alternatives to degree education.

We have stressed to students that we anticipate that the vast majority of students will continue to apply to British universities through the UCAS process.

Mrs Wilson, our personal development co-ordinator, has provided additional information on the careers section of the school website related to higher education in the UK and abroad. Students and parents are encouraged to contact Mrs Wilson, or any other member of staff, should additional information or discussion be required about this matter.

Yours sincerely

Mrs C Wise

Head of Sixth Form

Alternatives to UCAS route: Additional Useful Information Update July 2011

Useful websites related to studying abroad

Netherlands: www.nuffic.nl

Denmark: http://studyindenmark.dk

Finland: www.studyinfinland.fi

Norway: www.studyinnorway.no

Sweden: www.studyinsweden.se

Germany: www.study-in.de/en

France: www.campusfrance.org/en

Ireland: www.educationireland.ie

Maastricht University websites

Visit the website at: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl

or read the blog by first-year student from Worcestershire (Theresa Bullock) at:

http://maastricht-students.com/author/theresa

Universities in Ireland: websites

It is possible to search online for all HE provision in Ireland via the Qualifax database at:

www.qualifax.ie

and to apply through the Central Applications Office at:

www.cao.ie

Studying in the USA

The best site for studying in the USA is that of the Fulbright Commission.

www.fulbright.co.uk

Representatives of the Fulbright Commission stress that America is not a cheap option – with fees at around $19,500 a year in state universities and $25,000 in private institutions – but may not be significantly different from UK costs after 2012, assuming that candidates seek and obtain some form of scholarship.

Sponsorship for degrees in the UK

It is worth investigating whether there may be sponsorship from industry to support higher education routes.

The Financial Skills Partnership (FSP) has information about some

programmes which combine a salary and a debt-free degree route. The website is:

jenny.barber@financialskillspartnership.org.uk

Examples of companies which provide this route include Barclays and KPMG:

www.barclaysdegree.com

www.kpmgcareers.co.uk

Alternatives to the degree route include:

The five-year BDO school leaver training programme leads initially to the Certificate in

Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) and on to full ACA professional qualifications.

The company says they are keen to recruit talented, ambitious A level (or equivalent) students who are unsure whether a typical university education is the right path for them.

Find out more at: www.bdo.co.uk/schools

Other useful websites are:

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

You might also try the Apprenticeships website

at: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Studying in the UK

The website www.bestcourse4me.com presents this information using data from the Labour Force Survey and the Higher Education Statistics agency. This unique not-for-profit website allows teachers, parents and students to find out important information on employment and earnings outcomes from various courses and universities, enabling informed choices to be made about which university or course will have a better career outcome

WE4 Master Form

2011-07-08

Please click on the link below to view the WE4 Form

Extra Curricular School Sport

2011-06-14

13 June 2011

Dear Parent/Guardian

Extra Curricular School Sport

The PE and Games department at RGS is very keen to provide your son/daughter with as many sporting opportunities as possible. The opening of the astro turf and the completion of the climbing wall have allowed us to introduce many exciting and new challenges for our students.

The ethos of the department is to encourage and maximise participation in extra curricular school sport. If you feel that you are able to support us in our attempts to provide a ‘Sport for All’ ethos at RGS, have the appropriate qualifications and are able to commit the time to running a school club such as netball, hockey or cross country can I please encourage you to contact us. You can contact me at school either by telephone: 01765 602647 or email: gilfillans@ripongrammar.co.uk

We are aware of the hectic nature of modern day life but we are keen to involve the community of Ripon and the surrounding area in order to assist us in providing a vibrant and active school community.

Thank you for your continued support and good will.

Yours sincerely

Mr Pearman Ms Gilfillan

Headmaster Head of PE & Games

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

2011-05-19

July 2011

Dear Parents

NOTIFICATION OF ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Keeping your son or daughter safe is one of the prime objectives of Ripon Grammar School and of the ‘every child matters’ agenda, and it is essential that if your son or daughter is not in school we need to contact you as quickly as possible.

Currently, after three days a member of the school’s administration team will telephone you to ascertain the reason for absence from school of your son or daughter. The vast majority of absences are known about either on the day or in advance, and currently the procedure of parents telephoning Mrs Wakefield, our school receptionist, at school if your son or daughter is ill works well. This procedure will continue. However, if the absence is unexplained a member of the school’s administration team will send a text message to the main contact’s mobile telephone on the first day of absence if a telephone message or email has not been received. I hope that you support this approach.

In summary:

1. If your son or daughter is ill, please contact Mrs Wakefield to let us know before 9am on the first day of absence (either by telephone or email absence@ripongrammar.co.uk). If the school does not receive a telephone call or email by this time and the absence is unexplained, a member of the school’s administration team will either send a text message to the main contact’s mobile telephone, or telephone you during the morning, either at home, work or to a mobile telephone number.

2. If your son or daughter is still off school after three days, a member of the school’s administration team will contact you again to enquire about your son/daughter’s health and potential date of return. The absence can then be authorised on the school’s management information system.

3. You must write a note to confirm your son or daughter’s absence when he or she returns to school so that an accurate record of attendance can be maintained.

4. A potential long term absence (eg. an operation) should be discussed with your son or daughter’s head of school. The school will aim to provide your son or daughter with appropriate work during their absence and make arrangements for their return to school.

5. Students who are late arriving and students who miss either morning or afternoon registration must sign the late book in reception. This will ensure that we have an accurate record of who is present in school and will reduce the need to contact parents with regard to unexplained absences.

6. Routine medical and dental appointments should be made outside school hours.
If this is unavoidable then please write to your son or daughter’s form tutor in advance. Students should sign out at reception when leaving for appointments and sign back in when they return.

Please note also that the procedures for punctuality, attendance and illness are described in your son or daughter’s school planner. These include procedures for late arrival into school, and procedures to follow should you wish to request for your son or daughter to be absent from school during term time. Parents are asked not to arrange family holidays during term time but if this is unavoidable a Holiday Request Form should be requested from Mrs Wakefield, our school receptionist, well in advance of the proposed holiday dates. These should then be returned to the form teacher. Parents of sixth form students should write to the head of sixth form outlining their request. Absence for family matters, etc should be made in writing to your son or daughter’s form tutor.

Thank you for your cooperation. I realise this procedure will require you to keep the school informed when your son or daughter is absent. However, I am sure you will appreciate that this is in the best interest of all students, and it will also help the school to manage its record of student attendance better.

Ripon Grammar School enjoys exceptionally high attendance rates, which reflect the students’ enjoyment of coming to school.

Please feel free to contact me at school should you need to, and thank you in advance for your support in this matter.

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman
Headmaster

Communication with parents

2011-05-05

May, 2011

Dear Parents,

Communication with parents

Communicating with parents is essential to keep you updated regarding school events as well as the progress of you son/daughter. The traditional method of sending out letters will be replaced, where appropriate, by email. Letters will be sent out by e-mail at the end of the week as well as a paper copy via your son/daughter in the first instance. If this works well, then the paper copy may not be necessary eventually. I appreciate some parents may not have an

e-mail address; I will ensure a copy of any letters are posted to you if e-mail becomes the only method of communication for letters. All letters to parents are issued on our school website also. For this to work as effectively as possible, you will be asked for an up-to-date e-mail address each year. Please also advise us if your e-mail address changes at any time throughout the school year.

The school’s management information system (SERCO); which holds all our students’ personal, assessment and attendance data will be accessible from home via a programme called e-portal. You will be able to access the information the school holds on your child; reports could be received via e-portal too and I would expect that this will become the preferred method of relaying school reports to you in the future. A username and password will be issued to you to use this facility.

Text Messaging Service

The school has purchased a software module which enables the school’s management information system (SERCO) to send a text message to your mobile ‘phone in an emergency. This would be particularly useful to inform you of a school closure, but also would have applications throughout an academic year when an important meeting, such as a parents’ evening, needs to be rescheduled at late notice. It can also be used to remind parents about events which are happening as well as conveying a change in the start time for a school event and it will be used to notify parents when your child is absent from school if a reason has not been given for a particular absence. There is a cost to sending these texts so the system will only be used if the expense is justified. However there will be many occasions when this form of communication will be the most appropriate.

It is vital that the school has your up-to-date mobile telephone number, and if you change it please inform the school as soon as possible. Due to expense the school will only send one text message per family and this will be sent to the first contact provided by you. Please state your preference for which mobile should be the main contact. For parents without a mobile, a message can be sent to the voice mail of a BT, NTL or TELEWEST landline. I hope this will further improve essential communication between the school and parents.

If you have any questions please do contact me at school.

Yours sincerely

M L Pearman

Headmaster