Pastoral System

"Students have a very high sense of personal responsibility: this contributes, in large measure, to creating the very civilised and tranquil environment of the school." (Ofsted)

What is Pastoral Care?

A central principle underlying the pastoral system is that young people are most likely to be successful academically if they feel secure in their school environment.

To this end, Ripon Grammar School gives great weight to the importance of effective induction and on-going guidance for each student in order to try to ensure that each young person is both happy and successful.

The school pastoral system is divided into three main sections:

• Lower School KS3
• The Upper School KS4
• The Sixth Form KS5

Transition Between Key Stages

Great care is taken as students move from one Key Stage to the next to ensure a smooth transition. The transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 is marked by the transfer of responsibility to the Upper School and by a comprehensive transition programme which begins in the third year. The Sixth Form Office oversees the transition from Key Stage 4 to the Sixth Form. A comprehensive induction programme is provided for students prior to entering the sixth form. Nearly all of the GCSE students at Ripon Grammar School progress into the sixth form where they are joined by students from other schools and colleges who have been successful in applying for a place in the sixth form.

At Ripon Grammar School we believe the pastoral organisation of the school is very effective in what it sets out to achieve: a secure environment in which all students are valued, and in which they can be successful and reach their potential.