Going for gold celebrations

EIGHT past pupils have achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards through Ripon Grammar School, with 55 more working towards the impressive achievement.

Now that presentations have begun again at Buckingham Palace, following a pause due to the pandemic, RGS’s DofE co-ordinator Ruth Smith is hoping the eight former students can all collect their awards in person this summer.

They are: Charlotte Chapman and Ben Rickard (who left in 2021); Richard Pulman (who left in 2022); Alfred Goodwin, Freya Mosley, Matilda Lee, Emily Wilford and Emma Ibbotson (who left in 2023).

Huge congratulations to all of them.

Jamie Highton and Dr Smith, RGS’s DofE co-ordinators over the past four years, said they were incredibly proud of our past pupils’ achievements and the commitment shown to complete this highest level of award.

Dr Smith said: “The verification process for Gold is rigorous, and all the evidence must be sent off for approval.”

She added: “Looking to the future, 56 pupils in Year 12 and Year 13 who are signed up for the Gold Award are currently working hard on their skill, volunteering and physical elements and some have already completed their expedition and residential sections.

“So, we look forward to celebrating successes with them in 2024 and 2025!”