​New student leadership team announced

AN enthusiastic new team of student leaders has been appointed at Ripon Grammar School, selected from an outstanding field of candidates.

Will Renton and Amelia Briggs will take on the roles of head boy and girl, leading an impressive team of deputies to represent pupils and help to shape student life across the school community.

Will, who hopes to study medicine at university before pursuing a career as a doctor in the RAF, wants to inspire younger students to be the best they can be, drawing on his own experiences, including helping to care for his younger sister Ellie, who has spinal muscular atrophy.

“I want to encourage students to take on ambitious challenges and broaden their horizons,” he said, adding that he looks forward to supporting the wider officer team.

Head Girl Amelia, who plans to study psychology at university, with a particular interest in occupational psychology, said she was very proud to represent the school she has attended since Year 7.

In her new role, she hopes to strengthen both student engagement and community links. “I would love to build on projects like the school’s Culture Day and further develop the role of the school within the community,” she said.

“I also want to be a supportive and approachable figure for students.”

Both 17 years old, the pair have always been highly active members of both school and community life.

Will, from Kirkby Malzeard, studying chemistry, biology, music and maths at A-level, is involved in multiple musical groups including wind band, brass ensemble and guitar ensemble, while also receiving tuition in piano and French horn.

Outside the classroom, he is an experienced climber and an active Scout, volunteering weekly as a Young Leader. He is also qualified to lead canoeing and works with the North Yorkshire Scouts County Water Activities Team.

His achievements include attending the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in South Korea, taking part in a World Challenge expedition to Northern India, and receiving an Unsung Hero Award from the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation.

Amelia, from Ripon, a keen runner and member of Ripon Runners, is also actively involved in community work through Ripon Together, where she contributes to the organisation’s social media and helps promote local initiatives.

Among her achievements, she has been accepted onto the UNIQ Oxford Outreach Programme, which includes academic lectures and a residential experience at the University of Oxford.

Will and Amelia’s 13 deputies have all excelled both in and out of the classroom, having immersed themselves in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

Given individual responsibilities, they will play an important part in various aspects of school life ranging from boarding, community and environment to enrichment, publicity and student equalities and welfare.

They are:

Head of girls’ boarding - Oriana Panetta; Head of boys’ boarding - Joe Reedman; Welfare: Iona O’Hare; Equalities: Faiz Oreagba; New Students: Lucy Wright; Community: Katy Thody; Environment: Carolina Fernandes; Enrichment: Liliana Bilor; Publicity: Lola Maybank; Heads of House: Hutton - Abi Keats; De Grey - Sam Weightman; Porteus - Tom Simpson and Holland: Manya Rajeeva