RGS in top 200 sporting schools in England

RIPON Grammar School has been named among the top sporting schools in England.

School Sport Magazine has ranked it in the top 200 out of more than 4,000 schools surveyed nationally.

One of only 84 in the state sector – the top 2.5 per cent - to make the cut, RGS is now placed in the top five per cent of all schools in the country, including independents, for sporting achievement.

Director of sport Adam Milner said: “Congratulations to everyone involved. This is a huge achievement for the school and the PE department. 

"We have had a successful year in a wide range of sports and that wouldn't have happened without the relentless effort and commitment staff put into providing our dedicated, hardworking students with the opportunities they need to succeed.

"I'm delighted it has led to a place in the top 200 sporting schools, something we have quietly strived towards for the past few years. It's a reflection and celebration of how much effort everyone at RGS puts into their sport, and confirms the school is about so much more than academic success."

Holding its own against the many elite independent top-flight sporting schools on the prestigious annual list, RGS earned praise for a series of outstanding sporting performances throughout 2023.

This is the first time the school, ranked 116th, has made it into the Top 200 list, based on performance in 20 sports across more than 120 national competitions.

It follows a remarkable year of national and regional successes in a range of sports, including athletics, cricket, cross country, football, netball, hockey, rugby and swimming.

Among the highlights:

*RGS’s swim team emerged as the second fastest state school in the country in national championships

*The U13 girls’ football team made it to semi-finals of a national tournament

*The U12 netball team reached the semi-finals of the School Sport magazine national cup

*Triple Yorkshire athletics champ Isaac Henson won a top ten place in national decathlon championships while triathlete Archie Bordewich finished 2023 in the top thirty nationally.

*RGS U15 hockey players were crowned county champions

*RGS cricket, athletics, rugby and cross country teams reached county and/or regional finals

* RGS cricketers, triathletes and rugby and netball players have been selected to represent their county in national championships and picked for elite talent pathway programmes.

Mr Milner pointed out that schools on the list usually have to make the later stages of several national competitions.

“We are extremely proud and look forward to building on this success, while ensuring that all students continue to enjoy the wide range of wonderful sporting opportunities available at RGS.”