TRIBUTE: 'An enthusiastic and dedicated member of staff'

We were sorry to hear of the death of former RGS games teacher Janet Rich, an enthusiastic and dedicated member of staff who worked in the PE department from 1980-1990 and volunteered with the Girl Guides and as a local primary school governor

Friend and colleague Freda Bottomley pays tribute


JANET was a teacher in girls’ physical education at Ripon Grammar School from 1980 to 1990 (supporting Miss Holland, Mrs Young and then Miss Bottomley ). Officially, hers was a part-time post, but this was a totally inaccurate description of Janet’s work. She willingly gave her free time in lunch hours and after school, coaching girls in the full range of our summer and winter sports, and helped with umpiring inter-school fixtures throughout the year on Saturday mornings.

It was Janet’s determined interest that brought more netball into the winter curriculum, which had previously been dominated by hockey. She also ran lunchtime netball practices and organised matches against other schools.

In 1989 she helped Miss Howden introduce the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Scheme in the school, using her experience gained with it in Guiding.

She approached her work calmly, cheerfully and with understanding, always willing to help both staff and students.

She enjoyed working with the set design and construction teams for school plays.

For many years she also worked with young girls in the Guiding movement, and was a leader in the Cathedral Guide Company. She introduced many Guides to camping, and they thoroughly enjoyed their annual camps and activity days. She was Ripon East Division Commissioner and a founding member of Ripon Trefoil Guild.

Janet became a governor at Fountains Primary School when it first opened in 1989. Her previous knowledge and experiences enabled her to be a very effective chair of governors, working well with the head teacher, governors and staff for over ten years.

Through the schools and Guiding, Janet has helped many people in Ripon in their younger years.

We are all very sad to learn of her death on January 8, 2026, but thank her for all she voluntarily contributed in our lives.