Traffic Congestion

For safety, we must ask parents not to use the main drive to drop off or pick up pupils before and after school.  The narrow driveway doesn’t allow cars to pass and the log-jamming causes a major hazard to everyone concerned.       

Also, if you need to pick up before 3.40 p.m. please do so away from the school, especially avoiding Princess Avenue, Ashton Road and Marlton Way, a private road on Haverbreaks.  Congestion, especially when school buses arrive, causes another safety hazard, and greatly inconveniences local residents.

Your co-operation will be appreciated.

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PROSPECTIVE SIXTH FORM MEETING:

For information on all our Sixth Form courses:  7.00 p.m. School Hall, Wednesday, 1st February, 2006.  All Year 11 welcome.

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SPORTS DINNER

Carleton Hotel, Morecambe on Friday, 31st March, 2006.

Guest Speaker (by popular request):  Mr. Norman Prince

An evening not to be missed.

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Pride of Place

Congratulations:

·        to the following whose outstanding effort grades rank them in the top 20 (or equal 20th) in the school: Adam Barksi (Y9), Emma Barton (Y10), Jonathan Bennett (Y7), Emily Burr (Y8), Faye Cameron (Y10), Ricky Cusimano (Y8), Amelia Farebrother (Y7), Lucy Gager (Y11), Amy Garnett (Y10), Hannah Johnson (Y7), Katie Montgomery (Y7), Beth Powell (Y11), Sophie Randles (Y11), Lewis Ryder (Y8), Jane Salisbury (Y10), Simon Saunders (Y8), Jade Smith (Y8), Stephen Tagg (Y10), Deborah Thomas (Y10), Hannah Vaughan-Jones (Y9), Sarah Walsh (Y11),  Caroline Xu (Y9).

·        to the produced, director, support team and cast for the superb A Level Theatre Studies production, ‘The House of Bernarda Alba’.  Another brilliant production by the students.  Upper Sixth members: Lucie Carrington, Lyndsey Cocker, Lizzie Cross, Mathew Davies, Randalle Dewhurst, Frances Jackson, Harriet McGregor, Fay Sambrook and Laura Waterhouse.

·        to our Intermediate Swimmers, Emily Jackson, Jessica Stainer, Lucinda Wannop, Alicia Wilson, who will compete in the National Swimming Championships at Macclesfield next month.  This is the fourth successive year that we’ve had at least one relay team in the national finals, an outstanding achievement and the best in the North West of England.

·        to our U16 Football Team, winners of the Lancashire Cup competition, defeating St. Bede’s School, Blackburn, 3 - 2 in the final.  The team now goes on to represent Lancashire in the English Schools’ national competition:  Alex Agababian, Joshua Atkinson, Tom Ball, Kingsley Barker (Capt.), Matthew Bell, Craig Cottam, Adze Danboyi, Robert Hall, James Hesketh, Sam Holroyd, Adam Lawson, Steven Loxam, Scott Manning, Lee Riley.

·        to Stephanie Wood, winner of the Lancaster and Morecambe Lions Club ‘Peace’ Art competition.  Also to other prize winners Emily Wharton and Sophie Wilson.

·        to our Cross Country runners who performed so well in the inter-schools championships.  Sophie Fletcher and Joe Cox were outright individual winners and we were highly placed in all 6 team competitions:  Year 8/9 and Year 10/11 Girls won their events, Year 7 Girls came third, whilst Year 7, 8/9 and 10/11 Boys’ teams all secured runner-up positions.

·        to our U15 Hockey players, winners of the District Schools competition: Lauren Atkins, Hannah Barlow, Emma Barton, Annabelle Cartmell, Alison Disberry, Emily Dow, Anmy Garnett (Capt.), Becky Grant, Louise Huck, Hannah Humpage, Rebecca Marwood, Charlotte Mason, Mica Nottingham, Heather Park, Lynne Taylor, Katie Whitehouse.

·        Year 10 Tennis Squad: winners of the Girls’ Lancashire Championships.  Team members: Lauren Atkins, Annabelle Cartmell, Bennath Mitchell, Sophie Randles, Jessica Stainer.

·        Year 8 Tennis Squad: winners of the Boys’ Lancashire Championships.  Team members: : Adam Barski, Michael Cartmell, David Grealy, Christopher Liley.

·        U19 Table Tennis Squad: winners of the Lancashire Team Championships.  Squad members: Steven Fawcett, Edward and William Haynes, Daniel Walsh.

·        North-West Schools’ Cross Country Championships: Inter-girls team finished 4th (Sophie Fletcher 10th) and Junior-boys team finished 5th (William Fielding 12th)

·        North-West Swimming Championships.  New NW Regional record of 1 min 59.8 secs set by our relay squad Emily Jackson, Jessica Stainer, Lucinda Wannop, Alicia Wilson.

·        UK Maths Challenge.  26 Sixth Form students were entered for the UK Maths challenge and all scored well.  Top 3 places went to Nathan Plowman, Ross Dixon and Johannes Gausden.

·        Lancaster and Morecambe Lions Club Art Competition: Top 3 places for their Peace Poster awards went to Stephanie Wood, Emily Wharton and Sophie Wilson.  Stephanie’s poster now goes forward to the NW Regional competition.

·        Best overall Key Stage 3 results: David Allsop, Sophee Blanthorn-Hazell, William Boyes, Emily Casey, Ruth Coe, Jenna Holden, Richard Murphy, Ben Myerscough, Daniel Park, Heather Park, Justin Sidwell, Peter Smyth, Deborah Thomas, Chung Bin Yoo.  All achieved the maximum possible levels (7 8 7) in English, Maths and Science.

·        Best overall Key Stage 4 (GCSE) results: Maria Engl-Lopez for gaining one of the top 5 marks (out of 36,741 candidates) in Spanish.  Ryan Barker, Chelsea Burgis, Rachael Dawson, Danya Hannah, Sam Hodgson, Paul Jarvis, Kezi Lailey, Rachel Leavers, Nicole Parker, Holly Parker-Brennand, Hannah Randles, Peter Tooze-Froggatt, Chung Min Yoo.  All achieved A*/A grades in every subject or 10+ A*/A grades.

·        Best overall AS results: Claire Brock, Sarah Casey, Jody Davis, Jake Faucitt, Emily Huddart, Frances Jackson, Matthew Lane-Dixon, Jamie Melly, Alex O’Neill, Matthew Roberts, Helen Sacre, Felicity Scott, Claire Walker, Rebecca Walsh.  All achieved 200+ points (3 grade A’s = 180 points).

·        Best overall A2 results: Samantha Barlow, Leighan Bleasdale, Eve Elliott, Kate Isham, Hannah Mayson, Alanna Miejluk, Claire Sacre, Holly Stainer, Helen Townson.  All achieved 400+ points (3 grade A’s = 360 points).

·        To all who survived the very tough World Challenge expedition to the Himalayas: Mr. Andrew Fellows, Mr. Stuart Douglas, Leighan Bleasdale, Kristin Burt, Olivia Crookes, Emma Davies, Aled Demet, Nicola Harrison, Gillian Hendra, Adam Horrobin, Heather Jephcote, Harriet McGregor, Ian Midgley, Adam Mills, Zoe Mitchell, Michelle Parry, Benjamin Smith, Esther Walmsley.

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International Links

In keeping with our newly acquired International School status, our overseas links continue to grow.  Recent experiences include:

·        18 members of the Mayor World School, Punjab, India, were hosted by Ripley pupils in September.  Amongst their itinerary were visits to the Lake District, the Maritime Museum, Lancaster Castle, Lancaster Town Hall (Mayor’s reception) and the National Football Museum, Preston.

·        Hockey Tour to Holland.  This involved 40 pupils, supervised by 5 members of staff, taking part in a hockey tournament during the October half-term.  Most successfully, they returned as tournament winners.

·        School Band’s Exchange to Germany.  36 band members and 4 staff also toured during the October half-term, meeting up with their counterparts at the Christian Timm’s School, Rendsburg.  Another wonderful experience for all concerned.

·        Comenius visits by Sixth Form students to Budapest, Hungary, and to Les Bourges, Blanques, Spain.

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Children in Need: Mufti Day Fund Raiser

Today’s Mufti Day charity appeal is in aid of Children in Need.  The last Mufti Day, in support of the Pakistan Earthquake Appeal, raised £955.  Thank you.

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Picking up Pupils

We must ask parents not to use the front drive to pick up pupils during the critical period 3-4pm.  The narrowness of the driveway makes it impossible to cope with cars trying to drive in as others are driving out at this congested time.

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Invigilators for External Exams

We are looking to build up a pool of people who could be called upon to invigilate external exams.  The nature of the work is very part-time and seasonal.  The main times of year are January, late May and most of June.  The times will vary from one hour sessions to full days, and a pay rate in the region of £10 per hour will apply. The duties involve overseeing external exams, and full training and support will be given.  Please contact Mr. Bateman for further details.

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Trutex

Following the major change in our uniform and sportswear purchasing policy we would welcome feedback from parents about the new arrangements.  We hope the transition has been smooth.

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Goodbye Mr. Kelly

You will now be aware of Mr. John Kelly’s impending retirement after 38 years at Ripley.  A remarkable achievement.

In that time, he has given so much to the school and to countless pupils.  A key member of the P.E. department, running a wide variety of sports teams (rugby, cricket, football, badminton, basketball, for example); he has organised countless extra-curricular activities such as Christmas revues, charity events, ski trips, school productions and discos.  He has been ever-present at our Friends’ events and Church services and has overseen our discipline arrangements, latterly fulfilling the demanding roles that go with a Deputy Headteacher position.  I could go on, but the point is made: his commitment and loyalty to this school has been second-to-none.  No-one could have a bigger heart nor have given so much to Ripley.

Many pupils and parents, I know, would like to recognise this exceptional dedication by a gift.  Senior students will be going round classes on Friday, 15th July, collecting for such a gift.  If you feel able, please send your son/daughter along with a contribution.  The gift will be presented to him during our Live 8 Concert on the last day of term.

Along with the Governors’ detailed response (below) to our recent inspections, I write to let you know of my retirement next Easter.  After 15 supremely happy years, it is now right for Ripley to have a new Head to lead the school in the coming years.  There will be another future occasion, of course, to express my enormous thanks for the marvellous support you give us.

At the end of term we say farewell to Mr. John Kelly, who retires after 37 exceptional years at Ripley.  His unique contribution to the school’s progress cannot be over-stated.  As outstanding a teacher as he is a family man, colleague and friend to all: a wonderful man.  No-one can deserve a fulfilling and happy retirement more and the very best wishes of all past and present pupils, parents and colleagues go with him.  Our thanks and very best wishes also go to Mr. Duncan Davey, who leaves after 4 years to become Head of Science at St. Anne’s School, Windermere, to Mrs. Francs Dent, who leaves after 4½ years to spend more time with her family, to Mr. Jonathan Byers who leaves after 2 years to go to College, and to Ms. Joanne Jeffrey who is moving to Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale.  We thank them for all they’ve done for our school.

I have long held the view that Ripley’s achievements do not always receive the praise they deserve in the local media.  That view was reinforced by the Lancaster Guardian’s summary of our Ofsted report (‘School’s fast work on improvement’).  We were delighted with the inspector’s findings, and to hear from the lead inspector that the report was one of the best his team had ever written.  How disappointing, then, to read in the Guardian that it was a ‘good’ report.  For the first time in my headship at Ripley I have been moved to write to the Editor to protest at this apparent ‘dumbing down’ of the report.  I record part of my letter for your interest:

“Your report modestly states that the inspectors ‘commended’ pupils’ attitudes to learning.  They in fact did more: in the words of the Ofsted report, their attitude to learning was ‘outstanding’.  They also judged as outstanding the school’s ethos for learning and the spiritual development of pupils.  ‘Pupils show outstanding levels of respect and consideration for each other’ is one of many highly complimentary comments in the report.  A stronger description than ‘commended’ was surely called for.  I also suggest that a report whose opening words begin: ‘This is a very good school with some excellent features’; where 85% of lessons are judged to be good, very good or excellent, where pupils reach and sustain high levels of achievement, deserves a better adjective than ‘good’.  And if ‘fast work on improvements’ describes our progress since the last inspection (March 1999) then we really have done exceptionally well.  That too was an outstanding report and resulted in Ofsted awarding the school a Gold Star and in the DfES putting Ripley on its list of outstanding schools.”

The ‘Good Schools Guide’ recently informed us that our Home Economics department had achieved at both AS and A2 the best results in the country in the 2004 examinations.  That includes every type of school in the country, including selective schools.  A remarkable achievement.  We were also recently informed by the Specialist Schools Trust that we are one of only 67 schools nationally (out of 1,360) to be presented with all 3 of the Trust’s annual awards - for Highest GCSE Results, Most Improvement  and Most Value-Added.  More remarkably, we were presented with all 3 Awards last year.  Only 23 specialist schools nationally gained this double.  “A truly remarkable achievement” writes the Specialist Schools Trust Chairman, Sir Cyril Taylor.

Again, I can only thank you all for this success.

With kind regards,

J. Lailey

 

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Michael Gale

Thanks to Michael’s family and the enterprising efforts, especially of Alan Longhorn and friends, the magnificent sum of £2,339 has been raised for a fitting tribute to his memory.

This will take the form of a specially constructed memorial seat and rest area amongst the rose bed by the front of the main school entrance.  We have commissioned a landscape gardener to construct the memorial and will hold a dedication service as soon as it is completed.

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Live 8 Concert

On the last day of term we will hold a Live 8 Concert to raise money for a well in a small village in Tanzania.  T-Shirts will be on sale before the event, which will include singing, dancing and band sessions.  The proceeds of our Mufti Day on Tuesday, 19th July, will also go to support Live 8.

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Cross Bay Walk

Saturday, 30th July.  For Cancer Care.  Please contact Sue Tyson or Iona Price on 01524 381820 for details.

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Governors' Response to Ofsted

Under the School Inspections Act the Governing Body is required to send to parents, within 40 working days of receipt of its Section 10 (Ofsted) report, its response to that report.

 

The otherwise excellent report highlighted two areas for further development:

 

1.         Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

Despite finding that ‘good improvement plans are in place’ the provision of ICT in Years 7 to 11, and the accessibility to computers to support the independent learning of the Sixth Form students, were judged to be unsatisfactory.

 

2.         Accommodation

The report found that, although ‘improvements in accommodation have been good’, in some areas it was still unsatisfactory.

 

The Governing Body’s response is as follows:

 

Information & Communication Technology

·        To accelerate the delivery of the good improvement plans the Governing Body has allocated in its 2005/6 budget an additional £120,000 to support ICT provision.

·        Additional technical support and an up-grading of the network cabling to increase reliability in place for September, 2005.

·        In line with departmental development plans, all faculties to have in place fixed data projectors by September, 2006.

·        A review of ICT ‘across the curriculum’ assessment, monitoring and management procedures at Key Stage 3 is on-going.  Implementation of agreed procedures to be in place by September, 2006.

·        A review of the Key Stage 4 ICT ‘core’ provision is on-going.  New programmes of study, additional to or in place of, the existing CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) course to be in place for September, 2006.

·        Accessibility to computers for Sixth Form students to be increased by the purchase of additional lap-tops and through the adoption of a student lap-top loan scheme.  The target is for 50% of Lower Sixth Formers to have their own lap-top by September, 2005, and 100% by September, 2006.

 

Accommodation

The report acknowledged the good improvements in accommodation since the previous inspection (March 1999) and that future priorities had been prudently identified.  The inspectors also appreciated the Governing Body was actively involved in bidding for funds and that further improvements were very much dependent on external funding.

 

Nevertheless, we are pleased to report the following immediate improvements:

·        The planned completion by Easter, 2006, of the new Sports Hall.  Cost £1.96m.

·        Refurbishment of the Biology Labs, beginning July 2005.  Cost £200,000.

·        Refurbishment of the ICT rooms, beginning July, 2005.  Cost £62,000.

 

Other priorities have been identified in the Governors’ Strategic Plan and will be addressed as soon as funds become available.

Governing Body’s response to the Denominational Inspection Report

No weaknesses were identified but the denominational report highlighted the following areas for further development:

 

1.         The completion of the re-organisation of management responsibilities for Collective Worship and Religious Education.

2.         Strengthen the position of Religious Education for Sixth Form students who are not taking it as a specialist subject.  This is already included in the School Development Plan.

3.         Extend the development and use of ICT in Religious Education to give a wider information base to pupils.

4.         Standardise the marking and assessment of routine work of pupils so that progress is clear to both pupils and parents.

The Governors’ response is as follows:

·        Re-organisation of management responsibilities has been completed with the appointment of Mr. Grant to the post of Worship Co-ordinator and Mrs. Helen Ballard to the post of Head of R.E., with effect from 1st September, 2005.

·        The position of R.E. for Sixth Form students has been strengthened by the inclusion of General R.E. in their timetabled programmes of study.

·        The development and use of ICT in R.E. teaching and learning has been an increasing feature in lesson delivery and class/home assignments.  This will become embedded as access to lap-tops increases in line with the whole school policy.

·        Standardised marking and assessment now identified as a departmental priority for implementation by all teachers by September, 2006.

Please be assured that the Governors’ overriding aim is to provide all pupils with the best possible learning experience.  Parents will receive regular up-dates on the progress made in addressing the Ofsted and Denominational reports, most notably via the Governors’ Annual Report to Parents.  The next report is scheduled for October, 2005.

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Internal Staff Changes

·        Mr. Brian Armstrong is stepping down as Head of Boys’ P.E. to become Head of Inclusion from September, 2005.  He will be succeeded as Head of Boys’ P.E. by Mr. Ian Hughes.

·        Mr. Paul Grant will become our Worship Co-ordinator from September, 2005, and will be succeeded as Head of R.E. by Mrs. Helen Ballard.

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The Best Swimming School in the North-West?

Recent results  surely place Ripley at the top of the NW of England swimming tree.  The only school in the NW to have teams in the national finals for the last 3 years and winners of the ‘Cutty Sark’ invitation trophy hosted by  Bolton School supports this view.

So, too, does our recent success in the Area Swimming Championships.  21 pupils became Area Champions and we won 5 of the 8 trophies on offer.  Winning teams: Year 7 Girls, Year 8 Boys, Year 8 Girls, Year 9 Girls, Year 10 Boys (shared with LRGS).                                 

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Athletics: District and County Success

Following success in the Area Championships a large contingent of Ripley pupils represented Lancaster in the County Championships.  17 made the finals and all did us proud.  Mica Nottingham (1st Junior Girls 100m), Vicky Sparks (1st Junior Girls Long Jump), Arran Topham (2nd Senior Boys 400m), Adze Danboyi (2nd Intermediate Boys 200m), Lewis Smith (2nd Junior Boys Long jump), Adam Horridge (2nd Junior Boys Triple Jump), Sophie Fletcher (2nd Junior Girls 800m), Callum Crooks (3rd Junior Boys Long Jump), Lewis Wood (3rd Junior Boys Triple Jump), Annabelle Cartmell (4th Junior Girls Javelin) Grace Robertson (4th Junior Girls Shot), Nick Gardner (4th Senior Boys 100m), Emma Bland (4th Senior Girls 100m), Lucinda Wannop (5th Junior Girls 200m), Charles Andrews (6th Intermediate Boys 1500m), Charlotte Mason (6th Junior Girls 800m), Joshua Howlett (7th Junior Boys 100m).  Their contribution helped Lancaster to a resounding victory in the Lancashire Schools competition.

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Pride of Place re-visited

 

·        Mica Nottingham (Y9) County 100m Champion; Vicky Sparks (Y9) County Long Jump Champion.  Mica now goes on to represent Lancashire in the English Schools’ Championships.

·        Robert Bale (Y10), Emily Jackson (Y9), selected for the national swimming squads.

·        Lucinda Wannop (Y9), Laura Hesketh (Y8), slected for the Northern Counties in the ASA Inter-District Championships.

·        Jack Senior (Y12), selection for the England Schools Golf Championship at Stoke-on-Trent and entry into the Junior Masters Competition in Germany.

·        Heather Newman (Y9), joint winner of the St. John’s Ambulance First Aid Trophy.

·        Chloe Brooks, Ricky Cusimano, Simon Saunders, Sophie Wilson (all Y7), chosen to represent the school in the Area Maths Challenge.

·        Charles Andrews, Jordan Brooks, Thomas Fuery, Philip Mace, Sophie Randles, Chung Min Yoo,  Gold medal winners in the UK Intermediate Maths Challenge.

·        Ingvar Gausden and Simon Saunders, Gold medal winners in the UK Junior Maths Challenge.

·        Michael Cartmell (Y8), Sarah Woodhouse (Y10), Claire Davies (Y10) respective winners of their District badminton competitions.

·        Faye Higgin (Y7), best Ripley pupil at the Ripley Horse Show.

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LANCASTER CYCLING CLUB (the club that set Jason Queally on the road to Olympic success) WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Interested?  Pick up a leaflet from reception for details

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West Side Story - Dedicated to Daniel Severn’s Memory

A sell-out.  Sorry for anyone disappointed but seating is limited.

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School Web-site

We are in the process of up-dating our web-site and wish to include photographs of some of our pupils. I hope this is acceptable to you but if you do not want your son/daughter’s picture included, should we wish to use it, could you let me know.

Kind regards

J. Lailey

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Now for the good news: clean sweep of A grades

The DfES and LEA monitor the progress of all schools and produce ‘league tables’ of performance.  These have just been released and I am pleased to record that the attainment of our pupils places us well within the top 10% of schools nationally.

 

DfES 2004 Grades: 

·        KS3 % achieving Level 5+          English : A       Maths : A      Science : A

  % achieving Level 6+         English : A       Maths : A      Science : A

  Average Points per pupil   English : A       Maths : A      Science : A

 

·        KS4 (GCSE) %5+ A* - C        : A               % 5+ A* - G   : A

Average points per pupil        : A               % 1+ A* - G   : A

 

·        Value Added Measure:    Pupil progress Key Stage 2 - Key Stage 3   : A

                                               Pupil progress Key Stage 3 - Key Stage 4   : A

                                               Pupil progress Key Stage 2 - Key Stage 4   : A

 

·        Advanced (Sixth Form) Level:  Average Points per candidate   : A

 

[DfES grades range from A* (top 5%) to E* (lowest 5%]

 

LEA Value Added Analysis

The LEA analysis is far more detailed and comprehensive than that of the DfES as it measures progress in all subjects and is not based solely on the ‘core’ subjects English, Maths, Science.

 

I am delighted to report that out of 121 schools in the analysis we are ranked:

              Overall position                       : 2nd

              Above average ability pupils    : 3rd

              Average ability pupils              : 3rd

              Below average ability pupils    : 1st

 

These excellent results are a great tribute to our teachers, support staff, pupils and parents.  Thank you.

 

J. Lailey

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“Youngsters Act with Conviction” was the Lancaster Guardian’s well considered headline for its report on the Theatre Studies production at the Dukes.  The article went on “Ripley continues to cement its reputation for excellence in the performing arts with yet another ambitious production.”

Playing to a full house, the play - about convicts in a prison colony in Australia - was an outstanding success.  A magnificent triumph of talent, imagination, an excellent script and huge commitment.  All involved can be very proud.

Another review by Virtual - Lancaster.net can be seen if you click here

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Christmas Charities

What a magnificent effort.  The week’s fund-raising raised £5,000 so we easily made our target of £3,000.  The 6 main charities chosen by the pupils, Teenage Cancer, Cancer Research, Breast Cancer, Children’s Aid Africa, NSPCC, Lancaster Homeless, will receive £500 each leaving another £2,000 to be allocated to other worthy causes.

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Tsunami Appeal

A recent Mufti Day raised £1130. We had a great response to the House fund-raiser, which invited pupils to fill Smartie tubes with coins, in return for the Smarties.  In total £5604 was raised for the Tsunami Relief Appeal, most of it in five pence pieces apparently.

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Calendar

2006

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News Archive

        News letter January 2006     (101KB)

        News letter November 2005     (104KB)

        News letter September 2005     (107KB)

        News letter July 13th 2005     (95KB)

        News letter July 2005     (101KB)

        News letter June 2005     (104KB)

        News letter March 2005     (102KB)

        News letter January 2005     (109KB)