Ripon Cathedral Choir School

Lord Hope, distinguished guests, ladies, gentlemen and children I stand here today with very mixed emotions. Pleased to have completed the task set before me and yet very sad to leave new friends and the warm and vibrant community which is Ripon Cathedral Choir School – a school which I believe is on the brink of a very exciting future.

I arrived 18 months ago with a clear idea of what was expected of me for the next seven months, after which I planned to settle back into my already established retirement routine of relaxed mornings, reading the newspaper, catching up on the books that were still on my unread list and travelling to far away places. It didn’t take me long to realise that that was not to be!! An inspection pending in the Spring (only one as I thought at that time) and no time to appoint a new Head – the dynamics changed overnight – we were in a race against time in challenging circumstances.

 I cannot resist a challenge! Though I could now be cured! As I look back I realise that this has been the greatest challenge I have ever undertaken, even surpassing the challenges of the high French Alps with Gustav our favourite guide. More mountain goat than man, Gustav lead, persuaded or cajoled, even bullied me to cross knife edge ridges, to climb near vertical rock faces without ropes and to hurtle down frozen snowfields without skis! Terrifying but exhilarating,

Had I really known what lay ahead when I arrived here, I might have felt the same anxiety. However, I didn’t. I relished what was to come and given the very warm welcome that I received from the staff, was totally determined that not only would we be ready, but that the inspection report when it came would do the staff and the children justice.

The preparation for inspection involved a complete rethink of the way teaching and learning was undertaken. Fortunately Mrs Coram in her role of Director of Studies as she was at that time, had started the process, but introducing Subject Co-ordinators, further developing the role of Form Tutor and all the myriad of other initiatives that were thrown at the staff in order to move the school forward to present it in its best light, kept us all on our toes. I would like to thank the staff for the way they approached instruction after instruction, training after training, lengthy discussions and the mountain of paperwork that it took to get us ready. The fact that most of them accepted it all with good grace is extraordinary and great credit to them.

Just as we were beginning to feel that the end was in sight, the message came through that the EYFS was to face an inspection at the same time as the Preliminary visit of the main inspectors. We had one weeks notice. Not just any inspection but an inspection of a whole new style of learning and planning that had only been introduced nationally in September 2008. All credit goes to Mrs Willis and her team, not only did she have the whole programme up and running (and only those of you who have taught in Early Years will have an understanding of what a mammoth task that will have been) but within one week everything was ready and prepared. I was delighted with the early years report altogether, but one line particularly stood out for me ‘At lunch, they behaved impeccably in the main school dining hall throughout the meal. All you mothers will understand how much this says about the work and life of the children in the Foundation class groups.

The main school report speaks for itself. Outstanding, excellent, good all words that crop up regularly and fill me with joy. A terrific report, for what I believe is a truly unique and wonderful school. There are recommendations of course, and justly so. Some have been addressed already and the rest will be addressed by Mr McDade, who I am pleased to say is with us today, and I am not going to outline his plans here. There will always be more that can be done to improve. RCCS is yet young in its drive to be a school of the future with brimming classes and long waiting lists, but reading this report, I know that that vision is now a possibility. We achieved 100 pupils this term, hopefully there will be even more next year.

Five days after the bolt from the blue regarding the EYFS inspection another phone call came through – the boarding house was to be inspected too. Not only was this not expected for another two years, but we had virtually no up to date paperwork. Without Mr A our fount of information – all hands on deck once again from Friday to Monday – hand books were updated and files that we couldn’t retrieve were reproduced. Together we made it! What a team, Mrs Evans, Mrs Coram, the Matrons, Mrs Smith, assisted by many others including Mr Coram and my husband who worked tirelessly together. All 6 categories received the accolade of ‘Good’ and the recommendations were minimal – a metal cupboard instead of a wooden one, to finish the decorating and to compete staff training which had already begun, small things in the life of a boarding community.

The boarding inspectors were extremely complimentary about the quality of care offered to our children but requested that we look at the level of training of our staff. This, coupled with Mr A’s long illness and concern about his future well being,  has led to a restructuring of the way the boarding house is managed and run. The addition of a family in the head master’s house will do much to re-invigorate boarding and broaden and develop the children’s experience and enjoyment of their life at school.

As well as changes in boarding, there are other members of staff who are ready for new challenges of their own. Mrs Wood   has been here for 11 years and is moving on to St Martin’s Ampleforth. She will be missed for her big personality, her style of teaching and particularly the part she has played in the development of girls’ hockey. Many girls both past and present have benefited from her coaching expertise and her dedication in transporting them too and from training, matches and tournaments. On their behalf thank you Mrs Wood. I would now like to ask Professor Brindley to make a presentation of a gift to you from us all.

Mr Smith and Mrs Wood have been a dynamic duo when it came to productions. Both Oliver and A Century of Song, the two performances staged in my time here have been of a very high standard and much enjoyed by children and audience alike. Matching their expertise will be a challenge for next year. Unfortunately Mr Smith is not able to be here today, but we will make sure that he receives his gift and thanks.

Ms Strachan though a long standing supporter and past teacher here at RCCS has only been with us for a while on this occasion. However, in that short period she has made a terrific impact on the lives of the children in the Lower school and I am sure that as they grow many of them will take with them a love of music, the seeds of which were sown in their music lessons with Ms Strachan. She has also stepped into the breach and ensured that we had music today, for which we are all most grateful. Natalie, our Head Girl, will present a token of our thanks. Thank you Ms Strachan.

Mr Whittaker has been in school for 2 terms covering the History teaching and for this we thank him for his support too.

Miss Nicholson our Senior Matron will be leaving boarding after 13 years of loyal service and 43 years association with the school. Again we are really sorry to say good bye, but thank her for all that she has done, particularly the unseen things like getting up in the night to comfort a boy or girl who has been dreaming or is feeling ill. Miss Nicholson knows all the ins and outs of the school and her working knowledge of day to day events will be missed. We all wish her well for the future. Please would you take the stage as Professor Brindley would like to present you with a gift from the whole school community.

Mr Atkinson has not, as you are aware been here for the past two terms due to illness. I am pleased to say that he is much improved. I am sure that all of you who have experience of Boarding and others whose children have enjoyed and benefited from his teaching will join with us in saying thank you and wish him continued improvement and future good health. Please would you join us on the stage to receive a gift from us all .

Moving on to the past year. The Crier keeps you all well informed, but I would like to mention a few special events. The Century of Song won widespread acclaim and did much to promote our school within the local community. The children were terrific, as was the general ambiance. This could not have been possible without the help of the School Association, who work so tirelessly on our behalf. To Mr Elvidge and all the members, a very big thank you. Mrs Killick, a long standing member of the committee is leaving us this year. We thank her particularly today for the many hours she given in support of the school.

Moving on, I would now like to mention some of the work we have been doing to raise the profile and influence of RCCS  in the wider community. In that context building new relationships has featured strongly. Amongst many, The Outreach Sing Up Project, which has started a very positive link with local schools. Cathedral Primary School in particular are keen to work more closely with us in the future and this could be an exciting development in a variety of areas.  We are also now included on the invitation list for all of the Diocesan school events in the Ripon and Leeds areas, such as Education Sunday, Musical Events and the end of Year leavers’ service.

Similarly our developing links and relationship with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are doing much to improve mutual understanding and respect – vital in these times of conflict and strife.

Closer to home, I wish to acknowledge the academic and musical successes this year. I was pleased with the Common Entrance results and congratulate the whole class  on achieving the offer of a place at the school of their choice and particularly those who have won scholarships. Four music scholarships, an academic scholarship and an all rounder scholarship – six in total is a terrific number from a class of 11 young people. We are proud of them and they should be justly proud of themselves too.

Well done to all in Form 8 - Oliver, Tom, Harry, Clara, Kate, Charlie, Natalie, Angus, Luke, Christopher and Max, we all hope you will have a happy and enjoy successful transfer to your new school.

To those in Form 6 and 7 who are moving on to Senior School, Sophie, Alex, Alice, Clare, Rosie, Connie, Holly, Freddie & Maria may I say how very sorry we are to lose you, but our loss is your next schools gain and they are very lucky to have you. We wish you well as you move on.

The same goes for Cressida & Brittany and three little ones from Foundation.

I am conscious that during my short time here I have introduced many changes. Why has this been so? The simple fact is that independent schools operate in an environment which is complex, competitive, challenging and ever changing. Put simply we live in a world in which, and I quote ‘Change has become a constant; Managing it has become an expanding discipline. The way we embrace it defines our future’. I am delighted that we have successfully embraced change but at the same time have held fast to our traditional values. I am proud that the lead inspector described our school as ‘ a school that cares’.

I would like to finish with a very big thank you, to Mrs Evans and all my staff who have worked so hard. I cannot mention each by name, but I do hope they, the whole team, teachers and support staff, catering and maintenance already know how much I have appreciated their efforts. Thank you also to the children whose company I have enjoyed in school and in the boarding house. To Professor Brindley and the Governors who have given me so much support, and especially to you the parents who have put your trust in me. Your letters and expressions of appreciation have been greatly valued.  Last but not least I would like to thank my husband who has been so patient with me over the past 18 months, always there to listen and to offer ideas and suggestions and there have been times when his help has been much needed.

Finally I will answer 2 questions that have been put to me on more than one occasion.

1.     Looking back, how do I view my time here? – my response,

‘ immensely rewarding’

2.      ‘What am I going to do next?’  

I think the answer has to be,

‘Now that I have my senior rail card and my newly acquired bus pass – the world is my oyster’!