Ripon Grammar School, located in the heart of North Yorkshire on the outskirts of the dales, is “The top state school in the North” -The Times. RGS has achieved this title for good reason offering exceptional academic results along with other unique features of a state school such as boarding, a pool, and an exceptional “new £1m world-class, purpose-built floodlit pitch” for sport. Academic results are a credit to the school at A-level and GCSE, in 2023 there was “a 99.8% pass rate at A level (Grades A-E)” with “82.7% of Grades” being at A*-B and at GCSE “more than 90% of grades” were at 9-5. However, I personally believe there is a large hidden gem at RGS that is an equal asset to the school – the abundant careers advice.

Bob Walker head of careers works endlessly to provide a plethora of opportunities to students. Providing connections to future employers, work experience opportunities and universities Mr Walker has knowledge and connections to many fields of potential interest. He is readily available for students to contact and speak to, as well as providing opportunities such as the upcoming careers fair in March where his goal is to achieve 100 organisations attending. A recent example of this is the “speed networking careers event” that took place for 130 Year 10 students where they were offered the opportunity to question a range of establishments in 8-minute slots.

This careers networking event had 20 representatives in attendance that included a huge variety of possible careers such as York college, Harrogate college, Army, Cummins, the nearby Grantley hall and Harrogate Town AFC to name a few. The opportunity to learn about alternative pathways, one of which being apprenticeships, run with the North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership.

When questioned about the event by Mrs Savage the schools marketing staff member Mr Walker said that the event helped the students “hone their research and interview skills” and “It has certainly helped build their confidence and provided excellent preparation for their work experience.” The event “opened their eyes to alternatives and the range of options and choices open to them on leaving school” which can often be a daunting decision due to the multitude of possible career paths there are to discover at such a young age.

Careers and further education events and guidance provided by the school in the realm of careers and further education is a merit of Ripon Grammar School that helps students navigate one of the most open-ended milestone decisions that they will make especially in their youth. Students are guided through their academic learning and their future by the staff at RGS, not merely to the point of exams.