Ribston Hall High School is celebrating exceptional examination results across both A Levels and GCSEs, marking one of the most successful years in recent memory.
No child deserves to grow up without a childhood as we understand childhood. That right to play, that right to learn, that right to share without being afraid
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The Summer Edition of Ribston Roar is now available, with all the latest news and students' achievements.
Life after Sixth Form can be a daunting thought that is much easier to push to the back of our minds rather than deal with it head-on. So where can we start to make the process easier and less overwhelming, given that it's an inevitable part of our future? In this article, I spoke to some of our amazing Sixth Form teachers to gather their advice and ideas on how we can approach our next steps with confidence!
Additionally, you’ll find some helpful links for work experience opportunities, application advice, and university information, so have a read and don’t hesitate to ask your subject teachers or Mrs Nicklin for further guidance.
By Poppy McGuire Yr 12
On Tuesday night we were all very proud to see our talented student, Tabitha Riley, awarded the highly coveted Ready to Wear Award at the 2025 Junk Kouture Festival of Creativity & Circularity in Dublin. Tabitha, a finalist in this year’s event, was celebrated for her eco-friendly couture creation during the spectacular Junk Kouture World Final, held at Mahony Hall at The Helix.
Child Mental Health Week is an important time to reflect on emotional well-being and self-care, especially for young people navigating the pressures of daily life. Rather than focusing on the expectations that come with the start of a new year, this week encourages a more compassionate and mindful approach to mental health.
By Poppy McGuire, Year 12
The Children’s Mental Health Week campaign running this week - Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, has put a spotlight on how we can build resilience, grow and develop by understanding who we are and what makes us tick.
Ribston’s Music, and Drama students took an exciting trip to London at the end of last term which was ran and organised by Dr. Yang and the Drama Team – it was a huge success, with students inspired by the London musical theatre scene.
By Poppy McGuire, Year 12.
This annual trip has consistently been a highlight for upper school students, providing them with an immersive experience of what studying GCSE and A-level drama entails.
Over many years, different activities have been offered and enjoyed, and this year was no exception. Students enjoyed two West End musicals, a trip to London’s V&A museum, as well as a private workshop to aid students in developing their on-stage presence and confidence.
First staged in 2003, Wicked is a reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, and its enduring popularity has captivated audiences across London and beyond. It recently gained new publicity when performed in cinemas with the incredible talents of Ariana Grande, and Cythia Erivo and Ribston could not miss the opportunity to see it live on stage. One student, who had previously seen wicked commented on how seeing it helped their love of performing grow and blossom and would recommend it to everyone.
Another standout moment for students was watching Les Misérables, a timeless musical exploring themes of social injustice and resilience. Isla Stevenson, a Year 10 Drama GCSE student commented: “From the get-go, it was the most immersive show I've ever witnessed. I've never laughed, cried and smiled at anything quite like it’. The show gave students an opportunity to explore the emotional depth of on-stage characters, enriching their understanding of drama and character development.
Students this year were very lucky to have a specialised drama workshop which many saw as the highlight of the trip; Penny Steele, a Year 11 Drama and Music student, shared her excitement: “The workshop was well-organised and fascinating. Not only did we learn the music and choreography for ‘One Short Day,’ but we also gained valuable insights into characterisation”. I asked Penny about her favourite bit of the trip, and she told me: “My favourite part was performing “One Short Day” at the end. We got to show the teachers what we had learnt throughout the workshop, and it was so much fun. The industry professionals who ran the workshop really helped me to feel confident in the character that I created and taught all of us that we shouldn’t be embarrassed when performing”.
As students who took the trip were mainly from drama and music, I was interested to know about her thoughts on the value of the trip in helping them understand their curriculum. One student said “I honestly think this trip is so valuable for anyone who is interested in musical theatre. For aspiring students, there is inspiration for what can be achieved, as for current students, it provides great examples of what you're studying and is simply so much fun!”. Whilst another duel subject student stated “the trip helped me to expand my knowledge and understanding. For example, in the workshop, we were taught how status and power is conveyed in “Wicked”. We got to analyse photos from the show and share how we thought each character felt. This is linked to GCSE Drama, because in drama we are always looking at body language to further our understanding of a character. Additionally, when learning the music for “One Short Day”, we got to learn harmonies so that there was a soprano and an alto line. This linked to GCSE Music as I got to practice holding harmonies.”
Mrs Hill said she believes this opportunity should not be missed as it helps students to gain an understanding of the avenues that are open for keen performers on London’s West End. Her favourite part of the trip, agreeing with many students, was seeing Les Misérables live on stage as well as the workshop opportunity that gave her an insight into dance and music in the heart of musical theatre.
If this trip is something that interests you, you don’t hesitate to talk to Dr. Yang or Mrs Hill on possible opportunities in the future. Thank you so much to everyone involved in organising this trip and the effort of everyone involved in making it so special – it was a giant success!
The Winter Edition of Ribston Roar is now available, with all the latest news and students' achievements.
The last term of the year was filled with exciting events, from our sell-out Dance Show and Winter Concert to our successful Sixth Form Open Evening, despite the rain. Our Year 10 Sports Leaders received praise for their role at the Key Stage 1 Christmas Multi-Skills Event, and the Year 7 Christmas Service was a lovely celebration, featuring stunning performances from our choir and orchestra. Have a read about all our latest activities and news before we head into the festive holidays and the New Year.
The Ribston Hall Sustainable Fashion Show took place in October and was a resounding success. Loved by students, parents, and teachers alike, the event showcased Ribston’s incredible talent, with students from all year groups contributing their creativity and skill.
By Poppy McGuire, Year 12.
Ribston Hall High School’s commitment to environmental awareness took centre stage in October with its second Annual Sustainable Fashion Show. This much-anticipated evening was filled with creativity, eco-consciousness, and the remarkable talents of students from every year group, who transformed discarded materials into stunning fashion items.
By Harroop Bhandal, Year 13.
The Autumn edition of Ribston Roar is now available, with all the latest news and students' achievements.
This is our first newsletter for this academic year—a chance to share all the great work happening at Ribston and to celebrate our students' successes. This term has exemplified what an amazing community we have at Ribston. We’ve welcomed our new Year 7 students as they begin their Ribston journey, and they’ve already embraced new experiences—from an adventurous three-day residential at Croft Farm Water Park to Unity Day with our Year 12 students.
Ribston Hall High School is thrilled to announce this year’s exceptional GCSE results, which reflect the dedication and hard work of our students. We are celebrating an impressive 10% increase in the number of grades 9-7 achieved compared to last year’s results — more than double the national average!
Students at Ribston Hall High School received their much-anticipated GCSE results today, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. We are proud to report that our students outperformed national trends in multiple subjects. Notably, the number of grades 9-7 in Chemistry and Biology exceeded national averages by 20% and 10%, respectively. These outstanding results are a testament to the students' conscientious approach to their studies and their ability to rise to the challenge of these exams.
