The Summer Edition of Ribston Roar is now available, with all the latest news and students' achievements.

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.

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.

Wicked

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.

Les Misérables

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.

The Wicked Workshop

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 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.

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. 

Today Ribston Hall High School is pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of our students as they receive their A-Level results for 2024. This year's outcomes are a testament to the high aspirations of our students. Many have secured places at their first-choice universities while others are pursuing exciting apprenticeship opportunities. They will be heading into fields such as Physics with Astrophysics, Law, Psychology and Criminology, and Marine Biology.

Our students' success underscores Ribston Hall's commitment to supporting their high aspirations. This year, students are progressing to prestigious Russell Group universities, including Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, King's College London, Warwick, Nottingham, and York.

The dedication and hard work of our students, combined with the unwavering support from our staff, have paved the way for these remarkable accomplishments. These outcomes reflect not only the students' determination but also the outstanding teaching and guidance provided at Ribston Hall High School.

Zaina Ginwalla – Achieved 3 A* and an A* in her EPQ and is going on to study Paramedic Science.

"I’m very proud of how well I’ve done! It hasn’t been easy, but the constant and consistent encouragement and support from my teachers has motivated me throughout, and they’ve constantly pushed me to do the very best I can."

Isabelle Bircher - Achieved an A* in History and A's in Maths and Physics. She also received an A* in her EPQ. Isabelle is going on to study Astrophysics

"I am very happy with what I got – as I got my predicted grades and into my first choice University. I am very happy that I chose to stay on for Ribston Hall Sixth Form as I don’t think I would have enjoyed Sixth Form as much at a different school."

Olivia Ryder-Kiely - Achieved 3 A’s in Business, Maths and Sociology and is going on to study Business Management. 

‘I feel quite shocked at my grades but overall really happy that my hard work has paid off.’ Ribston has been an incredible experience and I wouldn’t have achieved so much if it weren’t for this school. I am so happy to have spent seven years in such an incredible and supportive community.’

Kiara Babar - Achieved an A in Biology & Drama and Theatre Studies and a B in History

"I am proud of the two years of hard work that I dedicated to my exams and coursework. I know my exam results reflect how hard I worked, and I look forward to my next steps. I am incredibly grateful for all Ribston has taught me and will forever cherish every memory I have made here."

Poppy Smith - Achieved an A in Art and Chemistry and a B in Psychology

"I'm proud and relieved. Hard work paid off! I will miss Ribston greatly, but I am excited about the future and using the skills that Ribston has taught me.’

Lucy McLean - Achieved B's in Business and Psychology, and a C in Biology, despite facing significant health challenges throughout her studies, Lucy exceeded her targeted grades through sheer determination and hard work.

“I’m very proud of how far I’ve come and what I’ve achieved. It’s not sunk in yet! I would never have been able to achieve what I have without all the amazing support from everyone here and will always be thankful for it.” 

Sixth Form Lead, Mrs. Cat Nicklin, expressed her pride in the students' achievements: "I am incredibly proud of our students for their perseverance and dedication. Their hard work has not only earned them places at top universities but also equipped them with the skills and confidence to succeed in the next chapter of their lives. It has been a privilege to support them on their journey."

Mr. Alec Waters, Headteacher, also shared his thoughts: "Today, we celebrate not just the grades, but the personal achievements and growth of each student. The paths they are now embarking on are a reflection of their determination and the solid foundation laid by our teaching staff. We wish them all the success as they take the next step in their academic and professional journeys."

At Ribston Hall High School, we take immense pride in the achievements of our students and are excited to see them continue to excel as they move on to the next stages of their lives.