Ripon Grammar school

[confusedandsad2019]

We live in Wakefield and we really want our DS to get into Ripon Grammar.We understand that we obviously will be absolutely somewhere down the preference list.Is it true that a child from a catchment area will get preference even if that child has scored lower than someone who is from out of catchment area.Is this correct.We would love to move to Ripon if our DS gets it, however even if he does really well and still doesn’t stand a chance due to being out of catchment area,we might not even try Ripon Grammar then.We have thought about boarding but I am not sure if I can send my child to boarding to be honest.Is it the same criteria for Skipton Boys as well.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thank you

On searching:
...offers 103 day places and 14 boarding places.
Places are normally provided if you live in these areas: The City of Ripon, and the parishes of Aldfield, Azerley, Bishop Monkton, Bridge Hewick, Burton Leonard, Copt Hewick, Eavestone, Givendale, Grantley, Grewelthorpe, Hutton Conyers, Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton, Lindrick with Studley Royal and Fountains, Littlethorpe, Markenfield Hall, Markington-with-Wallerthwaite, Newby-with-Mulwith, North Stainley with Sleningford, Sawley, Sharow, Skelding, Skelton, Studley Roger and Winksley.
Out (of) area pupils who attend a primary school outside of Ripon area and any pupil attending an independent school – you need to make an application to sit the selection test.
Distance (miles) of last child allocated 2019 on 1st March (oversubscribed schools only) - 6.68 (Day) & 9.42 (Boarding).
Total number of applications received (all preferences) 2019 - 477 (so heavily over-subscribed).

So, even boarding, it looks like you'd need to move to get in (and then pass the selection test).
I'd guess some local-ish, apply for boarding as a route in, rather than relying just on Day.

From what I understand (as a local and an Old Rip myself), your best chance is to apply from Wakefield for a place as a weekly boarder - then obviously you can move to Ripon at your leisure.

Do you mean Ermysted’s rather than Skipton boys? They have 120 places and over 300 applicants and obviously you would be out of catchment. The travel from Wakefield to Skipton would be a nightmare.

@FetchezLaVache I would normally agree, however, based on the 'distance' data above (and possibly my assumption of that) then Wakefield would still be too far away.

Thank you all.From what I can gather it will be pretty difficult even getting under Boarding rules.He will sit for the entrance test though chances will be near to zero:)

Danniotley I meant Ermysted’s but I don’t think my son will stand a chance even if he does well.Our plan was to move to North Yorkshire if he gets a place in any of the Grammar schools but looks like we will be stuck in Wakefield forever 😀

Hi,
We live in North Leeds and in a similar dilemma. I am curious to know if you had moved to Ripon in the end and if yes, how close. Thanks in advance!

cfc95 Yes we have moved to a village called Burton Leonard and the school bus goes from the village.Its about 20 mins from Ripon

Thanks for the info @confusedandsad2019 . Did you move before the test (Sep), between the test and the date to give preferences (Oct) or between Oct-Mar ?

We put our house up for sale in May 2021 and moved to Burton Leonard in Oct 2021 just before the deadline to apply for Secondary schools.I could be wrong but I think if you move after December,then the LA will consider the place after the National Offer Day.Best to check with North Yorkshire.School admission team are really good at explaining the criteria etc. I sent them emails back and forth

Nice. My family on one side are from around there, Bishop Monkton strictly speaking. The kind of place that a bunch of Vikings paddled up to a thousand years ago & where their ancestors have lived more or less undisturbed ever since. How are you finding it - I suppose I assumed from your post [moving for Grammar schools etc, forgive me if this isn't right] that your recent ancestry is on the Indian subcontinent?

We lived in Ripon 12 years ago and competition to get in there was cut-throat. I would say you have zero chance of getting in there if you live in Wakefield.

Whats wrong with Batley Grammar?

Thanks!

Thanks!

puffyisgood LOL you got it right about my ancestry.Absolutely love North Yorkshire.We are so pleased that we took the right decision to move from Wakefield to North Yorkshire.Never moving again