Ripon GS vs St Aidans

[Sheba32]

We're very fortunate to have won 2 appeals for Ripon Grammar & St Aidan's, but are now in a stew of indecision about which is best for our son. Any feedback on either v. gratefully received. We are moving to the area & are over-reliant on printed material at the moment. Also feedback on pros/cons Ripon vs Harrogate for families with teenagers. Thanks in advance.

wow, well done. Very tough decision. Harrogate probably better for teenagers than ripon, but could easily commute up to ripon from harrogate on a daily basis.
Personally i'd go for ripon grammar but i'm not wild about faith schools and think you'd get a broader mix at ripon. Also think the st aidan's/john fisher combined 6th form is too large.
Having said that you are in a really enviable position of choosing between 2 fab state schools and either will be more than fine

I have 2 DSs at RGS and I think it is a really fab nurturing school.
The 2 things in its favour , I think anyway

1. Lot smaller -friends children at St A's have found it difficult to get involved in extra curricular stuff because there are so many children going after every part in a play for example
2. My DS1 is lazy (well not now, but was at 11/12).They have already proven themselves by passing the 11+ and are simply not allowed to coast. Also really like the HT who treats parents with respect ans friendliness rather than being too headmasterly

RGS! I went to RGS (I'm now in my final year of medical school) and thought that it was a fantastic school. Small enough so that all of the teachers know you and very friendly.

I loved it when I went to the open evening and loved it in all of the 7 years that I was there.

There is a good amount of extra curricular activities that you can get involved in and they expect you to do well academically. They offer good support when you are struggling.

Mr. Pearman became the head teacher when I was in sixth form and he is brilliant!

Great school - I can't recommend it enough.

Well what did you decide ?

Is your son musical? If so, St Aidan's is probably the better choice.

You are joking? RGS have a fab music department.their flag ship band 'the big band' recently wone the national final at Music for Youth.

St john Fisher have a good music department though

I didn't mean that RGS was bad for music. It's not. But St Aidan's is probably better....

I'm very interested which one you went for in the end?