School year in review

Dr John Price

Headmaster

“Our traditions have stood the test of time, and are what makes Worksop College and Ranby House such a special community.”

When I started my post as Headmaster of Worksop College and Ranby House, I certainly couldn’t have predicted the roller-coaster that would be the years ahead. Within my first three years, the cards we were dealt have been trying; from national lockdowns and remote teaching, to year group bubbles, we have certainly faced our fair share of challenges. Despite all this, it has been a pleasure to witness the resilience and adaptability within our community which never ceases to amaze me, and I cannot help but be filled with pride.

As the light at the end of the tunnel began to shine brighter, we saw the return of our usual traditions. Sports fixtures resumed on the pitches, the Chapel was filled with voices and normality was restored. Our traditions have stood the test of time, and are what makes Worksop College and Ranby House such a special community. As well as our inschool events, we are very much looking forward to OWs reuniting once more – it will be great meet many of you finally.

It wasn’t only social events that suffered the effects of the pandemic, but normal exam procedures also had to be altered. For our GCSE and A-level students, their results were calculated by their subject teachers based on a combination of mock exams and coursework. Despite their challenging year, nearly half of our A-level students received grades A*-A, and nearly half of GCSE grades awarded were 7-9. The students’ display of resilience during their disrupted school year, and the results they achieved regardless, show the qualities of true Worksopians. It is no secret that I believe education is about human flourishing rather than the flight towards academic success, but our results show how students can succeed when their strengths and talents are encouraged.

Our unique approach to education recognises that every child has their own set of skills and abilities, and we want as many children to be able to benefit from this as possible. For this reason, we strive to support a number of bursaries at both Worksop College and Ranby House.

Undoubtably, the past few years have affected the wellbeing of young people from every corner of the globe. Here at Worksop College we have introduced mindfulness training to our curriculum, with the intention of improving our students’ ability to handle stresses, while also being able to acknowledge the positives within their lives. The course offers them a clear understanding of optimism and self-esteem. We can certainly see a difference in the general atmosphere around the College.

As we head into 2022, our focus remains on keeping our students, old and new, happy and healthy. I want to thank the whole Worksop College and Ranby House community for their continuous work to keep our family as strong as ever. As OWs, you are all very much part of this and I appreciate and value your continued support.

Stay safe and please keep in touch - you are always welcome back,

John

From the announcement back in March 2020, the fate of Ranby House was completely in the balance. As an independent school charging parents for their children to access the amazing grounds and facilities and take part in the broadest curriculum offer in the region with the best staff to pupil ratios, charging a fee whilst we were ‘closed’ was always going to be contentious.

The main starting point was that the school had a pretty robust ICT infrastructure in place. Not only did we have wifi available on site in the majority of rooms, but the subscription and use of Microsoft Teams was invaluable to deliver what we ended up providing for our pupils. Towards the end of the lockdown, when we were operating an entire timetable of lessons, including Chapel services, House meetings and whole-school Headmaster’s Assemblies on line, there were some creaks, but the technology itself proved to be quite amazing.

As confidence grew, we added assignments, chat groups and break-out rooms within ‘Teams’. The children became well-trained in muting/unmuting and accessing emails and online resources, whilst popping in and out of the team for help and support with the lesson content.

A highlight for me was bringing the school community together, not only in my Headmaster’s assembly, but at the end of week ‘Celebration Assembly’. Sharing my screen and displaying images and screen shots of pupils’ work and positive experiences created a sense of joy in uncertain times. These assemblies were appreciated by the entire community, mums, dads and children at home, as well as teachers, looking at how their lessons, (effectively talking to a screen) inspired and engaged our pupils to work, be creative and try new approaches.

Don’t get me wrong, the entire closure was hard work, especially for staff, who were planning and preparing late in the evenings and first thing in the mornings. But as we returned to school, the gaps in pupils’ knowledge was far less than we anticipated. Our end of year assessments showed we had got this right with every child making progress in Maths, English and/or Science.

It was then that the Admissions’ phone started ringing. Where other schools had failed to rise to the occasion, Ranby House certainly shown its our Learner Profile attributes of Resilience, Adaptability and Independence, ‘Being the best we could be, in all that we do’.

“Being the best we could be, in all that we do.”

Did Covid really stop Ranby House from operating? A resounding NO! It just changed the way we operated. And with the renowned Ranbian can-do approach, we started the new academic year with the highest pupil numbers since the move of Year 7 & 8, back in 2016.

David

Mr David Thorpe

Ranby House Headmaster

Mrs Clare Tilley

Head of Senior School

It’s hard to believe it has been a whole year since the last Old Worksopian Magazine. Last year, without stating the obvious, was not without its challenges. However, in the face of adversity, Worksop College continued to thrive. Attitudes were not dampened and spirits remained high. In fact, it’s incredible how this time of crisis has somehow brought us closer together, despite being physically kept apart. Although it has been very different to what we’re used to, it has been a true reminder of how lucky we are to be a part of this wonderful school.

I believe that as teachers, we must never forget how fortunate we are to support so many young people as they grow into kind, humble, well-rounded people. We should never lose sight of the impact we can have on young lives, sometimes without even realising. For that, I must mention the brilliant team of staff at the College, who have remained determined and supportive through the highs and the lows of the last few years. Their willingness to adapt is, without a doubt, reflected in our students, and the way they have approached these unusual times.

When permitted, we were able to go ahead with some of our much-loved events. From the Dorm Run, to International Welcome Weekend, we did our best to continue these Worksop College traditions in as safe a way as possible. We are looking forward to a year of concerts, sports fixtures, dinners in the Great Hall, and any other way we can join together again as a community.

Above all, I’m looking forward to see how our students grow in the year to come. We mustn’t forget that they are at the heart of all we do. Whether they are an artist, an athlete, a musician; whatever their talent, we do our best to find out what each child excels at and nurture those skills.

I want to thank so many of you for your continued support; it is wonderful to see so many OWs maintaining their connection, or even reconnecting with the school, offering your talents, ‘know how’, time and more, to help the school to continue to thrive. It is always heart-warming to hear stories of your times here and we are all looking forward to being able to welcome you back into the College soon.

I do hope to catch up with many of you this year,

“As teachers, we must never forget how fortunate we are to support so many young people as they grow.”

Clare

Head of Senior School

2021 Highlights

Aselection of some of our memorable moments from across the year.

In January, Worksop College Appointed a New Bursar, Andrew Graham.

In March, the boys of Talbot House took part in a charity fundraiser for The Oddballs Foundation.

May saw a huge progression for cricket at Worksop College, with students partaking in the first ever girls cricket fixtures.

Reuben Tennant (Talbot) became the ISA Champion Golfer 2021, at ISA event hosted at Worksop College in May.

In June, Sixth Former Philippa Walker was awarded The Diana Award for her work helping children with scoliosis. July saw Ranbians Anna and Esme compete and win medals at the National Open School Year Cross Country.

August welcomed Susan Garner, the new Head of Art at Worksop College.

In September, a full mindfulness course was introduced into the curriculum, targeting every year group.

October got off to a brilliant start, as Ranbian Anya very impressively won the show pony lead rein class at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show.

October saw Worksop College win the ISA Midlands Swimming Gala.

In November, Worksop College played Scarborough College in the Independent School Golf Association (ISGA) Senior Match Play Regional Semi-Finals.