Ten Ripon Grammar School students are celebrating Oxbridge offers.
Five candidates at the school’s sixth form have won offers from the University of Cambridge while five received offers from the University of Oxford.
They will be studying an array of subjects, from economics, English literature, history, law and philosophy to politics, materials science, theology and veterinary medicine.
Alongside them, many students planning their next steps after A-levels have gained offers from highly competitive universities across the country, including Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, King’s College, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Warwick and York.
Other students have received top level apprenticeship offers or secured employment, while a number plan to take gap years before taking up their places at university.
Head of sixth form Terry Fell said:
“We are so proud of our students' dedication and their high aspirations as they prepare for the next stage of their exciting futures beyond school.
“They are entering a world where competition for the best places at universities and at top level apprenticeships is high, but they are resourceful, determined and well prepared for whatever is to come next.”
Head girl and boy Amélie Chaduc and Ollie Kitson won offers from Cambridge and Oxford to study law and history & politics respectively.
Boarding student Amélie, 17, from outside Skipton, is taking maths, chemistry and history at A-level and aims to become a barrister.
The talented musician, who completed her Associate of the Royal Schools of Music piano diploma last year, was thrilled to receive her offer.
She said:
“I was very surprised as I thought I’d done so badly in my interview.”
Ollie, 17, from Kirkby Malzeard outside Ripon, is not sure what he will do after university but hopes to spend some time travelling.
The keen rugby player and guitarist, working towards his gold Duke of Edinburgh award, said he was relieved to get his offer:
“Now I feel doubly motivated to achieve the grades I need in my A-levels.”
Boarding student Abha Kulkarni, from Ingleby Barwick, will be joining fellow student Daniel McClean, from Knaresborough, to study politics, philosophy & economics at Oxford.
Taking maths, economics and politics at A-level, she hopes to work in the civil service after university.
Co-chair of the school’s debating team and a volunteer at a local hospice charity shop, the 18-year-old said she was ‘shocked’ and ‘speechless’ when she got her offer.
She said:
“I had to ask my friend to read it for me to be sure.
“When I finally got confirmation, it was such an amazing feeling and I sent a screenshot to my family.”
Planning to join her at Oxford are drama and fencing enthusiast Adam Dickinson, 17, from Grantley outside Ripon, (history & politics) and keen basketball player Hattie Miles, 17, from Hampsthwaite (materials science).
Boarding student Francesca Faulks, 18, from Northallerton and her friend Tassy Bell, 18, from Thirsk, both received offers to study theology at Cambridge.
Taking A-levels in religious studies, classics and English literature, Francesca enjoys drama and choir at school and hopes to work in the Foreign Office one day.
She said she was surprised but ‘absolutely delighted’ to receive her offer.
Tassy, who aims to join the civil service fast stream programme after university, was shocked and relieved to receive her offer.
She said:
“Francesca and I celebrated in our religious studies lesson once we’d both heard back.”
The talented musician, who recently achieved a grade 8 in singing and is taking A-levels in religious studies, politics, German and chemistry, is also applying for a choral scholarship at Cambridge.
Planning to join her at Cambridge are talented artist Tess Holloway, 17, from Ripon (English literature), who is currently completing her gold Duke of Edinburgh award, and keen pianist Rachel Rogers, 18, from Green Hammerton (veterinary medicine).
Rising golf star Beatrice Pickles-Mercer, 17, from Easingwold, who has represented her county, was delighted to receive an offer to study medicine at St Andrew’s University, where she can continue to enjoy the game she has been playing since she was just seven years old.
She hopes to play at a higher level:
"Having world-class facilities so close to the university is invaluable, and I look forward to balancing my passion for golf with my medical studies."
Another attraction is St Andrews's Academic Families system, where older students support first-years.
She said:
"This creates a strong sense of community and reminds me of my similar experiences in boarding."
Kayleigh Yarker, 17, from Ripon, is excited about her unconditional offer to study production design for stage and screen at the Northern School of Art.
She said:
“It will allow me to work on real TV and film sets for companies like Netflix and also opens up pathways to other careers."
The keen costume and prop maker hopes to take a gap year in Japan before taking up her place.
Badly parked cars which block narrow roads should be towed, says councillor
Harrogate sisters reach national business awards finals
Harrogate school shares details of King Charles visit
Sir Gareth Southgate cuts ribbon of £21.9m build at Martin House
Harrogate woman is seventh winner to scoop full tank of free fuel
Gyles Brandreth officially reopens historic rock garden at Newby Hall
National finals success for Ripon netball star
Plan to improve maintenance of Knaresborough Castle amid claims of neglect
Hampsthwaite garage recognised at national awards
Harrogate firm's electric buses exceed 5 million kilometres
Brick sculpture trail to be installed at RHS Harlow Carr
New student leaders announced at top-performing Ripon school
Harrogate Town Council calls for changes to community funding process
Grantley Hall to extend estate after 44-acre acquisition
Former rugby player to pass through Harrogate as part of record 200 marathons in 100 days
Harrogate dancer talks 'crazy' Britain's Got Talent journey as group places eighth
Free train tickets to help families beat the 'back to school' squeeze
New golf performance venue set to open in Harrogate
Winners revealed for Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards 2026
Funding awarded to transform landmark Harrogate church
