‘Boarding​ at RGS has been a life-changing experience’

A-level student POLINA WHITEHEAD, who moved from an independent school to join Ripon Grammar School as a termly boarder, reflects on her experience of life in a state boarding school as she prepares to take up a top-level apprenticeship with a leading global financial services company

I HAVE boarded for five years, three years at my previous school and two years at Ripon Grammar School. I found coming to a state boarding school from a private school very different, but not in a bad way. Boarding at RGS really has changed my life for the better.

The education is of a much higher standard and I felt I was more in the ‘real world’ as I enjoyed the valuable experience of having a part-time job throughout my two years, something that has helped me at interviews since.

Being comfortable in a house when you are boarding is incredibly important and RGS exceeded all my expectations, with boarding staff making my experience so much better in that they were always available to talk when needed.

The teachers really are a huge asset to the school and they have always supported me, whether helping me overcome personal hurdles or offering academic help.

Boarding at Ripon gave me the much-needed freedom I desired in that I was able to go to friends’ houses to watch TV or have dinner on a weekday evening, something I previously had been unable to do.

Before, all my friends lived many miles away from each other whereas at Ripon I was simply able to walk to friends’ houses for a catch up!

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the boarding community here and, in my opinion, state boarding has been much better suited to me and a much more enjoyable experience overall.

I was always allowed any reasonable requests such as to drive to the supermarket after dinner to get snacks or to go to Harrogate for a day out at the weekend, which definitely allowed me to do the things I enjoyed.

I never felt as though I was stuck in school during the weekend, being told what I was able and unable to do with my free time.

For the average person who currently lives at home and is interested in boarding, I would say it is a huge game-changer.

You grow and develop the skills needed to become more independent, enabling you to spend time away from home, something, surprisingly, I know many of my peers can struggle with.

Boarding has also been key in making me more resourceful, ensuring I can pack for my holiday, cook for myself, clean my room and take responsibility for completing my homework.

I was always an independent child who didn’t rely on others, and my mother to this day talks about how I was the least affectionate child. But boarding has actually enabled me to speak to others more easily when I need help or need to talk an issue through.

Boarding has also actually helped me enjoy a better relationship with my parents in that we have always been happy to see each other when I come home, and I have grown as a person myself, allowing me to become that little bit more affectionate with my family.

Boarding allows you to prepare yourself for life after school whether that’s at university or another route, such as my own upcoming post-A-level apprenticeship with Ernst and Young, based in Manchester.

I believe having a job during term time was a massive help in securing my apprenticeship place. I initially worked at JD Wetherspoon, which was a job I interviewed for on my first day in Ripon.

I wouldn’t have been able to do this at my previous school in a small village, where students are not allowed to work during term time.

As a boarder, I also built a good relationship with my houseparents and was kindly offered the chance of another job, helping with our housemistress’s son, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. This is by far the best gift I could have asked for and that opportunity is something I will forever be grateful for.

The housemaster Mr Spiers helped me prepare for my final interview with Ernst and Young, discussing changes in the current world such as Artificial Intelligence, which is a key interest of his!

I encountered some personal struggles during my time at RGS, but boarding staff always supported me and helped me overcome these, whether that resulted in me needing to go home for a few days at my request or to simply have a long chat.

Boarding at RGS has also been pivotal in allowing me to find life-long friendships, such as with my friend Madison. We clicked from the very beginning and chose to share a room together for almost the full two years, even though sixth form rooms are mainly singles.

Madison lives in Switzerland, and I visited her last summer, ensuring we still saw each other, and hopefully, if all goes well on results day, we will soon be living only an hour on the train from each other.

When you live with someone you do form much deeper connections and I know that we will be friends forever as she has seen both my personal highs and lows, and we work very well together.

I also know this is the case for others within boarding, some of whom have lived together from Year 7 to Year 13, and you can see from interactions just how closely bonded everyone is, whether that is when watching a movie together after evening roll call or eating dinner together at one table. These friendships will last for life.

If any of you reading this are considering boarding at Ripon Grammar School, I would highly recommend it and encourage you to jump at this opportunity – I am really glad I did!

*Polina, top, pictured after winning her Ernst and Young apprenticeship and with school friends, Madison and Inga, at the RGS leavers' ball. With Madison in Switzerland