An enthusiastic new team of student leaders has been appointed at Ripon Grammar School, the top-performing state school in the North, following an outstanding field of candidate selections.
Will Renton and Amelia Briggs will take on the roles of head boy and girl. They will lead an impressive team of 13 deputies to represent pupils and help shape student life across the school community. Both 17 years old, the pair have always been highly active members of both school and community life.
Will, from Kirkby Malzeard, is studying chemistry, biology, music, and maths at A-level. He participates in multiple musical groups—including wind band, brass ensemble, and guitar ensemble—while receiving tuition in piano and French horn. Outside the classroom, he is an experienced climber, an active Scout volunteering weekly as a Young Leader, and a qualified canoeing instructor with the North Yorkshire Scouts County Water Activities Team. Inspired by his experiences, including helping to care for his younger sister Ellie, who has spinal muscular atrophy, Will hopes to study medicine at university before pursuing a career as an RAF doctor.
Will Renton: “I want to encourage students to take on ambitious challenges, broaden their horizons, and inspire younger pupils to be the best they can be. I look forward to supporting the wider officer team throughout the year.”
Amelia, from Ripon, is a keen runner with Ripon Runners and is actively involved in community work through Ripon Together, where she manages social media and promotes local initiatives. Among her achievements, she was accepted onto the UNIQ Oxford Outreach Programme, which features academic lectures and a residential experience at the University of Oxford. Amelia plans to study psychology at university, with a specific interest in occupational psychology, and is proud to represent the school she has attended since Year 7.
Amelia Briggs: “I want to be a supportive, approachable figure for all students while strengthening student engagement and community links. I look forward to building on projects like the school’s Culture Day and expanding our role within the wider community.”
The 13 newly appointed deputy head boys and girls have similarly excelled both in and out of the classroom, dedicating themselves to a wide range of extra-curricular activities to support the incoming leadership team.
