Ruthin School Mold Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1EE, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1824 702543 Fax: +44 (0) 1824 707141

Email: office@ruthinschool.co.uk

Principal: Mr T J Belfield MA (Cantab) Established 1284

www.ruthinschool.co.uk Ruthin School is a Registered Charity (No. 525754) and is a Company Limited by Guarantee (No. 02498499)

3rd September 2013

Dear Parents,

As we continue our preparations for the new academic year, I thought I would write to you with some

exciting news regarding the future school developments. It is also a good opportunity for me to send some

timely reminders before your son/daughter starts their next school year.

Purchase of Ye Olde Anchor Inn

Last week we completed the purchase of Ye Olde Anchor Inn in Ruthin. The inn, which dates back to 1742

and traded as a town centre hotel, featured 25 ensuite-bedrooms, a lounge bar, dining room and restaurant

function room.

We will transform the building, over the next twelve months, to provide single en-suite accommodation for at

least 27 boarders with facilities including a student kitchen and common rooms. A staff house will be

incorporated into the building, with garden and recreational facilities.

This project allows for further expansion necessary, as a result in the continued demand for places due to

continued academic success.

Closure of Howells School for Girls

At the end of July a local girls school announced its closure. 22 girls have decided to join us next week,

meaning that for the first time in its history Ruthin School will have more girls than boys on its pupil roll.

We have appointed two staff members from Howells School Dr Michelle Wilton joins us to teach biology

and Mrs Cathy Hughes joins the office/administration staff to take responsibility for a number of projects

including alumni, liaising with local parents (in the formation of a new Parents Association), and general

administration.

Pupil Numbers

Next year we will see a further growth in pupil numbers with currently 226 pupils enrolled to start in

September. This represents an increase of over 30 on last years pupil numbers.

We have managed to continue to class sizes small by the appointment of new teaching staff.

Activities and School Day

As promised, the activity programme is strengthened, with Michelle Kenworthy taking the new role of

Enrichment Coordinator. We have a much greater variety of activities to offer the pupils next year made

possible by using professionals from outside school. Wednesday afternoons (in addition to 4.00 pm 5.00 pm

each day, and weekends) will be used for activities so that pupils can travel away from school if necessary.

Saturday Morning Testing

Each Saturday morning the whole Sixth Form will be tested in their academic subjects, from 9.00 am 12.00

pm. This is in an attempt to remove the previous of concept of test week by spreading the 4/5 subjects over

a two-week period.

Test results will be viewable on the SIMS parent portal within a week of the test being taken with position

in class and term average being shown for each subject, as well as the raw test scores.

Examination Results 2013

On August 15th our A Level and AS Level pupils received their results. Again, we were pleased to report

excellent results and we were particularly pleased with the university destinations.

Our %A*/A at A Level was 60.23% and we were recorded as 79th in the Daily Telegraph League tables.

Top pupil, Jing Xu, received 4 A* and 1 A and will start her study in Engineering at Cambridge University

this October.

Further information, with more detail, can be found on our website.

The following week the GCSE results were released and this year we showed improvement with all pupils

obtaining 5 or more A*-C grades. As we only had 14 pupils in the cohort, we did not appear in the league

tables being two small.

Caira Williams was the top GCSE pupil, achieving 6 A* and 3 A grades.

Refurbishment at School

Over the summer period a number of projects have taken place to improve facilities. In order to accommodate

more girl boarders new bedrooms have been created in the main part of the building (above my office).

With the continued increase in pupils studying science, and the appointment of more science staff, two new

laboratories have been created. These new Physics laboratories have been built on the site of the old DT

classroom and workshop.

The main classroom block has been improved with a new carpet and a repaint. Classroom furniture, including

new desks and chairs will be delivered next week in readiness for the beginning of term.

ICT

Computing plays a very important part in any school. We have made a further investment in this area,

upgrading the wireless system so that all parts of the school receive internet coverage.

The internet speed is much faster, with a new 100MB leased line installed.

In addition, new management software and new servers have been put in place.

Music

We have appointed Mr Chris Sennett to take responsibility for music at Ruthin School and we now have a

new look to the Music Department this year.

There will be much more active music making going on which can include anyone in the school. Choirs and

instrumental ensembles will need members and if your son or daughter can sing or play an instrument there

should be opportunities to learn new music, practice in small groups and perform!

I would like to encourage both local and overseas pupils to bring their instruments and music to Ruthin

School.

Although the music making in the department will be based on western art music, as a school we celebrate

the cultural diversity of all our pupils by offering them opportunities to display their home cultures in

costume, food, song and dance.

Those pupils who already play instruments and want to continue with their studies should arrange to see Mr

Sennett to arrange lessons and practice times. Even if your son or daughter has never played an instrument

before but would like to learn, they can!

For those who play large instruments which are impractical to transport we will initiate an instrument hire

scheme during the term.

Important Reminder for all boarders FLIGHTS!!

All boarding pupils can be collected from the airport, on Monday 9th September, IF WE HAVE YOUR FLIGHT

DETAILS.

A number of pupils have not sent their flight details to school, and therefore we will assume that they do not

require collecting from the airport and will make their own way to Ruthin School.

PLEASE if you wish to be collected, you MUST, email office@ruthinschool.co.uk with your flight

details.

THIS IS URGENT otherwise, you cannot be collected and will need to make your own way to school.

Important Dates

Below are important dates for all pupils:

Tuesday 10th September

There is a trip to Liverpool for all boarders and day pupils. We will depart at 9.00 am and return at 5.00 pm.

Any day pupils that wish to come, should telephone or email the school office as soon as possible.

Wednesday 11th September

There will be our annual hog roast from 12.00 2.00 pm.

All pupils are expected to attend to meet new staff and pupils and to receive timetables for the forthcoming

school year.

Thursday 12th September

Lessons commence.

mailto:office@ruthinschool.co.uk

Saturday 14th September

This is a Water Sports Day for the whole school. Suitable clothing needs to be brought to take part there

will be alternative activities for non-swimmers.

Future dates for parents, that we ask you to put in your diaries are below:

Tuesday 17th September 10.00 am Start of Year Service in St Peters Church, Ruthin

Tuesday 24th September 6.00 pm Meet the Teachers (for NEW parents)

Tuesday 5th November 5.00 pm Bonfire night with Tug of War and Fireworks

Friday 8th November 10.30 am Remembrance Service in St Peters Church, Ruthin

Saturday 9th November 9.00 am OPEN MORNING compulsory for ALL pupils

Friday 15th November 6.00 pm Meet the Teachers (for ALL parents)

Thursday 12th December 6.30 pm Carol Service in St Peters Church, Ruthin

Finally, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of my colleagues. I am

very excited about this new academic year, and look forward to welcoming new pupils and returning pupils

next week.

Kind regards,

Toby Belfield

Principal