Ruthin School was originally founded in 1284. Refounded in 1574 by Gabriel Goodman, Dean of Westminster, and granted a Royal Charter, the School is a centre of academic excellence in North Wales.
The School is co-educational with around 250 students, comprising approximately half boarders and half day students. Ruthin School is an international community committed to high academic standards, dedication and mutual respect. Safeguarding and wellbeing are at the core of the School’s ethos and informs all decision-making. The School is run on the principle of collegiality and provides a safe, modern and friendly environment in which students can fulfil their potential. Students are expected to behave in a way that promotes decency, harmony and trust. They should strive to achieve their best at all times and our staff support them in this goal.
Organisation. Places (both day and full boarding) are offered to students from the age of 11.
The four boarding houses – Goodman, Trevor, Wynne and Gladstone – have their own House system under the guidance of resident Houseparent, Boarding Assistant, Housekeeper and Graduate Assistant.
Admission. The normal method of entry to the School is by interview, examination and reports.
Activities. Our Electives programme is wide ranging. Our Electives include many sports such as football, netball, badminton, basketball and volleyball. However we also have a large timetable of popular electives centred around wellbeing including cooking classes, chess, lego robotics, choir, debating, and arts and crafts. Students are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme at the age of 14 until they have completed the Bronze Award; several go on to complete the Silver and Gold Awards. Many students receive individual instrumental tuition from professional music staff. A programme of weekly trips is organised for boarders in the evenings and at weekends. The trips allow students to experience the best the area has to offer with arts and culture experiences in our closest cities of Liverpool and Manchester and outdoor pursuits activities on the north Wales coast and in Snowdonia National Park.
Bursaries and awards. In addition to academic awards, remissions are available for siblings, children of members of the armed forces and of Old Ruthinians. All awards are means tested and reviewed annually.
Curriculum. A wide curriculum is offered and includes English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Latin, separate Biology, Physics and Chemistry, Psychology, Business Studies, Art, Music, Computer Science, French, and Spanish. Astronomy and Economics are added at GCSE level. Further Mathematics and Politics are taught in the Sixth Form.
Pastoral. All Students have a pastoral tutor who in the Upper Sixth support university applications. Careers guidance is also offered to all Sixth Form Students from a dedicated UCAS coordinator.
Fees per annum (2023-2024). Day: £13,650–£16,540; Boarding: £42,700. Fees are payable twice yearly, at beginning of August and February. British parents have the option to pay monthly by Direct Debit.
Transport. The School provides daily transport to and from the North Wales coast, the Chester area and the Wrexham area. Transport is provided for boarders from Manchester airport to the School, at the beginning and end of each term.
The Old Ruthinian Association fosters close links between past and present students of the School.
Governors & Staff:
Board of Management
N Grenfell-Marten, FCMI
Head: V Gamble, BSc, PGCE
Bursar: S Harris
Deputy Head, Miss S Frencham, BSc, PGCE
Director of Safeguarding: R Searle, BA Hons, PGCE AdvDip Oxon
Director of Studies: D Kynes, BSc Chemistry, MSc, PGCE
Director of Electives: M Orchard, BSc, PGCE
Teaching Staff:
J S Bartlett, BSc, PGCE
Mrs S M Bellis-Whitworth, BA, MA, PGCE
N J R Blandford, BA, MA, PGCE
Mrs J Brass
Mrs E T Brodzinska, LLB, MA, DELTA
Mrs E M Brown, BA, MA Ed, PGCE, TEFL, AMBDA
Mrs Y Brown, BSc, PGCE, MSc
B Cribb, BA, PGCE, MEd
Mrs R Crowther, BA, PGCE
F Dewar, BSc Sports Coaching, PGCE
Dr D G Edwards, BA Hons, DPhil
I G Evans, BA, PGCE
Mrs S J Eve, BSc, PGCE
Dr N Fairbank, BSc, MA, PhD
Dr M Galvin, BSc Hons, PhD, PGCE
Dr G H Green, BSc, MA, PhD
J P Hamer, BA, PGCE
Dr M D Hannant, PhD, PGCE
Mrs I Haywood, BSc, MBA, PGCE
J R Henry, BA, PGCE
M H L Hewer, MA Oxon, DipEd
Dr A W Hughes, BEng, PhD, PGCE
Mrs K Hughes, BA, PGCE
Mrs M Kenworthy, BSc, PGCE
M Lamprecht
Mrs J Morton, MA Hons, PGCE
D A Owen Booth, MGCI, BEd, DipHE
S Parry, BA Hons, PGCE
C Perry, BSc, PGCE
Mrs C Peters, BSc, PGCE
Dr J Roberts, BSc, MSc, PhD
S D Stark, BSc, MEng, PGCE
R A Wadon, BSc, PGCE
Miss H Webb, BSc, PGCE
B Welsby
Miss D A Williams, BSc, PGCE
Dr M Wilton, BSc, PhD, PGCE
Registrar and PA to the Head and Bursar: Mrs S E Williams
Deputy Bursar: Mrs J Rainford
School Nurse: Mrs T Beaver, RGN, RSCN
School Nurse: Miss Ffion Jackson, RGN
School Nurse: Mrs J Wordsworth, RGN
School Counsellor: Ms K Comrie