At Ridgeway Secondary School, we are committed to fostering the talents of our most gifted and dedicated students, this maybe in fields such as sport, acting, and singing. We believe in the importance of nurturing excellence, not just in the classroom, but also in the areas where our students shine outside of it. Our tailored support system helps elite performers thrive both in their chosen disciplines and in their academic studies, ensuring they can balance their passions with their educational commitments.
Individual Mentorship: Tailored Support for Success
To ensure our elite performers have the guidance they need, each student is paired with a dedicated mentor within the school. This mentor is there to help them navigate the demands of both their artistic or sporting commitments and their academic responsibilities. From offering practical advice on time management to helping with stress management and ensuring a healthy school-life balance, our mentors work closely with each student to support their personal and academic growth.
Our mentors provide ongoing support to ensure students remain focused, organised, and are not overwhelmed by the demands placed on them. They will help with managing tight schedules, prioritising tasks, and maintaining a clear sense of direction throughout the year. Whether it’s preparing for an important sports competition, a theatre performance, or a singing audition, our mentors will be there to guide, advise, and encourage every step of the way.
Public Recognition of Achievement
We believe that achievement should be celebrated, and our elite performers are no exception. Each student who shows exceptional ability and dedication in their chosen field will receive a special badge that recognizes their outstanding contributions. This badge serves not only as a symbol of their achievement but also as a public recognition of their hard work, commitment, and talent. Worn with pride, this badge is a testament to the dedication they have shown to their craft and to Ridgeway Secondary School. In PE lessons those who are identified as elite performers will wear a PE kit to symbolise this status and recognise their achievements.
Academic Support: Balancing Passion with Studies
At Ridgeway, we understand that success in the arts or sport often requires time and effort beyond the classroom, but we also know that academic excellence is equally important. Our school’s approach to supporting elite performers includes a flexible and understanding approach to deadlines and coursework. We ensure that our talented students can manage the dual demands of their extracurricular commitments and their academic responsibilities.
Through clear communication with teachers, tailored study support, and a structured approach to meeting deadlines, we help our students stay on top of their academic work. Should extra time or alternative arrangements be needed, our staff will work with each student to ensure they are able to complete assignments and exams without compromising their artistic or athletic pursuits.
Access to Funding and Opportunities
We recognise that pursuing excellence in sport, acting, or singing often comes with significant costs, whether it’s for lessons, equipment, or attending competitions and events. To help remove financial barriers, Ridgeway Secondary School actively signposts elite performers to available funding streams and scholarships that can help support their development. Whether it’s accessing grants for tuition, travel for competitions, or specific resources to enhance their skills, our school provides the guidance and information necessary for students to explore these opportunities.
Our aim is to ensure that every student with the talent and drive to excel has the resources they need to succeed in their chosen field. By supporting students in accessing funding and other resources, we aim to provide them with the tools and opportunities to reach their full potential.
At Ridgeway Secondary School, we are proud to be a school that not only values academic excellence but also recognises and nurtures the unique talents of our elite performers. Through personalised mentorship, public recognition, academic flexibility, and access to funding, we strive to create an environment where every talented student can flourish both on stage, on the field, and in the classroom.
If you are an aspiring athlete, actor, or singer looking to develop your skills and achieve greatness, Ridgeway Secondary School is here to support you every step of the way.
Student Profiles:
Year 7:
Pippa Woodward – Country Cricketer
Sporting Achievements: Pippa has represented Worcestershire County Cricket Club for 3 consecutive seasons most recently being selected for the U13 squad. She recieved an award for ‘Bowler of the Year’ and represents Astwood Bank Cricket Club and plays a year group above herself.
Ambitions for the future: Pippa would like to continue playing for county and continue to progress into the ladies section at Astwood Bank Cricket Club. Her long term aim is to become a PE teacher and share her passion for PE.
Jasper Wynne – National Swimmer
Sporting Achievements: Jasper swims in the National Development Squad at The Royal Wolverhampton School Performance Club. Training 7 days per week he competes at county, regional and national level and has qualified for the Welsh Winter National Squad. For Breaststroke, Jasper is ranked No.1 in 3 distances. As well as this Jasper also attends Sandwell Aquatics Centre and takes part in platform diving. His most recent sporting achievement at Ridgeway involved winning the district cross country where he qualified for the county team.
Ambitions for the future: Jasper would like to qualify for the British Swimming Championships and represent his country at the commonwealth games.
Year 8:
Alfie Holt – County Cricketer and Rugby Player
Sporting Achievements: Alfie currently plays both rugby and cricket at a high level. Representing Worcestershire CCC at U13 he is a capable all rounder and also represents Astwood Bank Cricket Club. In Rugby Alfie plays for a team in Leicestershire and represented his team in one of the most prestigious national rugby competitions for young players. His team achieved 2nd (runners up) in this competition which featured 30 teams from around Great Britain and Ireland.
Ambitions for the future: Alfie would like to receive a sporting scholarship later in his education and go on to play professional sport.
Freddie Robinson – Sub Academy Cricketer
Sporting Achievements: Freddie is an exceptional young cricketer, representing Astwood Bank and Worcestershire County Cricket Club. He has also been recognised for his exceptional ability and has been chosen as one of few young cricketers to play in Worcestershire’s Elite Sub Academy Programme. Freddie has also stepped into the arena of adult cricket for his club and last season for county took 6 wickets in 8 overs as well as reaching 90 not out in another game.
Ambitions for the future: Freddie is hoping to achieve his dream of becoming a professional cricketer and travelling the world for both county and country.
Hugo Smith – Country Cricketer
Dolcie Gilroy – County Cricketer
Sporting Achievements: Dolcie represents Worcestershire County Cricket Club U13’s she also has represented Worcestershire since U11, she is a keen sportswoman and is able across the curriculum in netball, athletics and represents the school football team. She was part of an undefeated team of county cricketers last year where they won the WCB competition without defeat.
Ambitions for the future: Dolcie would ultimately like to play professional cricket. On her way to achieving this long term goal she is aiming to play an age group higher than her own for Worcestershire and take 20 wickets in one season.
Sienna Carter – National Dance Champion
Sporting Achievements: Sienna is an exceptional dancer, she has won national honours across numerous different styles of dance from winning an U14 Freestyle National Competition, Winning a team lyrical dance contest and now turning her skills to ballet where she has achieved a Grade 6 and is being watched by the Birmingham Royal Ballet. She was selected as a finalist at Euro Dance at Blackpool Ballroom one of Europe’s biggest dance competitions for young dancers.
Ambitions for the future: Sienna would like to have a career in dance and perform in the Birmingham Royal Ballet as well as having a career in the West End. She also has ambitions to travel with her dancing ability and inspire other young dancers through opening a dance school.
Year 9:
Lincoln Perryman – Pistol Shooter and Tetrathlon
Sporting Achievements: Lincoln was ranked 20th in the country in 2023 across all ages for pistol shooting. He placed 5th in the country this year and scored a perfect schore in Monmouth School Sports Competition for Pony Triathlon. As well as this he placed 11th in a national competition sponsored by JCB later last year.
Ambitions for the future: Lincoln would like to continue taking his skill in both triathlon and tetrathlons further and start to specify more into the world of show jumping hoping to potentially make it into a career further down the line. His biggest ambition is to become the first youth male competitor to win the schools pistol championships.
Felix Winn : Actor
Performing Achievements: Felix is a talented performer both musically and on stage in the world of acting. HIs achievements range from taking the stage in productions such as: RENT, Elf, Frozen, Shrek the Musical and Aladdin as well as most recently being cast in a short film that is due for release in December 2024 called Meeting Point.
Ambitions for the future: After completing his GCSE’s he would like to go on to study performing arts and gain further experience in the world of acting, he would like to make it his career and take his acting prowess to the next level by featuring in full length films.
Peggy Chute : Actor and Singer
Performing Achievements: Peggy is a talented singer and has been recognised at a high level by passing prestigious singing qualifications and exams. She is regular performer outside of school both in theatre productions and vocal ensembles. She is a member of the school choir and is a keen lover of music.
Ambitions for the future: Peggy would like to achieve her dream of acting and singing in the West End, she is determined to keep securing lead roles in musicals outside of school to give her the opportunity to be noticed for larger productions in the future.
Year 10
Sam Drumm – County Cricketer
Sporting Achievements: Sam is a talented young cricketer having represented both Worcestershire and Herefordshire he continues to play cricket at a high level as an all rounder. He has represented county squads for four consecutive years and is has been selected to play a year group above his age at a number of Taunton festivals where all major counties compete in a multi day festival. Sam also has passions for other sports and is a GCSE PE student where he is currently developing a passion for the theory side of PE.
Ambitions for the future:
Year 11
Hetty Walsh – Golfer
Sporting Achievements: Hetty is an exceptionally talented golfer with a handicap of just 7. She is currently 2024 Bromsgrove Ladies Champion and Junior Champion. Hetty has cut her handicap significantly and represents Worcestershire around the county at various different venues.
Ambitions for the future: Hetty is not only a sporting star but is academically gifted in the classroom and is now in her final year focusing on her GCSE studies where she hopes to achieve exceptional outcomes. Her main ambition is
