THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL IS DESCRIBED ON A PLAQUE IN THE SCHOOL CHAPEL:

 Thomas Ripley was born in Lancaster October 2nd AD 1790. When a young man he removed to Liverpool, and trading with the West Indies and with China, became one of the merchant princes of that city.

Ripley's chapel as seen from the east

To the glory of God and in memory of Thomas Ripley and Julia Ripley, through whose benevolence this hospital for the maintenance and education of 300 fatherless children of Lancaster and Liverpool, was founded and endowed.

Having a desire to benefit both his native town and the city in which he had amassed his fortune, he purposed to build and endow a school of a similar character to the great foundation of Christ’s Hospital in London. This benevolent intention he did not live to fulfil. He died in Liverpool, August 20th AD 1852 and was buried in the churchyard of the Parish Church of Lancaster.

Julia Ripley, his widow, then determined to carry out the work of love on which her husband had set his heart. Also on the anniversary of their wedding day, July 14th AD 1856, the foundation stone was laid, and on November 3rd AD 1864, the anniversary of Mrs Ripley’s birthday, the Ripley Hospital was opened amid great public rejoicing by the Right Reverend James Prince Lee, Bishop of Manchester. After living many years to see the resting of her good work, Mrs Ripley died on February 2nd AD 1881 and was buried by her husband’s side.

In accordance with the founders’ wishes, this chapel was erected by the trustees and was opened and dedicated to the service of Almighty God by the Bishop of Liverpool, November 3rd AD 1888.

School History

Ripley St. Thomas School began life as Ripley Hospital, an endowed school founded by Mrs. Julia Ripley in memory of her husband, Thomas Ripley, who was a native of Lancaster and a merchant of Liverpool.  The school buildings and grounds are most attractive, occupying an elevated site giving open views to the City of Lancaster and the Lake District hills beyond.

It was opened on the 3rd November, 1864 "amid great public rejoicing".  Originally endowed for the education of an equal number of boys and girls - altogether 300 in number - the parents of whom had to have lived for at least 2 years immediately preceding the death of the father either within 15 miles of Lancaster Priory, or 7 miles of Liverpool Cathedral.

1908 girls confirmation class

The original building was built in the early pointed style of the 12th century, using white sandstone from adjoining quarries.  It had two wings, one for 150 boys and the other for 150 girls.  Orphan children had priority of claim, motherless or fatherless children the second and the remainder made up of children of 'indigent' persons.

The building, originally costing £30,000, included a first-class gym, woodwork and metalwork rooms, a domestic school for girls, and heated swimming-pool, four courts for playing fives and enough full-sized football pitches to allow 150 boys to play at the same time.  A farm of some 40 acres kept the school supplied with home produced meat, milk and poultry, and a vast kitchen garden gave a constant supply of fresh vegetables.  This was thus a school well in advance of its time.

All pupils received a practical education based on Christian principles. When they reached leaving age, they were given special training in the trade or profession for which they showed an aptitude. They were also given help to find suitable employment. Many old scholars went on to become successful businessmen, journalists, teachers, nurses, social workers and skilled workers in many trades.

Julia Ripley, founder of Ripley Hospital

The work of the Hospital continued until the outbreak of World War II in 1939, when the building was requisitioned by the army. The pupils then moved out to Capernwray Hall (seen here to the left). They expected to return at the end of the War, but the government requisitioned Ripley for another three years for use as an emergency Teachers' Training College. By then, it was realised that the need for an endowed orphanage was much reduced. State pensions allowed more one-parent families to stay together, and the fashion had moved away from institutional units.

After the trainee teachers left, the building became a National School, then a boys' secondary modern school until 1966 when Ripley Boys' and St. Thomas Girls' Schools amalgamated to become Ripley St. Thomas Church of England School.

In September, 1996, Ripley was designated a Language College. Whilst not changing in any way its status as a Voluntary Aided Church School, this does enable the school to develop its language facilities and so become a 'Centre of Excellence' for modern languages, including French, German, Spanish and Japanese.

Today, 1400 boys and girls are educated at the school, many of whom continue to the age of 18 years and go on to complete university degree courses. Thomas and Julia Ripley, we can be sure, would be proud of their inheritance and our heritage.

Recent additions include two new science laboratories, an English/Geography block, History/Business Studies block, and up-graded foreign languages and technology facilities. The school site is spacious and contains some exceptional features, including good sports facilities, the school farm, plant centre, walled garden and fine mature trees. Ripley is a very popular school with a long tradition of high academic and sporting achievement.  It is often featured in the national press as one of the best State Schools in the country.  Its results in external tests and examinations at Key Stage 3, GCSE and Advanced Level, and its value-added performance, places the school within the top 10% of secondary schools nationally.

With grateful thanks to research undertaken by Linda Moorhouse, details of whose publication 'The Opening of Ripley Hospital' are available from the school.