Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy — Secondary School in Lancaster

Schools in England

National Education Directory

Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy

Lancaster, LA1 4RS

1,733 Pupils

1,754 Capacity

11–18 Age Range

10.60% FSM %

836 Boys

897 Girls

About Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy

Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy is a Secondary Academies serving Lancaster and the surrounding area in Lancashire with a Church of England character. The school for pupils aged 11–18 is part of the North West region.

It has 1,733 pupils on roll. School capacity: 1,754. Current headteacher: Helen Best.

Information on Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy is sourced from the DfE GIAS database, the authoritative register of all schools and educational establishments in England.

School Details

Establishment Type	Academy converter
Type Group	Academies
Phase of Education	Secondary
Status	Open
Local Authority	Lancashire
Region	North West
Administrative District	Lancaster
Parliamentary Constituency	Lancaster and Wyre
Ward	Scotforth West
Urban / Rural	Urban: Further from a major town or city
Admissions Policy	Non-selective
Religious Character	Church of England
Gender Policy	Mixed
Boarders	No boarders
Sixth Form	Has a sixth form
Nursery Provision	Not applicable
Trust / Sponsor	THE BAY LEARNING TRUST
Opened	01-05-2011
UKPRN	10033590
URN	136731
Data Last Updated	02-03-2026

Governors & Trustees (12)

Name	Role	Appointed	Term Ends	Appointing Body
Mrs Julie Hodgson	Chair of Local Governing Body	27/09/2023	26/09/2027	Appointed by GB/board
Miss Felicity Ackroyd	Local Governor	21/04/2022	20/04/2026	Appointed by foundation/Trust
Mr Simon Allan	Local Governor	28/02/2023	27/02/2027	Elected by parents
Mrs Helen Best	Local Governor	01/09/2024	—	Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal
Mrs Rosalind Buckland	Local Governor	05/10/2019	04/10/2027	Elected by school staff
Mrs Alison Chapman	Local Governor	01/09/2023	31/08/2027	Appointed by GB/board
Mrs Dawn Cheetham	Local Governor	05/03/2023	04/03/2027	Appointed by foundation/Trust
Mrs Rachel Dawson	Local Governor	20/10/2021	19/10/2025	Appointed by foundation/Trust
Mrs Tio Duffield	Local Governor	01/12/2025	30/11/2029	Appointed by foundation/Trust
Mrs Jessica Fitton	Local Governor	26/02/2024	25/02/2028	Elected by parents
Dr Philip Gager	Local Governor	01/05/2023	30/04/2027	Appointed by foundation/Trust
Revd Matt Guilder	Local Governor	01/02/2026	31/01/2030	Appointed by foundation/Trust