• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

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Prestigious school appoints new Chair of Governors

One of the oldest schools in the North East has welcomed back a former pupil as its new Chair of Governors.

600-year-old Durham School has appointed Rob Ribchester of Ribchesters, Chartered Accountants to lead the multi-talented Board, which is focused on continuing the success of the School by developing young people to achieve their full potential and to have ‘confidence for life’ which is the School’s guiding principle.

Mr Ribchester has been a member of the Board of Governors since Christmas 2014 and has a long-standing interest in the school after attending as a day pupil from 1992-1999. Following his time at Durham School, Mr Ribchester read Economics at Edinburgh University and went on to achieve a Masters in Finance at Durham University.

He began his career at Deloitte in London, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant, before returning to the North East in 2009 to join Durham based Ribchesters, a family business, where he advises clients throughout the UK.

Mr Ribchester, said: “There is a fantastic family ethos at Durham School, which means that when you leave education you aren’t leaving the Durham family.

“Even when I was living in London I was involved with the school through the Old Dunelmian network, which helps former pupils stay connected and up to date with school news and help current pupils.

“Returning to the North East allowed me to get more involved with the school as a Governor, and I am delighted and honoured to become Chair of the Governors. I hope that my experience, together with that of my fellow Governors, will help build on the school’s prestigious history.”

Throughout his education at Durham School, Mr Ribchester was academically strong, but was also passionate about sport and drama, acting as Captain of Squash and playing First XI cricket.

He said: “One of the strengths of Durham School is that pupils get the opportunity to experience everything and discover subjects and activities they might not have tried before.

“Even though I was a day pupil and not a boarder, I still got the same opportunities as other pupils, which is something I’m committed to continuing.

“I am also delighted with the excellent A level and GCSE results and strengthening and building on our academic performance is also a key element of my agenda for the School “

Alongside his professional and academic achievements, Mr Ribchester is a trustee of the Henry Smith Charity and serves on the North-East committee for Barnardos.

Kieran McLoughlin, Head of Durham School, said: “Part of Durham School’s ethos is to instill confidence for life in our pupils, and it’s great to see this through the success of our Old Dunelmian alumni.

“Mr Ribchester’s achievements in the finance industry and through his charitable work are a testament to his character and hardworking nature. He has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the development of the school and I’m delighted to welcome Mr Ribchester as the Chair of Governors.”

For more information on Durham School please visit http://www.durhamschool.co.uk/ or call 0191 386 4783.

By Emily