Ridgeway

House Colour: Red

Who’s Who?

Head of Ridgeway House – Mr J Vann

Ridgeway Tutors 2025-2026

Year 7 - Mrs E Duffell & Mrs K Cooke

Year 8 - Ms C Parr

Year 9 - Mr M Luff & Mrs S Pilgrim

Year 10 - Mrs F Hyland

Year 11 - Mr T Godfray

Year 12 - Mr D Pilgrim

Year 13 - Mrs H Williams

Ridgeway House was one of the first four houses in the early days of the school and is named after Bishop Charles John Ridgeway who was Bishop of Chichester from 1908 to 1919. After becoming Bishop of Chichester he restored the chapel in the Bishop’s Palace which is marked by a brass inscription on its West Wall.

What is Ridgeway House like?

We pride ourselves on our individuality and celebrate each person in our form as a unique identity. We are inclusive and will always support each other. We are resilient and resourceful and mindful of those less fortunate than ourselves.

Regular finalists in House Drama, keen academics, dancers, writers and musicians, as well as sailors, rugby, biking, hockey, netball, air cadets etc.

We support charities such as Diabetes UK, Spirit FM Xmas Appeal, Chichester Foodbanks with Chestnut Tree Hospice being our House charity.

A review of Ridgeway House 2024-2025

What another busy and rewarding year it has been for all of us in Ridgeway House. We have seen our Year 7s settle well into school life through the Isle of Wight residential back in October and more recently, have celebrated our lovely Y11s through their leavers’ assembly (with embarrassing photos) before climaxing in a fantastic prom on Friday 27th June. The students were exemplary in the way they conducted themselves during the busy exam period and we wish them good luck for results day in August. We hope to see many of our Ridgeway students back in Sixth Form in September.  Class of 2020 – Thank you and good luck!

Likewise, we wish all of Year 13 Ridgeway luck with their A-level results and in their next steps as part of embracing life in all its fullness. They have been a credit to our House and school and will forever be a part of the Bishop Luffa alumni.

Isle of Wight October 2024

As ever, October meant the traditional Isle of Wight residential from Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th October. Like every year, this was a hugely enjoyable experience for our new Year 7s giving them the chance to make new friends and bond with each other; whether this was splashing in the pool, dashing through the woods or tenpin bowling. The students were impeccably behaved throughout our time away and were a credit to themselves. 

House Captains

This year I have been ably supported by Hannah Day, Lucia McGurk (House Captains) alongside Grace Zheng and Anna Stangroom (Vice Captains) They have all contributed significantly: from running charity events and assemblies, to writing and directing the House Drama and keeping the display board up-to-date. Together they have been brilliant in driving our House ethos and keeping me organised!  Thanks to all of them and good luck in Year 13.

Reindeer Run

Friday 6th December saw us undertake our annual Reindeer Run raising money for Chestnut Tree House. Students donned the usual red noses and antlers and completed laps of the playground. I managed to crawl/wheeze my way through approximately 6 laps ably supported (lapped) by the students and the vociferous Miss Hyland!  Thanks to everyone who took part.

Shoebox Appeal

December ended with our other annual event – the Rotary Club Shoebox Appeal which collates much needed gifts for disadvantaged children in places such as Albania, Moldova, Montenegro and Romania plus children stranded in Refugee Camps. Along with other local schools, more than 250 shoeboxes were filled and delivered in time for Christmas. Again, many thanks to the generosity of our students and their families; it is very humbling and epitomizes our Christian ethos. 

Sports Day

Sports Day is due to take place on Friday 11th July and we look to gain some much-needed House Points; currently we sit 5th out of 8 Houses so plenty still do but with plenty of points still up for grabs. The early Sports Day events begin Tuesday 8th July so I look forward to claiming some much needed points.  As current holders of the Sports Cup the pressure is on to retain this – come on Ridgeway!

Charity Update

Next year we will continue to support Chestnut Tree House through our charity events.  They are truly humbling in the work they do for young people with life-limiting conditions and the support they offer to families.  If you get the chance, take a look at their website for an idea of the work they do: https://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/  In addition, we are always grateful of donations that we can use to raffle to raise money.  This can be anything from chocolate, toys, vouchers etc.  All gratefully received.

House Colours and Subject Colours

As part of a long-standing Luffa tradition, we announced our House Colours for Year 10s in our final House assembly and awarded them with some commemorative certificates and colourful badges which they will wear with pride. We also awarded Subject Colours which were also humbly received – well done to those for that. This is very well deserved and is a significant achievement for any Bishop Luffa student.  House Colour winners this year are: Fisayo Beckley, Eleanor Maxted, Ben Taylor and Yakira Inns.

Year 6 Induction

On Wednesday 2nd July, the newest members of the Ridgeway ‘family’ joined us for Induction Day. Year 6 spent a day getting to know their new peers, form tutors, Head of House in their allocated Houses. We very much look forward to welcoming the new Year 7s full-time to Ridgeway in September.

Thank you!

Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to the wonderful Ridgeway tutors – Miss Parr (7Ri), Mr Luff (8Ri), Miss Hyland (9Ri), Mr Godfray (10Ri), Miss Wilburn and Miss Pegg (11Ri), Mrs Williams (12Ri) and Mr Pilgrim (13Ri) – they have been an ever-present, positive influence in the lives of Ridgeway students and they deserve much of the credit for the successes of Ridgeway House. I genuinely could not do my job without them. In September we welcome Miss Cooke and Miss Duffell who will be joining us as the new joint-tutors for 7 Ridgeway; both have met their new form group and began getting to know them on Induction Day. Both are a fantastic addition to our excellent tutor team.

I am already eagerly anticipating September for what will undoubtedly be another successful year for my House which I am very proud to be the Head of.

Mr James Vann, Head of Ridgeway House