History of Sedbergh School in 50 Objects #48: The Ripley Shield

The concept of service has a central role in Sedbergh’s ethos. Our pupils are encouraged to consider how they can ‘give back’ throughout the School year, raising money for the annually chosen charity, volunteering with local community interest groups and supporting their own communities, wherever these are around the world.

In 2023 the Ripley Shield was introduced to be awarded annually to the House that is judged to have given back most during the year. It is named after Dr Myles Ripley, a former Housemaster and Biology teacher, whose contributions to life at Sedbergh and beyond are extensive.

Myles Ripley taught at Sedbergh from 1987 to 2023, with his service to the School reaching far beyond his teaching and boarding roles. Myles held the post of Contingent Commander of the Combined Cadet Force, ran the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, was child protection officer, instigated the tutor system, taught sailing, coordinated lighting for events and performances, and for many years was proud coach of the A3 rugby team.

Locally Myles volunteer work has been transformative for Sedbergh’s rural community coordinating the volunteer social car scheme, volunteering as a community bus driver, holding the role of governor at Settlebeck School, editing the ‘Lookaround Magazine’ working as a community first responder, and holding the post of secretary of the local sailing club.

Beyond Sedbergh Myles has been a committed volunteer for ‘Crisis at Christmas’, a national charity offering a place of support and refuge to homeless people over the Christmas period. Myles ran the kitchen for many years, managing the night shift and supporting the team members. Since covid, Myles’ role has changed to be, in his own words, ‘just a potato peeler’ at Crisis. It is unsurprising to those who know Myles, that he would give up his Christmas holiday to make the lives of others better. Towards the end of his Sedbergh career, Myles donated a kidney, feeling that it was within his gift to change someone’s life, and therefore he should do it.

Myles acts of service were marked in a small way towards the end of his Sedbergh career when he was awarded the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria’s Award in recognition for his work nationally for the Combined Cadet Force Association. Myles was involved with the charitable arm of the organisation, administering grants to maintained school as the CCF expanded from being exclusively a public-school pursuit.

Myles has built his life around ‘giving’ and a whole book could be dedicated to the way in which service is interwoven with every aspect of his life. His colleague at Sedbergh, Steve Smith, commented that ‘nobody has worked harder for the school than Myles’, and this would surely resonate with all those fortunate enough to interact with him in any of his endeavors.

Speaking about the importance of ‘giving’, Myles commented:

Getting people into the habit of giving is important, and that is perhaps underlined here where the majority of pupils are ‘given’ more than they ‘give’, so these initiatives at Sedbergh both at christmas and at other times are really valuable. If people get into the habit of giving then they are likely to continue.

We’re an increasingly selfish society. But even if we are money poor we could be time rich, and could give back in that way, which is deeply valuable in itself.’

The Ripley Shield celebrates the desire and actions of our pupils to ‘give back’. Headmaster, Dan Harrison, has moved the concept of ‘giving back’ to be an essential element of the Sedberghian experience. One of the most important weeks in the School calendar is the final week of the Michaelmas term when the entire School takes part in ‘Sedbergh Gives Back’, instigated in 2018. Each house works on a discrete project ranging from direct support of vulnerable people to fundraising challenges for charity. Pupils arrive at their assigned projects armed with donations for allied charities such as packages for a women’s refuge or donations for a food bank. The current recipients of the Ripley Shield are Evans House, who amongst their many charitable works last year spent time at Ripon Walled Garden, helping with garden and woodland projects to support adults with learning needs.

Pupils and staff across School are busy preparing for this year’s #SedberghGivesBack project, continuing the legacy of giving established by Sedbergh giants such as Myles.