Through the wide range of activities and social interaction encouraged in the residential provision the intention is that all pupils are able to gain confidence and a greater feeling of self worth. The school has an active school council and participation from all pupils is encouraged either directly or through their democratically elected representative. All Year 10 and 11 pupils are encouraged to complete an accredited first aid and food handling course prior to their leaving Ripplevale School.
In addition each pupil follows a documented life skills programme throughout the age ranges which records levels of achievement in the very wide range of personal skills necessary to equip any young person for the adult world. This covers very basic skills like bathing through to completing application forms for college or the world of work. Throughout the year the pupils participate in a number of fund raising charity events. This has included sponsoring a young person in Africa and to purchasing goats for a village in the Sudan.
Mr Sharman recently took some of the year 11 students on a fishing trip where they managed to hook a 5lb carp!!!
