Mr Dennis Richards

Teaching Awards 2007 Winner

The Ted Wragg Award for Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by the Innovation Unit in North of England

St Aidans CE High School, HARROGATE

Dennis Richards has the gift for making headship seem simple – probably because his vision is so clear.

His very personal, robust and impassioned style has ensured that at St Aidan’s young people undergo the most profound life-changing experiences that set them up for life. He has established a challenging educational community where high standards, breadth and balance are the order of the day while ensuring personally that the school remains genuinely inclusive.

Born to teach, Dennis has developed a particular rapport with some of his most challenging students and his own deep faith and compassion as a Christian has led him to offer personal support to some of the most vulnerable and needy, sending them handwritten letters of encouragement, even accompanying them on school trips. Dennis is always enthusing about his students’ latest accomplishments. St Aidan’s has specialist science status but excels also in music and the arts. His choirs and orchestras perform all over Europe and he will always “pop in”, to see how they are getting on - wherever they are.

Despite leading a school of 1,850 students he insists on a sizeable teaching timetable and has never lost the ability to motivate youngsters. His lessons are marked by open and witty exchange as Dennis delights always in what teenagers have to say; his faith in their ability to excel unfailing.

And indeed they do excel. St Aidan’s is the highest achieving non-selective comprehensive school in the country, 16th in national league tables with a 95 per cent GCSE pass rate. Its 920-strong sixth form, a unique ecumenical association with the neighbouring Catholic high school, achieved 61 per cent ‘A’-level A-B grades last year.

Ever the thinker, he keeps abreast of educational research and philosophy. A consummate communicator and writer he has contributed hugely to national debate through regular articles in the Times Educational Supplement and membership of the QCA advisory committee.

Ted Wragg taught Dennis at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield in the 1950s and continued to be an influence and a mentor. Dennis, who is lauded by all - his students, colleagues, parents, the great and the good - as the most loyal, committed, creative and effective educationalist of his generation, is most deserving of this award.

Message Board

Please leave a messsage for Mr Dennis Richards

• Congratulations !!

  Delighted, though not surprised !, to see this result on the website. I am so pleased for you and the school. I feel really excited for you.

  Posted: July 5, 2007 at 19:07 PM | Author: Rosemary Cannell

• FELICITATIONS!

  Congratulations on your well-deserved award, Dennis. I really enjoyed your acceptance speech and chatting with you after the ceremony. I look forward to seeing you at the Nationals in London in October. All the Best, Paul

  Posted: July 9, 2007 at 23:07 PM | Author: Paul Keogh MBE Teacher of The Year 2003

• Fantastic Achievement!

  An exceptional school, run by an exceptional Head. We are proud and honoured to have had our son taught by you and your wonderful staff. No-one deserves the award more; you have played a big part in our children's lives and we thank you for that. All the very best in the Nationals.

  Posted: September 22, 2007 at 09:09 AM | Author: Geraldine & Tom Hoy

• worthy winner

  Dennis - Really pleasing to see your outstanding leadership recognised in this way. A fitting culmination of a career in which you've always put your students and colleagues first.

  Posted: September 22, 2007 at 10:09 AM | Author: John Forster

• A Parent's Endorsement

  For any Headteacher, dealing with parents must me far more difficult than dealing with their child. On the occasions that I have met Mr Richards, I have recognised a man totally dedicated to his school and the welfare of its pupils. I always leave his company feeling that I wish he had been my Head! I believe that my children are extremely fortunate to have been guided by him. Long may this continue.

  Posted: September 24, 2007 at 13:09 PM | Author: Jean Heeley

• Fantastic! Well Deserved Win

  It is not by chance that St Aidan's achieves such high levels year on year, it is through the teamwork of the full staff complement led by a dedicated Headmaster. Your participation, support and vision has encouraged the pupils, staff and parents alike. What a well deserving winner. Congratulations!

  Posted: September 27, 2007 at 15:09 PM | Author: Gareth & Beryl Evans

• Richly deserved Dennis!

  We are delighted to hear of your success! You always put the welfare of the pupils at the centre of everything you do and lead with vision and energy. Well done, from grateful parents,.

  Posted: October 9, 2007 at 19:10 PM | Author: Garry Dyke

• DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS ONE

  Congratulations. It's all down to the tennis! Hope to see you soon.

  Posted: October 9, 2007 at 21:10 PM | Author: LEN BARSON

• 2 down 1 to go!

  Two boys who enjoyed an incredible time at St.Aidan's and one still having the time of his life! A very special place of love and learning. Great leadership of a great team. Well done!

  Posted: October 13, 2007 at 23:10 PM | Author: CC

• I DO UNDERSTAND THIS ONE

  Congratulations, Charlie would have been very proud.

  Posted: October 14, 2007 at 14:10 PM | Author: Peter Beetlestone

• Wow!

  Hello Mr Richards; my name is Matt Foot, and you used to teach me at Bishop Stopford School. I happened across the teaching awards by chance, this evening. I had a suspicion it was you... and then I saw Alison!. Many congratulations from myself Matthew, Daniel and Katina Foot. Please send warmest regards to Alison also; she was an extremely good friend to me, in my teenage years, and will never forget her. God bless you, and well done!!.

  Posted: October 21, 2007 at 19:10 PM | Author: Matthew Foot

• QEGS a long time ago

  Congratulations, pertinent that it is the Ted Wragg award. I was his form prefect in my final year and he wrote a message on my report, probably the only teacher who did. I've heard good reports about you from a colleague of my son at Leeds Met Carnegie whose son is at St. Aidans. Like you I have a daughter, Alison. Enjoy your retirement when it comes.

  Posted: October 22, 2007 at 15:10 PM | Author: Keith Richards

• Brilliant

  Congratulations from me and all at the Church Times. They're very proud to have to have you as a contributor. And I've got kudos for bringing on board. So well deserved!

  Posted: October 23, 2007 at 19:10 PM | Author: margaret holness

• Thankyou

  An inspiration- thankyou

  Posted: October 23, 2007 at 20:10 PM | Author: Helen Walton (Wyatt)

• Delighted by the outcome

  Brilliant news and richly deserved: delighted to have been able to help in some small way after all you have done for Jos and so many others who needed care and attention.

  Posted: October 24, 2007 at 12:10 PM | Author: Sir Thomas Ingilby

• Better than winning the Ashes?

  How does this compare with the summer of 2005? (it must come close!). Absolutely brilliant to watch you getting such wonderful affirmation so richly deserved.

  Posted: October 26, 2007 at 13:10 PM | Author: CC

• Well deserved

  As a former pupil at St Aidan's, I can only reiterate the wonderful comments about Mr Richards. As a veteran of the many choirs and music groups, it was always encouraging to see Mr Richards in the audience of every performance, always proud to be out with his pupils. St Aidan's was an inspiration to me and my school days really were the best of my life!

  Posted: October 27, 2007 at 08:10 AM | Author: SW

• Congratulations

  Delighted to read of your success. We are proud of your achievements and are delighted to be associated with such a wonderful school.

  Posted: October 28, 2007 at 17:10 PM | Author: The Carroll Family

• Congratulations

  Well deserved sir!

  Posted: November 1, 2007 at 18:11 PM | Author: Raza

• Richly deserved

  As a parent of two who have been privileged to go to St Aidan's, the warmth of the school's ambience has always struck me as special. Due in no small part to the dedication of a special Head who always appears immaculate with professional pride and who unfailingly passes his praise and thanks to staff and students alike. Dennis - your legacy as a teaching professional will be outstanding and enduring. Resist retirement but when you do, enjoy!

  Posted: November 8, 2007 at 09:11 AM | Author: GC

• Congratulations

  Well done sir!

  Posted: November 11, 2007 at 10:11 AM | Author: N C

• Congrats!

  An unquestionable win for a truly inspirational head - who won the award solely, in my opinion, for his love of cricket! You deserve it, sir!

  Posted: December 24, 2007 at 16:12 PM | Author: D C

• GO SIR!!!!!!

  many congratulations sir you really deserve it

  Posted: June 3, 2008 at 14:06 PM | Author: alex wilkins