Rydal Penrhos pupils got a message from a High Court judge during their latest Celebration Chapel.

Rydal Penrhos has worked hard to ensure that pupils and staff attain some normality despite COVID-19 health concerns and various lockdown measures implemented by the Welsh Government over the last 10 months. Plans may have shifted from their usual day-to-day education and school experience, but the structure to thrive is still there and benefitting children young and old.

One example is the school’s Chapels and Assemblies, which are put together in a virtual format and led by the school’s Chaplain, the Reverend Nick Sissons, together with various contributions from teaching staff, pupils, and some special guests.

For the latest edition of Senior Chapel on Friday 22 February, Rev’d Sissons managed to secure a special message from Michael Fordham QC, who was appointed as a High Court Judge by the Judicial Appointments Commission in December 2019.

Mr Fordham attended Spalding Grammar School from 1976 until 1983, where his father John was Headmaster for 15 years, before moving onto Hertford College, Oxford to read Law.

After graduating with a first-class degree and achieving a Hockey Blue, Mr Fordham stayed on for graduate law degrees at Oxford, and also spent time at the University of Virginia in the US.

Mr Fordham became a barrister in 1990, arguing more than 50 cases at the UK Supreme Court and House of Lords, including the prorogation (dissolving) of Parliament case that was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court in September this year.

He has represented the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in leading asylum cases and won several awards, including Human Rights Lawyer of the Year and Public Law QC of the Year.

This culminated in Mr Fordham being appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2006 and accepted a Deputy High Court Judge position in 2013.

Mr Fordham also has ties with Broad Street Methodist Church, which is connected to Rydal Penrhos and one of its founding fathers, John Wesley.

On behalf of everyone at Rydal Penrhos, we would like to thank Mr Fordham for giving up his time and featuring in our Celebration Chapel.

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Anyone wishing to enquire about Rydal Penrhos School can do so by calling 01492 530155, email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or register your interest online here: https://rydal.wpengine.com/admissions/apply-now/