Youth Alpha 2026
Every year, our Year 8 pupils take part in Youth Alpha which is a video-based, interactive 5-week series that explores life, faith and meaning.
Youth Alpha is designed for young people whether they have Christian/church background or not. Each episode looks at a different question, and we have focused on:
1) Welcome to the conversation
2) Jesus is…?
3) What does real love look like?
4) Why would I want a relationship with God
5) What does a relationship with God look like?
Integrating this course gives witness to the Christian faith and distinctiveness of Ripley St Thomas C of E Academy. It is an excellent course and helps us encourage the young people to consider and develop their whole selves, including spiritually. This is in line with our school’s vision statement and Christian ethos.
On Thursday 26 March, the course culminated in a special Youth Alpha Day. Our whole Year 8 cohort, along with staff, headed off‑site, with half visiting St Tees and the other half attending Hope Church in Lancaster. Thanks to these churches, and a small army of volunteers from across the area, pupils were fully engaged throughout the day in a wide range of activities, videos, discussions, music, testimonies and short talks, all designed to help them explore the Christian faith and learn more about the Holy Spirit.
The pupils and staff were superbly hosted, and the day provided an incredible opportunity for our young people to reflect on what they believe and to develop spiritually, in line with our school’s vision and values.
Michael, our School Chaplain, said, “It’s amazing that we are able to run the Youth Alpha series for all of our Year 8s, inviting them to explore life, faith and meaning, in line with our school’s vision for spiritual flourishing. I believe it is one of the most Christian distinctive things we do at Ripley, and this Youth Alpha Day is a highlight of the year. With around 300 young people engaged, it’s probably one of the largest Alpha courses in the country, and I’m so grateful to the churches, leaders and small army of volunteers who enable it to be a reality!”
We are also grateful to Jonny Bayes from NISCU, who works closely with Michael in supporting Ripley and helps to organise so much of the day. He said, “I love the Ripley Alpha Day with all the fun, discussions and quiet moments of personal spiritual engagement. It’s such a privilege for NISCU (Northern Inter Schools Christian Union) and local churches to be invited to play a part in supporting Ripley and the lives of so many pupils each year.”