John's teaching experience has been in primary and secondary schools and in April 2009 he retired after twenty-one years as a primary headteacher. He trained at Ripon College (Leeds University) and completed an MA in Primary Education at the University of York. As a Research Associate with the National College for School Leadership, and with their sponsorship, he completed his Doctorate in Education in 2010 and worked for the Open University, tutoring 'Children's Literature' and 'Learning and teaching in the primary years', until 2020. Now fully retired, John volunteers for the National Trust and enjoys cycling and sailing. Through his talks, John raises funds for One World Welfare Mission School, in Manak Village, Pakistan.

Face to Face presentations are available across Yorkshire and Humber, and the North East.

Talks are available online and include PowerPoint presentations.

Comments:

'I just wanted to thank you for visiting us at Penistone WI last night. Your 'Village Headmaster' talk was interesting, amusing and nostalgic; especially so for those of us who have worked in the education system ... the good old days! I had a number of ladies speak to me after our meeting about how much they had enjoyed your presentation, so thank you once again from us all.' (Sandra Roebuck, Penistone WI, April 2026)

'Thank you again John for your excellent talk on 'Understanding Fountains Abbey' today. I have already had several calls to tell me how delighted the group members were and I found your talk both enlightening and entertaining, enhanced by the slides. Even though I have been to the Abbey many times I learnt a lot. Every one of the 44 attendees left in high spirits and I will be contacting you again with a view to inviting you back to deliver one, or more, of your other talks.' (Chris Knight, Bilton Community Forum, March 2026)

'Our audience was captivated by humorous stories and slides depicting many innovative projects with the pupils. His passion for integrating artwork into other topics of education was put to good use by both the children and a BBC TV schools programme.' (Harlow Men's Forum, Harrogate, October 2024)

'Thank you for your excellent talk [A Village Headmaster]. It brought back memories for the teachers in the group and some of us as children. You had wonderful photos of your student days to your teaching days. A wonderful piece of history.' (Fresh Start Ladies, Bawtry, July 2023)

'Thank you for the wonderfully entertaining talk you gave us on Tuesday afternoon. Everyone was captivated by your humorous stories and the slides depicting many of your innovative projects with the pupils. You spoke with boundless warmth and passion, about the ‘art’ of teaching all subjects creatively and I think all of us learnt something new during the afternoon. We look forward to you returning to us at Leeds u3a, for another of your wonderful talks.' (Leeds U3A, February 2023)

'Dr John Ridley gave us a talk on “A Village Headmaster”. Clearly, a very gifted, creative teacher, John revelled in initiating projects in primary and secondary schools. He encouraged children to be artistic, making pottery models as part of historical projects. He twinned his classes with schools in more deprived urban areas, and with children from Islamic and other faith backgrounds – giving his pupils personal experience of very different ways of life. A number of members in the audience expressed the wish that they’d had a head teacher like John!' (Harrogate Probus Club, January 2023)

2027 Bookings

Arthur Ransome 08.01.27 Darlington U3A A Village Headmaster 03.03.27 Richmond Civic Society; 19.08.27 Middleton on the Wolds Country Women

2026 Bookings

Fountains Abbey: 02.03.26 Towton Battlefield Society, Tadcaster; 16.03.26 King's Way Methodist Church, Ossett; 24.03.26 Bilton Community Forum, Harrogate; 09.04.26 Penistone WI, Barnsley; 13.04.26 Summerbridge WI, Harrogate; 23.04.26 St Michael and All Angels, Middleton Tyas, Richmond; 25.08.26 South Durham U3A; 06.10.26 Knaresborough and District Men's Forum A Village Headmaster: 03.03.26 Matcham Grange, Harrogate; 09.04.26 Penistone WI , Barnsley; 20.08.26 Mickle Hill Retirement Village, Pickering; 27.10.26 Hartlepool Cricket Club; 25.11.26 Thirsk Ladies' Probus Club Tales from School: 14.09.26 Scriven WI, Knaresborough Arthur Ransome 03.11.26 Addingham Probus Club

2025 Bookings

10.02.25 Brayton WI, 'A Village Headmaster'; 27.02.25 Thirkleby Local History Society, 'A Village Headmaster'; 05.03.25 Knayton Ladies' Group, 'A Village Headmaster'; 20.05.25 Summerbridge WI, 'A Village Headmaster'; 08.09.25 Scriven WI, Knaresborough, 'A Village Headmaster'; 16.09.25 Wombleton YCA, 'A Village Headmaster'; 22.09.25 Darlington Probus Club, Elm Ridge, 'Arthur Ransome'; 24.09.25 Horsforth Forum 2000, 'Arthur Ransome'; 06.10.25 Guisborough Retired Men's Forum, 'Arthur Ransome'.