School Information
The School
Ashville is one of the UK’s leading co-educational independent day and
boarding schools, with 790 pupils aged 2-18. The green 64-acre campus
is situated on the edge of Harrogate, a historic spa town, and is close to
the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Boarding has been central to Ashville since it
was founded in 1877, with our vibrant and supported boarding community
made up of boys and girls aged 11 upwards comprising British, UK Forces and
international pupils.
Why Ashville?
Ashville is known for its exceptional academic results and wide choice of
subjects. We support pupils to feel nurtured in an environment where their
wellbeing matters, to thrive within a culture of high expectations, and to
emerge ‘future ready’ for life beyond school. In 2022, following the College’s
best ever A Level examination results, we were listed at number 10 in a list of
the top independent secondary schools in the North in The Sunday Times’
‘Parent Power 2023: best UK schools guide and league table’. High staff to pupil
ratios enables teaching and learning to be tailored to pupils’ individual needs.
Pastoral Care
Our goal here at Ashville is to enable and empower our young people to
thrive and realise their own unique potential by creating an environment that
ignites curiosity, embraces bright ideas and fosters creativity. Our staff work
hard to support every child in our care. We inspire and guide our pupils to help
them reach their full potential. We like to see Ashville not as a hot-house, but
more as a green-house, nurturing the growth of the next generation.
Facilities
Over 25 different sports are offered at Ashville, including Rugby, Hockey,
Cricket, Swimming, Basketball, Netball, Athletics, and Tennis. Facilities include
a state-of-the-art gym, 30m indoor swimming pool, fitness and dance studio,
outdoor tennis and netball courts, astroturf hockey pitch, squash courts,
basketball courts, and a climbing wall. Ashville also has exceptional Performing
Arts facilities; a purpose-built drama studio, music practice rooms, and two
performance venues – the 600-seater Soothill Hall and historic Memorial Hall.
Excellent Art and Design and Technology facilities include a dedicated on-site
art gallery to showcase pupil’s work, which is of a very high standard. Many
pupils choose to study the creative arts at university.
Boarding life
Our vibrant and supportive boarding community offers every pupil a
relevant and rounded experience within a flexible and family-friendly
system, ensuring our boarders are happy, healthy and able to thrive. Parents
can feel confident that at Ashville we will do our best to provide our pupils
with a complete programme which will serve them well for the rest of their
lives beyond school and into today’s highly competitive global environment.
Co-curricular activities
Ashville’s Co-Curricular Programme offers a wealth of choice and wherever a
pupil’s interests lie, she or he will have the opportunity to develop them and to
experience new, exciting opportunities. As well as promoting good, all-round
health, a balanced attitude and fun, co-curricular activities are important for
developing personality and leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
Entrance requirements and academic excellence
All applicants are assessed on entry, with age-appropriate individual
assessments, entrance exams for Years 7 to 11, and interviews and submission
of mock/predicted GCSE grades for Sixth Form. International pupils can
sit entrance exams in their own country and be interviewed by video call.
Applications may be made at any time of year. We award scholarships to
pupils demonstrating academic excellence and those who show talent in Art,
Music, Drama and Sport. A Forces discount is available to UK Forces families.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Scholarships and Bursaries
Ashville currently offers the following scholarships and bursaries:
Scholarships
At Ashville, we place great importance on nurturing outstanding talent and supporting pupils to further develop their skills. We award scholarships to pupils demonstrating academic excellence and those with an outstanding talent in Art, Music, Drama and Sport.
Scholars receive a financial contribution towards annual fees and become a member of the College Scholarship programme. In addition, they can play an active role in the College community and act as role models to their peers.
Scholarships can be awarded to pupils at the start of Year 7 and Year 10, on the strength of the pupil’s performance in the entrance exams and scholarship day. We then review scholarships at the end of each Key Stage (Year 9 and Year 11).
We offer academic scholarships to new entrants into Lower Sixth on review of mock GCSE exam results, references, and a meeting with the Head.
Ashville also offers a number of scholarships in recognition of talent in Art, Music, Drama and Sport. For more information, including about the additional forms of assessment for scholarships in Art, Music, Drama and Sport, click here
Means-tested bursaries
We provide means-tested bursaries to a range of pupils each year. The funds for bursaries are limited and all bursaries are awarded at the Head’s discretion. For more information, speak to the Admissions department.
Forces discounts
In recognition of our commitment to Forces families, Ashville offers a ten per cent Forces discount on all boarding and tuition fees, as well as a discounted deposit.
Children of Methodist Ministers Bursary
If a parent is serving as a Methodist Minister, their children are entitled to a 10 per cent bursary on tuition and boarding fees.
For more information, including about the additional forms of assessment for scholarships in Art, Music, Drama and Sport, please visit https://www.ashville.co.uk/admissions/scholarships-bursaries/
Address
Open on Google Maps- Address Harrogate
- Borough Yorkshire
- Zip/Postal Code HG2 9JP
- Phone: +44 (0)1423 566358
- Fax: +44 (0)1423 566358
- Email: admissions@ashville.co.uk
- Website: www.ashville.co.uk
News
TV’s Teenage Wellness Expert to Launch New Series of Seminars at North Yorkshire School by Exploring Hidden Dangers of Vaping
13 October 2023 TV’s teenage wellness expert to launch new series of seminars at Harrogate school by exploring hidden dangers of vaping (for immediate release) ONE of the UK’s leading experts in health promotion and wellness is to launch a new season of interactive seminars for parents and pupils at a Harrogate
It’s a Family Affair as Harrogate School’s Father-and-Son Duo Take to Stage Together for First Time
3 October 2023 Harrogate Theatre family debut for Ashville father-and-son duo (for immediate release) THE DIRECTOR of Performing Arts at a Harrogate school and his son will take to the stage together for the very first time in a new production of Shakespeare in Love being staged at Harrogate Theatre later this month. The production,
Ashville College Unveils Former Harrogate Town Player and Table-Topping Youth Coach as New Director of Sport
27 September 2023 Ashville College kicks off new school year by appointing former Harrogate Town player and youth team coach as Director of Sport (for immediate release) A FORMER Harrogate Town football player who progressed to become a table-topping manager and youth team coach has joined Ashville College as its new Director of Sport. Paul
Ballet Stars of Tomorrow Dance Their Way to Harrogate’s Ashville College for World-Class Tuition
August 29 2023 Ballet stars of tomorrow dance their way to Harrogate for world-class tuition (for immediate release) ASPIRING ballet stars took centre stage at Harrogate’s Ashville College for a three-week residential summer school where they received world-class tuition from dancers, teachers and choreographers from major ballet companies – including The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Northern
Ashville pupils celebrate A Level results as over 93% secure preferred university places
A LEVEL pupils at Harrogate’s Ashville College were praised after most of the Class of 2023 were awarded places at their preferred universities, from London to Toronto, Edinburgh to Florida. As the school celebrates its 40th year of co-education, the results also shone a spotlight on the academic skills of its Sixth Form girls who
Leading publishing director to mark a new chapter as guest speaker at Harrogate school prize-giving
A HARROGATE school will welcome former pupil and top British and international publishing director Alexa von Hirschberg as the guest speaker at its annual prize-giving ceremony (Speech Day) to be attended by parents, pupils, staff, and governors. The celebration will be held at Ashville College on Saturday 1 July, when awards will be presented to
Ashville College appoints new Head of Prep School
YORKSHIRE’S Ashville College has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of a new Head of Prep School who has dedicated his career to inspiring younger pupils from age 2 to 11. Philip Soutar will take up his role ahead of the new school year in September, having previously been Head at the prestigious
Netflix TV producer goes back to Ashville College for starring role in careers event
A SUCCESSFUL TV producer who has worked on popular shows including Big Brother, Love Island and Made in Chelsea returned to her former school in Harrogate to inspire current pupils. After studying at Ashville College, Cherry Sandhu went on to study English Language at the University of Manchester, followed by postgraduate qualifications in media and
Pupils at Ashville School ‘dine in the dark’ to raise awareness about vision loss
YOUNG pupils at a Yorkshire school donned blindfolds and dined in the dark to raise awareness about vision loss and to gain a deeper understanding of life as a blind or partially sighted person. The event put Prep School pupils from Ashville College, Harrogate, in the shoes of a blind individual by navigating mealtime without
Top Fairtrade accolade awarded to Ashville College for inspiring “the changemakers we need in our world”
PUPILS at an eco-friendly Harrogate school have secured a top accolade for the way they “live and breathe Fairtrade”. Ashville College has again been awarded FairAchiever status – the highest award level – by the Fairtrade Foundation. The school has held the honour since 2009 for the way its pupils understand the connections between themselves
Impressive list of guests set to inspire Ashville Sixth Form pupils
An impressive line-up of guest speakers – including one of Britain’s first female sports presenters, a film director and a polar explorer – will be heading to Harrogate’s Ashville College to engage with, and inform, its Sixth Form pupils about life beyond the classroom. The Sixth Form speaker series is part of the independent school’s
Ashville College climbs six places to feature in The Sunday Times’ Top 10 independent secondary schools in the north
Ashville’s record set of exam results has helped propel it into The Sunday Times’ top 10 independent secondary schools in the north of England – the first time it has achieved this status. ‘Parent Power 2023: best UK schools guide and league table’ identifies more than 1,600 of the highest-achieving state and private schools, ranked
Road safety campaigner Lauren Doherty shares her story with Ashville Prep School pupils
A road safety campaigner, left paralysed after being hit by a van on a night out, has shared her harrowing story with pupils from Harrogate’s Ashville Prep School. Lauren Doherty was joined by representatives from North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service at the presentation. Fourteen years ago, Lauren was involved in
Forty years of co-education to be celebrated at Harrogate’s Ashville College
Forty years of co-education will be celebrated at Harrogate’s Ashville College this month (November) at a lunch for former pupils and staff members. Amongst the attendees will be a number of the school’s first girls, whose arrival in September 1982 transformed the College overnight from being a boys’ boarding and day school into a thriving
Ashville Sixth Former completes back-to-back Saharan marathons
An Ashville College Sixth Former has returned from the sweltering heat of the north African desert after successfully finishing two back-to-back marathons. Alex Fennah was one of more than 150 ultra-runners, and the youngest entrant, to take part in the grueling Saharan Challenge, which sees competitors aiming to complete two 42km races on two consecutive days.
Ashville athlete Lydia wins silver in Greece
An Ashville College pupil has won two silver medals in the 2022 Modern Pentathlon Laser Run, Biathlon and Triathle European Championships in Marathon, Greece. Lydia Eastwood came second in both the Girls U13 Individual Laser Run and the U13 Mixed Laser Run Relay, helping Team GB win gold in the same event. Her latest success
Ashville College appoints former British Council director as Bursar
A former director of the British Council has been appointed Bursar at Harrogate’s Ashville College. Yorkshire born and educated Richard Rooze has taken on the key financial role at the 850-pupil co-educational independent school after spending two decades with the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. In his last posting to
Ashville starts new academic year under leadership of inspirational Head
Ashville College is starting the new academic year under the leadership of an inspirational new Head. Rhiannon Wilkinson, a former Headmistress of Wycombe Abbey – the girls’ equivalent of Eton – has become the Harrogate independent school’s eleventh and first female Head. During her career, Oxford graduate Mrs Wilkinson has taught in – and held
Business-minded Ashville Sixth Formers run school shop for charity
Lower Sixth pupils from Harrogate’s Ashville College have been putting their Business Studies knowledge and skills to good use by running an on-site shop in aid of charity. In response to the Sixth Form café being out of action due to the pandemic, the A Level Business Studies group launched their own tuck shop. The
Ashville’s Kit Keith to captain North England Ultimate Rugby Sevens U18 team
An Ashville College Sixth Former has been selected to captain the North England Ultimate Rugby Sevens (UR7s) U18 squad at a forthcoming tournament against their southern counterparts. Kit Keith – who in addition to playing for the College’s 1st XV has represented North Yorkshire and Yorkshire U15-U18’s and will be hoping to win his first
Ashville’s Prep School pupils jump into world of creativity
Year 2 pupils at Ashville’s Prep School have jumped into a world of creativity, fun and excitement, at the start of their ‘Scented Garden’ summer project. To deliver an initial ‘Wow’ experience, the youngsters’ classrooms and outdoor area were transformed into a magical adventure straight out of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. The Prep School at
Red Nose Day returns to Ashville College
Red Nose Day has been celebrated at Harrogate’s Ashville College with a fun, non-uniform day. And to get into the spirit of the occasion, pupils from its Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form were encouraged to wear at least one item of clothing, or an accessory, in red. Pupils and teachers wearing non-uniform were
Five more names added to growing Ashville sports Q&A guestlist – including a former Head Girl
Five more names – including that of a former Head Girl – have been added to the roll call of stars from the world of sport participating in Ashville College’s online question and answer (Q&A) sessions. The latest high-profile sporting celebrities to be quizzed by pupils, staff and parents were former England and GB hockey
Not a computer in sight as Ashville goes ‘offline’
Harrogate’s Ashville College is going ‘offline’ today (Thursday, February 25) with pupils swapping time in front of their computer screens for activities that encourage them to get active, get creative and to give something back! Instead of formal lessons delivered remotely, pupils from the College’s Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form will choose four
A home away from home in challenging times
How do you provide as much ‘normality’ as possible to a school boarding community at a time that is far from normal? Sally Warren, Head of Boarding at Harrogate’s Ashville College explains how she and her colleagues are achieving this, whilst at the same time ensuring it remains a safe, secure and happy ‘home away
Mental health and wellbeing under the spotlight at Ashville College
While mental health and wellbeing are an ongoing priority for Harrogate’s Ashville College, they have been under the spotlight more than usual during a week dedicated to these vitally important subjects. Children’s Mental Health Week 2021 (1-7 February), the theme of which this year is ‘Express Yourself’, saw pupils from Ashville’s Prep and Senior Schools
Ashville Director of Sport’s January running challenge raises over £2.6k for charity
Ashville College’s Director of Sport has raised more than £2,600 for Cancer Research UK after successfully completing a month-long running challenge. Dominic Bradburne set himself a goal of running a minimum of 5km a day in the first 31 days of 2021, whilst aiming to raise £300 for the national charity. He eventually went well
Ashville Sports Centre receptionist in cancer charity running challenge
A member of the Ashville Sports Centre team in Harrogate has started a charity fitness fundraising challenge, after a friend’s mother was recently diagnosed with cancer. Part-time receptionist Ellie Prothero, a keen footballer who plays for Bradford City, is aiming to run 150 miles in 30 days for Cancer Research UK. Ellie, who is recording
Ashville pupil launches online business selling T-shirts featuring his ethical artwork
An entrepreneurial Ashville College pupil is hoping to make a name for himself in the world of fashion and commerce by selling clothes featuring his own ethical artwork. As a Christmas present, 13-year-old Will Johnson’s parents had a number of his artistic creations printed onto T-shirts; but not only that, they set him up in
Ashville pupils ‘send kindness’ across Harrogate and further afield this Christmas
Ashville College pupils have got into the spirit of supporting the local and wider community this festive season by ‘sending kindness’. Pupils in Year 7 and Year 11 have come together, albeit virtually due to having to function in year group bubbles, to make and write cards to share with members of the Harrogate community
Ashville netballer called up to Leeds Rhinos U19 squad
An Ashville College star netball player has been selected to play for the Leeds Rhinos U19 team. Upper Sixth pupil Ella Whiting was one of 200 hopefuls who attended a series of trials to train and play with the elite Yorkshire team’s U17, U19 and U21 squads. Formed in 2017, Leeds Rhinos Netball delivers training
Ashville Sixth Former spreads word of stammering charity’s online game
An Ashville College Sixth Form pupil is playing a leading role to help dispel misconceptions and prejudices about stammering. Working with Action for Stammering Children, Thomas Grattoni-May has helped develop an interactive game – ‘Stamback in Time’ – which highlights a number of famous stammerers and their influence on society, including Sir Winston Churchill, Marilyn
Ashville College’s tenth headmaster, Richard Marshall, loses his fight against cancer
Ashville College is today in mourning following the death of its tenth Headmaster, Richard Marshall, who has lost his battle with cancer at the age of just 48. Leading the tributes Jamie Search, Chair of Governors, described Mr Marshall as an “outstanding leader who has been tragically taken from us far too early”, whilst Elspeth
Ashville College helps put the ‘green’ firmly in Green Lane
A Harrogate school has helped give the local environment a significant ‘green’ boost with the planting of 500 native trees within its grounds. Working in partnership with the Woodland Trust and its Big Climate Fightback campaign, grounds staff at Ashville College – whose address is Green Lane – have planted the saplings to either enhance
Ashville Prep School pupils ‘co-author’ winning Children’s Book Award title
A best-selling children’s author has praised his “co-authors” from a Harrogate prep school in helping him win a prestigious literary title. Tom Palmer, whose book D-Day Dog has just been named the Overall Winner of the Children’s Book Award 2020, drew inspiration for his novel by accompanying pupils and staff from Ashville Prep School two
Ashville Honours War Dead
Ashville College has joined the international community in paying its respects to all those who gave their lives serving their country in the First and Second World Wars and conflicts since then, including former pupils and teachers who died in both World Wars. After a two-minute silence, and the playing of ‘The Last Post’ by
Join Ashville College for its Reception and Sixth Form virtual open events
Harrogate’s Ashville College has added two more online open events to this year’s digital calendar. The first, beginning at 9.30am on Wednesday, November 11, is the Reception Class Virtual Open Day, and the second, on Thursday, November 19, is the Sixth Form Virtual Open Evening. For those parents about to choose their child’s all-important first
Harrogate school’s historical records being added to the National Archives
Historical records from a Harrogate school dating back more than 140 years are being added to a national database, which is accessible to the wider public. Ashville College Librarian and Archivist, Dr Pavneet Kaur, is using archiving software to digitise thousands of the letters, photographs, reports, minutes and yearbooks that are housed in the school’s
