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Ashford School 阿什福德学校，East Hill, Ashford
Kent TN24 8PB
Tel: 01233 625171 Fax: 1233 647185
Website: www.ashfordschool.co.uk
· GIRLS, 3–18 Day, 8–18 Boarding (full & weekly), Boys 3–11 only
· Pupils 575, Upper sixth 52
· Termly fees £1726–£3480 (Day), £5272–£6043 (Boarding)
· GSA, CSCL
· Enquiries/application to Marketing & Development Office

What it’s like
Founded in 1898 and set in a pleasant 23 acre site bordering the River Stour. It combines traditional values with modern methods, a sound education is given and examination results are very good. Expansion has incorporated neighbouring houses and much accommodation is now purpose-built with many excellent modern facilities. A caring community, with a well-organised house system. It is strong on music and drama Being an urban school it has plentiful local ties and is well supported by the community. There is a pronounced sense of service to the town (helping the handicapped, elderly et al).

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 3–18; 575 pupils, 490 day (20 boys, 470 girls), 85 boarding girls. Senior department 11–18, 345 girls.
Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 40% of senior intake from state schools (plus few to sixth form). 50% of senior intake from own prep (enquiries to Ashford Preparatory School, same address).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Various scholarships, value up to 50% day fees: academic, music, sport, art, drama (at 9, 11, 13 and 16). Variable number of bursaries. Parents expected to buy GCSE and A-level textbooks only; other extras vary.

Head & staff
Headmistress: Mrs Paula Holloway, in post since 2000. Educated at Cowbridge High School for Girls, and at the LSE (geography) and the universities of Oxford (MSc) and Sussex (PGCE). Previously Head of The Latifa School for Girls in Dubai, and taught in Hong Kong and Dubai.
Teaching staff: 53 full time, 6 part time (plus music). Annual turnover 4%. Average age 44.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 60 pupils in upper fifth. Average GCSE score 60 (59 over 5 years).
A-levels: 52 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 368.

University & college entrance 96% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (13% after a gap year), 12% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, 29% in science & engineering, 43% in humanities & social sciences (of which 7% in languages), 9% in art & design, 11% in vocational subjects eg nursing, pharmacy, education. Others typically go on to business management or secretarial courses.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 exam subjects offered, including theatre studies, economics, technology and business studies; no A-level general studies. 29% take science A-levels; 34% arts/humanities; 37% both.
Special provision: Ad hoc extra help, with guidance from experts.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain. Some European girls in school for 1–2 years. Work experience links being forged in Germany.
ICT: Taught across the curriculum. 60 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10+ musical groups including orchestras, band, choirs, jazz, recorder, string quartets, various chamber groups. 4 members of county youth orchestra; member of National Youth Orchestra.
Drama & dance: Both offered. GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies and Guildhall exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 8 A-level. Textiles A-level also offered. Pupils regularly go on to art foundation courses.

Sport & activities
Sport: Hockey, netball, gym, athletics, tennis, swimming compulsory. Optional: judo, fencing, aerobics, trampolining. GCSE, BAGA, RLSS exams may be taken. 2 county netball representatives; 3 county hockey; 1 national swimmer; 2 county and 1 national fencer.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; 35–40 pa enrol for bronze. Community service optional for 3 years at age 14.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, 2 head girls (one day, one boarding), head of house and house prefects elected by girls, staff and Headmistress.
Religion: Compulsory, non-denominational Christian-based assembly. Boarders attend Parish Church or in-house services on Sundays. Confirmation classes available. Religious studies in the curriculum is academically based, but with the major emphasis on Christianity.
Social: Many joint events with local schools, eg productions and debates, local guitar orchestra, host discos, formal sixth-form supper dance etc. Annual ski trip; other recent trips include Mediterranean cruise, Egypt, Greece, Russia, China, Italy and America. Pupils with need allowed to bring own car or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a reprimand, thereafter detention; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises can expect to be expelled. Other infringements of school rules would bring progressive loss of privileges, communication with parents, suspension and, eventually, expulsion.

Boarding some in single rooms (ensuite), some in doubles. 3 Live-in matrons. Central dining room. Sixth formers can provide and cook own food at weekends. Flexi-boarding available. Visits to the town allowed (accompanied and occasional to 13; unmonitored in sixth form).