►►►其它中学

Ashville College 阿什维尔中学, 阿什维尔学院

Green Lane, Harrogate,
North Yorkshire HG2 9JP
Tel: 01423 566358 Fax: 01423 505142
Website: www.ashville.co.uk
• CO-ED, 4–18 Day, 7–18 Boarding (full & weekly)
• Pupils 840, Upper sixth 80
• Termly fees £1948–£2789 (Day), £4388–£5229 (Boarding)
• HMC
• Enquiries/application to the Headmaster

What it’s like
Founded in 1877 by the United Methodist Free Church, it has incorporated two other non-Conformist schools: Emfield College and New College. It first accepted girls in 1983 and is fully co-educational. It owns a fine estate of 60 acres on the south side of the spa town. During the 1990s extensive additions were made and it now possesses many excellent facilities. Religious services are compulsory but the religious ethos is ecumenical. Its academic record is sound and examination results are very good; most sixth formers go on to degree courses. Culturally, there is close rapport with the town; and there is a good deal of emphasis on outdoor activities (eg fishing, fell walking and rock climbing).

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 4–18; 840 pupils, 710 day (415 boys, 295 girls), 130 boarding (90 boys, 40 girls). Senior department 11–18, 570 pupils (350 boys, 220 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in most sixth-form subjects, A for some). No special skills or religious requirements but school is Methodist.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 8 pa scholarships, value 5%–50% fees: 6 academic plus others for music, occasionally all-rounder and sport (4 at 11; 2 each at 13 and 16). Variable number of bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; music tuition and some incidentals extra.

Parents 60% live within 30 miles, up to 10% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: A Fleck, appointed 2003. Educated at Marlborough and at the universities of Nottingham and Sussex. Previously Deputy Head at St Bede’s School and Head of Geography at Hurstpierpoint.
Teaching staff: 65 full time, 8 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 42.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 77 in fifth. 80% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 18% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 54 (over 5 years).
A-levels: 80 in upper sixth. 56% passed in 4 subjects; 30% in 3; 13% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 318.

University & college entrance 96% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 2% to Oxbridge. 4% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 10% in science & engineering, 2% in law, 60% in humanities & social sciences, 4% in art & design, 20% in vocational subjects. Others typically go on to employment or retake A-levels.

Curriculum GCSE, AS, A-levels, AVCE. 24% take science/engineering A-levels; 49% take arts and humanities; 27% a mixture.
Vocational: Work experience available; also AVCE business and finance; Clait.
Special provision: Links with the Dyslexia Institute in Harrogate; qualified EFL staff.
Languages: French and German offered at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (1 lesson/week in Years 7–9) and across the curriculum, eg science and geography. 80 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), majority networked and with internet access.

The arts
Music: 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 8 musical groups including string ensembles, bands, 3 choirs.
Drama: Drama offered; GCSE and LAMDA exams may be taken. Some pupils are involved in school and house/other productions.
Art & design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 2 AS-level, 17 A-level.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, cricket, netball compulsory to age 14. Optional: hockey, badminton, squash, tennis, cross-country, swimming.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional at age 15. Up to 10 clubs, eg chess, debating, Christian Union.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout; different uniform in sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and girl, head of houses – appointed by the Headmaster.
Religion: Compulsory attendance at worship.
Social: Sixth-form society. Organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car with school approval. Meals self-service. School shops for tuck and clothing. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework more than once might expect a prep detention; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises would be suspended, probably expelled.

Boarding Sixth form have own study bedroom or share with 2–3. Single-sex houses of approximately 45. Resident qualified nurses. Central dining room. 3 exeats each term (2 nights) plus half-term. Visits to the local town allowed on Saturday mornings.

Alumni association is run by Mr B Bonser, Getna Cottage, Little Ouseburn, York YO5 9YG.

Former pupil Sir Alastair Burnett.