A NEW ERA HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED
Visionary Leadership and Transformational Change.
We have long believed that culture lies at the heart of successful schools, indeed of all organisations. It is a living and developing phenomenon and there is a growing strong sense of pride and excitement in belonging at Ashville.
We are committed to producing good people who will gain much from, and contribute much to, all the communities of which they are part. At the same time, we are never complacent and we constantly seek to learn from what we do currently so that we can do those things – and more - better in the future.
Over the last five years the 'new' Ashville has been established and includes five main stones:
1 - ACADEMICALLY AMBITIOUS
Ashville is an academically ambitious school. We are focused on creating an academic culture of high expectations, real aspiration and an intrinsic love of learning. True education is not simply ‘delivering’ a curriculum and ploughing through examination syllabuses. It is about nurturing the joy of learning and an eager curiosity about many aspects of life. It rises to the challenge of “difficulty” and realises that deep thought is an essential aspect of life.
2 - AN HOLISTIC EDUCATION
Ashville is committed to providing an holistic education. We recognise that the world demands more than just good grades from its citizens of tomorrow. Universities and employers do not want robots. They want independent-minded self-starters who are willing to question, to experiment, to take risks and learn from experience. Learning to be a member of a team and being able to lead when required are necessary qualities.
Top Performing School in Harrogate and within the Top Ten Independent Schools in the UK - The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, 2026.
3 - FUTURE READY
Ashville prepares its pupils to live and work in a rapidly changing world. We are very proud of our bespoke Future Ready programme focusing on employability skills and careers. We are intent on encouraging pupils to develop higher order skills in terms of interpersonal relations, IT competence, flexibility and adaptability, entrepreneurship, economic awareness and, not least, resilience.
4 - A HAPPY AND BUSY COMMUNITY
Ashville is a happy and busy community. We want all our pupils to love school. We want them to be happy and to leave at 18 with wonderful memories and appreciative of the benefits of their Ashville education. We believe that school should be fun and we offer a wide range of co-curricular activities in sport, drama, music, outdoor pursuits, and a profusion of clubs and societies, both cerebral and practical. Our traditional House system - Duckworth, Ellis, Riverdale and Windermere – flourishes and allows all pupils to participate in competitive and social activities both within and outside their own age ranges.
“The atmosphere is bubbly and exciting to experience. There is a new energy amongst the staff and parents, but most importantly from the children. There are big plans for the ‘New Ashville’ with plans for significant structural developments and a re-focussing of the holistic ethos; and everyone we spoke to is on board for the ride.”
5 - EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT IS CRUCIAL TO LEARNING
Ashville recognises and takes account of the fact that young people are under greater pressure than has probably ever been the case. We take our wider responsibilities of nurture seriously. The emotional development of our pupils is crucial to learning. Our pastoral care within the Wellbeing Centre and the care offered within the wider team of teachers, tutors, Heads of Year and Heads of School is excellent. We do all we can to provide proactive rather than reactive support promoting good behaviour and community-minded values. We work hard to recognise issues before they become problems. We have developed a relevant PHSE (Personal, Health, Social and Economic) programme and have a fully resourced Health and Wellbeing Centre which supports the health and wellbeing of all our pupils, from 2-18, and their families. We are committed to encouraging young people to develop resilience to deal with issues and to prepare them to be able to cope and flourish. We promote self-discipline, good behaviour and community-minded values.
Most Enriching Independent School 2026 – Northern England
Excellence in Holistic Student Development 2026
LuxLife Private Education Awards
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