ASHVILLE NEWS - SUMMER TERM 2026

ASHVILLE NEWS

SALLY BOLTON OBE

WIMBLEDON’S FIRST FEMALE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Game, set and match! Wimbledon’s first female tennis chief comes back to Ashville to serve up a behind-the-scenes insight into an iconic global sporting event.

Wimbledon’s first female Chief Executive in its 150-year history returned to her Harrogate roots to share with pupils a behind-the-scenes insight into a sporting ‘national treasure’ that commands a global TV audience of 730 million people.

Sally Bolton OBE, who attended Ashville between 1985 and 1992, also gave an insight into her career path and how the school acted as a springboard by building confidence and self-belief, turning her from a “shy girl” to be a leader in sport, a sector that now generates more than £100 billion pounds to the UK economy each year.

Her words were particularly inspiring for two Ashville pupils in the audience; Emi, aged 17, who has already competed on Wimbledon’s famous grass courts and is planning to develop her talent at tennis college in America next year, and Sejal, also 17, who is Ashville’s tennis captain and has just started playing on the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) circuit.

Sally told our Sixth Form and Year 10 pupils about the “immense privilege and responsibility” of running the championships, a £400m event, and managing a full-time team of 370 people that rises to many thousands in Wimbledon fortnight itself.

Sally revealed that her career had been propelled by a passion for delivering live events – kindled by her time treading the Soothill Hall boards in school plays.

“Ashville was transformational for me. I arrived a very quiet, shy girl, lacking in confidence,” she said.

“Through the care and attention of the teachers, the supportive and family feel of the school and a newfound interest in and love of Drama, I left a smarter, more confident, self-assured individual.”

Rugby League World Cup, a role for which she was honoured with the OBE.

After leaving Ashville and completing a Public Relations degree at Leeds Metropolitan University, her career highlights include being Chief Executive of Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club, Managing Director of the World Athletic Championships in London in 2017, and a Board Member of UK Sport. She also led the team that delivered the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, a role for which she was honoured with the OBE.

She told pupils:

“It is possible to go from Ashville to Wimbledon, however unlikely or unbelievable it would appear to you now, or as it did to me when I sat where you are 30+ years ago.”

Head of Ashville, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said:

“Sally is the person whose job it is to make that much treasured Wimbledon magic happen.

“We were thrilled to welcome her back to her school to inspire our pupils with an insight into her career journey to become a top female leader in world sport, as well as the 50-weeks of intricate planning which goes into just a fortnight of action – from the length of the grass to the temperature of the strawberries.

“The Ashville family can feel proud that when we join those 730 million people tuning in from across the globe this June and July, the woman who brings the Championships to life is Sally – thanks to her homegrown Harrogate talent.”

TES SCHOOL AWARDS 2026

National Recognition for Ashville College’s Head, Rhiannon Wilkinson, who has been shortlisted in the Tes Schools Awards 2026, the ‘Oscars’ of the Education Sector.

Rhiannon Wilkinson, who was appointed as the eleventh and first female head at Ashville College in 2021, has been shortlisted for the title of Headteacher of the Year (Independent) in the Tes School Awards 2026.

This year’s awards, which celebrate the UK’s most inspiring teachers and schools from both the state and independent sectors, attracted a record number of nominations from every corner of the UK. They shine a spotlight on the outstanding work taking place across schools, celebrating the individuals and teams making a meaningful impact on pupils, staff and their wider communities.

Rhiannon has been awarded a place on the shortlist on the back of a year which saw Ashville College propelled into the Sunday Times Parent Power top 10 independent schools in the North, confirming its record-breaking A Level results are the best in Harrogate for the second successive year.

This people-powered performance resulted in pupils securing places at their preferred global destinations spanning the UK, USA and beyond with prestigious university courses and degree apprenticeships.

The school has also completed the first two phases of a multi-million-pound masterplan to transform its 70-acre campus – including the opening of the new Sixth Form Centre.

Under Rhiannon’s leadership, the year has also been hallmarked by a continued rise in pupil numbers, the launch of a new Sixth Form experience Six@Ashville, and an expansion of cocurricular activities to more than 150 a week.

Rhiannon is delighted to have been put forward:

“Thanks to the home-grown skills and talents of all our staff and pupils, Ashville continues to grow, innovate and be forward-thinking.”

“There is no shortage of inspiration in schools and their people across the UK so I am thrilled that the Ashville name will be represented on the national stage at such prestigious awards.”

She added: “Our vision for the future revolves around the ‘new’ Ashville and equipping every pupil with the most rounded education experience in a nurturing and forward-thinking environment.”

“The fact that we can justifiably talk about a ‘new’ Ashville when we opened our doors to our first pupils 149 years ago is a clear signal of the beating of a new heart and the evolving of a new mindset.”

“Ashville is also proud of its bespoke ‘Future Ready’ programme, designed to equip pupils with skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world beyond school. This ensures they are exam ready, university ready, career ready – and life ready.”

Greg Styles, Ashville College’s Chair of Governors, is proud to work with Rhiannon:

“The combination of Rhiannon’s skills in strategic thinking and practical business innovation is something I have found to be quite unique in the education sector. Her visionary leadership has created the ‘new’ Ashville for the future and she deserves to be recognised on the national stage.”

Rod Williams, CEO of Tes, commented:

“This year’s shortlist showcases the exceptional standard of entries across the Tes Schools Awards, reflecting the breadth of impact being delivered in UK education. Each category highlights schools and individuals who are not only driving meaningful change within their own settings but also setting a benchmark for the wider sector. The Tes Schools Awards are designed to recognise and elevate this work, celebrating those making a measurable difference to pupils, staff and communities across the UK – and with a record number of nominations received this year, it clearly reinforces the strength and impact being delivered across the UK education sector.”

This year’s awards will be hosted by award-winning comedian, Katherine Ryan, with winners announced at a gala ceremony on 19 June at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

SUMMER MUSICAL CELEBRATIONS

Musical celebrations offer pupils a powerful sense of belonging, and are a joyful outlet for emotional expression.

Head’s Concert

The annual Head’s Concert brought together musicians from across the whole Ashville community, from Year 2 to Year 13.

In the Soothill Hall they performed a wide range of genres from folk, choral, classical, rock and pop to musical theatre pieces. Audience members were treated to a showcase from the awardwinning choirs who were recently triumphant at the Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music, Speech and Drama with a record-breaking number of wins and placements.

The concert included a very impressive Grade 8 piano performance of Rêverie by Debussy. The finale of the evening came from the Ashville Whole College Orchestra and Ashville Whole College Ensemble, with pupils from ages 6 to 18 performing together beautifully. Well done to all pupils who took part.

Ashville Young Musician of the Year

What an exceptional evening at the Ashville Young Musician of the Year competition!

The event showcased not only remarkable musical talent, but also the dedication, commitment and passion for learning demonstrated by all of the performers. The standard throughout the evening was truly inspiring, with moments of outstanding virtuosity.

Congratulations to Olivia, our Best Singer, for her stunning and deeply moving rendition of Wait a Bit from Just So (Anthony Drewe and George Stiles), which held the audience spellbound.

In the instrumental category, Fin delivered a dazzling performance of Chopin’s FantasieImpromptu Op.66, impressing both our adjudicator and audience with his exceptional technical control and mature musical interpretation. A thoroughly deserving winner of the Young Musician of the Year trophy. The evening also featured many memorable performances across a wide range of styles and instruments, with every pupil demonstrating confidence, sensitivity and fantastic stage presence. A huge thank you to our brilliant adjudicator, Mr Paul Dutton, and well done to every performer who contributed to such a truly outstanding celebration of music.

PERFORMING ARTS

Performing Arts are fundamental to a wellrounded curriculum. While standard academic subjects teach pupils how to process information, the performing arts teach them how to express themselves and interact with the human experience.

Year 5 perform The Tempest

Our Year 5 classes gave two performances of The Tempest to pupils and parents. They lit up the stage as they created the shipwreck and the magical island. There were amazing dramatic and comedic performances and a real sense of commitment, creativity and community as the children worked together.

Well done to our talented performers - we certainly saw some stars of the future!

Level 3 Cambridge Technical in Performing Arts

Before half term, our Level 3 Cambridge Technical in Performing Arts pupils delivered a stunning multi-art form interpretation of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope—seamlessly blending Drama, Music and Dance to tell Hitchcock’s gripping tale of murder and paranoia.

Ashville is currently the only school in the area offering the OCR Cambridge Technical in Performing Arts. This is genuine industrystandard training that equips pupils with the professional skills and qualifications needed for careers in theatre, film, and live production and opens the door to prestigious Drama Schools and Universities.

Ashville @ Edinburgh Fringe this Summer

Fundraising is going extremely well and the pupils have worked tirelessly to ensure we get ever closer to our target. It is now the final push to reach the required £19k - we are not too far off!

If you would like to support the Performing Arts department’s fundraising campaign to take a fantastically talented group of 25 actors from Ashville to the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe for the last week in August, please go to our JustGiving page

If your company would be interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mr Boyd k.boyd@ashville.co.uk

If you would like to see Beth at the Edinburgh Fringe tickets can be bought here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/beth

Ashville@Edinburgh Fringe Donate to our JustGiving page

LANGUAGES

Ashville offers a wide range of global opportunities for pupils to immerse themselves in their learning. School trips abroad often form the highlights of a pupil’s education, and for good reason. They push learning out of the classroom and into the real world, turning abstract concepts into tangible experiences.

Year 8 German pupils enjoyed a trip to Munich at the start of the Easter holidays. On day one they travelled by train to Füssen, travelling through the Bavarian Alps surrounded by stunning snowcovered mountains and forests to visit the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. At this stunning setting, they learned about King Ludwig II of Bavaria, often called the “Fairy Tale King” for his imaginative vision and his love of grand, artistic buildings.

On day two pupils headed out into the snow for a two-hour walking tour of Munich. The fantastic guides brought the city’s history to life and pupils learned about Munich’s rich past, including its impressive number of Catholic churches, as well as the development of the city over time. One of the highlights was seeing the Town Hall in Marienplatz, built in the 1800s, with its famous Glockenspiel. Then followed a visit to the Deutsches Museum, the largest science and technology museum in the world. There was so much to explore, from interactive exhibits to fascinating displays about engineering, transport and scientific discoveries. On day three pupils took part in lessons at German language school, BWS Germanlingua followed by a trip to the Allianz Arena, one of Munich’s most famous landmarks and home to FC Bayern Munich.

Munich 2026

The guided tour gave a fascinating insight into how the stadium operates, the careful maintenance of the pitch and how the exterior of the stadium can turn over 16 million different colours depending on the occasion but never blue as that is the colour of their main rivals! Pupils had the opportunity to go behind the scenes, including seeing the changing rooms and sitting in the players’ area, which gave a real sense of what match day must feel like. On day four, after a morning of language lessons, pupils visited BMW Welt and the BMW Museum. BMW Welt is not just a showroom, but a huge, modern exhibition space where cars are presented almost like works of art. It was interesting to see how technology and design have changed over the years, and how much innovation goes into the cars.

Overall, it was a fun and memorable trip, combining history, culture and hands-on learning.

German Food and Drink Project

Year 8 German pupils took part in a delicious and engaging project all about food and drink in German-speaking countries. As part of their learning, pupils researched traditional dessert recipes and presented their findings in creative PowerPoint presentations.

But the learning didn’t stop there! Pupils were given the exciting opportunity to bring their research to life by baking their chosen desserts. Some created short videos or shared photos of their baking process and finished products, while others brought their creations into school to share with classmates.

Over just two lessons, the classroom was filled with an impressive range of delicious German cakes and treats, alongside a fantastic variety of thoughtfully researched recipes. From rich chocolate cakes to classic pastries, the effort and enthusiasm shown by all pupils was clear to see. This project has been a wonderful example of how language learning can be both practical and enjoyable. By combining research, creativity, and hands-on experience, pupils not only deepened their understanding of German culture but also had lots of fun along the way!

A Future with Languages Talk

Year 8 pupils were treated to a fascinating and inspiring talk from David Binns of Sanako on the importance of languages in today’s global world. Drawing on his own experiences in business, the military and international recruitment, David challenged the idea that English alone is enough for future careers.

Pupils heard how language skills are increasingly valued across a huge range of industries, including STEM, aviation, engineering, marketing, technology and the armed forces. David explained that multinational companies moving into Yorkshire are actively seeking employees with French, Spanish and German, while major international employers such as Ubisoft, BP, Allianz, Volvo and M&S all place importance on multilingual staff.

One of the most memorable messages from the talk was David’s comparison of language learning to “a cheat code in a computer game”, helping applicants stand out in an increasingly competitive jobs market. He shared examples of apprenticeships and marketing roles where candidates with language qualifications were prioritised over hundreds of other applicants. Pupils were particularly surprised to hear that the UK loses an estimated £48 billion in trade every year due to a lack of language skills.

The talk was a powerful reminder that languages are not just useful for becoming a teacher or translator, but are an “eternal qualification” that can benefit pupils in whatever career path they choose.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME

Gold Practice Expedition

At the end of the Easter holidays, our Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award groups headed to the stunning Yorkshire Dales for their practice expedition, taking on three challenging days of hiking, navigation and teamwork. The first day brought strong winds as the groups made their way north towards Hawes, but spirits stayed high. After a demanding day on the trail, everyone was relieved to arrive at the campsite, where tents were quickly pitched and dinner was soon underway.

After waking to frosty tents on day two, the groups set off on a demanding route around parts of Wensleydale. With steeper climbs and more difficult navigation, the day tested everyone’s determination. Despite the challenges, both groups showed fantastic teamwork and supported one another throughout. One group was rewarded with a well-earned lunch stop beside a beautiful waterfall — definitely a moment to remember.

By the final day, the finish line was in sight and the pace picked up, with everyone eager for the comforts of home. After conquering one last hill, the routes descended towards Semer Water, ending with a peaceful riverside walk. A stop in Bainbridge was the perfect finish, with ice creams and sausage rolls proving to be the favourites.

The resilience, teamwork and determination shown by all pupils throughout the expedition were outstanding, and staff were incredibly proud of everything they achieved. Now, everyone is looking ahead to the qualifying expedition in the Lake District this June!

Bronze Practice Expedition

56 of our Year 10 pupils completed their Bronze DofE practice expedition in Nidderdale, supported by staff from Ashville and instructors from Lupine Adventure.

After meeting at Thruscross Reservoir for equipment checks and final navigation guidance, pupils set off just as the heavens opened. Despite the challenging weather, spirits remained high and groups arrived at camp in Thornthwaite in good humour. After pitching tents, pupils cooked their evening meals, relaxed together and settled in for a chilly 3°C night.

Sunday morning brought sunshine and birdsong before camps were swiftly packed away and groups set off once again. Remotely supervised throughout the day, pupils proved themselves more than capable of overcoming navigational challenges and route difficulties, impressing staff and instructors alike with their maturity, resilience and positive attitude.

It was a fantastic weekend of learning, perseverance and teamwork, and our pupils did Ashville proud throughout.

Gold Award Winners

Harry, Monty, Luke, Olivia, Layla and Lucy have all completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award this year.

COMPETITIONS

Rotary Art Competition Winners

We are delighted to celebrate the success of our pupils in the 2026 Rotary Club Art Competition, themed ‘Happiness in Nature’. This year’s competition featured two categories: Art and Photography, and Ashville pupils achieved outstanding results.

At Intermediate level, Ashville won both categories. Ava was awarded first place in Photography, while Frieha won first place in Art. The judges praised Ava’s winning photograph, writing: “Ava presents an exciting image of the countryside hinting at a rail journey across a viaduct.”

Several other pupils were also recognised with Highly Commended awards. At Intermediate level these were Noah, Alice, Abby, Freya, Josh and Arina. At Senior level, Evelyn and Elle were also Highly Commended. We are especially proud that Frieha’s artwork progressed even further, winning the District Prize and now going forward to the National Competition. It is fantastic that for two consecutive years Ashville entries have reached the national stage of the Rotary Club competition.

Last year, Breanne achieved national success by winning the Senior category.

Congratulations to all of our talented pupils on their creativity and achievements.

LEAP Enterprise Awards

This term, our Lower Sixth LEAP Enterprise groups have been reflecting on the success of the businesses they created throughout the academic year. The Soap Collective and Shivers were two profitable businesses created by our pupils.

By creating and managing their own enterprises, pupils developed their future ready skills. They developed their own confidence in communication, teamwork, leadership, problem solving, financial planning, marketing, and public speaking. Pupils also learnt how to think creatively, adapt to challenges, and work collaboratively, all essential skills for the modern workplace.

In March, the teams visited Allerton High School to present their business ideas and financial outcomes to a panel of judges, further strengthening their presentation and entrepreneurial skills. Following this, both teams attended the LEAP Awards ceremony in May, where they were selected to present their businesses at the event. The Soap Collective had a particularly successful evening, achieving top three placements in four different categories: Best Trade Fair Stand, Best Video Entry, Best Administration, and Best Marketing.

UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge

Four of Ashville College’s best mathematicians have been awarded bronze certificates in a top national competition; only several thousand pupils qualify to take part each year. Daisy and Max H Year 9 and Nolan and Max S in Year 11 were invited to participate in the Kangaroo rounds following their success in the UKMT Intermediate Mathematics Challenge in January. This, in itself, is impressive because only 4% of participants are given the opportunity to attempt the Kangaroo which contains twentyfive multiple choice challenges.

Mathematics Challenge organiser, Mrs Caroline Jennings, “This is a real testament to the talent, tenacity and determination of Daisy, Max, Nolan and Max. Getting through to the Kangaroo round is an incredible achievement. To then gain a certificate is a fantastic accomplishment.”

Why is it called Kangaroo I hear you ask? It acknowledges the key role Australia took in establishing large-scale international mathematics contests.

HOUSE NEWS

Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in House events. The House system is a great opportunity to take part in a wide range of competitions, and therefore to try something new and develop skills. It is competitive, but inclusivity is at the heart of it.

Junior and Intermediate House Tennis

The House Tennis competition this term was played in lessons in year groups in years 7, 8, 9 and 10 with each competition playing boys’ singles, girls’ singles, boys’ doubles, girls’ doubles and mixed doubles. The winners were:

Year 7 - Riverdale

Year 8 - Duckworth

Year 9 - Duckworth

Year 10 - Windermere

Inter Boys’ House Cricket

Inter Boys’ House Cricket took place on a sunny Saturday at the beginning of May and was won by Duckworth.

Junior and Intermediate House Debating

Staff are really proud of all the pupils who participated in House Debating this year and the improvements made between debates. It was a tightly fought competition with the winners as follows:

Debate 1: This House would ban plastic bottles.

Riverdale (beat Ellis)

Windermere (beat Duckworth)

Debate 2: This House believes that parents have the right to track their children.

Riverdale (beat Windermere)

Ellis (beat Duckworth)

Debate 3: This House believes exams are a poor measure of intelligence.

Riverdale drew with Duckworth

Windermere beat Ellis

Overall winners - Riverdale

2nd place - Windermere

3rd place - Ellis

4th place - Duckworth

Year 10 House MasterChef

Congratulations to all our talented Year 10 chefs who took part in this year’s Ashville House MasterChef competition, which embraced an exciting “Foods from Around the World” starter theme. The standard was exceptionally high, judges were particularly impressed by the pupils’ flavour combinations, technical ability, and professional presentation.

After much deliberation, the results were as follows:

1st Place - Windermere: Crispy Sicilian pancetta and mozzarella arancini served with arrabbiata sauce.

2nd Place - Duckworth: Salmon and seabass fish tacos with homemade tortillas, guacamole, lemon mayonnaise and Pico de Gallo.

3rd Place - Ellis: Chicken tikka samosas with homemade mango chutney, pomegranate raita, and spicy coriander dip.

4th Place - Riverdale: Pork gyoza served with Asian cucumber salad and a spicy dipping sauce.

The event was a fantastic celebration of culinary creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm, and every participant should feel incredibly proud of their achievements. It was wonderful to see the passion, effort, and skill that went into every dish prepared.

Special thanks to Mrs Wilkinson, Mrs Willis, and Mr Stansfield for giving their time and expertise to judge the competition and for offering such positive encouragement to all the pupils throughout the event.

PUPIL SPOTLIGHT FINLEY, YEAR 12

Finley has a passion for music and recently won Ashville Young Musician of the Year 2026. He is studying A Level Music, Chemistry and History.

When did you join Ashville?

I joined halfway through Year 9.

What are your plans after Ashville?

After school I plan to study Law at university, but I am also considering the solicitor apprenticeship route.

What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

I play piano for the Harrogate Youth Jazz Orchestra each week and I enjoy playing sports with friends.

Tell us about studying Music at Ashville.

Studying Music at Ashville is brilliant, the small class size allows me to gain a close relationship with my teachers who are always available to help me whenever I need it. Beyond the classroom the Music department hosts numerous bands and choirs for us to get involved in and work with others in something we are passionate about.

What is the best thing about Ashville?

The best thing about Ashville is the music and drama community, everyone knows everyone whether that’s through the yearly school productions or the co-curriculars that take place, it is an amazing way of gaining confidence in performing and making new friends.

Describe life in Sixth Form.

Life in Ashville Sixth Form is so different to the other years. In Sixth Form we have much more freedom and additionally our own working and socialising space separate from other year groups. The new Six at Ashville programme provides us with many different pathways and the weekly speakers slot gives us interesting lectures on a wide range of topics.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT REBECCA DAVIES

Describe your role at Ashville.

Year 3 Class Teacher. Year 1 Class Teacher in my first year here. English Curriculum Lead.

How long have you worked here?

2 years.

Tell us about your typical working week.

As a Year 3 Teacher and English Curriculum Lead, no two weeks are ever quite the same. Most days involve a mix of teaching, curriculum development, supporting colleagues and helping eight-year-olds navigate everything from fronted adverbials to friendship dilemmas. I love the variety of the role I am in, one moment I’m leading English across the school, and the next I am listening to a passionate debate about whether dragons would make good pets!

What have been the highlights and the milestones you have reached?

Before joining Ashville, I worked at a prestigious independent school in London, where I progressed through a variety of leadership roles, including Learning Enrichment Lead, Subject Leader, Head of Year and Assistant Head. It was a fast-paced and rewarding environment, particularly as many pupils were preparing for 7+ and 8+ entrance examinations. As part of this, I worked closely with colleagues to develop curriculum provision that supported exam preparation and helped children build the knowledge, skills and confidence they needed for interviews and assessments.

What I enjoyed most was seeing the children achieve goals they had worked so hard towards. It was incredibly rewarding to watch them grow, not only academically but also in confidence, especially in areas they initially found challenging. Knowing that I had played a small part in that journey was one of the most fulfilling aspects of the role.

Since joining Ashville, I have had the opportunity to lead the development of our English curriculum. It has been wonderful to see teachers engage so thoughtfully with the new texts and approaches, developing their planning and creating rich, immersive learning experiences for their classes. Seeing the enthusiasm of the children and the highquality work being produced across the school has been a real highlight of my year.

What are the top skills young people need to acquire today?

Empathy, creativity, perseverance and confidence. An understanding of technology!

What makes an inspirational teacher?

You need to be understanding and relatable. The children need to trust you; they become more selfmotivated when they feel supported and know they can make mistakes without judgment. Also, fun and laughter goes along way in a classroom!

How do you relax in the school holidays and at weekends?

I spend time with my husband and 2 year old son. We holiday a lot in Scotland and France. We enjoy travelling and being outdoors. I enjoy keeping fitgym, yoga, walking and running.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself that we don’t know!

My grandad’s cousin was John Lennon. Clearly no musical talent was passed to me though!

OUT AND ABOUT

Years 10 to Upper Sixth Geography trip to Iceland

At the start of the Easter holidays, Geography pupils from Year 10 to Upper Sixth set off for Iceland with Mrs Simpson, Mr Coad and Mr Garbutt. First stop was a tour of Reykjavik, visiting the Hallgrimskirkja Church, port and Tjornin Lake, Harpa Congress Hall and the Sun Voyager Sculpture. From there it was a short drive to Hellisheidi Geothermal power station where they learnt more about Iceland’s innovation and harnessing of the earth power through hydroelectric and geothermal power, as well as their role in restoring carbon back into the ground.

As the group moved out towards the coastal plains to the Hveragerdi hot spring walk, they experienced the heat of the water coming direct from the earth. The final activity of the day was horse riding at Eldhestar which was a firm favourite. Even the novice riders experienced the Tolt - the unique gait of Icelandic horses.

On day two everyone set off to the Reynisfjara beach, which has seen an enormous amount of erosion this winter. Then they visited the dramatic Skogafoss waterfall, it’s 60m drop and the views after climbing almost 500 steps are very impressive to see. The highlight of the day had to be the glacier walk on Solheimajokull, equipped with ice axes and crampons everyone looked every part the intrepid explores! Finally, they visited Seljanandsfoss - this equally dramatic waterfall is one of Iceland’s highlights. The last stop of the day was Gljufrafoss, where they saw the vertical drop in its almost cave like setting.

Day three started in Hveragerdi at the Geothermal centre and the snow really transformed the landscape being the deepest of the week, which was a real hit with even more opportunities for snowballs! The second part of the day featured a trip to the Secret Lagoon which remains a firm favourite for resting and recharging weary bones. The pupils felt the benefits of switching between plunge pools and hot water. Rejuvenated, they headed to the stunning waterfall - Gulfoss, although not as tall as others, the gorge that has been carved out gives a clear appreciation of the power of water. The penultimate stop for the day was at Thingvellir, where the weather gave a window to see the rift valley. The final stop was the Lava Show where they saw the different ways lava can flow and be manipulated and truly appreciate the rates of cooling of the glacier and the resulting shape.

Iceland 2026 was another fun-filled actionpacked experience thank you to the Geography department for organising such a fantastic trip!

Year 3 Residential to Bewerley Park

Year 3 had a fantastic residential at Bewerley Park. Once they had arrived, the children were shown around the site. They made their way to their rooms and faced the task of making their own beds. After lunch, Year 3 all went to Brimham Rocks for their rock-climbing activity. They were all very brave and determined when facing the challenge of scrambling up and squeezing through rock formations.

The following day, the children enjoyed a rafted canoeing activity in the sunshine before returning to Ashville. Many of the children loved the experience so much that they were desperate to stay another night!

Year 9 RS Trip to the Holocaust Centre

Year 9 travelled to the University of Huddersfield to visit the Holocaust Centre North exhibition. Throughout the day, pupils had the opportunity to engage in a series of workshops focused on “humanising the Holocaust”, exploring the roles different individuals played during this period — including persecutors, collaborators, bystanders, and rescuers. These sessions encouraged pupils to think deeply about the choices some people made, alongside the absence of choice experienced by others during the Nazi occupation of Europe and the genocide perpetrated against the Jewish population of Europe.

Through the museum’s exhibition, pupils were able to hear and read the stories of individuals who escaped to Britain prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, as well as survivors of concentration camps and Nazi persecution. Many of these stories centred on Jewish individuals who eventually settled in West Yorkshire, bringing a powerful local perspective to the challenging histories being shared.

In the afternoon, we were privileged to hear from Michelle Green, who spoke movingly to the group about her family’s experiences during the Holocaust. Michelle’s grandparents and uncle tragically lost their lives in the camps, while her mother and aunt escaped and eventually settled in Harrogate to rebuild their lives. This local connection was particularly meaningful for the pupils. This was made even more special by Michelle’s longstanding connection to Ashville, where she served as Head of Learning Support for over 25 years prior to her retirement.

As a passionate advocate for Holocaust education and the importance of learning from the lessons of history, Michelle established significant work in this field during her time at Ashville — work which we are honoured to continue today.

Although the stories and circumstances explored through Holocaust education are deeply challenging, tragic, and upsetting, the resilience of the human spirit and the hope for a better future continue to shine through the experiences of survivors and their families.

OUT AND ABOUT

Year 5 Trip to Beamish

The highlight of the last half-term for Year 5 was their exciting trip to Beamish. The children looked amazing in their costumes as they travelled back in time to experience a lesson in a Victorian classroom. It was challenging to use the quill pens without spilling blobs of ink or smudging their work. The twelve times table was learnt by rote, and the children listened to the story of Grace Darling’s brave effort to rescue shipwrecked sailors during a violent storm, whilst sketching a lighthouse using chalks.

They also explored the different cottages in the pit village and learnt about the cramped living conditions experienced by many families, as well as the harsh realities of losing their homes when men became ill or injured.

In contrast, they visited the palatial homes of the wealthy dentist, bank manager and solicitor. Although they were not too sure about visiting a dentist during the Victorian era, as they discovered that it was generally too expensive to pay for a filling and most people opted to have the tooth removedwithout any pain relief - ouch!

Arvon Creative Writing Residential

Sixteen creative pupils enjoyed a weeklong writing immersion at the beautiful Arvon Writing Centre in Heptonstal over Easter and a much welcome digital detox! Accompanied by Ms Wolstenholme, Mr Waldron and Ms Baines, the pupils were treated to daily writing workshops by Russ Litten, novelist and screenwriter and Sarah Morgan, screenwriter, as well Testament, world champion beat boxer, playwright and poet. All pupils had a tutorial with each writer and were able to discuss their creative ideas and receive bespoke artistic guidance.

Alongside this, all the pupils revelled in the freedom of the huge house, the library and the beautiful spring landscape.

All pupils worked in groups to cook a meal for twenty people each night – delights included chilli, cookie dough pizza and apple crumble! There was a walk and trip to the sweet shop, monopoly, music, football, a live beat box performance from Testament, not to mention quiet time and space to think and write. The variety of creative responses was immense, including a group song, dystopic story, a ghost story set in the house itself, as well as the first half of a novel! Staff commented on the impeccable manners and behaviour of the Ashville pupils, saying how lovely it was to see them talking, playing sport and being creative (with no phones).

Everyone had a brilliant time and we hope to run another trip next year!

SUMMER TERM FUN IN PREP

Year 2 Sleepover

Year 2 had the best time on their very first school sleepover! The excitement began as the children created their own dream catchers and eye masks, getting ready for a night at school.

Afterwards, we headed outside for a fast-paced game of rounders, where their fantastic sporting attitudes really shone through. As the evening went on, everyone enjoyed pizza for dinner, followed by a very special treat—an ice-cream van visiting us right in the playground!

Snuggled into their pyjamas, the children settled down for a movie, and our teachers were very impressed that everyone managed to get at least some sleep. The next morning, we enjoyed a gentle explore around the school grounds before sitting down together for a delicious breakfast.

What an unforgettable experience—we wish we could sleep in school every day!

Year 5 and 6 Cricket

Bradford Grammar School brought five teams to play against a mix of Year 5 and Year 6 Ashville pupils. It was a great afternoon of cricket, with all five Ashville teams winning their games. Miss Ellis reported a wonderful afternoon, with the U11A hard-ball team taking a very close win by two runs.

Stand-out players included Henry, who never failed to be positive on the pitch; Matthias, who took two fantastic catches; Ralph, Hugo and Louis with the bat; and Ralph again, who took control and was a fantastic captain. In the softball matches, the two U11 boys’ teams and the two U11 girls’ teams also won, with a special mention to Jessica for her excellent batting.

World Bee Day

We celebrated World Bee Day in Reception. The children all dressed up in yellow and black and took part in a range of activities from honey cake baking, bee themed yoga, the waggle dance, hexagon printing, bee art and discussions about the importance of bees and how we can look after them.

In the dining hall, the whole school got the opportunity to celebrate too by tasting edible flowers, bee pollen, assorted honey, and honey flavoured drinks and cakes!

Our catering team created soups, salads and main courses that include honey in every way including Moroccan Carrot Soup with Lemon and Honey Yoghurt, Hot Honey Roasted Gammon and our amazing Honey, Apple & Parsnip Salad.

SIX @ ASHVILLE

Upper Sixth Leavers Events

During the last week of school for our Upper Sixth before they went on study leave to prepare for their A-Levels they have been celebrating with a series of events. These included pyjamas and “anything but a bag” day, where school books were carried in everything from a toy car to a washing basket, a pram and even an air fryer! Upper Sixth dressed up as the first letter of their name which has seen a dinosaur, a giraffe, a bath, an octopus and even the Lorax roaming the school grounds! Our catering team provided a delicious BBQ followed by an afternoon of fun at retro sports day with egg and spoon race, tug of war and throw the egg game which turned out to be very messy! The next day Upper Sixth came into school wearing their old senior school uniform.

The week ended with parents being invited to a special leavers’ assembly featuring speeches from the Head, Mrs Norton and Mr Coad, Heads and Deputies of School and representatives from each class thanked their fantastic form tutors. We had wonderful but moving musical performances of Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide, ABBA’s Slipping Through My Fingers and When We Were Young by Adele, followed by shirt signing for the pupils and drinks and canapes for the parents on the Head’s lawn.

We wish all of our Upper Sixth pupils the best of luck in their A-Levels and for the future. We will miss them and hope they come back to visit.

Sixth Form Spring Ball

The whole of the Sixth Form had the opportunity to come together and have some fun before A Level exams start for the Upper Sixth at the flagship event in the Sixth Form social calendar which took place at Harrogate’s Cedar Court Hotel. The annual Sixth Form Spring Ball is always a wonderful occasion and this year it did not disappoint. With a delicious three course meal, disco, photobooth, official portrait photographer and ice cream and candy floss carts!

Preparing For Life After Ashville

There’s something special about Six @ Ashville.

New spaces. New independence. New opportunities to discover who you are and where you want to go.

Every pupil takes part in our Future Ready programme. From tailored university and career guidance to work experience, expert talks and life skills, this term our Lower Sixth pupils enjoyed a selfdefence workshop with Pierre Mahon.

Meanwhile our Upper Sixth were preparing for life after school with a cookery demonstration and taster session from Ben Cook, Head Chef at school catering company Holyroyd Howe. Pupils learned how to make budget-friendly dishes such as bolognese, dahl and curry.

Six @ Ashville isn’t just about the two years ahead. It’s about preparing you for everything that comes after.

Moving On Evening

Moving on from Sixth Form is not just a big step for our pupils but for parents too! Earlier in the term we hosted our annual Moving On evening with useful tips to help parents deal with their children making the transition to adulthood and university, apprenticeships and employment. There was a talk from Mrs Norton about how to handle the next steps, Mr Russell discussed results day and being prepared if plans need to change. Mr Coad and Mrs Jackson shared personal experiences of their own children going to university.

ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY AND CHARITY

Earth Day 2026

In Prep School, we have recently been celebrating Earth Day with inspiration from Dear Earth by Isabel Otter.

We have explored the beauty of the natural world through nature walks, created nature-inspired art, and written heartfelt letters to Earth to show our appreciation. Along the way, we have also been thinking about the small but important things we can do to help protect and preserve this amazing planet for the future.

David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday

Pupils in Prep School marked the 100th birthday of David Attenborough, one of the four inspirational figures for the Ashville Young Leaders this year. We recognised this special occasion through a dedicated assembly and our Eco Committee shared a beautiful poem reading in assembly, reminding us all of the importance of caring for our community and the world around us.

Holroyd Howe Accreditation

Ashville’s catering partner Holroyd Howe are very proud to announce that they have achieved the Food For Life Bronze accreditation. They are working towards better future proofing the food that they provide through various initiatives including the Waste Knot scheme where wonky veg is incorporated into meals; Beans is How a global campaign to eat more beans and pulses for sustainability; using WildFarmed Flours - a pioneering regenerative food and farming company - is now utilised in all of our baked products including our delicious baked breads, pizza bases, hot puddings and cakes; all eggs and milk come from RSPCA assured farms; all fish is sustainably sourced and all meat comes from farms that meet UK welfare standards.

St Michael’s Hospice

We would like to share how proud we are of Ralph, who has raised money for St Michael’s Hospice in memory of his grandad. From selling keyrings to helping serve at a charity tea event, Ralph has shown tremendous kindness, maturity and community spirit, helping to raise an incredible amount for such an important cause.

Henshaws and Springwater 5-a-side Football

Before half-term we had the privilege of hosting a memorable 5-a-side football match that perfectly captured our school’s ethos of service, inclusion and community engagement.

We welcomed two wonderful local teams: Henshaws, an inspiring Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough that supports individuals with disabilities, and Springwater School, a specialist educational setting in Harrogate for children and young people with additional needs. It was a joy to open our facilities to the teams for the afternoon and to see them come together through sport.

The match itself was played in a competitive yet thoroughly friendly spirit, with both teams demonstrating great teamwork, perseverance and encouragement of one another. The final scoreline was an exciting 2–2 after penalties, adding to the energy and enjoyment of the afternoon.

Director of Sport Mr Simon Clemerson commented:

“I was delighted to welcome the teams to Ashville. Beyond the scoreline, what stood out most was the clear sense of enjoyment, inclusion and mutual respect shared by all involved. Events like this remind us of the importance of using what we have to strengthen our ties the wider community.”

We very much hope this will be the first of many similar events in the future.

Foodbank Donations

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, pupils in Senior School assemblies reflected on ways to sustain positive mental health. One important theme was service to others, which coincided perfectly with our Chaplain, Mrs Frieze, receiving a request for support from the Harrogate and District Foodbank.

In recent months, donations to the foodbank have fallen significantly, placing increased pressure on this vital local service. We were therefore delighted to respond, and throughout the final week of half-term pupils from across the school generously donated food and toiletries to help restock the shelves.

The foodbank is also currently raising funds to maintain the presence of a Citizens Advice advisor, who offers invaluable guidance and support to clients on issues including housing, debt and family welfare.

If you would like to further support the Foodbank’s important work within the local community, please visit:

https://harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/

SPORT

Tennis

This Tennis season has got underway with plenty of success with weekend U12-U15 block fixtures against Ampleforth, Woodhouse Grove and Giggleswick to name a few. Wins and losses all round but high commitment levels from pupils of all ages have meant for a positive weekend provision for all Lower and Upper School pupils.

The Seniors have also had Wednesday afternoon fixtures against the above-mentioned schools proving the need and want for fixtures in the run up to examinations and the benefits from having a short break in revision programmes to exercise.

During the week our facilities continue to be used to host the Aegon Tennis series competitions. Numerous schools bring their tennis stars to Ashville on a Thursday night to play in timed matches on our blue and Astro courts, and they always prove to be a fun and enjoyable evening of local junior tennis.

Athletics

As the Athletics season continues during the Summer Term we received the news that the U13 Girls’ side have qualified for the Yorkshire Schools B finals in Middlesborough later this term. Huge credit to the girls for their dedication to train in PE lessons and to the staff for facilitating and pushing the girls to reach their potential. Results from these finals will be released very soon and we all wish them the best of luck.

Other successes in Athletics have included countless PBs in the Harrogate and District Area Trials at the end of last term where numerous pupils qualified on an individual basis for the finals. Ashville will host and run these finals later this term at Leeds Beckett University.

Cricket

The Boys’ Cricket season has got off to a great start with all age groups competing in at least two tournaments - either a Harrogate and Area competition or the Yorkshire age group competition. The U13s proving to be the standout side now with plenty of wins from this talented group of young sportsmen.

The First XI have had some success with the victory over Giggleswick being the standout to date this term. The side are on a rebuild mission with losing key older players in the past two years but the future looks bright with Year 9 and 10 boys being given the chance to play up and showcase their skills in the older squad.

Our Girls’ Cricket provision has developed over the past couple of seasons, and we are now seeing the U13 and U15 hardball age groups playing in tournament days and, coming very soon this term, Saturday fixtures against Giggleswick and Harrogate Ladies’ College. The first for Girls’ Cricket at Ashville. The girls have a buzz for the game and are making improvements by the week. More to follow on this fast growing game at Ashville.

Basketball

The Basketball season has finished for our Senior side with the boys having an excellent season in the Yorkshire League for 6th Forms and Colleges. Their season finished in typical and now traditional Ashville style with the annual 3 v 3 Competition at Menwith Hill and the eagerly anticipated and planned for Marshalls v The Dads game.

Unfortunately, the Dads came our victors this year, but the young side impressed and Coach Winters was really pleased with how the boys have managed games and come through this year, sometimes playing against sides two years older than themselves.

Final congratulations must, however, go to the Junior NBA side for Lower School who have reached the Semi Finals of the County Cup. We wish them the best of luck in the final stages of that competition in preparation for potential Nationals next year.

Golf

The Ashville Golf season got under way with two excellent showings against GSAL, firstly at Alwoodley Golf Club for the Senior side and then the first for Ashville Girls’ Golf in their match at Oakdale Golf Club, again against GSAL. The Senior side won 4 points to 1 in their opening match of the season. We look forward to seeing how they progress moving through the final weeks of the Summer Term for this up-and-coming sport at Ashville.

ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL

Independent Schools Football Association

Congratulations to Luke in Year 9 who represented ISFA at U14 international level for England in their 6-2 win against Wales. A fabulous achievement and testament to all the hard work he puts in on and off the field.

All-Star Cheerleading

We are pleased to share the results from sisters Allison and Kaylie’s All-Star Cheerleading competition in Edinburgh. It was a highly competitive event featuring elite teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Finland.

The girls achieved outstanding results:

- Kaylie in U16 Level 2, took 1st place and was named Grand Champion for all Level 2 teams.

- Allison and Kaylie in U18 Level 3, took 1st place and were named Grand Champions for all Level 3 and 4 teams.

Kaylie’s Level 2 team has secured a bid to the 2027 US Cheer Summit in Florida. Allison and Kaylie’s Level 3 team secured the first PAID bid of the 2027 season to the US Cheer Summit, as well as a paid bid to the 2027 European Summit in Portugal. Only a handful of these paid bids are awarded worldwide, and the girls have incredibly secured two for the 2027 season.

UK Waterskiing

As a member of the UK squad, Myla in Year 10 is busy preparing for the season ahead. We all wish her the best of luck in her hunt for personal best scores and medals.

Harrogate Rugby Club Colts

Well done to Ben in Upper Sixth who was awarded Parents’ Player of the Season and Luke in Upper Sixth who was Coaches’ Player of the Season.

Congratulations to Logan in Year 7 who achieved his black belt in Mixed Martial Arts.

West End Calling

Congratulations to Eva in Year 9 who made it through to the semi-finals of the West End Calling competition after being chosen as the Judges’ Winners during regional heats in Newcastle. This is a fantastic achievement as there were over 2000 participants this year.

Harrogate Hockey Club U10 Boys

Jack, Austin and Toby, all in Year 5, have had a fantastic season of hockey this year. The three all play for Harrogate Hockey U10s. They started the season in Division 2, winning promotion into the First Division in the first tournament, before going on to win the league trophy and then winning all five playoff matches without conceding a goal to win the Division 1 shield. They just missed out on adding the North Yorkshire In2Hockey Cup to their collection of trophies, narrowly losing the final 2-1. In addition, they were shortlisted for Your Harrogate Local Hero Awards Team of the Year, beating a pool of over 200 nominated teams to make the top 4.

Huddersfield Town Academy

We are delighted to hear that Eddie in Year 10 has been awarded a further two-year contract with Huddersfield Town Academy. This will see him progress through the Under 15 and Under 16 age groups. By the end of this period, Eddie will have completed four years at the academy. We are incredibly proud of Eddie and all that he has achieved, and we look forward to seeing his continued progress.

Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts

Lauren in Year 12, who is currently studying the Cambridge Technical Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts, won 1st place in Solo Characterisation at the Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts. She is currently working towards her LAMDA Grade 8 at school. Lauren gained a distinction in all of her grades 1-7, plus she already has a distinction at Grade 8 in Group Improvisation.

FUTURE READY

Lower Sixth Mock Examinations

Our Lower Sixth have now taken on the mantle of the most senior pupils of the school. The mature and wise students who influence the culture of the school often more than they know.

Lower Sixth now prepare themselves for what is essentially a transitioning half term. You will have your Mock Examinations, which are swiftly followed with intense next steps guidance, and the opportunity to notice, and develop wider skills, through the schools UCAS Day in June and work experience. The focus for our Lower Sixth for this next half term is on planning for next steps, universities, and apprenticeships. To help Lower Sixth pupils consider their options, we will have a number of Higher Education, Gap Year and Apprenticeship speakers delivering talks over the UCAS day and the Lower Sixth will be attending work experience for a week.

Lower Sixth, I thought I would take a few moments to discuss your Mock Examinations and relate them the Future Ready skills of planning and problem solving. Please remember, they should not be seen as a potentially threatening event on the horizon or as the enemy, but the springboard to future success. Yes, you must take them all seriously, do the best you can, but if on one morning in June you have a bad day that does not mean you have failed. Nor is one assessment in June in Year 12 a final grade! Try to see the mock examinations as an opportunity and a handy way of improving your memory, knowledge and technique. You may also find that the mock exams are a call to action to change something e.g. your revision strategies, your independent learning or to develop the skills needed to perform under pressure. Remember, if a mock exam doesn’t go as you would wish, better for this to happen in a mock, than the final exam.

Year 11 and Upper Sixth Public Examinations

We wish all our Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils the best of luck with their examinations. Their hard work will come to fruition over the coming weeks and we look forward to seeing them for for A Level results day on Thursday 13 August and GCSE results day on Thursday 20 August.

Career Appointments

We believe that all our pupils should carefully consider whether they should go to university, or whether they would like to investigate alternative routes such as degree apprenticeships or employment, or setting up their own business. To help pupils explore next steps they can now book a 1:1 career appointment.

Michael Blythe Director of Future Ready