ASHVILLE NEWS Christmas 2025
Ashville News
The Sunday Times Parent Power
Ashville is within the Top 10 Independent Schools in the North
We would like to thank pupils and staff as we have secured a position in the Top Ten Independent Schools in the North within the flagship Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026. We have crowned another year of academic, sporting and performing arts’ excellence, underpinned by the launch of unparalleled investment in our campus, with a brace of tabletopping rankings in the latest Sunday Times educational league tables. Thanks to our latest set of record-breaking exam results, we have been independently hailed as the top-performing school in Harrogate, as well as one of the top ten independent schools across the whole of the North of England. Ashville was awarded these accolades in the 33rd annual Sunday Times Parent Power guide of the best schools in the UK, a survey of over 2,000 schools, after achieving our best-ever A Level results again for 2025. A Level results day saw an across-the-board, record-breaking rise in top grades for the school, with 98% of members of the Class of 2025 securing places at their preferred universities and degree apprenticeships spanning the UK, USA and beyond. From Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick and Bristol to Ernst & Young, to The Royal Northern College of Music, the next stages in Ashville pupils’ global academic journeys continue to be rich in diversity. Head, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said: “Parent Power is the most definitive guide to helping parents make one of life’s most important decisions - how to navigate and ultimately choose the very best school for their child. “Drawing upon A Level and GCSE academic results of no fewer than 2,000 independent and state schools by name, local authority, town and postcode, Parent Power enables parents to
compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same area, local authority or nationally. “It has also highlighted the advantages of the ‘new’ Ashville where established co-education within a nurturing environment, in a growing and flourishing school, maximises opportunities for all.” She added: “We’re thrilled that the hard work, dedication and skills of our talented pupils and staff have once again achieved stand-out performances and propelled us to the forefront of this flagship guide, where our local roots come to the fore on a global stage. “Ashville provides a unique pre-university experience, creating a platform for pupils to build future-ready skills for a rapidly changing world. “Our pupils’ successes reflect in the Parent Power guide their dedication to their studies and futureready skills, as well as the exceptional support from our teachers in a nurturing environment, empowering every pupil to excel academically, explore their passions, and discover new strengths.”
The Parent Power endorsement of ‘the new Ashville’ marks the culmination of a triumphant year for us: •
We were praised in the prestigious Good Schools’ Guide for our “strong learning and high aspirations, tempered with holistic ambitions”. Regarded as the most independent, critical and fair examination of both state and independent schools, Ashville and its teachers were applauded throughout the report which highlighted an “overwhelming sense of enthusiasm and community from every child”.
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We have broken new ground by launching a reimagined pre-university Sixth Form experience - inspired and shaped with input from pupils themselves. Six@Ashville has been developed to redefine the school’s Sixth Form experience to extend pupils’ development through an unprecedented range of new and innovative courses, opportunities and freedom. Harnessing the benefits of a complete renovation of the Sixth Form Centre to give it a “serious WOW factor”, new pathways and a new philosophy, the concept is tailored to meet the changing and diverse needs of today’s 16 – 18-year-olds and the importance of preparing them for the world of work.
Sixth Form Centre
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We have invested more than £1m in the last 12 months as part of the masterplan to reimagine the 70-acre campus as Ashville transitions into a day school. A significant programme of investment over the next 5 years includes a new, additional modern synthetic sports pitch that will be suitable for a wide variety of sports including rugby and football, to complement the existing artificial pitch that is mainly used for hockey. There will also be new netball and tennis courts, and a new car park. These assets would benefit pupils of all ages, and the wider community, ensuring all sports at Ashville are available yearround.
Ashville News
Musical Celebrations The second half of the Autumn Term always brings a host of musical celebrations starting with the annual Carol Service at Wesley Chapel and ending with the beautiful Advent Service at Ripon Cathedral. Ashville choirs came together with friends, families, and staff for a festive celebration at the annual Wesley Chapel Carol Service – this was the 98th year Ashville has performed there!
The nativity story was told through nine readings delivered by staff and pupils, along with beautiful performances from the Ashville Singers, Elmfield Singers and Junior Choir. The occasion was uplifting and full of warmth, embodying the joy and meaning of Christmas as the festive season begins. A retiring collection raised money for Ashville’s international charity for 2025/2026 SOLA, Rwanda.
Carol Service
Our Ashville musicians came together for this year’s Ensembles Concert, showcasing exceptional talent from across Senior School and Sixth Form. The audience enjoyed a varied programme, featuring classical pieces, choral works, jazz, folk, and festive favourites. Each performance reflected the pupils’ hard work, skill, and passion for music, making it a truly memorable evening for everyone involved. A huge well done to all performers and our dedicated music staff for delivering such an inspiring celebration of music and community.
Advent Service
Ensembles Concert
Families were invited into the Soothill Hall for the Prep School Christmas Concert. The audience were treated to musical talents from across the Prep School with Piccolo Choir singing I’m a Little Christmas Cracker, Prep School Orchestra performing In the Bleak Midwinter, drama captains Mimi and Courtney read Another Night Before Christmas, Boys’ Choir sang When Christmas Comes To Town and Junior Choir sang the beautiful Do You Hear What I Hear? There were instrumental and vocal solos including Allegro on piano performed by Mavis in Year 4 who has just passed Grade 4 with Distinction. The concert ended with the audience joining in for a rousing rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
The whole school gathered at the beautiful Ripon Cathedral for our Annual Advent Service led by Canon Wendy Dalrymple. Christians have gathered at Ripon Cathedral for worship for over a thousand years. Ashville’s Advent Service uses the ancient Christian verses known as the Great O Antiphons as a scaffolding with which we clothe with readings, music and prayers. We were pleased to invite families to join us for this service as a fitting way to appreciate fully the joy, the light and the deep meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Concert Advent Service
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Ashville News
Christmas Events Sixth Form pupils got dressed in all their finery for the annual Christmas Ball at Harrogate’s famous Majestic Hotel. Welcome drinks were followed by a three course Christmas dinner, DJ and photo booth. Everyone had a fantastic festive time. Christmas Ball
Prep School hosted a traditional Christmas Fair with a special visit from Santa. Every year group contributed with Reception to Year 2 making decorations, Year 3 running a biscuit decorating workshop, Year 4’s stall was a card and reindeer food making workshop, Year 5 kept everyone entertained with Christmas-themed games and Year 6 made Christmas crafts to sell. Heads of School ran a tombola and Charity Club made bookmarks, lanterns, wooden wreaths and hot chocolate bags to raise money for Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm. There was also a bracelet stall run by Senior School to raise money to take our outdoor Shakespeare production Beth to the Edinburgh Fringe this summer! Thank you to everyone who helped make it a wonderful evening and to all our families for their support.
Wreath Making
Prep School parents were invited in to make Christmas wreaths under the expert guidance of Regal Flowers. Everyone was thrilled with the results!
Christmas Fair
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Christmas Sing
Parents and grandparents were invited to join Little Acorns for their Christmas Sing in the Cabin followed by Christmas themed arts and crafts.
Acorns Nativity
The Nativity Story performed by Acorns, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 There have been not one but three Nativities in Prep and Pre-Prep this December! Families were invited in to see Reception and Big Acorns both tell the traditional story of the birth of the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem with fantastic acting and wonderful catchy songs in their performances. In Baarmy Bethlehem, Year 1 and Year 2 performed a modern twist on the story through the eyes of three sheep - Cheeky, Rascal and Scamp who are real party animals! When they see Bethlehem filling up, they assume it’s for a big celebration and they don’t want to miss out! They escape from the flock and make their way into town, but although they find lots of things they love, like noise and crowds of people, there is no party… As they continue their search, they come across all the traditional nativity characters and eventually, in the peaceful, quiet stable they find a very special reason to celebrate! Thank you to all the Prep School and Performing Arts staff for their hard work and, of course, to the children!
Christmas Movie Night
Year 6 pupils were invited over to Senior School for a Christmas Movie Night hosted by the Red Ties. Red Ties greeted pupils dressed in Christmas themed onesies with a goody bag of treats. They enjoyed face painting and a Christmas quiz and then everyone gathered in Soothill Hall to watch festive favourite Home Alone 2.
Ashville News
Scholars and Prefects Dinner Guest Speaker, James Rushbrooke The Scholars and Prefects Dinner is an opportunity for pupils who have achieved scholarships or been appointed as prefects to all come together and celebrate. With Old Ashvillian James Rushbrooke as our guest speaker, this year’s dinner was another inspirational event. With James winning numerous titles for event riding, he proved to be an excellent role model. The Old Ashvillian spoke about his journey throughout his entire equestrian career and how he overcame his challenges.
As a gold medalist event rider, not only was his speech impressive but also inspiring to all. He had an ability to connect with the entire room despite the vast range of ages from pupils in Year 7 to members of staff and mentioned his fond memories during his time at Ashville. It was a privilege hearing the remarkable success of an Old Ashvillian and we are all hoping to hear more of James at future events. by Deputy Head of School, Connie
Spring Co-curricular Our Red Ties visited Prep School to launch some exciting new co-curricular enhancements for the Spring Term. They will be leading and supporting clubs including Pony Club, Creative Writing & Storytelling, Inspiring Leaders, Chess and STEM. They will also be our Sporting Role Models on the playground, supporting pupils in football, basketball and four square. This is the power of being a through school – creating opportunities, leadership and inspiration for pupils of all ages.
Workshops and Speakers Steve Biddulph Psychologist and Parent Educator Steve Biddulph has written a number of influential best-selling books and he lectures worldwide on parenting. Biddulph’s books argue for a more affectionate and connected form of parenting, and the importance of role models in children’s lives. In Prep School we concluded our three-part series of Steve Biddulph screenings. The aim was to open up conversation around parenting, childhood development and family wellbeing, and our sessions delivered just that. Thank you to all who attended the sessions and engaged in the discussions. We hope you found the ideas as valuable as we did, and we look forward to building on this work with you. If you were unable to attend the screenings, they are available to purchase from Steve Biddulph’s website which you can access here. •
The importance of being fully present with our children: protecting quality time together, listening to them, letting them talk and making sure they feel genuinely heard.
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The very special role of extended family and parent figures: children benefit from having close adults as well as a parent who invests time and energy into them.
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How much our children learn from our own example: modelling self-love, self-respect and positive habits matters more than we sometimes realise.
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Encouraging adventure, exploration of nature and freedom: letting children just be themselves for a while, free from media pressure, helps them develop their own identity at their own pace.
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Understanding the developmental differences between boys and girls at different stages: recognising this can help us tailor our approach and support to meet their individual needs.
Andrew Jones MP for Harrogate (2010-24) Andrew Jones came in to speak to the Sixth Form about his time as an MP. Andrew reflected on the life and pressures on an MP, and how this had changed throughout his 14 years in Parliament, within the context of an ever-changing society. Andrew also spoke openly about the political system, the role of MPs within it and the problems inherent in our political system. Andrew also struck a positive tone when explaining the importance of youth engagement in Politics and why it was more important than ever. This was
Andrew Jones
followed by a Q&A session where Andrew happily answered a range of questions from pupils and staff.
Ashville News
House Competitions Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in House events this term. 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.
Public Speaking There were three competitions at junior, inter and senior levels, with one individual representing each House at each level. All competitions followed the same format with competitors having to write and then deliver a 3-4 minute speech on the theme of ‘Voices for Change’. The pupils’ interpretations of the theme provided an interesting breadth to the competitions. While some simply advocated for being a voice for change, others spoke passionately about specific issues such as farming, climate change, and even on issues within Ashville such as whether there should be a Year 7 playground. The standard was excellent, with pupils speaking with passion and eloquence. The junior competition was won by Emma in Year 8 of Ellis, the inter competition was won by Olivia in Year 9 of Windermere, and the senior competition was won by Curtis in Lower Sixth of Ellis. It turned out to be a great week for Olivia, as she also claimed victory in the open creative writing competition. Cross Country A late addition to this year’s Rigg Cup was House Cross Country, with November being the traditional time of year for this Great British event, and presenting the ideal conditions of biting winds, sideways rain and plenty of mud! Duckworth and Ellis each recorded three victories, and Riverdale claimed two. Our congratulations to everyone who took part.
Hockey Back outside in the wet weather, the senior girls battled the elements and each other on the hockey pitch. All teams showed outstanding skill, sportsmanship, and determination. Olivia and Ida in Upper Sixth, Bella in Lower Sixth and Esmay in Year 11 all contributed to an exciting and competitive tournament. The matches were played in the right spirit, with plenty of friendly rivalry and strong competition between friends. Eventually though, it was Ellis House that emerged victorious.
Junior Hockey Colours Congratulations to Eleanor, Evie and Kate
Inter Hockey Colours Congratulations to Molly, Ciara and Amelia
Senior Hockey Colours Congratulations to Olivia, Lucy and Ida
Football Our final Rigg Cup action of the term took place on the final two Saturdays in November with Boys’ and Girls’ Football. The girls were up first. With frozen astro pitches, they played an indoor six-a-side format which was well supported by a busy viewing gallery of parents. The girls played some great football and in great spirits, always encouraging each other and ensuring that everyone had plenty of game time regardless of ability. Annabel in Year 7 demonstrated a goalkeeping masterclass for Ellis. The junior competition went to a nail-biting finish with Windermere and Duckworth going into their final match undefeated. They still couldn’t split the difference as they faced off against each other, and the match ended in a draw, but Windermere were declared victorious on goal difference. The inter competition was equally as exciting. A depleted Duckworth squad meant all 6 players would have to play every second of every game. However, this actually worked to their advantage as they were able to develop a reliable formation with Chloe in Year 10 solid in defence, Daisy in Year 9 tenacious in midfield, and Delyth in Year 9 clinical up front with several goals. Despite the best efforts of the other houses, Duckworth were unbeaten and took the victory for the inters.
The following weekend’s weather was milder, so the boys were back outside on the astro, with the 9-a-side matches providing some moments of brilliance and also some comedy, but once again the matches were played in great spirits. The juniors showcased a number of great individual talents across all the Houses, but ultimately it would be the House who could perform best as a team who would take the victory. With their slick passing and clinical finishing, it was Riverdale who were the convincing junior winners. The inters were a little bit slow to warm up in the tough conditions, resulting in some unexpected results. With all teams going into their final match having won one and lost one, it was anyone’s to win. The energy and urgency in the final fixtures was therefore suddenly increased and Riverdale and Duckworth both clinched victory in their final matches. However, a 5-0 victory in their final match helped Duckworth to clinch first place on goal difference.
Commendations
Riverdale
Finally, as part of the Academic Cup, we have the total commendations each House has earned this term. Congratulations to Ellis, who topped the rankings with 2552 commendations this term!
1st
Ellis
Ashville News
SIX@Ashville
First term success of The Sixth Form Enrichment Programme
This first academic term has seen the exciting launch of our new Sixth Form enrichment offer at Ashville: the SIX@ Ashville programme. Designed to give pupils genuine agency and choice, the programme offers a range of bespoke pathways that allow them to pursue their interests, develop new skills, and broaden their horizons. The Academic Pathway has already taken pupils beyond the classroom, with many entering national essay competitions and attending a series of inspiring talks. Highlights this term have included an engaging session with former White House Press Secretary and political commentator Anthony Scaramucci, followed by a visit from local MP Andrew Jones. A diverse line-up of guest speakers and further external academic opportunities are already planned for the coming term. Essays, EPQs and thought pieces will contribute towards the publication of the first every Ashville Academic Journal in summer 2026. Sixth Form Mini Prospectus
Pupils following the Creative Pathway have benefited from extended time to progress their Cambridge Technical qualifications. Looking ahead, they will have the opportunity to pursue LAMDA Public Speaking or develop an EPQ Artefact, allowing their creative talents to shine through a self-directed project that carries meaningful, university-recognised accreditation. Those on the Sport Pathway have enjoyed a term both representing school teams but also developing their skills. Pupils have taken part in tailored Strength and Conditioning sessions and received specialist nutritional advice. Thirteen pupils have also completed their lifeguarding qualification, further enhancing their skillset and employability. It has been an action-packed and inspiring term across all pathways, and the opportunities available to pupils will only continue to expand. With pupils now selecting their options for the Spring Term, the SIX@Ashville programme is set to grow from strength to strength.
Ashville News
Focus on A Level Law
with Old Ashvillian, Ben Ewing Ashville is bucking the national trend by continuing to offer pupils the chance to study A Level Law. While some schools have chosen to withdraw the option completely from their curriculum,we have instead enjoyed success from our AQA A Level, with pupils progressing to study Law at leading UK universities. A total of 14,973 students nationwide took A-level Law in 2025, placing it as the 17th most popular subject choice. We have been offering our specialist Law course since 2023, with four of the initial cohort going on to study the subject at university, with two at Newcastle, one at Keele, and one at Northumbria. Amongst the current crop of Upper Sixth, there are also eight pupils who have recently taken up work experience placements with leading law firms such as Addleshaw Goddard, Ison Harrison, and Gordons LLP. Ben Ewing, one of the former Ashville pupils now studying Law at Newcastle University, believes his A Level Law grounding was not only crucial in securing his degree place, but has already proven invaluable during his first term of studies. He said: “Law is an amazing gateway and a great degree for many career options. It gives you a good grounding as the law is attached to every aspect of life. “I first gave it some proper thought in Year 11 when I was considering my A Level options. Ashville held a subjects’ fair, which I found really interesting. I chose Law, Politics and Economics.
“Studying A Level Law has been a tremendous help for me. It has made the transition to being an undergraduate much easier. I settled into the course straight away, and I feel I can process the information quicker. “I have been lucky enough to be chosen for the Sequentus programme which I will start in semester 2. It is a pro bono experience helping students get unparalleled access to criminal defence work by actively assisting clients with wrongful conviction applications. Twelve students are accepted onto the programme to help with research and preparing case notes for trial. Achievements at Ashville such as being a Red Tie, a Peer Mentor and a Boarding Prefect definitely helped with my application and getting offered a place on this prestigious programme.” Ashville’s Teacher of A Level Law is Graeme Stonehouse, a former senior lawyer who specialised in civil litigation before becoming Yorkshire Water’s Senior Litigation Lawyer. Head, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said: “Law is a fascinating subject that touches upon all aspects of modern life and continues to excite and interest young people who are looking at their options for further education and potentially future employment. “National statistics prove there is a need for an A Level introduction into Law, and I am delighted that, through the expert teaching of Graeme, we can provide our pupils with a grounding that will set them up perfectly for the next stage in their educational development.”
Ashville News
Future Ready
LEAP Christmas Trade Fair In this half term we have celebrated everything entrepreneurial with our Lower Sixth entrepreneurs who are competing in the LEAP programme. Our two teams, Soap Collective and Shivers, have sold their products at Ashville’s Christmas Fair and in the Leeds Merrion Centre. The teams have developed their skills and enjoyed the challenges of creating a brand and product, whilst chasing that elusive profit! It was wonderful to see everyone grow in confidence throughout the process. A special congratulations must go to The Soap Collective, who out of the 22 teams competing on Saturday were awarded 2nd place by the Leeds Merrion Centre for their trade stand.
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. To help pupils explore next steps they can now book a 1:1 career appointment.
Click here for more Future Ready news on Careers, Apprenticeships and Universities.
Achievements Outside School A number of pupils have achieved outstanding individual success in recent months. We take great pride in our talented athletes and in every one of our pupils, by engaging in sport, they cultivate a passion for what they do and come to appreciate the importance of teamwork and contributing to their community. In swimming, Amelia is the National Champion for the 50m freestyle Congratulations to Kate in Year 8 who was part of the winning team in the Under 21 British Dressage National Quest Championships
Lydia in Year 11 won the Welsh Schools Pistol Championship over half term. She was representing Ashville against athletes from schools across the UK.
Yorkshire Rugby We are pleased to report that Ben in Year 13 represented Yorkshire recently in the U18 team. Seb in Year 12 continues to play in the U17 team and Max and Liam in Year 10 have joined the foundation stage of the academy, Liam (Year 10) said:
Chloa in Year 10 competed in the Yorkshire Tumbling Championships, representing Harrogate Gymnastics, at Barnsley Metrodome. She earned the gold medal for her regional division! .
Ava in Year 8 competed in Newcastle with the Harrogate Gymnastics club against many clubs from all over the country. She achieved the highest overall score coming first all-round winner.
“We are in the foundation stage of the academy which is U15s and U16s. The main focus is on developing existing skills and learning how to train both on the pitch and in the gym to improve our rugby. There is also a focus on nutrition and recovery to maximise performance and reduce fatigue and injury. About 30-40 people have been selected from across West and North Yorkshire”
Ashville News
Creative Arts It’s been a busy half term for our Creative Arts department with trips, exhibitions and competitions. This term marks the first-ever Key Stage 3 Art Exhibition, established to celebrate the immense creative talent flourishing within the Lower School. Pupils from Years 7, 8 and 9 were invited to independently respond to a series of artistic briefs set by the Art Department, producing an exciting and diverse body of work that showcases their imagination, skill, and growing confidence as young artists.
Francesca, Year 9
The Art Scholars were challenged with creating artwork depicting a Victorian Christmas. Mr Brook was very impressed with the exceptionally high standard and winners’ pieces were chosen for the Ripon Cathedral Order of Service and the Ashville Christmas Cards.
Emma, Year 9 Art Exhibition
Millie, Year 9
Alice, Year 9
As part of their GCSE Art coursework project “Echoes of the Earth,” our Year 10 pupils enjoyed an inspiring and highly productive visit to The Hepworth Wakefield. The trip offered a rich blend of gallery exploration and hands-on creativity, supporting both their current printmaking studies and the sculptural work they will begin later this year. Meanwhile our Sixth Form Art pupils enjoyed an exciting and creativity-packed day at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, returning buzzing with ideas and inspiration. It is clear that pupils across all year groups have invested significant time and care into their creations, and the results reveal an obvious passion for art and creative exploration. From bold abstract interpretations to sensitive portraits and innovative 3D pieces, the exhibition highlights just how 16 confidently our young artists are developing their ideas.
Languages Twelve Year 9 pupils recently participated in the GCHQ National Language Competition. The competition returned in November 2025, inviting Year 9 pupils to compete in teams of up to four by tackling a series of fun, immersive language and code-based puzzles over the course of five days. The tasks are designed to require no prior knowledge of languages, so that participants can simply enjoy decoding, problem-solving and collaboration, even if they have never studied a particular language before. Schools up and down the country took part, and Ashville’s three teams definitely stepped up to the mark! The National Language Competition is designed by GCHQ itself — the UK’s intelligence and securityagency responsible for signals intelligence and cyber-security. The fact that the competition is organised by a real spy-agency makes it particularly exciting: it gives Year 9 pupils a taste of the kind of linguistic, decoding and analytical skills that underpin real-world intelligence and national security work — turning language learning into a game-like challenge. Because GCHQ aims to show how useful languages are beyond the classroom and even inspire future careers in intelligence or cyber work, the competition feels more than just a
school activity — it was a glimpse for Year 9 pupils into a world where languages, codes and problem-solving really matter. A particular well done to one of our teams ‘Confident Finch’ as they came 13th out of 195 schools! Congratulations to Bryony, Daisy, Emma, Ella, Francesca, Finlay, Lucy, Nancy, Olivia, Rosie, Sofia and Freya who were awarded certificates for excellent scores. We are thrilled to announce the winner of our German Christmas Traditions project involving research and creating a poster! After much deliberation—because so many pupils produced incredible work—our judge, Mrs Jones, selected Abigail’s poster as the standout entry. Abigail received a special Christmas treat! A big well done also to Halle, Spencer and Matthew, whose posters were truly impressive and made the shortlisting process very challenging. Thank you to all Year 7 pupils who took part and shared their creativity and festive spirit!
Ashville News
Further Strengthening Our Leadership Team Laura Jackson - Head of Senior School We have strengthened our academic leadership team by appointing Laura Jackson into the newly-created post of Head of Senior School. Drawing upon her 14-year journey in various roles across Ashville, Laura brings a wealth of educational expertise and leadership insight into her new role. Her progressive Ashville career has been hallmarked by a wide range of positions, including Assistant Director of Languages, Head of Years 10 and 11, Director of Languages, Acting Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Deputy Head (Staff). She was instrumental in breaking new ground for Ashville by launching the Staff Wellbeing and Restoration Programme, tailored to foster and nurture a positive, collaborative working culture. A natural linguist, Laura’s first teaching role was A Level French, building on her time living and working in Paris. She said that in her new role, her favourite part of working at Ashville remains the same – the pupils. She said: “I have that same feeling today that I had when I got that lightbulb moment the first time I set foot inside a classroom. “I love working with young people. It’s energising and exciting. I enjoy listening to them, helping them with their problems, and talking to them. “The pupils at Ashville are absolutely fantastic. They are my main reason for wanting to come to work every day.” Laura adds an extra dimension to leadership structure at a time when the school continues to invest in its campus and its people to ensure the brightest future that is the ‘new Ashville’.
She added: “I look forward to building on our strong traditions and a rich heritage. We have high standards and expectations. The ‘new Ashville’ is about instilling and upholding those in every area of the college, while bringing in exciting new initiatives to achieve our aim to become the school of first choice in the Harrogate and beyond. “I am proud to step into this role at a pivotal time for the school. Ashville has a strong leadership culture and a clear strategic direction, and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues to build on our strengths, invest in our people, and ensure the best outcomes for our pupils now and into the future.” Head, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said: “We are thrilled that Laura will continue to be a key member of our senior leadership team in this new academic role. “Its creation is a clear signal of our ambitions to continue to propel our school into an exciting new era of academic excellence, building on the recent Parent Power research that cements our position as one of the top ten independent schools in the North. “Her expertise and commitment to educational success, as well as personal growth and wellbeing, are a potent combination as the growth and success of the ‘new Ashville’ progresses at scale and at pace and we invest in both facilities and educational opportunities.”
New Prep School Leadership Team We have strengthened our Prep School’s senior leadership team with a hat-trick of new appointments – including our first female Head. After a “rich and fulfilling” year as Deputy Head, Abigail Hiley has been promoted to her historymaking new role as Head. She brings to it a wealth of teaching and leadership experience that spans the UK, Dubai and the esteemed Harrow International School, Hong Kong. Other key new appointments see Jenny Tropia take up the position of Deputy Head of Prep School, and Eileen McTigue becoming Deputy Head of Pre-Prep. Jenny was Ashville’s first United States parent liaison officer in Pre-Prep and Prep School, drawing upon more than 20 years working in education and a decade living and teaching in Connecticut in the States. Eileen was previously the Head of Year at the British International School, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and has 20 years’ experience in primary teaching.
Head, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said: “After a rich and fulfilling year as Deputy Head, we’re thrilled to welcome Abigail as our first female Head of Prep School. “Her expertise and passion for preparatory education will be invaluable as the growth and success of the ‘New Ashville’ gains further momentum. “At a time when Ashville has been rated as a great school with ‘new energy’ in the prestigious Good Schools Guide, Abigail will lead the Prep School through the next stage of its exciting journey as we invest in both facilities and educational opportunities.” She added: “We are proud of our local roots as well as our increasing global reach – and Abigail, Jenny and Eileen’s wide range of international insights and expertise add a rare dimension for our pupils.”
Eileen, Abigail and Jenny
Ashville News
Charity and Community Ashville’s international charity for 2025/2026 is SOLA, Rwanda. SOLA in Kabul was a boarding school for Afghan girls. Then came 2021. On August 15, a summer of relentless violence culminated in the fall of Kabul and the Taliban’s return to power. Ten days later nearly 250 members of the SOLA community, including the entire student body of boarding students as well as several graduates of the residential life program, totalling more than 100 girls, arrived in Rwanda.
As part of her Outreach role in Prep School, Miss Wells took Year 1 to Vida Court, a residential care home in Harrogate, to perform Christmas carols and songs from their Nativity play. The residents had beaming smiles on their faces as they listened to the children’s performances and many of them joined in with the carols.
Vida Court Carols
The SOLA mission is to educate Afghan girls: to create a leadership generation of women who will one day return home to Afghanistan and rebuild all that the Taliban has destroyed. What began in Kabul continues now in Rwanda. Through a range of fundraising activities this term including a sweet stall on Bonfire Night, a Thanksgiving Bake Sale and a retiring collection after the Wesley Chapel Carol Service we have so far raised £750 for this amazing charity.
In November, pupils took part in BBC Children in Need Day, supporting an important cause through a range of fun community activities across the school. Pupils enjoyed wearing their own clothes for the day in exchange for a donation. At lunchtime, the Dining Hall featured Pudseybear themed sweets and treats, with decorations brightening the space. In Soothill Foyer, pupils joined in with a range of activities, including Pin the Nose on Pudsey, Guess How Many Sweets Are in Pudsey’s Tummy, and Guess the Weight of the Pudsey cake - with the lucky winner taking home the cake! We are proud of our pupils for their generosity and enthusiasm in supporting Children in Need. Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed. We were thrilled to raise £2447 which will go directly to supporting disadvantaged children and young people across the country.
The whole of Senior School gathered in the Soothill Hall on 11 November for a moving service of remembrance led by School Chaplain, Mrs Catherine Frieze. Mrs Frieze talked about the importance of remembering those who fought in the World Wars and ongoing conflicts still happening across the globe today. We listened to poems and readings from pupils and the Head, Mrs Wilkinson. The choir sang Abide With Me and the whole school community joined together in hymns and prayers. Mr Simpson played The Last Post on the trumpet to signal the start of the two-minute silence at 11am. Prep School made poppies in art classes which they brought over to the cenotaph and planted, and Mr Hart read the moving poem In Flanders Fields by John McRae.
Thanksgiving
We were delighted to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving across Ashville in late November with a range of meaningful and engaging activities. It was especially lovely to welcome some of our American parents, who joined us to share their traditions and enrich the day for our pupils. Adding to the festive atmosphere, our catering team prepared a delicious Thanksgiving- themed lunch featuring turkey gammon, cornbread, buttered mash and gravy, mac ’n’ cheese, pumpkin pie and maple syrup brownies - all of which were thoroughly enjoyed by pupils and parents alike. Our pupils also took part in a Thanksgiving bake sale, with all treats selling quickly and helping to raise funds for our chosen charity, SOLA Rwanda. As part of their learning, pupils explored the history and traditions of Thanksgiving, created their own paper pumpkins, and reflected on gratitude throughout the day -thinking about the people, moments and experiences they are thankful for during this busy term. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Thanksgiving celebration so memorable at Ashville! Remembrance Day
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Out and About Year groups from across Prep and Senior School have enjoyed pre-Christmas theatre trips. Reception and Year 1 went to Leeds Playhouse to see Julia Donaldson’s Stick Man and Year 2 to Year 6 travelled to the Theatre Royal, York for the enchanting pantomime Sleeping Beauty. We had a combined Prep and Senior School trip to Bradford when Years 6 and 7 went to see Tim Minchin’s West End hit Matilda the Musical when it was on its UK tour to the beautiful Alhambra Theatre. We are so proud of all pupils whose impeccable behaviour is often commented on by members of the public.
Acorns had the best time on our very first school trip to Børn of the Forest. The children were thrilled to meet Father Christmas as he appeared through the trees, toast marshmallows around the campfire, swing through the branches and get wonderfully messy in Santa’s Mud Kitchen. Even the minibus journey was an adventure in itself, with songs, games of “I Spy,” and excited chatter as we drove along. What a fantastic way to finish the term.
As part of their Religious Studies GCSE, Year 11 pupils recently enjoyed an insightful trip to Bradford, visiting two significant places of worship — the Shree Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple and Bradford Cathedral. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Hinduism and Christianity, both in theory and in practice. The first stop was the Hindu Cultural Society Bradford and Shree Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, where pupils explored the beautiful worship hall and observed the murtis — statues representing various Hindu deities. Pupils were able to see how Hindus worship in a temple setting and had the chance to ask questions to a practising Hindu educator, who shared her experiences and insights into Hindu faith and daily practice. The pupils were inspired by her calm and positive approach to life and how this is significantly influenced by faith. The second part of the trip took place at Bradford Cathedral, where Maggie Myers led an engaging session revising key Christian teachings on the Trinity, salvation, and the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion. Pupils were reminded that Christian practices and beliefs can differ across denominations — highlighting that faith is not “one size fits all.” Overall, the trip offered an excellent opportunity to consolidate classroom learning ahead of the mock exams, while also encouraging pupils to appreciate faith in action within both Hinduism and Christianity.
Year 11 GCSE Geography pupils, with the aim to investigate the effectiveness of regeneration, visited Leeds City Centre. Focusing on 3 sites along the River Aire; Granary Wharf, The Calls and Leeds Dock. In addition we were able to view the New Aire Park ‘greening’ the centre of Leeds and Climate Innovation District to see the new types of Eco Homes being built.
“The formation of the Bank of England and the development of currency, separate to the government, by London’s financial district was particularly interesting.” Magnus Year 5 were invited to attend a Nativity-based Escape Room at Trinity Methodist Church in Harrogate. The children studied the story and then answered questions to crack codes and open boxes which contained pieces of a jigsaw picture. By the end of the session, they had created an image of the stable scene.
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Sport Senior Basketball
Basketball The Senior Basketball team has completed five fixtures so far in this academic year. Although they experienced defeats in their first two games, they responded with impressive determination, securing victories in their subsequent three matches. We would also like to give a special mention to Kuzi, Jaden, Seb, Trevor and Max for their wonderful performances so far.
the game and with certain individuals thriving within their peer groups. With a strong cohort of players at U16 we have seen a progression of players playing up a year group with Archie, Ben, Pharis and Jake in Year 11 holding their own at the senior level. Excellent leadership from Ben in Upper Sixth has aided the side and provided guidance to the less experienced. We look forward to Rosslyn Park 7s Festival in the new year when numerous boys in Year 13 will say goodbye to Ashville Rugby.
Our Year 7-8 Junior NBA Basketball team will begin their season after the Christmas break also. The players have already shown strong commitment in training, and we look forward to seeing their development as their fixtures get underway.
Rugby Ashville Rugby 2025 has been a breath of fresh air with all year groups contributing and embracing
Both the U14 and U15 year groups have shown their worth and on number of occasions playing some fluent rugby. Liam and Max in Year 10 led from the front with the U15 boys showing great potential and both been rewarded with Yorkshire Rugby selection. Stanley and Luke in Year 9 have been excellent in leading the U14 squad. The U13 boys’ rugby squad have had a challenging season. Henry, Frank and Charlie in Year 8 have shown tremendous character and desire to fight throughout every match and special mentions also to Griffin and Louis for their contributions.
The Year 7 Rugby team has had an outstanding season, finishing with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. Each game showcased the incredible hard work, skill, and determination the boys brought to the field. In particular a big thank you to captain Hugo who led the boys brilliantly and to Edward, Hugh and Barnaby for their contributions in every game.
Football Although the weather has been frustrating, and many games have been cancelled our pupils have still played a lot of football this term. The 1st XI progressed through three rounds of the ISFA Bowl reaching the last 16 in the Country. The U18 girls beat Stonyhurst College by 12 in the same competition and eventually lost to QE on penalties putting in a magnificent performance and a wonder goal by Esmay in Year 11.
The U12 girls won a 7-a-side triangular competition beating Rossett and King James comfortably. Our Under 13 girls beat Read School 15-0 last week, which was an unbelievable result. Many more games to come after Christmas with the Area Cup and two more Saturday morning fixtures.
Hockey All U12–U18 girls have played excellent hockey throughout the term, with over 100 senior girls proudly representing Ashville on the hockey pitch. There were many superb and convincing wins across all age groups, alongside valuable learning experiences in defeat. The U12s were just one point away from qualifying for the next round, with Annabel excelling in goal and Halle dominating the midfield, while the U13s also narrowly missed out despite fantastic attacking play from Eleanor and Evie.
The highlight of the season undoubtedly belongs to the U18 girls, who narrowly missed out on North of England qualification, proving they are one of the strongest teams in the area. With the Olivia and Lucy solid in defence protecting our fantastic goalkeeper Ida, and an exciting attacking force led by Bella and Molly, the team showcased outstanding hockey throughout. It has been an excellent season for all involved, and we hope the girls continue their hockey journey at club level before next season begins. A huge thank you also goes to our Year 13 players for their dedication to Ashville Hockey—you will be greatly missed by younger players and staff who have enjoyed every minute of working with you.
NEW Reformer Pilates Studio – Coming early 2026! We are pleased to announce that Ashville Sports Centre is currently developing a brand-new Reformer Pilates Studio, scheduled to launch in early 2026! Reformer Pilates is a highly effective, low-impact form of exercise that focuses on improving strength, posture flexibility, and core stability, all while supporting overall wellbeing. Reformer Pilates is especially popular with parents, offering a time-efficient and effective workout that helps build strength without high impact, making it ideal for busy schedules and those looking for a balanced approach to fitness. Reformer Pilates classes will be available on a pay-as-you-go basis, with discounted rates available for Ashville Sports Centre members. Prices: Pay As You Go £20 per session, Member Rate from £16 per session. For full details, timetables, and booking, please visit the Ashville Sports Centre website, Ashville Sports Centre I Harrogate or follow Ashville Sports Centre on social media.
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ASHVILLE FAMILY COLOUR RUN Saturday 20 September 1pm - 4pm Ashville College
Get ready for the most event of the year! Join us for Ashville’s first-ever Family Colour Run. Whether you run, walk or dance your way around the 1km course, you’ll be showered in vibrant colour at every turn - and you can do as many loops as you like.
Tickets: £10 per participant (includes one packet of colour powder) • £4 per spectator • Under 3s go free • Arrive from 1pm for check-in, warm-up and music before the fun begins.
Important Information • Colour Powder: Natural, non-toxic, EN71 certified and washes away easily. • Dress Code: Wear a white T-shirt for the best colour effect. Clothes may stain, so wear something you don’t mind getting messy. • Top Tip: Bring coverings for your car seats just in case. • Sensitive Skin: If you have concerns, consider wearing protective eyewear or bringing a scarf for your mouth and nose. Food and drink will be available - make a day of it with family and friends. Book your tickets now - don’t miss out on the most colourful day of the year! Please note: Additional colour powder will be available to purchase on the day.
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Wishing You All a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
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