A Smart Solution to Becoming a Mobile-Free School
Ashville started the term using new technology to limit pupils’ access to their smartphones in the school day.
Pupils in the Senior School are now using a lockable phone pouch. Secured on arrival, it can only be opened again by tapping it on an automated deactivation device at the end of the school day. This marks another major step forward in Ashville’s commitment to become mobile-free.
The patented system, developed by Yondr, allows each pupil to retain possession of their device –but without being able to use it inside a restricted area. In schools where this technology has been introduced, the company reports that 83% saw an improvement in pupil engagement, 74% recorded an improvement in pupils’ behaviour and 65% noted an increase in academic achievement.
Head of Ashville, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said: “We want all our pupils to experience the focus, creativity, and relief that comes with a phone-free education.
“Introducing this system reflects Ashville’s commitment to integrating the latest technology into both lessons and school life – but with an element of control which could help filter out some of the more negative aspects of cyberspace.
“For example, in 2023, we issued children between Year 5 and Year 11 with their own iPads,” she said. “The tablets allow them to be inspired by digital teaching techniques – although the software is controlled by the school and we ensure that there is always the right balance between books and screens when learning.”
However with Ofcom figures showing that 90% of children will own a smartphone by the time they are 11, easy access to age-inappropriate or violent content is an increasing risk which both parents and schools need to manage.
Around 75% of social media users aged between 8 and 17 have their own accounts. Signing up risks leading youngsters down online “rabbit holes” where algorithmic structures recommend sites which can exacerbate issues – particularly for vulnerable children with recognised problems with their mental health.
Mrs Wilkinson added: “Confronting the ‘teenage techno world’ is something schools and parents need to do in partnership, as the impact it can have is perhaps one of the most significant challenges faced by anyone who lives or works with secondary school pupils – or sometimes even younger.
“The systems we use at Ashville already have proved largely effective but using these pouches allow both parents and staff more confidence that the risk of both distractions and damage to young minds is being controlled as much as possible.
“We actively support all our children to acquire sensible internet habits and protect themselves online, with e-safety at the heart of both our Future Ready programme and the personal, health, social and economic (PHSE) curriculum to ensure their wellbeing.
“The focus can then be very much on enriching our pupils’ learning – and with confidence that their exposure to technology is a positive experience and not the gateway to a dark and potentially dangerous online world.”
Yondr was developed in America by online entrepreneur Graham Dugoni for use, not just in schools but in other locations where use of mobile phones can be an unwanted distraction including public venues, arenas, theatres and businesses.
Launched in 2014, the company has since become the industry leader in the creation of phone-free spaces – particularly in schools where teaching staff are freed from a role as “the phone police”.
Ashville reimagines Sixth Form - £1M School development opens new opportunities for learning
Ashville has broken new ground by launching a reimagined preuniversity Sixth Form experience – inspired and shaped with input from pupils themselves.
Six @ Ashville promises 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 “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.
Building on the school’s academic success, with the best A Level results in Harrogate again in 2025, the academic curriculum includes more than 20 A Level, BTEC and Cambridge Technical courses.
In addition, there is an innovative Future Ready programme with a menu of pathways for the scholar, creative, athlete and budding entrepreneur.
Providing a route to global higher education destinations, Six @ Ashville is being introduced to complement the redeveloped Sixth Form Centre, which draws upon the very best in university campus and corporate design. It offers pupils the use of a cafe and social hub, a collaborative study zone, “academic buzz” space and areas for individual study.
Head of Ashville, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said: “Our new Sixth Form Centre is a space with a serious WOW factor which has inspired us to reimagine what pupils are looking for from their post-GCSE education pathway.
“Designed to empower, inspire and expand horizons, our new Six @ Ashville is fresh, exciting and built around the needs of today’s Sixth Formers as they look to progress their lives with opportunities and additional qualifications that really make a difference.
“Our dynamic curriculum offers an innovative and flexible way to learn with the spaces and philosophy tuned in to provide what we believe is a transformative Sixth Form experience. Added to our heritage, the many opportunities we offer and our strong sense of community, we have a winning formula for success.”
HOUSE COMPETITIONS
House Music
Ashville pupils performed to an audience of 1000 at Harrogate’s stunning Royal Hall for the Annual House Music Competition! Every pupil in Senior School takes part in this event which is the culmination of weeks of hard work and is fully coordinated by the pupil House Captains and Musical Directors. With the full range of musical genres on display, we were treated to classical vocal and instrumental solos, instrumental ensembles from the world of rock and pop and a rousing large choir performance by each House. While adjudicator, Craig Ratcliffe, a highly accomplished conductor and teacher, had the unenviable task of deciding the winner, the whole audience were on their feet for a singalong of The Proclaimers’ crowd pleaser “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
Finally, the results were in with Craig declaring just 5 points separating all the Houses:
Vocal Ensemble -Windermere
Lovely by Billie Eilish & Khalid
Instrumental Solo - Duckworth
Reverie by Debussy played by Finley
Vocal Solo - Duckworth
Control by Zoe Wees performed by Beth
Large House Choir - Duckworth
Blame it on the Boogie by The Jacksons
Instrumental Ensemble – Riverdale
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
Senior House MasterChef
Congratulations to all our talented young chefs who showcased their creativity and flair in this year’s Ashville Senior House MasterChef-style competition, which took on an exciting “Street Food” theme.
The competition saw Year 11 and Sixth Form pupils battle it out, bringing the vibrant flavours of street food from across the globe into their dishes. With aprons tied and pans sizzling, four pupils from each
After much deliberation, the results were as follows:
1st Place – Windermere:
Crispy Korean fried chicken burger with lightly seasoned skin-on fries, followed by a fudgy chocolate orange brownie with vanilla ice cream.
2nd Place – Riverdale:
Sticky chicken bao buns with pickled red onions, rounded off with a Black Forest gateaux cheesecake brownie and cherry and raspberry sorbet.
The standard this year was, once again, incredibly high, with each House bringing a unique interpretation of the street food theme. Judges praised the pupils for their originality, technical skills, and professional-level presentation. The event was a true celebration of culinary imagination, teamwork, and resilience, and every participant should feel proud of their achievements.
House worked tirelessly to create a main course and dessert that were not only bursting with flavour but also beautifully presented.
Adding an extra layer of expertise to the occasion was guest judge Mr James Brown, owner and chef of Nomad Catering, Harrogate, who shared his professional insights, offering pupils valuable hints and tips as they cooked. His feedback and encouragement proved both inspiring and motivating, giving the competition a truly authentic culinary edge.
3rd Place – Duckworth:
Classic fish and chips served with curry sauce, followed by a honeycomb brownie paired with vanilla and honeycomb ice cream.
4th Place – Ellis:
Pancetta and watercress arancini with watercress mayonnaise, finished with a millionaire’s brownie and salted caramel ice cream
It was clear to see just how much thought, practice, and passion went into every plate served.
A huge thank you to all our staff judges, Mr James Brown, Mrs Wilkinson and Mr Coad.
House Hockey and Rugby
Both the House Rugby and House Hockey competitions were fiercely competitive and full of energy. The morning kicked off with House Rugby, where teams battled it out in a fast-paced touch format. The standard of play was impressive, with pupils showing real grit, teamwork, and flair. Duckworth dominated the pitch, winning all their matches with a combination of sharp passing and solid defence.
Juniors
1st = Duckworth
2nd = Ellis
3rd = Windermere
4th = Riverdale
Inters
1st = Duckworth
2nd = Riverdale
3rd = Ellis
4th = Windermere
Over on the astro, the House Hockey was just as exciting. Each team brought real intensity and spirit to the games, with some fantastic individual performances and plenty of end-to-end action. Again, Duckworth proved unstoppable, securing victories in all four events and showing great cohesion and sportsmanship throughout. The atmosphere across both venues was brilliant — lots of cheering, encouragement, and a real sense of House pride. It was a great showcase of what our pupils can achieve when they come together, and a highlight of the half term for many.
Juniors
1st = Duckworth
2nd = Windermere
3rd = Riverdale
4th = Ellis
Inters
1st = Duckworth
2nd = Windermere
3rd = Riverdale
4th = Ellis
House Maths
The Junior House Maths event was fiercely contested in September. Each House was represented by two Year 7 and two Year 8 pupils where they participated in a relay race against the clock. This involved solving a range of mathematical problems under pressure and they did not disappoint! Riverdale were victorious. Congratulations to Barnaby, Ian, Emily and Matthis on their win; they came from behind to rapidly complete a series of problems correctly in the last five minutes to overtake Windermere. There should be special mentions for the Windermere team: Joseph, Tim, Bella and Barney and for Orla of Duckworth House who, despite being one person down in the team, valiantly battled through. All competitors were a credit to their House and their maths teachers are very proud of them.
1st = Riverdale
2nd = Windermere
3rd = Duckworth
4th = Ellis
The Junior House Maths event was followed in October by the Senior House Maths event. This time, each House was represented by one Year 13, one Year 12 and two Year 11 pupils where they participated in a series of questions against the clock. Sounds easy but the answer to the second question depended on the answer to the first question being correct! All teams rose to the challenge. The comfortable winners were Duckworth with a score almost double the team in second place. Congratulations to Ben, Ebube, Max and Daniel who romped to victory. A special mention to second placed Riverdale who had four Year 11 pupils in their team: Lincoln, Ollie, Nolan and Ciara. All competitors were a credit to their House and their maths teachers were very impressed by how fiercely fought the contest was and each team’s tenacity in tackling difficult problems under pressure.
1st = Duckworth
2nd = Riverdale
Joint 3rd = Ellis, Windermere
Year 9 Trip to Munich
Thirty of our Year 9 German pupils set off on a cultural and linguistic trip to Munich.
Here is the report of the trip:
After arriving late on Thursday and getting some welldeserved rest, pupils started bright and early, getting ready on time and tucking into a big, delicious breakfast that set the tone for an exciting day ahead in Munich. We then enjoyed a lovely morning walk to the BWS Germanlingua school, where everyone was warmly welcomed. Once there, the pupils were split into three groups. Two groups took part in lively German singing sessions — the room was filled with laughter and energy, and they were truly happy as Larry! The third group did a bit of writing, which came with some rather stern feedback — all taken in good humour, of course! It was wonderful to see everyone so engaged and learning enthusiastically.
After school, it was time for a bit of shopping — and there were certainly some very happy and enthusiastic girls among the group! The pupils then put their language skills to the test by ordering their own food in German, which they did brilliantly.
The afternoon brought one of the highlights of the trip: our visit to the Allianz Arena. We started with the museum, followed by a quick stop at the fan shop (a few souvenirs may have been purchased!), and then embarked on a comprehensive private tour of the stadium. The pupils explored the changing rooms, the press conference area, and even sat on the players’ benches in the dugout. But the absolute favourite moment for everyone was walking down the tunnel and stepping out pitchside — a truly unforgettable experience!
We rounded off the day with a fantastic evening meal at the Hard Rock Café, where the pupils were very happy (and very
hungry!). Spirits remained high as we made our way back to the hotel, tired but thrilled after such a memorable day.
The next day of the trip was nothing short of magical for our group, with every moment bringing new discoveries, laughter, and learning opportunities in the heart of one of Germany’s most iconic cities – Munich.
After breakfast, we headed to BWS Germanlingua Munich for our German language lessons. Our pupils dived into the immersive experience with great energy, impressing everyone with their eagerness to learn and interact in the German language. Following a well-earned lunch, we were guided through a fascinating walking tour of Munich’s Old Town. The guide masterfully brought the city’s history to life – from medieval stories to royal landmarks – offering our pupils an insightful and inspiring glimpse into the city’s rich cultural heritage. It was a true highlight of the day! Next up, we visited the breathtaking BMW Welt, a futuristic haven of technology and design. The pupils were blown away by the cutting-edge exhibits – from robotic cafés to the chance to try out car and motorbike simulations. The sleek architectural wonder of the building itself left a lasting impression. No one wanted to leave – but more wonders awaited.
We continued our journey into the past and made our way to the Olympic Stadium and Park, built for the 1972 Olympics. The contrast between BMW Welt’s modernity and the historic venue was striking. The views from the steps, the fresh air, and the sprawling green park made for an invigorating experience. It’s safe to say: “Amazing!” was the word on everyone’s lips. By evening, appetites were well-earned, and we enjoyed a traditional Bavarian dinner at Augustiner Keller. The Wienerschnitzel and Apfelstrudel were widely declared “the best ever” – a perfect culinary conclusion to an exciting day.
The final day’s adventure took us into the heart of Bavaria’s fairytale landscape – to the breathtaking Schloss
Neuschwanstein, one of the most iconic castles in the world. With crisp autumn air, and boundless enthusiasm from our pupils, the day unfolded into something truly unforgettable. We started bright and early. Spirits were high and the excitement built as we approached the picturesque village at the foot of the Alps. By late morning we were on foot and hiking up the winding path to the castle. The pupils, full of energy, practically marched up the hill with excitement bubbling in the air. The views along the way hinted at the beauty to come – but nothing could quite prepare us for the spectacle that awaited us at the top.
Our private guided tour through the castle was an experience we’ll never forget. While the many steps certainly kept us moving, the reward was more than worth it. From the intricate mosaic floors, lavish furniture, and ornate decor, every room told a story. The interiors were marvellous – rich in detail and full of imaginative design. It was easy to understand how Walt Disney found inspiration here for his vision of Cinderella’s castle.
We were lucky enough to visit the kitchen and lower floors, adding another layer of intrigue to the tour. While the artistry indoors was astonishing, it was the views from the windows that truly took our breath away. After our tour, we set out to explore more of the castle’s beautiful surroundings.
Our walk through the woods led us to the Marienbrücke –the famous hanging bridge with panoramic views of the castle and landscape. Many photos were taken, and the sheer beauty of the scene left a lasting impression on us all. Descending from the castle, we enjoyed a well-deserved meal in a traditional local restaurant, where we were served by staff in authentic Bavarian attire. The warm hospitality and hearty food were the perfect way to wind down from the afternoon’s adventures.
To finish the day, we made our way to Schwansee, the nearby lake, and spent some time enjoying the serene surroundings. The peaceful waters and mountain reflections made for a calming end to an action-packed day. Returning
to Munich in the evening, we ended the day with dinner at Rechtaler Hof - another cosy and traditional spot where the group enjoyed sharing stories from the day.
“The Munich trip was an experience that I will always remember as one of my most exciting and fun memories. It helped me improve my independence as well as my social skills. It has also made me way more confident when speaking German. One of my favourite parts was when we visited the BMW world. It was really interesting seeing all the exhibits.
I also enjoyed when we visited the Olympic Park because it was really interesting to see all the different sports courts and fields. The view at the top of the hill was also one to remember. I loved our hostel room because we made it really cosy and it felt like a big sleepover every night. Even though we suffered some sleepy days it was all worth it for the midnight gossip sessions and midnight feasts. I appreciate all the teachers that came with us and made this trip possible because we wouldn’t have been able to experience this place without their help. Thank you! - Rosie
“I loved Munich, it was so pretty and historical. The food was great and we saw some stunning places, my favourite place was the BMW museum because it was so interesting. The Munich trip will be something I’ll never forget!!!” - Francesca
“I loved the German trip. My favourite part was the BMW museum. It was really interesting and cool to see. The food was really nice in Munich and there was lots of nice bread and pastries.”
- Dan
FUTURE READY
Welcome to the first ‘Future Ready’ update of this academic year!
So, seven full weeks into the start of the year and everything is in full flow. I want to start this half term’s Future Ready update with a focus on the Adapting skill of ‘Resilience’.
Whatever difficulties we all face individually, I think now is a very good time to realise that you don’t achieve goals and dreams in a single step. It takes time. It requires discipline. You can have many, many moments where the improvement or development is not noticeable. When you are closer to achieving the desired outcome, you cut yourselves down for not being there already or bemoan how much further there is left. When you do that, you lose sight of how far you have already gone.
Five years ago, I reset the distance counter on my watch for when I run. Full of enthusiasm to measure how wonderfully fit and healthy I was going to be. It seemed to stay in the 100s of miles for a very long time. But eventually with time and a lot of running in the dark, cold and wet it slipped past 1000. So being human I then wanted to get to 1250, and it happened little by little, day by day. No huge revelatory run that bumped it up, just continued discipline to try and run whenever I could. I got there. Now I want to get to 2000 and some days I feel a very long way away. I forget that I should back myself because I’m 1300 miles down and really, I should know that I am perfectly capable of making it. It is human nature to not be satisfied with
Career Appointments
what we have got and to push for the next thing and the next. But it doesn’t mean that we should forget what we have already accomplished.
So, seven weeks in, bathed in sunlight and a final flourish of autumnal warmth, I urge pupils to take a moment to think about what they have learnt, what they want to achieve and how far they have come. Take a deep breath and stay on target, dream big, set aspirational goals and work for it!
As pupils start on a new academic year and we are struck by the difficulties we face academically, I want to remind them of a quote from John F Kennedy and the thrill of pushing ourselves to see how far we can go:
“We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”
-John F Kennedy
I’ll see you in 630.7 miles, when I set myself a new target… 3000 miles.
Michael Blythe Director of Future Ready
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.
WORKSHOPS AND SPEAKERS
Ashville Lecture Series: Anthony Scaramucci
Anthony Scaramucci, globally recognised entrepreneur, investor, and former White House Communications Director, launched the new Ashville Lecture Series in style. In an engaging Q&A session, our Sixth Form and Year 11 pupils had the unique opportunity to hear directly from Mr Scaramucci,
Year 3 to 6 Workshop: The Importance of Reading
We were delighted to welcome Prep School parents into school for our ‘Importance of Reading’ workshops.
From top tips on supporting reading at home to hands-on phonics and reading activities, parents had the chance to see reading through their child’s eyes.
At Ashville, we believe children thrive when home and school work in partnership, and reading together is a vital part of that journey.
founder of SkyBridge and SALT, as he shared insights on leadership, resilience, politics and global finance. The discussion sparked curiosity, debate and inspiration. The perfect beginning to Ashville’s exciting new Lecture Series, designed to bring world-class thinkers into our Six @ Ashville programme.
Year 6 & 7 English Academic Talk
Pupils in Year 6 and 7 enjoyed a guest lecture from visiting academic Natalie Hopwood, a PhD candidate at the University of Leeds. To enhance Year 7’s study of this term’s English topic, Monsters, Natalie shared a variety of stories from cultures as diverse as Greek, Norse, Victorian and 20th century, as well as considering how these earlier depictions of monsters shape culture today. Pupils were also invited to consider what “makes” a monster and whether some people can be the real monsters in the story! Thank you so much to Natalie for providing such a wonderful way for pupils to improve their knowledge of the topic, see how their studies in English relate to the wider world and enjoy learning for its own sake.
Year 5 Children of the Benin Kingdom Workshop
Year 5 are engrossed in their class novel, ‘Children of the Benin Kingdom’. This story brings to life one of Africa’s most fascinating civilisations, the ancient Edo Kingdom of Benin. The highlight of this term was undoubtedly the Benin workshop where pupils discovered interesting facts such as Oba, the king, only appeared before his people for one day in every year and, even then, they could not look him in the eye. Through role play and improvisation, they performed scenes showing the roles of different members of society. They also explored the Gods that the society worshipped.
Year 12 and 13 Maths Challenge
Towards the end of September, eight of our Senior School pupils proudly represented the school in national mathematics competitions organised by the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT).
Ellie and Charlotte in Year 11 took part in the highly regarded Mathematical Olympiad for Girls, which required full written solutions to five challenging problems — a competition that truly tests depth of understanding and problem-solving creativity.
The remaining six pupils entered the Mathematical Competition for Girls, and we are delighted to share that Ciara, Natalie, Olivia and Ida each achieved a Merit. This is a fantastic accomplishment, particularly as it marks the first year of this competition.
Congratulations to all the girls for their dedication, enthusiasm, and impressive achievements in mathematics!
Sixth Form Speaker: Rob Higgs – Anti-Bullying Expert
This term we started our Sixth Form Speaker Programme with a thought-provoking talk from anti-bullying expert, Rob Higgs. Rob has written books on bullying, including ‘What Have I Ever Done To You?’ and his presentation ‘The Boy In The Photograph’ has become a regular feature of the PSHE programme at many of the UK’s top independent schools. His work has been featured in mainstream media numerous times, including appearances on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, Sky News and BBC Breakfast. He has also worked in Local Government as an Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator with responsibility for engaging with schools and communities. Rob discussed techniques to deal with and deflect bullying, how people being bullied may feel and what pupils can do to help.
PUPIL SPOTLIGHT
Name: Alice
Year Group: Year 5
Who
is
your role model in life?
Mrs Weilding – she is very talented at music and her lessons are inspiring and very kind.
What would you like to be when you grow up?
A teacher or a children’s doctor.
What are the best things about being at Ashville?
I love Ashville! I have amazing friends and I can’t wait to come to school every day.
What do you do in your spare time?
I attend performing arts lessons and play lots of hockey at Harrogate Hockey Club.
What is your favourite subject and why?
Science – I enjoy experiments where I learn something new.
Can you tell us about a memorable moment or achievement during your time here?
The Year 4 PGL Residential was fantastic. It was very funny when the teachers went on the zip wire!
How do pupils support each other at Ashville?
Everyone is very kind, we look after each other and work as a team. Outdoor Learning with Mr Oldham helps with this.
What co-curricular activities do you participate in?
I’m very busy. I have singing, piano and oboe lessons. I am taking my Grade 3 Singing and Grade 2 Piano exams soon. I am in Junior Choir and Orchestra. Outside of school I attend Spotlight (Musical Theatre), Hockey Club and Drawing Club.
CHARITY, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Prep School Harvest Festival
Prep School held the annual Harvest Festival service to celebrate the harvest and God’s gifts. Ashville’s Chaplain, Mrs Frieze led the service with hymns and prayers. Year 2 read the harvest poems beautifully and the Piccolo Choir and Junior Choir treated us to some wonderful songs. All the items generously donated by parents and families have been collected by Harrogate Foodbank and will be distributed to families in need in our local area.
Wear a Yellow Accessory for Mental Health Day
On 10 October we marked World Mental Health Day throughout Ashville. In Senior School pupils were invited to wear a yellow accessory, yellow wristbands were given out and there was a special assembly for the whole school on the topic of Overcoming Overwhelm. In Prep School pupils kicked off World Mental Health Day by getting their bodies moving with a fun-filled dance on the playground, led by Miss Rasbuary and Miss Hinchcliffe. At Ashville, we know how important exercise is for a healthy mind!
Prep School PJ and Movie Night for Charity Club
Prep School pupils raised awareness and funds by spending a day in their pyjamas. This was followed by a movie night. We are so proud to share that together we have raised over £1,000 for Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm, supporting the wellbeing of children across our region.
Focus on Nutrition
We took part in the British Nutrition Foundation’s Snack-tember, focusing on a new range of salads in our Quick Serve area, our Healthy Options desserts, such as overnight oats and plant-based chocolate mousse, and our amazing low sugar/ no sugar Boost-it cakes and cookies range.
Up to 50% of our daily cakes and cookies are now low sugar/ no sugar. We sweeten with fruits and vegetables, using 50/50 white and wholemeal flours, including Wild Farmed wholemeal. The demand for carrot hobnobs and our boosted flapjacks is as high as ever!
LANGUAGES
Year 11 Language Ambassadors for 2025/26
Well done to Natalie, Max, Bella, Ciara, Alfie, Daniel, Louis, Charlotte, Nolan, Sophia, Jude, Max, Nix, Lily, Ruby and Diana!
A huge congratulations to these pupils who have worked so hard throughout their MFL school careers! Our language ambassadors will help to run MFL events in and out of school. They will look at cultural experiences they would like to bring to Ashville such as Flamenco lessons or French theatre workshops. They will suggest different trips abroad and work experience opportunities. They will be instrumental in promoting the joy of language learning in Prep School and teach or assist in some of their lessons. They will also be responsible for contributing to the faculty articles and videos on language learning research.
Year 9 Pupils Excel in British German Association Awards
In June 2025, Mrs Trentini proudly submitted the projects of eight Year 9 pupils to the prestigious British German Association Schools’ Awards. Each entry was an original piece of work, written in German and centred on a theme relating to Germany.
Recently, Mrs Trentini was delighted to present prizes to six pupils whose creativity, effort, and linguistic skills stood out. Liam and Joshua achieved First Prize, receiving £15, the Eyewitness Guide to Germany, and a BGA Award certificate. Second Prize was awarded to Isabel and Lola, while Third Prize went to Charlotte and Hailey. Both pairs also received the Eyewitness Guide to Germany and official certificates.
The winners were overjoyed to celebrate their success, while special commendations and certificates were awarded to George and Emma in recognition of their original and thoughtful projects.
Reflecting on her pupils’ achievements, Mrs Trentini said:
“I am incredibly proud of my Year 9 pupils. They approached this competition with real enthusiasm and independence, and their hard work has clearly
paid off. It is wonderful to see their creativity and passion for German being recognised in such a meaningful way.”
OUT AND ABOUT
Year 7 Teambuilding Trip to How
Stean Gorge
Year 7 went on their annual team bonding trip to How Stean recently and experienced the best of Yorkshire weather, the clearest of nights for stargazing and pushed themselves out of their comfort zone in the beautiful gorge, caves and countryside of Nidderdale.
After two nights of camping, pupils were definitely ready for their own beds but had made the most of the opportunity to get to know their new-found Ashville friends away from the school site.
We all had a fabulous time and huge thanks to all of the instructors at How Stean for a wonderful few days and to our Green Ties in U6 for all their support on this trip.
Year 9 Geography Field Trip
Yorkshire Dales
The long hot summer of 2025 felt very distant, as Year 9 headed into the rain and fog of the Yorkshire Dales in Autumn. However, the weather did not dampen their spirits.
Having spent the term studying limestone features and land use in limestone areas it was wonderful to put theory into practice. We walked up through the gorge at Conistone Dib, past the scree slopes and scars above, and through the dry valley. We emerged into the fog on top of the limestone pavement. Seeing so many features allowed our pupils to bring the classroom to life, from here we walked along the Dales Way to Grassington.
In Grassington we were able to identify different land uses in the village and see just how well tourists are catered for. Following on from this we got back in the coach and headed to Stump Cross Caverns. After donning our helmets, it was a great experience to get underground and see spectacular features such as stalactites, stalagmites and columns. An excellent day in the field meant we had plenty to write up for our fieldwork when we got back to the classroom.
Year 8 Adrenalin Trip
Our annual Year 8 trip to Adrenalin did not disappoint - high platforms, blindfolds, harnesses, belaying, abseiling, Jacob’s Ladder, followed by the competitive and challenging Krypton Factor assault course. The weather and slightly less rainfall this year did contribute to a drier experience for all. It was a brilliant day and everyone enjoyed it, pushed out of their comfort zones and we are so proud of the support they showed for each other. Adrenalin North Yorkshire provided a fantastic experience once again and we thank their instructors very much for making it such an enjoyable day.
Year 6 Eden Camp
Year 6 pupils enjoyed a fantastic trip to Eden Camp, where they were fully engaged with the exhibits and deepened their understanding of life during the Second World War. Dressed in wonderful wartime costumes, they brought their classroom learning to life in a memorable and enriching way.
SPORTS HALF TERM REPORT
Since returning in September for the new academic year, Sport at Ashville has been as busy as ever. For the girls the Hockey term has started with a bang with regular weekend block fixtures highlighting successes for all age groups at some point along with providing valuable learning opportunities in others. The new approach to adding fixtures against local schools in games lessons has certainly worked with Ashville hosting both Read School and Harrogate Grammar School across all U12-U15 ages. This has allowed pupils to represent the school who may not make the weekend squads and has certainly gone down well with the girls.
The major highlight to date for the Hockey term is the progression to the county round of the National
tournament for the U18 Senior side. We wish them luck at the next stage.
The Boys’ Rugby term also started with plenty of training sessions, games lesson fixtures against local state schools and weekend blocks full of participation, physicality and enjoyment. The First XV have impressed with the squad placing real emphasis on attacking rugby and discipline in defense, both cornerstones of Mr Mercer’s rugby philosophy. The U16s who have been added to Senior Squad are proving valuable as some have made the step up to flagship side and all boys have been excellent in their training sessions. Congratulations to the U16s who represented the school brilliantly, finishing sixth in the Yorkshire Cup.
A final success to highlight is the fantastic way the U12 boys have started their Ashville Rugby careers. Almost completing a half term of fixtures undefeated is a superb effort and provides real promise for the future. We look forward to seeing how the boys perform in the second half of their season.
Outside of our termly sports, the girls’ Netball competitions such as the area cups and Sisters in Sport competition have provided an excellent challenge to which our girls have responded well. All age groups have progressed into round 2 at least of the Sisters in Sport National Cup and the U16s have recently regained their Area Cup title for the third year in a row.
The boys’ and girls’ Football seasons have also got underway in the ISFA Cup competitions with the U18 girls showing their class an emphatic 12-0 win in their opening game. The boys’ age groups have also seen success with the U13s moving onto the second round following a narrow 3-2 win in their opener.
Into the pool, the Senior Swim Squad, that now comfortably hosts 30 pupils across the U12 -U18 range, had success against Harrogate Ladies College and competed well against Ripon Grammar School. The buzz around the pool on match days and squad nights is clear and loud and the pupils have responded well to the opportunities offered to them.
Finally, a huge thanks from the PE department to all who represented their House in the Annual House Cross Country Competition which took place during PE lessons.
Some excellent shows of teamwork, camaraderie and grit were displayed by most pupils and thankfully the weather held to make it a memorable event.
Team PE
ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL
We are very proud of several of our budding actors across Prep School and Senior School who appeared in Harrogate Dramatic Society’s production of Goodnight Mr Tom at Harrogate Theatre. The heartwarming story, set during World War II, is about a young evacuee named William Beech who is placed in the care of a reclusive widower, Tom Oakley in a rural English village, where he gradually finds love and healing after escaping an abusive home.
Well done to Parker in Year 5, Mimi in Year 6, Jessica, Verity, Sophia and Ruby in Year 7 and Emma in Year 8 for their hard work and commitment to starring in this fabulous show.
Equestrian Success
Lilyana in Year 6 took second place in an Equestrian Showing Ring at Ilkley show.
Natalia in Year 6 came 4th in the under 21s category at the British Dressage semi-finals competition.
Kate represented the school at the National Schools Equestrian Association Championship, held at Addington Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire. Kate placed 7th in the 80cm combined training class with Oxview Mattie on, then 19th and 23rd in the highly competitive Prelim Dressage class. Well done Kate for representing the school so brilliantly!
Lilyana
Natalia
Kate
Focus on Co-Curricular Clubs
Year 6 Teacher, Mr Hart used to be a Vet and is running two Science based clubs in the Prep School. There is a STEM Club who look at Science and Engineering subjects and have been working towards their CREST awards. Examples of what they have done have been practicing keyhole surgery techniques using their iPads, engineering structures on their iPads and investigating Martian soils to search for signs of life!
He also runs a Vet Club, where pupils do dissections and investigate skulls. They interpreted the pathology of one example to trace what happened to the animal over the last few weeks of its life. They have been learning a variety of suture techniques on green bananas, reading x-rays and examining a dog!
Our new Year 5 Teacher, Mr Newland has started a Mandarin Club for Year 3 to 6 pupils to learn the basics of the language in a fun and relaxed environment, primarily through games, crafts, and other activities. Mr Newland reinforces this by speaking as much as possible in Mandarin to create a more immersive environment. It is not a conventional language lesson, and everyone is able to learn at their own pace. Each week pupils focus on a different activity, led in Mandarin, allowing pupils to pick up some of the language in a natural way, which won’t tire their brains out after a day of learning.
Mrs Bowen runs an Engineering Club for pupils from Years 7 to 13. A session this term was led by Amelia and Sophie in Upper 6, who delivered an engaging session on materials engineering. They learned about the science behind bioplastics and even had the chance to make their own.
The following week they tested the properties of the bioplastics the pupils created, giving them a great opportunity to combine creativity, sustainability and hands-on science.
Amelia and Sophie did a fantastic job planning and leading the session, inspiring younger pupils to think like engineers. Amelia, who won the “If You Were an Engineer, What Would You Do?” competition last year, continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership and enthusiasm for engineering.
