Ashford Senior School Review 2018-19

SCHOOL REVIEW 2019

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FOREWORD As I look back on the last year at Ashford School, I’m delighted and proud of the many achievements and successes we collectively celebrate. As you read through this review, I am sure that you, too, will feel a sense of pride at the sheer volume of achievements that our students and staff have accomplished this year.

Amongst the many things that we have achieved this year, it is worth highlighting that we were recognised by the Times Educational Supplement (TES) as one of the leading Independent Schools in Education Technology. We also recently celebrated four wins in the United Learning Best in Everyone Awards for Business, English Literature and Science against a very strong field of candidates. Classroom refurbishments are underway and further development to our facilities is planned for the future: we look forward to sharing this with you in more detail September. We are also looking forward to receiving bronze Eco-Schools accreditation following the successful launch of the campaign in the School.

All in all, our many accomplishments are testament to the commitment and dedication of our staff, as well as the determined and capable character of our students. With so much achieved this year, I am already looking forward to seeing how we will build on this in the years to come.

Mr Tom Wilding, Head of the Senior School

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YEAR 11 RESULTS

SUMMARY:

82%

95%

81%

OF ALL GRADES WERE 9-5 (A*-B)

OF ALL GRADES WERE 9-4 (A*-C)

OF ALL STUDENTS ACHIEVED AT LEAST ONE 9-7 (A*-A)

A*-B

A*-C

A*-A

ACADEMIC RESULTS OVER

320

SPORTS FIXTURES PLAYED 04

71 TRIPS ATTENDED

YEAR 13 RESULTS

SUMMARY:

76%

53%

90%

A*-B

A*-A

A*-C

80 271

CANDIDATES SITTING

32

A LEVELS

PARTICIPATED IN

EXTERNAL

COMPETITIONS

OVER

75

75

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES TOOK PLACE TERMLY

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

SCIENCE The Science Department has continued to broaden the learning experiences it offers beyond the classroom. An innovation this summer was the Year 7 trip to the Science and Technology Fair, where over 250 companies and university departments had stalls and workshops to interest pupils in their work and the possibilities of a career in science.

Year 7 pupils enjoyed the introduction of a chameleon and snake to the Biology menagerie, whilst Year 8 chemists excelled in the Salters competition at Kent University, coming a close second.

The Lizard Sanctuary working parties were well supported and will be developed further as part of the Eco-School project. Physics trips to the CERN Large Hadron Collider, and to Iceland

Year 9 chemists made it to the RSC Top of the

in search of the Aurora Borealis, were immensely

Bench national finals in Birmingham and Year

popular. Year 12 also visited Oxford University’s

10 chemists came second in the RSC South East

national synchrotron facility and completed a

Chemistry Challenge in Canterbury. Computer

spectroscopy day at Greenwich. Amberley gained

scientists took part in the UK Computational

a much sought-after place on a cybersecurity

Thinking Challenge with great success; many

programme in New York, and Sixth Formers

students achieved distinctions, while Adam,

enjoyed their annual Biology field-work trip

Freddie and Beth were placed within the top

in Wales.

5% nationally.

Aside from excellent exam results at GCSE and A level, numerous Science Olympiad medals of all hues were gained by our most ambitious Sixth Form students and, Charlie, our Gold Crest Award winner, gained national recognition for his Physics at the Best in Everyone Awards and a place at Cambridge University for 2019.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

HUMANITIES Year 7 pupils enjoyed a trip to Canterbury as part of their History, Geography and Religious Studies on Medieval Pilgrimage, where they visited Westgate Towers, St. Thomas’ Hospital for Pilgrims and Canterbury Cathedral. As part of their Restoration History topic, Year 10s travelled to Chatham Dockyard to learn about shipping and the Dutch Medway Raid under Charles II. Year 11 also enjoyed two trips in support of their GCSE; one to Ham House in Richmond, Surrey, to learn about Restoration

Sixth Form geographers were invited to

architecture and furnishings, and the other

a joint Humanities discussion on the topic of

to the Holocaust Exhibition at the Imperial

Migration at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,

War Museum. As part of their Modern Britain

where they observed the changes that have

coursework, Year 12 pupils visited the Cabinet

resulted from regeneration.

War Rooms to extend their understanding of Churchill’s role in World War 2.

Year 11 Religious Studies pupils visited St Mary’s Church, where they learnt about the

Year 9 geographers investigated whether

two sacraments in the Church of England and

the School site had evidence of its own

the role that the church plays in the community.

microclimate and looked at the best site for

Year 12 RS students attended a Philosophy

either a new wind turbine or solar panel,

of Religion and Ethics conference in London

and Year 10 geographers visited Winchelsea

delivered by Peter Vardy, renowned A Level

Beach and Hastings town centre, where they

textbook author. The programme included the

looked for evidence of longshore drift and the

problem of evil, the teleological argument,

impacts of coastal defences on these coastal

situation ethics and utilitarianism.

processes.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

ENGLISH

MATHEMATICS

This year World Book Day was celebrated

Our senior Mathematics team enjoyed success

with a book café and treasure hunt hosted by

once again by qualifying for the UKMT national

the LRC, alongside all students taking part in

finals, where they were placed 16th in the

book quizzes. Students gained Bronze, Silver,

country. The School’s junior team enjoyed

Gold, Platinum and Diamond awards in the

similar success, coming second at the regional

School’s Reading Challenge. Year 7 and 8

UKMT Team competition, which was hosted by

pupils took part in the Christmas short story

the School and welcomed twenty-five teams.

competition and over sixty pupils contributed

Teams were also sent to the UKMT Year 10

to ‘A’ Magazine, the publication of the English

Maths competition and the Sutton Valence

Department.

Prep School competition. Year 12 students also

Year 8 students completed the Breakthrough UK Linguistics Olympiad and the Junior

enjoyed a visit to Royal Holloway College, where they explored mathematics beyond School.

Debating Club met weekly to discuss

The Maths Department continues to host the

a wide range of issues. Year 12 students

popular annual Year 5 team competition for

visited The Globe to see ‘Twelfth Night’

local primary and prep Schools. This year’s

and they also attended the live screening

competition welcomed 25 local Schools. The

of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’.

Department also offers a range of co-curricular activities for all Maths abilities, including the cipher challenge and problem solving groups.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Three exhibitions were hosted by the Art Department this year, showcasing student and staff artwork. Solove enjoyed success when his piece entitled ‘Portrait of Adebayo’ was placed second in the International High School Arts Festival Competition and was selected to be exhibited in The National Art Centre in Tokyo. Sonya also won The National School Photography Awards with her

The Music Department hosted ten major public concerts this year. The Department’s singers have performed at all the church assemblies at St Mary’s Church and pupils have also played with Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra and other local ensembles. Sixth Form

photograph ‘Looking Up’. Several students were successful in the Ashford Photographic Society Interschool competition. Artists enjoyed trips to Berlin, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Turner Contemporary and the National Portrait Gallery.

musicians travelled to the Queen Elizabeth

The Design and Technology

Hall to attend a seminar of Mozart’s operas,

Department hosted two STEM days,

and multiple successes were seen in both the

in which pupils were required to design,

Trinity and ABRSM examinations. Our informal

build and test a car or trebuchet. They

‘Teatime Tootles’ have also been a great

also welcomed Year 5s from local primary

success, bringing together pupils from both the

schools for the Junior Design and Technology

Prep and Senior Schools.

Challenge. DT pupils visited Benenden School

The Drama Department successfully

for the annual SciTech Quiz, and also enjoyed

performed the productions of Grease and Oliver!, which saw Senior and Junior dramatists on stage. Year 10 to Year 13 drama students also enjoyed trips to watch Warhorse and Oresteia, where they conducted live theatre

trips to the Design and Science Museums in London. Year 9 pupils contributed string art to a ‘Made in Ashford’ display, and GCSE and A Level pieces were exhibited at the End of Year Exhibition.

review evaluations. Multiple Speech and

Food Studies students continued to cook

Drama students performed in the Hastings and

dishes from around the world, ranging from

Kent festivals, which saw many awards won,

quesadillas, pies, burritos and curry, through

including the Best Senior Performance. Pupils

to cookie dough, Mars bar cake, cinnamon

also excelled in Trinity and Lamda exams.

sticks and fudge.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

LANGUAGES The Languages Faculty successfully hosted the House MFL competition again, in which each House had to learn and perform a song in a different language. The European Day of Languages was also celebrated with a quiz during assembly and some French cooking.

The German Department visited Berlin during the Easter holidays, where students learnt about how different life was for the German people depending on which side of the Berlin Wall they lived. They practiced their language skills in the markets and enjoyed a guided tour of the Reichstag.

The Spanish Department organized a Theatre trip to see Lorca’s Yerma at the Cervantes Theatre, London, and the Year 7s and 8s attended a Theatre show at Highworth.

A Spanish pen-pal programme with our partner School in Seville has also been introduced, through which our students have already written and received replies.

French A Level students visited the Gulbenkian cinema and attended a French conference in London. They also created a promotional video for the study of languages. All year groups had the opportunity to visit a Christmas market in Lille, and Key Stages 4 and 5 participated in a Slam Poetry workshop and attended different language-based events in the University of Kent.

The EAL Department took Year 10 students to Brighton to learn about different buildings and structures. Pupils visited the Royal Pavilion, the Palace Pier and the BA i360.

Year 9 students visited Canterbury to see the wild art photography exhibition at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

SPORT The Sports Department recognised their talented sports players at this year’s Sports Awards, which welcomed Eboni Usoro-Brown, ex-England netball player, as the guest speaker. Pupils played in more than 320 matches and all pupils have had the opportunity to represent the School.

RUGBY: 8 teams played 70+ matches this season. The 1st XV won convincingly against Kent College, and the U12A, U13A and U14A teams were consistent all season. Toki was selected to play for the Saracens Development Academy and an increasing number of pupils are playing club rugby.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY: 60 fixtures were played this season, with U18A losing only one match all season. The U13A team reached the County Cup quarter finals. Elysia and Emily have been selected to play in the Kent hockey squad.

BOYS’ HOCKEY: 8 hockey teams played 89 matches. The Ist XII reached the quarter finals of the Frank Mason competition, the U15A team competed in the plate finals of the County Plate and the U13A team reached the semi-finals of the County Cup. Ethan and Ben were both selected to represent Kent County Squads.

NETBALL: 15 teams played over 100 matches, and U12A were second in the district cup.

GIRLS’ CRICKET: 6 teams played 36 competitive matches. The U12A team won the Dulwich Prep Cricket Tournament, whilst the U13s placed 3rd in the Chance to Shine Tournament and Lady Taverner’s Indoor Tournament.

The School hosted CricketFest, which welcomed guest coach Marie Moralee, an ex-England Women’s Cricketer.

Maegan was selected to represent Kent.

BOYS’ CRICKET: The boys’ cricket teams played 25 matches this season.

The U14 team has lost one match all season and are finalists in the Kent plate.

Shaheer, Benjamin and Harry currently play in County squads, with many others in area cricket squads.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

CROSS COUNTRY: Several runners qualified for the Kent Schools Finals, in which Tom placed 2nd, Sienna placed 4th and Jess placed 16th in the county.

ATHLETICS: The Schools U13 girls’ and U12 boys’ placed 4th and 7th in the Kent School Games Indoor Athletics Finals and nine U13 athletes qualified for the IAPS National Finals, which are taking place in Birmingham in July.

Nadia is Kent Pole Vault Champion.

SWIMMING: We had a record number of swimmers participating in the Kent School Championships and Kent Championships this year, with 23 swimmers qualifying for the IAPS Finals. Sienna, Tom, George, Eddie and Claudia compete at County level; Eddie and Claudia also swim at National level.

MULTI-SPORTS: Athletes competed in a biathlon qualifier for the National Finals and National Schools Finals, as well as the National Triathlon Championships and the Regional Modern Triathlon Championships. 12 pupils have qualified for the Biathlon National Finals, and 25 pupils have qualified for the National Schools Biathlon Championships in Crystal Palace. Tom competed for Great Britain at the European Championships. The School’s show jumping team competed in the NSEA National Show Jumping finals. Sienna competed in the International Pony Club Tetrathlon for the >

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English Team, who finished 3rd, whilst Evie was selected to represent Southern England at the International U16 Tetrathlon Championships and is the U13 Girls National Pentathlon Champion for 2018. Tom has been selected to represent the Southeast at the National U20’s Triathlon Festival.

BADMINTON: Pupils competed in the Kent Schools District Badminton tournament and the County Tournament.

Callista and Cici currently train weekly with the Kent Ladies’ team.

TENNIS: 8 teams have played multiple friendly fixtures and the U13 girls’ team is currently undefeated.

FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS: • Luka competed at the English Karate Federation National Championships, and achieved multiple medals at various regional competitions • Harry has achieved his PADI Diving qualification and is working towards his Wreck Diving certificate • Millie has been awarded a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

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HOUSE REVIEWS:

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Starting the year on the back of a fantastic end to

Yeomen continues to excel as a House

the 2018 academic year, all members of Franklins

academically, in sports and in co-curricular activities.

have approached events and competitions with

Unity, resilience and tenacity remains the focus,

enthusiasm and commitment, which has resulted

with teamwork allowing us to rise to any challenge.

in several notable achievements. Franklins

This was clearly illustrated in our approach to

were victorious in the senior House swimming

House Debating, where we were first, and the

competition. Many members of the House were

MFL competition, in which we came joint second.

also involved in the School production of ‘Grease’,

Chantal and Sydney have excelled as leaders this

with Sam, our House captain this year, performing

year, taking up the challenge of House Music at the

the lead role of Danny Zuko. Another stand out

end of last year, which enabled Yeomen to secure

event was the House charity day which was run in

the House Cup for 2017/18. Yeomen have also

conjunction with Knights. The games-themed day

welcomed a new Head of House, Mrs Walsh,

raised an impressive £640 for the local charities

after Mr Boyd left for Guernsey. The House thanks

Demelza House and Abbie’s Army.

Mr Boyd for his support and wishes him all the best.

Under the captaincy of Osama and Janet, Pilgrims

Squires has been consistent in many inter-

has been characterised by a complementary blend

House competitions this year, with the highlight

of enthusiasm and serene unflappability. Highlights

being joint 2nd place in House MFL, with our

have included incredible performances in House

own rendition of “Die Fliegerlied” (a German

General Knowledge and Debating, our crowd-

song about being happy!) William and William

pulling charity day (with the now legendary

have successfully led the House to achieve

Man-O-Man contest) and the rightly infamous

good results in swimming and cricket, and we

Gummy Bear song. The House has impressed all

are hoping for a strong finish to the year with

with their level of consistent engagement and the

House Drama. In September, Miss O’Sullivan

energy shown by a range of students across the

will be returning as Head of House following

years. Pilgrims is a House that boasts international

her maternity leave. Mr Stew would like to take

athletes, charity fundraising supremos and

this opportunity to thank all staff, students and

alarmingly accurate caricaturists, so should

parents for the support over the year.

be proud of themselves for their hard work this year.

Merchants has enjoyed a successful year under

Under the leadership of Georgia and Ethan,

the leadership of Madeleine and Luke, who have

Knights has focused on promoting kindness

shown themselves to be caring and proactive.

and inclusivity this year through more

The House have approached every competition

adventurous team-building games and regular

with great positivity, and as a group they have

House socials, a ‘Knight of the Term’ competition

proved to be cohesive and determined. Our

and a newly formed House Council, which has

Charity day (in conjunction with Yeomen) was

increased student voice and leadership across

a great success, bringing all students together

the year groups. These have all strengthened

for food and fun in our Christmas Winter

the House as a community and contributed

Wonderland. There have been some good

towards our success. Highlights this year include

sporting achievements too, with many students

our sweeping victory in House Science and well

from all year groups taking part. We continue to

as our winning rendition of La Bamba in House

strive to achieve more in future events, and we

MFL. At the end of the year we say goodbye to

commend all the students for their perseverance

our Head of House of two years, Mrs Whitelaw,

to do well and succeed!

and will welcome Mr Stew in September.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING

BOARDING HOUSE REVIEWS Alfred House welcomed many new boarders this year; some joining the House from outside of the School, whilst others joined from ASIC and Brooke and Refuge. The House said farewell to Ms Maitland and welcomed Mrs Martin as the new Assistant House Parent. All boarders have benefitted from Mrs Martin’s refurbishment of the Sky Room and Games Room, and the inviting rooms now host a hive of activity. Alfred boys have thrown themselves into the evening and weekly activity programme, which has included curling, gliding, fishing and even DJing. A particular highlight was the DJ set that Tony and Jerry put on at the Boarders’ Christmas Dinner, which certainly got the crowd dancing.

This year, ASIC welcomed twenty students from seven different nations for their first day at Ashford School.

Under the leadership of Lucian, the House Council elected to have a House get-together once a term, which resulted in bowling evenings, fun-packed fajita nights and a BBQ to celebrate the end of the summer term exams. When Sebastian made his television debut with the Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra for Children in Need the whole House was there to see it! Aoife won best in School at the UKMT Maths Challenge, and the House also became headquarters for the School’s successful Young Enterprise team. ASIC students have been chosen to be part of next year’s prefect team and we have no doubt they will acquit themselves fantastically, as they have done all year. Good luck and farewell from us all!

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The Brabourne girls have had a very successful year within the House and the School. Collectively, the House raised £750 for Food Bank, and Marcella raised £450 for Alopecia after cutting off her curly hair.

Sarah, Natalie and Callista have achieved their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, and Mei Mei served as an excellent public speaker at the Young Enterprise East Kent Final. Sarah, Marcella, Demi, Mook, Angela and Joyce performed beautifully in the Christmas, Spring and Summer Concerts, and similarly, Angela, Emily, Joyce and Sarah sang beautifully in the School’s church services and concerts. Congratulations to Mei Mei, Marcella, Angela, Joyce and Bella, who have been appointed as prefects for the coming year.

In addition to a strong team of staff, Brooke and Refuge has been managed by five dependable Prefects (Jonathan, Conan, Sanskar, Freddie and Jeremy), who have always been at hand to carry out duties and share their boarding wisdom with younger boarders. As ever, go-karting and paintballing remain the talking points within the diverse and well-organised activities schedule, however some more senior pupils also got to experience a classical film-score concert at the Royal Festival Hall for the first time. Several of the boys even made their first national television appearance on the BBC – some as musicians within the Ashford Youth Jazz Orchestra – and others as eager onlookers. The harmony and sense of community within the Boarding House has been truly exceptional throughout the course of the year, and it is with great excitement that the House looks forward to the upcoming academic year.

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ADVENTUROUS LEARNING

FAREWELLS Fond farewells to: Dr Sue Childs, Head of Mathematics; Mrs Chloe Whitelaw, PSHE Coordinator, History Teacher, Head of Knights; Mrs Charlotte Gray, Girls’ Games Teacher; Mr Anthony Maskell, English Teacher; Mrs Angela Williams, Deputy Head of Boarding, Business and Economics Teacher; Mr Ralph Cowan, Head of Science and Chemistry; Miss Lucy Hayward, Girls’ PE Teacher; Mr Chris Sargant, PE Teacher; Mr Luke Kadinopoulos, ASIC Houseparent and EAL Teacher; Dr Daniel Kirkpatrick, HE Advisor and Research Leader; Miss Alice Pepper, Brabourne Assistant Houseparent; Mr Marc Boyd, Head of Rugby and Yeomen; Mr Oliver Bishop, Sports Teacher; Miss Abbie Fox, Finance Assistant; Miss Hannah Maitland, Assistant Houseparent; Miss Megane Reymond, French Language Assistant; and Miss Arabella Rabino, Spanish Language Assistant.

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AWARDS

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Ashford School • East Hill • Ashford • Kent • TN24 8PB Tel: +44 (0)1233 625171

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registrar@ashfordschool.co.uk

Ashford School @AshfordSchool

A MEMBER SCHOOL OF UNITED LEARNING REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1016538

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ashfordschool.co.uk