SPRING TERM REVIEW 2025 2025
Prep School Life
Spring Term began with a trek across the frosted playing fields, offering a picturesque start to a busy and exciting few months.
In STEM, pupils explored light-reflecting experiments and built a biochemical model of the human digestive system, while World Maths Day celebrated the magical properties of the Number 3. History came alive as Year 4 recreated the Spanish Armada, Year 3 staged an exciting Roman battle, and Year 6 explored the past with a trip to Dover Castle, also taking part in essential First Aid training. Year 4 welcomed their families for a special Grandparents’ Celebration Tea, sharing heartfelt performances, delicious treats, and spent quality time reminiscing with their loved ones. World Book Day was a highlight, with pupils and staff embracing literature through creative costumes, storytelling sessions, and a celebration of favorite books and authors. Talent shone throughout the term, with Story Slam, Friday Factor, and a Silent Disco bringing entertainment and laughter. Pupils also took part in the Magic Flute initiative and a range of evening performances, while the House Debating Competition tested their public speaking skills.
The term ended on a high with an unforgettable Ski Trip to Italy, with pupils returning full of stories from the slopes.
Year 5 Victorian Day
Year 6 trip to Dover Castle
Year 6 First Aid Training
Year 4 Spanish Armada
Italy Ski Trip
Senior School Life
The Spring Term began with Reverend Bellamy’s inspiring Commencement Service, setting a reflective tone for the months ahead. The breadth of academic and co-curricular opportunities at the Senior School was evident throughout, with students engaging in a diverse range of enriching activities.
The Careers and Higher Education programme got off to a strong start. Students visited the City of London Magistrates, stepping inside a real courtroom and taking part in a mock trial, while others explored agricultural engineering during an interactive visit to Lister Wilder. Year 7-9 students developed key skills in leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration during National Careers Week, and aspiring writers gained insight into the publishing industry with a visit from Sweet Cherry Publishing.
Meanwhile, students were hard at work on their D&T coursework, with a trip to the Mini Factory providing real-world inspiration. Geographers took to the field with a trip to London, while Psychology students experienced an unforgettable Brain Day with Dr. Guy Sutton, dissecting a real sheep’s brain to deepen their understanding of brain function. In History, students explored the ‘History of Medicine’ by practicing emergency procedures—on oranges.
Careers in Law Trip
Year 11 D&T Coursework
D&T Mini Factory Trip
Lister Wilder Trip
Geography Fieldwork
Brain Day with Dr Guy Sutton
Sweet Cherry Publishing
The Wedding Singer
The production of The Wedding Singer showcased exceptional dedication from all the cast, crew, and band members. Particularly noteworthy were Elisha as Robbie, who was outstanding, Julia was played on different nights by Maegan and Ishbel, who both put real passion and emotion into the role. Glenn Gulia, played by Thomas and Edan gave the character just the right mixture of capitalist menace and romantic comedy. The timing and comic genius of Harry and Leo were only matched for laughs by Alice who played Robbie’s long-suffering, and ever hopeful grandmother Rosie.
The whole cast were brilliant, and as Mr. Hornsey noted, “they have set a very high bar for us to follow”.
Drama & Dance
Spring Term was a vibrant and busy time for Drama and Dance across both Prep and Senior Schools, showcasing an incredible range of talent and creativity.
A standout performance was No Regrets by Gary McNair, a play commissioned by the National Theatre and part of the Connections Festival 2025. Pupils brought to life scenes that ranged from the hilariously silly to the deeply poignant, exploring themes of missed opportunities and choices we wish we could undo.
Dance was equally impressive this term. The Prep School dance group wowed the judges at The Great Big Dance Off 2025, earning a coveted place in the National Finals, set to take place next term in Oxford. Brake Hall played host to the Mid-Kent Dance Festival, where local schools joined an inspiring choreography workshop led by professional dancer Irena Cuturic. Prep School ballet students also showcased their hard work and dedication during their ballet examinations. In addition, pupils had the exciting opportunity to audition for the National Youth Theatre, a prestigious platform for aspiring performers. With so much creativity and passion on display, this term was a remarkable one for Drama and Dance!
Music
Ashford School’s commitment to musical excellence was evident through a series of outstanding performances this term. Three special showcases—Vocal, Piano, and Guitar—allowed students to perform a wide range of pieces, spanning different genres and eras, in front of appreciative audiences. These performances highlighted the diverse talents within our music department and the hard work of our students.
The Spring Concerts for both the Prep and Senior Schools were a standout highlight, showcasing a remarkable display of musical talent. With exceptional performances across orchestral, choral, and solo pieces, the concert truly showcased the depth and skill of our student musicians.
Year 5 and Year 7 pupils had the exciting opportunity to participate in the innovative Everybody Sing The Magic Flute project, alongside other schools from United Learning. This immersive initiative involved our students singing a unique version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The practice event took place at the Royal Opera House, providing a memorable experience for all involved. The final performance will be held at the Regional Gala Event at the Royal Festival Hall in June 2025, marking an unforgettable milestone in our students.
UL Magic Flute
Young Voices at the O2 Arena
Prep School Spring Concert
Strings Showcase
Prep Friday Factor
Spring Soiree
Piano Showcase
Guitar Showcase
Art
Art inspiration at the Prep School included Hockney’s use of digital art, painting like Van Gogh, Tudor portraits, and some beautiful seaside and seagull sketches, which were showcased in reception.
Art continued to thrive in the Senior School thanks to the leadership that motivates students and teachers across all year groups. At the heart of this success is an ethos that encourages pupils to become artistic creators and innovators. The school showcases and celebrates a wide range of creative expression.
The extensive Art facilities at the Prep and the Senior School help pupils to unlock their full artistic potential. Pupils are encouraged to submit their art work to local and international competitions, showcasing their skills on bigger stages. Anne's stunning portrait, ‘My Father’, was selected as a runner-up in United Learning's International Art Competition. Her work will be showcased at the High School Arts Festival at the National Art Centre in Tokyo, celebrating artistic talent at a global level.
Year 10 Clay Sculpting
Year 6 David Hockney
Gogh
UL International Art Competition runner-up, 'My Father', by Anne
A Level Photography
UL International Art Competition entry, ‘Wonderland’, by Ava
Sport
This term, Sport at the Prep School continued to shine. The Ashford School Games at the Stour Centre brought a competitive spirit, while Judo Club and Gymnastics kept pupils active and engaged, developing both physical and mental strength. A combined team of students from Years 3-8, came third in the Dulwich Cranbrook Cross-country relay.
Senior School teams made excellent progress this term. Netball led for girls, with the 1st VII winning the Kings Rochester tournament and the 2nd VII taking third, showcasing their talent for teamwork. The 1st XI girls’ hockey team won the National Tier 2 Plate, beating Uppingham School 3-0, while the 1st XI boys’ team were National finals runners-up, impressing spectators and rivals alike. Swimming saw impressive gains in individual and team events, reflecting our swimmers’ continued progress.
At the Rosslyn Park National Schools Rugby 7s tournament, the 1st VII dominated the first round with three wins out of three, our best ever performance, before being defeated in the elimination round. The U15 indoor cricket team won their county tournament, advancing to the regionals.
With such impressive results across a range of sports, this term has been a triumph!
1st XI Hockey Team
1st VII Rugby Team
Cross-country Relay Team
U15s Indoor Cricket
U10 Rugby Team
Senior Netball Squad
Boarding Life
Boarders had a busy and exciting Spring Term, with weekends packed full of trips, sports, and evening activities. International Boarding Staff Day highlighted the safe and supportive homefrom-home environment created by the dedicated boarding team.
A special highlight this term was welcoming a group of Inner Mongolian immersion students, who stayed with us for a week. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and warmth made a lasting impression on both staff and students, fostering new friendships and cultural exchange within the boarding community.
At 101 days Autumn term was a very long term. It started with the arrival of Mrs Archer, our new Head Teacher, and a brand new pupil leadership team for 2024 –2025. Early in the term Y5 had a Campfire Wild Adventure, while parents were invited to talk to Mrs Archer and Mr Hall about the School’s Strategic Objectives.
At 101 days Autumn term was a very long term It started with the arrival of Mrs
Weekend adventures included visits to top football clubs, London theatre trips, an escape room challenge in Canterbury, and Laser Tag in Ashford. The annual Easter Egg Hunt was fiercely competitive, as were the ever-popular evening badminton matches.
Beyond weekend activities, boarders played a key role in school life, making valuable contributions to Sport, Music, and Drama. Their energy and enthusiasm enriched the wider school community, making this term a truly memorable one.
Students from Inner-Mongolia
Kind comments from our Boarders on WBS Day
Dover Castle Trip Theatre Trip
Co-Curricular & Enrichment
Pupils at Ashford School have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of co-curricular activities, each designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These activities not only allow students to explore their interests but also encourage interaction with peers from different year groups, promoting social cohesion and teamwork. Through their participation, students develop self-confidence and enhance their social skills, building strong connections across the school community.
Sport and Performing Arts make up a significant portion of the co-curricular offerings, playing an important role in the school’s vibrant extracurricular life. In addition to these, students also have the chance to take part in other exciting clubs, such as Content Creation and Impact Squad.
In Content Creation club, pupils are set weekly challenges using Canva, encouraging them to think creatively and develop digital design skills. Notable projects include designing ideas for decorating the new fleet of school minibuses, creating video content, and developing eye-catching billboard designs. The Impact Squad focus on designing and creating items to raise money. This term, they successfully raised £260 for the ASF Bursary Fund by selling snacks, T-shirts, and earrings at The Wedding Singer performance.
These co-curricular activities enrich the student experience, offering valuable opportunities for personal growth and contribution to the school community.
Content Creation - design by Jacob
Impact Squad
Maths Academy with Ashford Prep
International
Lego Day
Prep Running Club
Partnerships
At Ashford School, our partnerships with local, national, and international organisations, charities, and schools provide significant educational value to both our pupils and the partners we work with. Through these collaborations, we aim to foster a strong sense of leadership and service in our students, while also offering opportunities for staff professional development and building stronger connections within our local community.
This term, we welcomed a seminar from Kent Police on physical and digital safety, helping students stay informed and safe in today’s world. Year 6 pupils participated in the KCC Bikeability course, where they learned essential cycling skills and road safety.
The Eco Fashion Show, held on Valentine’s Day in aid of Pilgrims Hospice, was a standout event, showcasing impressive creativity and a carefully curated sense of style, all in support of a worthy cause. Our House Cross Country event was another highlight, raising funds for Cancer Research UK.
This year also marks our tenth anniversary of fundraising for Brain Tumour Research through our annual Wear a Hat Day. This longstanding tradition has raised awareness and vital funds for research, demonstrating the lasting impact of our school’s commitment to charitable causes. This year we have raised £650, with more donations still to come.
‘House Cross Country’, fundraiser for Cancer Research UK
