Ashford School International Brochure

JOIN THE ADVENTURE A TRULY BRITISH EXPERIENCE

WELCOME TO ASHFORD SCHOOL Ashford School, established in 1898 is a co-educational independent day and boarding school set in the heart of Kent in the South of England. We have 4 boarding houses on site, and enjoy the cultural diversity of students from more than 20 countries.

Whilst we have built a tradition for excellence and academic achievement, this is only part of the offering we give our students. Of profound importance to us are the relationships and experiences that nurture the development of students, and the wider learning opportunities we provide. Our co-curricular activities enable our students to grow in confidence, stand out from the crowd and perform well in interviews.

ASHFORD SCHOOL IS BASED IN KENT, WITH VERY EASY INTERNATIONAL LINKS TO EUROPE VIA ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL AND THE REST OF THE WORLD VIA LONDON AIRPORTS. ASHFORD SCHOOL IS 37 MINUTES FROM LONDON KINGS CROSS ST PANCRAS. Co-educational independent day and boarding school International Students from 20 countries Entry for international students from Year 5 to Year 12 Reputation of excellence and academic achievement Programme of 70+ co-curricular activities

Easy access to Europe & the rest of the world

“ASHFORD SCHOOL HAS OFFERED THE PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR SON TO FEEL SAFE, VALUED, ENCOURAGED AND CONFIDENT AND WE ARE HUGELY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE CARE AND ATTENTION HE HAS RECEIVED; THANK YOU”.

Parent, 2017

LEARNING AT ASHFORD SCHOOL Throughout the school, students are taught in small classes by excellent and committed teachers. We pride ourselves on selecting highly capable adults who are experts from a wide variety of backgrounds. For example, we have a former barrister, nuclear scientist and Reuters financial journalist as part of

ACADEMIC COURSES AVAILABLE: • GCSE & IGCSE (choice of 25+ subjects) • A Levels Subjects (choice of 20+ subjects) • 1 year IGCSE • IELTS Preparation – required by UK universities • BTEC Sports

our teaching staff. Through example,

ACADEMIC RESULTS

our students learn to be resilient,

With the combination of high quality teaching and our

curious, kind, happy, articulate, adventurous, confident and fulfilled.

ethos of hard work, we have a reputation of achieving well-above average value added scores.

GCSE RESULTS (AVERAGE OVER 2015-2017):

92%C

Grade A*or 9 - 4

74%

Grade A* - B or 9 – 5

A’LEVEL RESULTS (AVERAGE OVER 2015-2017)

92%C

Grade A*-

73%

Grade A*- B

“THE EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND FRIENDSHIPS I MADE IN ASHFORD SCHOOL HAVE AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE FOUNDATION AND THE REASONING BEHIND MY ACHIEVEMENTS! I HAVE RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM KING’S COLLEGE LONDON AND AM CURRENTLY COMPLETING MY MASTERS DEGREE AT KING’S BUT WILL ALWAYS PROUDLY REPRESENT ASHFORD SCHOOL!”

Karina, former student

WHAT NEXT? We have a dedicated Careers Programme where we introduce our students from an early age to the huge diversity of careers available in a rapidly evolving job market. Our Careers Advisor will conduct individual interviews with students to discuss future plans, and ensure they have the information they require for applying to university (UK and international), apprenticeships, jobs and gaps years.

We arrange dedicated seminars for students interested in Oxbridge, medicine, veterinary, dentistry, overseas universities and apprenticeships and we arrange a trip to the Oxford & Cambridge Student Conference.

In the last three years (2015-2017): • Nearly two-thirds of students achieved their first choice university • More than half gained a place at a Russell Group university • Two fifths gained a place at a UK top 10 university The most popular universities chosen by our students were University College London, University of Warwick, University of Durham, University of Manchester and Imperial College.

LIFE AT ASHFORD SCHOOL WIDER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES We aim to inspire students both in and out of the classroom and our school activities are an integral part of the school curriculum. Students have a choice of over 70 different activities from Amnesty International and Chemistry Olympiad to Debating, Orchestra and Computing.

For students in Years 12 and 13, opportunities for wider learning are just as extensive, and include the Extended Project Qualification, Medics Society, Physics trip to CERN, Science Society, Musical Productions and an array of orchestras and choirs.

SPORTS FOR ALL Our students can enjoy the use of 25 acres of sports fields, our gym, dance hall, sports halls, a brand new Sports Centre and indoor swimming pool. Our ethos is Sports for All, and all students are encouraged to participate and represent the school. We have highly qualified and experienced coaches who are dedicated to developing talented students to fulfil their sporting potential. We have a number of students who compete at county, national and international level.

“IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE ASHFORD SCHOOL IN OUR LIVES. IT IS A SPECIAL PLACE, FULL OF SPECIAL PEOPLE, DOING SPECIAL WORK. IT ENRICHES OUR LIVES EACH AND EVERY DAY AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR IT”.

Parent, 2017

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS Skills learnt through creative and performing will always give children the advantage in terms of confidence and self-awareness. Many of our students participate in Speech and Drama lessons where they learn to recite, argue, communicate, debate and act.

We have a vast array of musical opportunities with an eclectic mix of bands, choirs, ensembles and clubs. We welcome numereous specialist instrumental teachers into school who offer one-to-one tuition.

Our Art department is acknowledged as one of the best because it encourages students to step outside their comfort zone and be adventurous learners. The department regularly organises trips to London and recently held residential art tours in Edinburgh, Rome, Venice and Madrid.

RELIGIOUS PROVISION While Ashford School is a Christian school, we recognise the importance of all religions and make provision for our students to continue practising their faith while living in school. We have a school chaplain who regularly participates in school assemblies and leads services at our local Church, which is just five minutes walk from the school.

“THE SCHOOL HAS CARING BOARDING STAFF, AND IN PARTICULAR I GET ON REALLY WELL WITH MY HOUSEPARENTS. I LOVE THE WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES WE DO AT WEEKENDS AND I’VE BUILT SOME LIFE LONG FRIENDSHIPS”.

Garren, current student studying Physics, Mathematics and Design Technology A Levels

BOARDING LIFE AT ASHFORD SCHOOL Moving to a new country is a big step for students,

We encourage our boarders to play an active part in the community,

and we work hard to ensure they settle in quickly.

and offer them opportunities to play a leading role in helping

Our boarding houses have dedicated houseparents and

us to provide the best possible boarding experience. Our elected

resident tutors who strive to ensure all students feel

house councils, food committees and social committees provide

welcome and comfortable in their new surroundings.

our boarders with a chance to manage budgets and develop their

All our boarding houses have a spacious common rooms

leadership potential.

and dining areas giving plenty of opportunity to relax and socialise.

During the week we offer a full programme of evening activities, including scheduled time for academic

SPACIOUS, COMFORTABLE LIVING ACCOMMODATION

studies, additional access to music, art and languages resources to recreational activities such as football, basketball and swimming. For those who prefer to work out in the gym, our fitness suite is open seven days a week.

5 MINUTES WALK TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND ENTERTAINMENT

DEDICATED, KIND AND FRIENDLY HOUSEPARENTS

FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENING AND WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

REGULAR CONTACT HOME

ORGANISED TRIPS TO UK CITIES AND EUROPE

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH HOME We understand how important it is for parents to be involved in their childrens’ education and lives, and our dedicated houseparents, who act “in loco parentis” maintain regular contact with parents and guardians by e-mail and / or telephone, and are never more than a phone call or e-mail away.

LIFE AFTER ASHFORD SCHOOL The Ashford School Association (ASA) is the alumni society for all former students and former staff. We run a full programme of events and publications helping Ashfordians keep in touch with each other and with the school. We also use this network to help current students with their careers, whether it be helping with work experience, providing an insight into University courses or general information about a particular career.

“I HAVE HAD SOME UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES HERE AT ASHFORD SCHOOL. I HAVE BEEN GENUINELY HAPPY AND ALL THE PEOPLE I’VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING HAVE BEEN SPECIAL AND UNIQUE. MY BOARDING HOUSE IS A PLACE OF COMFORT AND A PLACE WHERE I’VE GROWN AS AN INDIVIDUAL BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY”.

Nellie, current student studying Business, Psychology and Art and Design A Levels.

Ashford School, East Hill, Ashford, Kent TN24 8PB Admissions: +44 (0) 1233 739030 Ashford Prep School, Great Chart, Ashford, Kent TN23 3DJ registrar@ashfordschool.co.uk

ashfordschool.co.uk Registered Charity No. 1016538