Ashford School

Ashford School provides education from 3 months to 18 years. An HMC independent day and boarding school set across two spacious, green campuses in Ashford, Kent, the Senior School is within five minutes’ walk of Ashford International station and the Prep School is in the delightful village of Great Chart just two miles west of Ashford. The London airports Heathrow, Gatwick, City and Stansted are all within easy reach. Transport links are exceptional; the High Speed Rail Link connects us to London in just 37 minutes and puts us on the doorstep to the continent. We offer flexi, weekly and full boarding from age 10, making the London commute an option. 

About the School 

Parents choose Ashford School for many reasons: high achievement at A-level leading to the best UK universities; close attention to the needs of the individual; an orderly, challenging and supportive environment; a wide range of co-curricular activities; and energetic, specialist teachers that are supported by extensive resources and inventive leadership. We specialise in those subjects that the leading universities value most highly.  

Our tradition of excellence and achievement goes hand-in-hand with our ability to develop self-reliance, compassion and boldness. Of profound importance to us are the relationships that we nurture, the freedom to be creative, the enterprise to initiate and the resilience to cope with adversity. 

Recent Awards 

United Learning Best in Everyone Awards for Most Inspirational Teacher, Science Award and Support Staff of the Year Award; TES Independent School Awards 2021: Shortlisted for the Student Initiative of the Year Award; Independent School Parent Awards 2021: Shortlisted for the Community Outreach Award (winner yet to be announced).

Ashford School is an Edtec50 School, having been recognised for it’s commitment to innovation and technology and a National Teaching School (only one of 4 independent schools in the UK to hold this status).  The School is one of just 18 Schools in the UK to be an All-Steinway music school.

Facilities 

Our facilities include a sports centre and pavilion, two indoor swimming pools, two AstroTurfs for hockey, football, netball and tennis, all-weather netball, basketball and tennis courts, a Fitness Suite, specialist Art, Design Technology, ICT and Science labs, a well-stocked library and learning centre, a student café and atrium, a dining hall, pupil common rooms, playing fields and playgrounds for cricket, football and rugby, an auditorium and theatre, and a music school with several performance areas. We are an all-Steinway School, meaning our Senior School music department has only Steinway pianos. 

Boarding  

Around 100 boarders from around the world make their home here. Our boarding houses are located within grounds of over 25 acres and accommodate boys and girls from 10 to 18 years. Students benefit from shared rooms for two or three children, or individual study-bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms for older pupils. With no lessons on Saturdays, there is plenty of time to make use of the School facilities and weekly boarders can participate fully. Full boarders benefit from a weekend activity programme, which includes visits to London and Canterbury, and they learn to live and work together, developing deep and lasting friendships along the way. 

Inspiring Minds 

At Ashford School, our educational philosophy is based on a very simple assumption: if a pupil is happy and secure, they are more likely to be successful. As a result, our learning is underpinned by four key factors, namely Celebrating Individuality, Optimising Potential, Academic Rigour and Adventurous Learning. We believe that learning should be challenging, motivating and lead to a sense of fulfilment, which is why we strive to provide an inspiring environment that encourages growth and adventure so that our students can develop into all they are capable of being. 

External Examinations

Most pupils take 9/10 subjects at GCSE. Many A Level combinations are available to the Sixth Form, all of whom go on to Higher Education before entering a varied range of careers including music, design, advertising, banking, engineering, journalism, law, management, the media, medicine and veterinary science. There is a consistently high external examination success rate and pupils are prepared for Oxbridge in all subjects. 

Entry requirements

School report, subject entrance tests and interview for the Sixth Form, supporting six or more 9–5 (A*–B) grades at GCSE with at least a 9–7 (A) grade in the subjects chosen to study at A Level. School report and written tests in English, Mathematics, Science and Non Verbal Reasoning at Years 7 and 9. Places are generally available throughout the year in all other year groups. 

Scholarships

Academic, art, sport, drama and music scholarships are available in Years 7, 9 and 12. Most scholarships are worth 10-50% of the day fee and we have a thorough assessment process and application criteria. Further details may be obtained on the scholarships section of the website.