Ashville College, Harrogate

[28london2]

Hi - any comments/thoughts on Ashville College (Harrogate) please

I live on the next street to Ashville College and every morning is a nightmare for cars going in & out for drop off. Same in afternoon. It's in a nice area though, besides the very grotty state secondary school opposite.
As a school, Ashville is very highly regarded locally

That’s useful to know - thanks. So if considering a move closer - do you think waking distance to the college would be the way forward - or living a bit further out and using the college bus service to get to/from the school? Thanks

#walking distance

I would suggest either of those options. Luckily the buses go in the other entrance. They do offer boarding options as well.

Thanks for your help - the bus option sounds good then!

“very grotty state secondary school opposite” haha grotty for Stuck up Harrogate types maybe. It’s a totally normal secondary school.

Hmm well as Harrogate born and bred and with a DS at neither school but knowing many kids at both over the years, Ashville isn't highly thought of locally amongst those I know (inc parents of kids and ex kids there). Rossett - the school opposite- is a good school. Personally I would save the money and pick Harrogate Grammar - not actually a Grammar. And no my DS isn't there either.

Agree with craggyrat
Ashville is not terribly well regarded
if you want to go private use the bus and send your kids to GSAL on the outskirts of Leeds, otherwise send them to Harrogate Grammar and save a fortune.

Back in my day, it was not unknown for people to turn down a scholarship to Ashville in favour of HGS, although that was a long time ago. If you're looking for a day school, then don't discount the state schools automatically.

Absolutely. DS would have had 95% bursary for Ashville but chose state school. Agree re GSAL if you do want private as is far better option but Harrogate state schools are excellent

I attended that school myself! It is indeed extremely grotty! It was then and is even more so now!!!

Haha what year was this? I know it got made an academy at some point so don’t know if it went downhill then?

@Regularsizedrudy 95-99 but have been in since and it's even worse! Still stinks to high heaven and is falling apart

Hello! My daughter went to Ashville and boarded there for a number of years. It was only after she left that I found out how awful it had been for her. A lot of bullying from both staff and students. There is a lot of emphasis put on how much money you earn and what clothes you have. I would avoid. I regret it to this day.

I went to Harrogate Grammar back in the day. Ashville didn't have a great reputation then and doesn't now either. Harrogate Grammar was and still is very good.

Somemisinformatione, I suppose the dangers of the internet but might help you consider the view given of Ashville too OP.

Rosset requires improvement (not good) and was RI in the previous inspection too.
https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50205547

Stand alone academy. HT has left.

@AvySt - agree Rossett has had a bad year! I know someone who works there and they seem very confident it is headed in right direction though now.

OP -I would definitely go for Hgte Grammar over Ashville or GSAL if you want private. My DS now at uni and he went to none of the ones I've mentioned here. I'm just reporting what I know from living in hgte all my life and with close friends and their offspring at all the Hgte schools inc Ashville and Hgte Grammar

I wouldn’t send a kid to Ashville now, they “let go” a huge number of experienced teachers last summer, and there are constant murmurs of them being in financial trouble, certainly there seem to be very few boarders left, and previously they had a fair number of mainly Chinese and Russian boarders, along with a smaller number of UK based ones.
i stand by my assertions earlier on thread, GSAL if you are determined to throw your money at education, otherwise Harrogate Grammar ( am assuming you aren’t religious as you haven’t mentioned Fishers or Aidans).

as others have pointed out, it would probably be fair to say that it's traditionally seen as a place for 'nice but dim' types and/or out of towners, not enough of an improvement of HGS or the two church schools to justify the fees. but its recent academic results are by no means bad, it might well be a decent option if money is no object, particularly for someone who'd been allocated Harrogate high or Rossett from the state options

Have heard lovely things about Harrogate Grammar. Have a friend who's daughter goes there

Our son moved to Ashville for Year 7 and is now coming to the end of Year 8. I cannot praise the school enough. (So much so that our daughter will be starting Year 6 this September, a year earlier than we had planned.) He absolutely adores it - which is no mean feat, given he’s a 13 year old boy! He’s really engaged, is making excellent progress and taking full advantage of the brilliant extra curricular opportunities. He settled in so well given he arrived that first day knowing absolutely nobody. His enthusiasm for both academic and non-academic activities is a joy to see as a parent. The staff have all been amazing and the size of his year group/classes has meant they really get to know each child. The facilities are great too. The main thing for us has been watching him just be himself in an environment where it’s encouraged and accepted. He’s the happiest he’s been, which is priceless.

Oh dear looks like some at ashvilles PR team has found this thread.... such a shame

No, it’s a shame you’ve decided to dismiss my comment as “in house PR”.
My response to the question, as a current parent with a child at the school, stands.

Rossett isn’t the least bit ‘grotty’ 🙄

My daughter joined Ashville last year. We were worried initially about the old reputation that the school had but after meeting the headteacher, teachers and seeing the facilities we were really impressed.
There have been changes but most of these are for the better and the new headteacher is moving the school in the right direction. My daughter is happy and doing really well, and the size of the school is ideal as they have small class sizes but the school is big enough to offer a good range of subjects and co curricular activities. I have been particularly impressed with the drama department, my daughter used to be really shy but is now enjoying taking part in the school drama productions.
Schools can change over time with new leadership and governors and what I would advise is to go and see the school for yourself if you can as that’s the best way to get a feel for it. Our experience has been really good so far. Hope that helps!