Latest News

Bumper Crop of Top GCSE Grades for Ashby Students

24 Aug 2010

An impressive 78 per cent of Ashby School students achieved five or more GCSEs at the top grades of A* to C this year. Students celebrated some of the school's best GCSE results ever.Among the students celebrating was Lauren Faulkner, who missed most of her GCSE lessons following a heart transplant, but still managed to pick up a fistful of goo...

Click to read more >

Students Celebrate Exam Success at A Level

19 Aug 2010

Students at Ashby School are celebrating excellent A level results, including a string of straight As and A*s for some students. In Maths, students did exceptionally well, with 14.5 per cent of passes at the new top grade of A* - almost double the national average. Jumping for joy are (left to right) Ben Weatherill, Sarah Folwell, Tom Caron ...

Click to read more >

Year 10 Exam Results

16 Jul 2010

Year 10 GCSE and AS examination results will be available from form tutors when students return to school on Thursday 2 September....

Click to read more >

Students Hone Management Skills

16 Jul 2010

Some of Ashby's most successful business men and women gave up three days to mentor Ashby School students on their management skills.More than 100 students took part in the 23rd annual Skills for Management conference, honing essential skills such as planning, negotiating and team work.The winning team.Working in syndicates, students took ...

Click to read more >

A Level and GCSE Results Days

16 Jul 2010

A Level results day is Thursday 19 August. Students can collect their results from the Sixth Form Centre.GCSE results will be available from school on Tuesday 24 August....

Click to read more >

Young Designer Takes First Prize

07 Jul 2010

A young designer from Ashby School has picked up first prize in a regional design competition. Anthony Page, 18, impressed judges in the District Final of the Rotary Young Designer competition with his model of a motocross race track and pavilion, for wasteland near Loughborough. Winning designer Anthony Page with his t...

Click to read more >

Claim Lost Property Before End of Term - or Lose it for Ever

02 Jul 2010

Gold jewellery, memory sticks and even an ipod are waiting to be reclaimed from the school’s lost property box. Students are being urged to collect their lost belongings before the end of term – or lose them forever. The pile of lost property has been growing all year and includes several pieces of expensive-looking gold jewellery, such as bracelets and rings. Anita Allsop, Site Manager at Ashby School, said: “Some of the items in th...

Click to read more >

World Cup Nations under One Roof

25 Jun 2010

Supporters of ten of the World Cup nations are living under one roof at a house in Ashby. At School House – a state boarding residence affiliated to Ashby School – there are boarders from England, Germany, Spain, France, Nigeria, Ghana, Portugal, Japan, Greece and Denmark. All have been cheering on their own teams in the tournament. Xenia Elias, Deputy Director of Boarding at School House, said: “School House is like a microcosm of t...

Click to read more >

Summer of Sport at Ashby School

25 Jun 2010

Forget Wimbledon and the World Cup - sport was top of the agenda at Ashby School on Thursday (1 July) for its annual sports day.Erdington celebrates its victory with House Manager Mrs Rundle-Brown.Students took part in a full programme of track and field events, including javelin, high jump and a pentathalon. Runners competed over distances of 100, 200, 300, 400, 15...

Click to read more >

Let's Get to Work

23 Jun 2010

Hundreds of local companies will provide work experience placements for almost 500 Ashby School students next month, in spite of the recession. This year, parent power has also helped to plug a gap in work placements. Delia Shaw, Work Experience Co-ordinator at Ashby School, said: “Companies that have been forced to make redundancies clearly don’t have enough work for their own staff, so obviously can’t take on a student. Others have had to close ...

Click to read more >

Rugby Star Matt Hampson to Open House Gardens

21 Jun 2010

Former England rugby player Matt Hampson will officially open Ashby School’s new student gardens next Tuesday (29 June). Matt Hampson, who played for Leicester Tigers and England Under 21s before being paralysed during rugby training in 2005, was the students’ choice for the official opening of the House gardens. Matt Hampson (front) is pi...

Click to read more >

International Visitors Learn from School's Success

16 Jun 2010

World Cup hosts South Africa were among the countries to send educational experts to Ashby School this week, to learn from its success. Headteachers and educational leaders from several countries – including South Africa – spent a day at the school on Tuesday (15 June). The 12 visitors were given a tour of the site, and found out more about initiatives such as Student Voice - which gives students a say in the running of the school - and the House system...

Click to read more >

Scores Turn up for Last Tea Break

11 Jun 2010

A reunion organised by four Ashby School staff attracted scores of former employees from Coalville firm Pegson’s. The reunion – which was held at Ashby School in May - was the idea of four ex-Pegson’s workers, who all now work at the school. Former Pegson's workers reminisce about old times.Peter Higgs, who w...

Click to read more >

Three Gold Stars for Gifted and Talented Programme

09 Jun 2010

Ashby School has become the first in the country to receive three gold stars for its work with gifted children. The school has been awarded three-star Gold School status by the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), for its commitment to boost the achievements of high ability children. Ashby School’s gifted and talented programme includes the ‘Tip Tops’, an after-school club for gifted children from local primary schools, who are tutored ...

Click to read more >

Team Thrives in Army Challenge

09 Jun 2010

Determination and team work helped students from Ashby School to make their mark in a county-wide army challenge. A team of six from Ashby School competed against 17 other Leicestershire schools to clinch second place in the Army Team Challenge at St George’s Barracks in Rutland. Ashby School's team in action.The three girls and th...

Click to read more >

Lock, Sock and Barrel for World Record Attempt

07 May 2010

A new world record for the longest ever line of socks has been set by students at Ashby School.The world's longest ever line of socks was laid out in the sports hall.They smashed the existing record of 1,594 metres by tying together 1,800 metres of socks - more than 10,000 individual socks.

Click to read more >

Students Honoured at Awards Evening

05 May 2010

Awards were presented to Ashby School’s most remarkable and hard working students at the school’s annual awards evening in May. Headteacher Mrs Vivien Keller-Garnett (centre left) and guest speaker Duncan Saunders (centre right) are pictured with award winners (left to right) Sian Bebbington, Luke Thorogood, Rebecca E...

Click to read more >

Power Cut Stops Students Riding High

04 May 2010

Students had the ride of their life during a visit to Alton Towers theme park – when they were stuck on rides for more than an hour during a power cut.Year 11 Business Studies students were at the theme park to learn about customer service.But the 45 minute power cut gave them an unexpected insight into customer service practices when staff were...

Click to read more >

Scouts Save for Jamboree

04 May 2010

Ten students from Ashby School have been selected to attend the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. But first, the students must raise £1,950 each to pay for the trip. Some of the Scouts who are fundraising hard to pay for their trip to Sweden.The successful students will be among 30,000 y...

Click to read more >

Mock General Election Gauges Students' Views

30 Apr 2010

Ballot boxes will be dusted off two days early at Ashby School for students to cast their votes in a mock general election on Tuesday and Wednesday (4 and 5 May). Students representing five political parties have posted their election pledges around the school and will be hoping to pick up the most votes when the school’s 1,700 students go to the polls next week. Candidates are standing for Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green and UKIP parties. ...

Click to read more >

Cross Channel Rowing Challenge Boosts Charity

28 Apr 2010

Eighteen students rowed the length of the English Channel for charity - without even leaving Ashby School.Prefects from Hastings House completed the 34 kilometre distance - the equivalent of crossing the English Channel -using the school's two hi-tech rowing machines. Students split into two teams of rowers, both racing to be the first to complete 17 kilometres -...

Click to read more >

Bumper Total for Bullen

28 Apr 2010

Champion fundraisers from Ashby School will hand over a cheque for more than £2,000 in their school assembly on Tuesday (4 May). Students from Bullen House have collected £2,237.68 since September for their chosen charity, Help for Heroes. Their main fundraising event was a 350-mile sponsored bike ride, completed on the school’s exercise bikes, which raised £1,000. The challenge was inspired by a cycle ride across Northern France by Help for...

Click to read more >

European Project Culminates at Ashby School

20 Apr 2010

An international project to highlight the cultures and fashions of five European countries will culminate at Ashby School in May. Teachers and students from Denmark, Italy, Lithuania and Romania will arrive at Ashby School on 11 May for the final stage of the two-year Comenius project. A taste of history at Ashby Castle.Durin...

Click to read more >

New Senior Team Outlines its Goals for Year in Office

14 Apr 2010

School unity is the biggest issue driving the newly-elected Student Senior Leadership Team. Head Boy Sam Hooper and Head Girl Annie Berrow will be working with Deputy Head Boy Luke Dodd and Deputy Head Girl Abi Himan to create a more unified school community.The four want to see students of all Years working more closely with each other and with staff.

Click to read more >

Spring is in the Air at School Fair

14 Apr 2010

A morning of welly wanging, apple bobbing, sack racing and – unusually - head shaving at Ashby School helped to raise more than £1, 500 for charity. Carl Jarvis has half his hair shaved off by Mr Hayes. The other half was done later.Sixth Former Carl Jarvis proved to be one of the main attractions when he had his head shaved to ...

Click to read more >

Students Put a Sock in it for World Record Attempt

26 Mar 2010

We want your old socks – that is the message from Ashby School students who need to collect more than 10,000 unwanted socks to set a new world record. So far, students have collected about 2,000 socks but have to top 10,000 to beat the record for the world’s longest ever line of socks. The record stands at 1,500 metres.

Click to read more >

Judges Confirm that Ashby's Got Talent

24 Mar 2010

Inspiring young performers raised the roof when they took to the stage to prove that Ashby School had talent. The ‘Ashby’s Got Talent’ contest attracted aspiring entertainers from every House, all hoping to impress the judges and a packed lecture theatre. Show stealers Jamie Bradley (right) and Grant Topping....

Click to read more >

Teacher Sarah Cooks up a Storm

19 Mar 2010

Food Technology teacher Sarah Middleton does not only share her cooking expertise in the classroom – she has even addressed crowds of Food Technology teachers at Wembley Stadium. In 2008, Sarah was approached by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) to help raise the standard of Food Technology teaching nationwide.

Click to read more >

Table Tennis Players Net Great Results

17 Mar 2010

Talented table tennis player Sigourney Ducksbury narrowly missed out on victory in a county-wide tournament. Sigourney made it through to the girls’ under 16s final at the 2009/ 10 Leicestershire Schools Table Tennis Association Individual Championships in February. She was beaten by Zainab Ali, of Madani High School, Leicester, by 11 points to 9. The championship, which was held at Leicester Grammar School, also featured success for Kent Matsum...

Click to read more >

Schools are on Song for Big Show

12 Mar 2010

Musicians from seven Ashby schools will team up and tune up for an ambitious concert at Ivanhoe College on Wednesday (17 March). Seven schools took part in the concert.About 200 young performers will take to the stage from Ashby School, Ibstock and Ivanhoe high schools, Willesley Community Primary School, Ashby Churc...

Click to read more >

Chinese Visitors at Ashby to See Successful Learning

09 Mar 2010

Teachers from China have been sitting in on lessons at Ashby School to see successful learning at first hand.The seven teachers spent two days at Ashby School as part of a three-week visit to the UK to find out more about the successes of the English educational system.The visitors, from Nanjing International Language School, focused on ‘active learning’.Ch...

Click to read more >

Wat-er Way to Raise Money

09 Mar 2010

Fitness fanatics and feisty fundraisers will be pushing themselves to the limit in Ashby School’s fourth annual aquathon on Tuesday (16 March). More than 100 staff and students - of all sporting abilities – have signed up to tackle the course, which includes a 400 metre swim and a three kilometre run. Emma-Louise Sudworth (left) and Jess Woolerton c...

Click to read more >

Sneak Preview of World of Work

05 Mar 2010

Experts from a vast array of career backgrounds visited Ashby School to give students an invaluable insight into the world of work.Media make-up artists wowed students with their special effects......such as creating the impre...

Click to read more >

One Last Tea Break for Pegsons' Workers

27 Jan 2010

Four ex-employees of Coalville firm Pegson’s are appealing for former colleagues to join them for one last tea break. The four men, who all now work at Ashby School, have decided to hold a reunion. Peter Higgs, who worked in the Bay 4 fitting shop at Terex Pegson’s in the 1960s, is now Alternative Curriculum Co-ordinator at Ashby School. He said: “When we heard that Pegson’s was closing down, we decided that it would be great t...

Click to read more >

Nicholas Bags Prestigious Scholarship

25 Jan 2010

A promising Design student from Ashby School has been presented with a prestigious scholarship award at a ceremony in London. Nicholas Bagley, 16, was presented with an Arkwright Scholarship for his outstanding work in design and technology. Scholars are selected following a rigorous selection process which includes an application, an Arkwright Aptitude Paper and an interview. During the interview, Nicholas was asked to present his GCSE project work t...

Click to read more >

Hip, Hip Hair-ray for Fundraiser Billy

25 Jan 2010

A high-profile haircut by an Ashby School student has helped to raise more than £1,000 for MacMillan Cancer Support.When Billy Kyle, 16, decided to cut off his trademark ponytail after eight years, he thought it might help to raise some money for charity. Billy before his haircut.Billy hoped to raise £200 but went on...

Click to read more >

Special Fund Still Helping with Student Costs - Apply Now

20 Jan 2010

Ambitious young people from the Ashby area can apply to a special fund for help with the costs of their education or chosen career.The Mary Smith Scholarship Fund was set up in 1936 to help young people from the Ashby area to pursue their career or educational aspirations.More than 60 years later, the fund is open to anyone under 25 who lives in or around Ashby, or is a former student of either Ashby School or Ivanhoe High School.Clive Jones, Chair of Governors at A...

Click to read more >

Recession Pays Off for Marco in National Competition

18 Jan 2010

The recession-busting plans of a student from Ashby School have earned him second place in a national essay-writing competition. Marco Narajos, from Year 10, impressed judges with his answer to the question: ‘Has the recent financial crisis changed the way you think about your future?’ Marco wrote about his decision to become a dentist, after taking note of the professions which were least affected by the economic downturn. Marco said: &ld...

Click to read more >

Teacher Takes on Hair-raising Challenge

18 Jan 2010

A teacher from Ashby School will have his head shaved tomorrow (Tuesday) to raise money to help stamp out polio. Design teacher Karl Goodere decided to lose his locks after hearing about the End Polio Now campaign, which is being supported by the Ashby Castle Rotary Club. Since then, students have been paying £1 each to enter Mr Goodere’s charity prize draw. The student with the winning ticket will be invited to shave off Mr Goodere’s hair at brea...

Click to read more >

Year 11 Parents' Evening Cancelled - Thursday 14 January

13 Jan 2010

The Year 11 Parents' Evening on Thursday 14 January has been cancelled, due to icy travelling conditions.The Parents' Evening - for the parents of students in Ashe, Bullen, Crewe and Erdington - has been re-scheduled for Monday 25 January from 5.30 - 8pm.Appointments that have been made for 14 January will be carried forward to 25 January.The parents of students in Ferrers, Gylby, Hastings and Loudoun should attend their Parents' Evening as planned on Mon...

Click to read more >

Yvonne is Top of the Lollipops

08 Jan 2010

Ashby School’s crossing patrol officer has been crowned top of the lollipops by Leicester Mercury readers.Yvonne Allan received the most votes in the newspaper’s quest to find the county’s best warden.Yvonne celebrated 25 years at Ashby School in 2009.Since starting work at Ashby School 25 years ago...

Click to read more >

School Community Mourns Loss of Highly Respected Governor and Local MP

29 Dec 2009

The whole of the Ashby School community – past and present - joins with people across North West Leicestershire in mourning the sudden and untimely loss of David Taylor M.P., who died on 26 December.Nationally and locally, tributes have rightly focussed on his outstanding record as a constituency M.P. .For Ashby School he was also an ‘old boy’, a parent whose four daughters attended the school, a very long st...

Click to read more >

Chefs Turn Up Heat in Competition

11 Dec 2009

A promising chef from Ashby School has cooked her way through to the second round of a national competition. Tia Allen, from Year 10, won the Ashby heat of the Rotary Young Chef 2010 competition. One of the dishes served up by Ashby's young chefs.Tia impressed judges with her balloutine of chicken...

Click to read more >

Young Entrepreneurs Make their Mark

09 Dec 2009

Circus skills, banking brainteasers and money-making ideas were all on the agenda as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week in November. Students of all Years grappled with a range of entrepreneurial tasks, including the challenge to ‘Mark Your Mark with a Tenner’. Aspiring young entrepreneurs were asked to devise a sc...

Click to read more >

BBC Switches its Attention to Ashby Students

09 Dec 2009

Reporters from BBC Switch were at Ashby School to interview students about some of the issues affecting young people. Charlotte Ashton from BBC Switch, whose grandfather is a Governor at Ashby School, was on site to talk to students about bullying and their attitudes to alcohol. The interviews were shown on BBC Switch online, a website ded...

Click to read more >

Former A Level Students Go Back to School

07 Dec 2009

Awesome A level students who passed their exams in the summer will return to Ashby School next week to be presented with their certificates at a special celebration evening. Students will be presented with their certificates by Clive Jones, Chair of Governors. The evening will also be attended by Coun Graham Allman, Mayor of Ashby. Special prizes will be awarded to a number of students whose hard work and achievement particularly impressed teachers. B...

Click to read more >

Big Bang Expert Visits Ashby School

04 Dec 2009

A leading physicist who has been working on the world’s largest Science experiment – the headline-grabbing ‘big bang machine’ - will be at Ashby School next week to talk to students. Professor Paul Newman, of Birmingham University, has been working in Switzerland on the Large Hadron Collider, which replicates the conditions created by the ‘Big Bang’. The £9 billion experiment – which has received international news co...

Click to read more >

O Come All Ye Older People

02 Dec 2009

Older people from in and around Ashby are being invited to a free afternoon of festive entertainment at Ashby School. Tickets for the afternoon of Christmas carols and refreshments are free to all senior citizens. Visitors will be treated to a performance by the school’s Music Department, followed by tea, coffee and mince pies, served by Sixth Formers.

Click to read more >

Curtain Rises on West Side Story

02 Dec 2009

The curtain will rise this week on Ashby School’s production of ‘West Side Story’. More than 50 students are involved in the performance, as cast members, musicians or backstage helpers. The show runs from today (Wednesday) until Saturday (5 December). The production is the culmination of months of hard work for staff and students. Auditions for ‘We...

Click to read more >

Film-Makers Reel in First Prize

11 Nov 2009

Five film-makers from Ashby School have reeled in first prize in a competition to promote Leicestershire's Big Swtich Off energy-saving campaign.Jade Bakewell, Jake Bowley, Lewis Smith, Jordan Barry and Thomas Smith made a 90-second video urging all school-users to save energy by turning off unnecessary lights, computers and other electrical items.A...

Click to read more >

Sports Councillors and Ambassadors are Fit for Purpose

11 Nov 2009

Sporting ambassadors have been appointed to encourage students of all ages and abilities to get more involved in school sports. A Platinum Ambassador from Year 13 will work alongside two Gold Ambassadors from Year 12 and four Year 10 Silver Ambassadors, to promote and develop the school’s sporting programme. Sports Councillors...

Click to read more >

Help is at Hand with Health and Relationships

06 Nov 2009

A new drop-in facility for students to discuss their health and relationship concerns has opened at the school.Students can talk in confidence to nurses or a youth worker about issues such as smoking, drugs, alcohol, sexual health and relationships. The drop-in team gives health and relationship advice.This is...

Click to read more >

Cooking Up a Storm

06 Nov 2009

Young chef Oliver Crooks has made it through to the local finals of the 2010 Future Chef competition. After impressing judges in the schools heat, he has earned a place in the next round at Leicester College on 7 November. Oliver will be asked to cook a hot main course and a hot or cold dessert for two on a budget of £6. Shani Leavsley, regional co-ordinator of the competition, said: “The FutureChef programme helps develop an interest in food and c...

Click to read more >

Listening Lunch Club Opens its Doors - and its Ears

06 Nov 2009

A lunch club for students in need of friendship and a listening ear has been set up at Ashby School. The Listening Lunch Club – known as tLc – is being run by students of all ages to give company and advice to fellow students who want to speak to someone of their own age. Student listeners Ian Boots and Hannah Rowland.

Click to read more >

All the Fun of the Fair

04 Nov 2009

Sixth Formers were at Ashby’s annual Statutes to help scores of special needs pupils enjoy all the fun of the fair. Students Lydia Tombs (back, left) and Lynsey Upton (back, centre) with children from Springfield School.A team of Sixth Formers joined pupils from schools across the region on rides such as the waltzers...

Click to read more >

Silver Award for Green Efforts

28 Oct 2009

Ashby School is celebrating after being awarded Silver Eco School status. The school successfully applied for Silver status after months of hard work to encourage students and staff to think green. The school's vegetable gardens have helped the school to secure Silver Eco Status.A dedicated team of Eco W...

Click to read more >

Hair Today, Industry Experts Tomorrow

14 Oct 2009

The beauticians and salon managers of the future are being trained at Ashby School, following the launch of a new Diploma in Hair and Beauty. The Government-backed course allows students to explore possible careers in hairdressing, barbering, beauty therapy and spa industries, before they enter the workplace. Students develop both practical and management skills, preparing th...

Click to read more >

Ashby School Saves Energy

12 Oct 2009

Ashby School has been given top marks for saving energy – by reducing its energy rating from a G to a C.Since 2007, eco-friendly staff and students have run a campaign to encourage everyone in the school to save energy.In classrooms, users have been urged to turn off lights, projectors and computers, when not in use. Posters and stickers have been put up around the school reminding staff and students to save energy.Now the school’s B block has been given...

Click to read more >

Turning Up the Heat at Fringe Festival

28 Sep 2009

Former students from Ashby School turned up the heat at this year’s Edinburgh Festival with a production of ‘Fahrenheit 451’. The seven-strong cast and crew were given four star reviews by five different reviewers for their interpretation of the play, which explores the dangers of censorship. The seven former Ashby students were Keir Watson, Rachel Lissaman, Stephen Marsden, Alice Broster, James Muriftt, David Piper and Linda Horsburgh. ...

Click to read more >

Italian Lessons for Students, Staff and Parents

24 Sep 2009

Language lovers can take up Italian lessons at Ashby School from October. The after-school sessions will be open to students, staff and parents. Italian is the latest language to be added to the diverse selection already offered at Ashby School. Students can also choose from French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese. Nick Fitzpatrick, Acting Head of Modern Foreign Languages, said: “In the global marketplace, languages are increasingly import...

Click to read more >

Lollipop Lady is One of the Best

21 Sep 2009

Lollipop lady Yvonne Allan has achieved national recognition - by making it onto the final shortlist for the country’s leading transport employee. Mrs Allan, who has been guiding students across the road at Ashby School for 25 years, reached the final eight of Frontline Employee of the Year at the National Transport Awards. Yvonne Alla...

Click to read more >

Cash Boost for Young Engineers

18 Sep 2009

Engineering students are setting up their own production line – with the help of a £60,000 funding boost. The cash was awarded to the school’s Engineering Diploma Consortium*, as part of a regional initiative to encourage more students to use computer-aided design technology. Adrian Farmer (back row, fifth from left) accepted the award on behalf o...

Click to read more >

School is Highly Commended for its Charity Fundraising

14 Sep 2009

Ashby School has been highly commended by Cancer Research UK for its outstanding fundraising. In 2008, the school handed over a cheque for more than £4,000 to Cancer Research UK – the largest fundraising total ever generated by the school for a single charity. The money was raised by staff and students from two of Ashby School’s Houses, which both chose Cancer Research UK as their charity for the year. They were inspired to choose Ca...

Click to read more >

Let's Get Growing

09 Sep 2009

Ashby School is collecting Morrisons' 'Let's Grow' vouchers.More information about the school's commitment to sustainability and green issues can be found in the Sustainable Schools section of the website....

Click to read more >

A Great Result for GCSE Students

27 Aug 2009

Successful students at Ashby School are celebrating after picking up dozens of A grades in this year’s GCSE exams. A jubilant Emma Howard notched up 12 A*s, in spite of missing 10 weeks of school due to illness earlier in the year. Pictured with their results are (left to right) Mark Johnson, Jess Fraser, Anand Srivastava, Anna Fraser, Susan Glover, Emma H...

Click to read more >

Ashby School Students Are A-Mazing

20 Aug 2009

High-scoring students at Ashby School have notched up more than 150 grade A passes at A level. The highest achievers included Hannah Willett, who picked up five grade As and will go on to study Natural Sciences at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. Top scorers included (left to right) Sarah-Jayne Varty, Lauren Harding, Niall Pea...

Click to read more >

Show Highlights Work of Talented Design Students

08 Jul 2009

An end-of-year show to celebrate the talents of Ashby School’s Art, Design and Technology students was the culmination of months of hard work. The evening included exhibitions of work from all ADT subjects including displays of GCSE, AS and A2 level work. Outfits designed and produced by Textiles students were modelled by 20 volunteers from Years 10, 11 and 12. The show was an opportunity for friends, family and members of the local communi...

Click to read more >

Luke Pens Winning Entry

08 Jul 2009

A talented young writer from Ashby School has won a prize for his creative writing in a national competition.Luke Freeman, 16, picked up third prize in the Senior Young Writer's category of the Rotary Young Writer of the Year competition.Luke's winning piece was chosen from hundreds of entries penned by young people across the country.Entries were judged on imagination, quality and writing style.Luke, who was in the 14 to 18 age group, was pr...

Click to read more >

Dedicated Volunteers Chosen for Prestigious Camp

08 Jul 2009

Two sporting students from Ashby School have been chosen to attend a prestigious Young Leaders' Camp, to develop their leadership and volunteering skills.David Harris-Watkins, who plays for Ashby Rugby Football Club, and Anna MacDonald, a keen gymnast with Coalville Gymnastics Club, will both take part in the four-day, residential camp at the world famous Rugby School in August.They will be among just 200 of the country's most dedicated young sporting volunteers, aged 16 to ...

Click to read more >

Business-Minded Students Get the Edge

08 Jul 2009

Ambitious students got a headstart in the cut throat world of business when they enrolled for the school's 22nd annual Skills for Management conference.Members of the winning team with their mentor Tony Evans (back row, centre) and Tony Green of ENTO, which sponsored the event.More than 90 Year 12 students signed up for the three-day conference, ...

Click to read more >

Nataliya is Well-Versed in Language of Success

03 Jul 2009

A promising poet from Ashby School has won recognition in a national poetry competition. Nataliya Manskova, 16, was named as one of just 16 winners in this year’s Poetry Live Poetry Competition. Simon Powell, Director of Poetry Live Ltd, said: “The judges had a tough job choosing the winners but, in the end, there was no doubt that Nataliya should be ...

Click to read more >

Snap Happy Rebecca Wins First Prize

01 Jul 2009

An aspiring snapper from Ashby School has been named Young Photographer of the Year – thanks to her winning shot of a fellow student. Rebecca McBride, 18, was awarded the title of Young Photographer 2009 by the Rotary Club of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, after impressing judges with her image of friend and fellow Sixth Former, Alice Gibson. Rebecca, who wants to work in the fashion industry, started taking pictures a few months ago after being asked about photography i...

Click to read more >

Visiting Pupils Use Latest Technology to Make Puppets

29 Jun 2009

Imagination joined forces with technology when pupils from two local primary schools visited Ashby School to try their hands at computer design. The children – from Viscount Beaumont and Thringstone primary schools – were taking part in the school’s CADCAM (Computer Aided Design and Manufacture) project. Pupils from Viscount Beaumont Primary Scho...

Click to read more >

Wesley is on a High

29 Jun 2009

A high-flying Ashby School student is hoping to take to the skies in one of the world’s fastest planes next week as part of his work experience placement. When Wesley Eyley, 15, of Blackfordby, decided he wanted to do something different during work experience week he wrote to the Wing Commander of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The RAF base has agreed to give Wesley a week-long placement, which includes the promise of a flight in a Eurofighter Typhoon travel...

Click to read more >

And They're Off

24 Jun 2009

Hundreds of students were hoping for victory when they took part in Ashby School's annual sports day. Students competed for glory – and valuable House points – in a full programme of track and field events, including javelin, high jump and triple jump. On the track, students raced over a range of distances from 100 to 3,000 metres.

Click to read more >

Places Up for Grabs on Unforgettable Field Trip to Sicily

19 Jun 2009

Thirty places are up for grabs on an unforgettable field trip to Sicily in March 2010. The trip to Sicily - one of the most geographically intriguing places in the world - is open to all students. The itinerary is expected to include:Mount Etna: Students will ascend the largest active volcano in Europe by cable car and 4 x 4 vehicle. Etna has the longest period of documented eruptions in the world;Alcantara Gorge: Students will pull ...

Click to read more >

Ashby School Shows Leadership Qualities to Overseas Visitors

12 Jun 2009

Headteachers from around the world visited Ashby School in June to find out more about leadership in a successful school. Forty headteachers and educational experts from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand spent an afternoon at the school to take a closer look at its leadership structure and training. S...

Click to read more >

Students Trade Classroom for Workplace

12 Jun 2009

Ashby School students are to try their hands as plumbers, clerical workers, hairdressers, waitresses, veterinary assistants, classroom helpers and even as a bell boy at the Ritz Hotel in London. More than 470 students will swell the workforce later this month when they take up their work experience placements. Delia Shaw, Work Experience Co-ordinator at Ashby School, said: “Many employers realise the benefits of work experience – they get eight days&rsq...

Click to read more >

Students Take Shakespeare to Battlefield

05 Jun 2009

Thirty students from Ashby School will help to stage an open air performance of Shakespeare’s ‘Richard III’ at Bosworth Battlefield next week.The A Level students, who all study Drama or History or both, have been working with professional theatre and arts groups to prepare for the performance.The play will be given a 21st century spin when students act out its most famous scenes against Bosworth’s historic backdrop next Friday (12 June).

Click to read more >

Ashby School Earns Place in Good Schools Guide

05 Jun 2009

Ashby School has earned a coveted place in the 2009 Good Schools Guide. The school was named winner of the ‘2009 Good Schools Guide Award for Boys taking Systems/ Network Management at VRQ Level 3 at an English School’. The awards are made using data from post-16 performance table results for the last three years, from 2006 to 2008. Adrian Wright, who has been teaching the course at Ashby School for 10 years, said: “This award m...

Click to read more >

Night Classes Help Parents of Teenagers

03 Jun 2009

Night classes to help parents understand their teenagers are to be run at Ashby School. The free sessions, called ‘Living with your Teenager – Riding the Storm’, will give advice and information to parents on how to live with teenagers. The sessions, to be run by trained Relate counsellors, will take place once a week for three weeks, starting later this month. Gus Colquhoun, Extended Services Co-ordinator for the Ashby Family of Sch...

Click to read more >

Yvonne Makes it onto Awards Shortlist

01 Jun 2009

A lollipop lady from Ashby School has been shortlisted for a national award. Veronica Allan, known as Yvonne, has made it onto the shortlist for the Frontline Employee of the Year Award at the National Transport Awards. Yvonne was congratulated on her 25 years service at County Hall.The news comes as a double boon to Yvonne who is celebrat...

Click to read more >

Last Stand for Mobile Classrooms

20 May 2009

The last mobile classroom at Ashby School has been demolished – 11 years after the school first started planning to get rid of it. Staff celebrated with champagne as the mobile – known as Room 36 - was razed to the ground in May. Anita Allsop, Site Manager, celebrates as the last mobile classroom is demolished....

Click to read more >

High-flying Maths Students are Winning Team

20 May 2009

Maths students got off to a flying start in an airport challenge – by beating teams from two other schools.Twelve students from Ashby School took part in the ‘Apprentice’-style challenge, to adapt a large airport building to incorporate disabled access and facilities. Maths student hard at work on their airpor...

Click to read more >

Festival First for Bass Ace

20 May 2009

A self-taught bass player from Ashby School is to perform at one of Europe’s biggest music festivals for unsigned bands. Chris Elderton, 15, will play at The Glastonbudget Festival near Loughborough in May as a member of The Stiggz. The band was chosen for the festival line-up after successfully making it through the qualifying heats. The Stiggz, who are influenced by indie artists such as Paul Weller and Oasis, will play a 35-minute set of their own songs to...

Click to read more >

Awards for Outstanding Students

08 May 2009

Ashby School’s most remarkable students were recognised at the school’s annual awards evening in May.The award-winners included Hannah Redburn, 16, of Coleorton, who is partially sighted. Hannah has amazed teachers by throwing herself into school life, even riding motorcycles as part of the school’s transport education course.

Click to read more >

New Senior Team Outlines its Vision

08 May 2009

All students should seize the opportunities up for grabs at Ashby School - that is the message from the newly-elected Senior Team which has pledged to make fellow students more aware of what the school has to offer outside lessons.Head Boy Tom Caron and Head Girl Sarah Folwell will lead the Senior Team in 2009 – 10 with the help of Deputy Head Boy Louis Gibson and Deputy Head Girl Emily Harris.

Click to read more >

Film-Maker Felix Gets Award

29 Apr 2009

A gifted animator from Ashby School has been recognised by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire.Felix Chan, a boarder at School House, picked up second prize in the Creativity and Innovation category of the Lord Lieutenant’s Awards for Young People. Felix was nominated by boarding house staff who were impressed by his short, animated films. The films...

Click to read more >

Ashby School Praised by Ofsted

03 Apr 2009

Ashby School has been praised by Ofsted inspectors as a good school with outstanding features. The teaching standards, school curriculum and excellent behaviour of students were all singled out for praise by inspectors, following a two-day inspection in March. Inspectors applauded the school’s work as a specialist college for enhancing the curriculum and developing partnerships with local primary schools, high schools, colleges and the community.

Click to read more >

Community Celebrations at Ashby School

30 Mar 2009

African drummers brought a splash of culture to a celebration of ‘community’ at Ashby School on Wednesday (1 April). The Khulan African Arts Group gave two performances.The Khula African Arts Group gave two performances of music and dance, as part of a morning of community events. These included a traditional En...

Click to read more >

'Every Child Matters' to Dutch Visitors

25 Mar 2009

Teachers and educational experts from Holland travelled to Ashby School to find out more about special needs teaching in the UK - and were impressed by the school's commitment to 'Every Child Matters'.Dutch visitorJac Verstegen chats to students Paige Wyllie (left) and Samantha Fraser.The 23 visitors from Limburg in Southern Holland spent a...

Click to read more >

All Change for Science Week

24 Mar 2009

Change was the theme for a week of special science-based challenges to mark National Science and Engineering Week. All students were encouraged to think about Science and its uses during their form-time activities. Students experimented with colours, tested their knowledge of scientific terms and tried their luck in a science quiz. Their final task was to design a teacher for the future. All Year 11 students also had a one-off Science lesson linked to...

Click to read more >

Badminton Boys Net Great Result

20 Mar 2009

Four badminton players from Ashby School took third place in the regional round of a national competition.Ashby Boys’ Key Stage 4 Badminton Team represented Leicestershire in the regional round of the ‘Center Parcs National Schools Championships’ in February. The team – made up Chris Hall, Mark Edwards, Joey Li and George Blackburn - competed against Repton, Guilsborough, William Farr and Nottingham High School to achieve third place. ...

Click to read more >

Swimmers Run For It (and Vice Versa)

18 Mar 2009

Ashby School will be raising money on land and in water on Tuesday (24 March) – when the school holds its third charity aquathlon. More than 100 staff and students have signed up for the gruelling aquathlon which includes a 400 metre swim and a three kilometre run. These include Hannah Holland, 14, and Andrea Richardson, 15, who will swim and run while tied together. Teachers Jonathan Jones and Ben Clarke will complete their swim underwater wearing scuba gear...

Click to read more >

Sporting Students Go Round the Clock

18 Mar 2009

When most students leave school for the weekend on Friday afternoon (20 March), 50 students from Ashby School will begin a 24-hour sporting marathon. The students will kick off the non-stop sponsored sporting session at 3.30pm on Friday, finishing at 3.30pm the following day. The round-the-clock sporting programme will feature 20 different sporting activities, including badminton, netball, frisbee, darts, trampolining, table tennis and volleyball. Hou...

Click to read more >

Stars Make Appearance During BBC Visit

18 Mar 2009

Economics students brushed shoulders with the stars during a visit to London. Both Jeremy Paxman and Phil Tufnell were spotted by students as they were given a guided tour of BBC Television Centre in March. They also saw Jeremy Clarkson while queueing for lunch in a nearby shopping centre. The tour of Television Centre included a look at the news room, production studios, dressing rooms, and the weather studio. Students spent time in an ...

Click to read more >

Chocs Away for Charity Bingo

13 Mar 2009

A delicious evening of chocolate bingo will be held at Ashby School later this month to raise money for charity. The bingo evening - to be held on Wednesday 18 March – will raise money for ‘Help for Heroes’, to support ex-servicemen and women and their families, and the Air Ambulance Appeal. All prizes will be chocolate-based. Teacher Helen Philliskirk said: “We were looking for a fun way to boost funds for charity so chocolate...

Click to read more >

Chinese Teachers Sit in on Lessons

13 Mar 2009

Teachers from China spent a day at Ashby School to find out more about education in Britain – and to see a successful school in action.Chinese visitors are pictured with Sixth Formers, who gave them a tour of the school.The seven trainee teachers, who came from schools across China, sat in on lessons, spoke to teacher...

Click to read more >

Ashby School is Outstanding, Say Parents

11 Mar 2009

Parents think that Ashby School is ‘outstanding’, according to the results of a survey. Parents of students in Years 10 and 11 were questioned about every aspect of school life from discipline to community spirit. They classed the school’s overall effectiveness as ‘outstanding’ and rated the school as ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ – the two highest ratings – in almost every category. The surv...

Click to read more >

A Week in France

11 Mar 2009

Sixteen students spent a week in France in February visiting Ashby’s partner school, Lycee Triboulet, Romans-sur-Isere.Pictured in France are (left to right) diarist Ruby Fitzpatrick with Bridie Granger, Kirsty Ottey and Tierni Bozeat.The students, who stayed with the families of their French counterparts, had a packed itinerary w...

Click to read more >

Charity Casino Night is no Gamble

13 Feb 2009

A casino night to raise money for Cancer Research UK is being organised by a Sixth Former from Ashby School. Anthony Moon, 18, of Coleorton, who lost his mum to cancer in 2007, will host the casino night at Swannington Village Hall next month. The event will feature casino games, including roulette and black jack, along with horse racing, bingo, a disco, licensed bar and food. All proceeds will be donated to Cancer Research UK, including profits from the bar.&...

Click to read more >

The Writing's on the Wall - of Love

11 Feb 2009

The writing’s on the wall – literally - at Ashby School where students are paying to pin up their messages of love, in the run-up to Valentines Day. Students are being charged 20p for each heart-shaped message which they add to the ‘Wall of Love’ in the school library. All proceeds from the wall will be divided between Cancer Research UK and Rainbows. Julie Farmer, Assistant Librarian, who helped to come up with the idea for th...

Click to read more >

Successful Speakers Ponder Credit Crunch

10 Feb 2009

Three students from Ashby School fought off stiff competition to make it through to the semi-final of a speaking competition. James Rucinski, Anand Srivastava and Alanna Torossian reached the county semi-final of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition – but narrowly missed making it through to the next round. Their speech, entitled ‘Greed’, focussed on the credit crunch and ways in which greed had led to the current economic meltdown. T...

Click to read more >

Cook Book is Flavoursome Fundraiser

10 Feb 2009

A mouth-watering money-spinner has been served up by students at Ashby School, who have produced their own cook book for charity. Savvy students have already sold 150 copies of the ‘Loudoun Cookbook’, which is packed full of their favourite recipes. The 100 illustrated recipes include family favourites like spaghetti bolognaise and fruit scones to more adventurous dishes such as choc chip chilli and chocolate iced berries. Teacher Peter Ha...

Click to read more >

Captain Carl Cycles Down Under

06 Feb 2009

A cyclist from Ashby School is in Australia to compete in the Cycle Speedway World Championship. Carl Jarvis, 16, of Coleorton, was given an added boost when he was named Captain of the Great Britain Junior Team on Sunday. During his time in Australia, Carl is hoping to represent Great Britain in five Ashes test matches against Australia, as well as competing for Leicester in the World Club Championships, for the England World Cup team, and as a solo rider in the J...

Click to read more >

Slice of Scholarship Fund Up For Grabs

30 Jan 2009

Young people from the Ashby area can apply for a slice of a scholarship fund to help them fulfil their ambitions.Since it was set up in 1936, the Mary Smith Scholarship Fund has helped hundreds of young people to further their career or educational aspirations.The scheme is open to anyone under 25 who lives in or around Ashby, or is a former student of either Ashby School or Ivanhoe High School.Clive Jones, Chair of Governors at Ashby School, who sits on the Mary Sm...

Click to read more >

Lollipop Lady May be Employee of the Year

30 Jan 2009

A lollipop lady who has been guiding students across the road at Ashby School for almost 25 years has been nominated for a national Employee of the Year award. Veronica Allan, who is known as Yvonne, was delighted to learn she had been nominated for the title of Frontline Employee of the Year at the National Transport Awards. Her name was put forward by a member of the public who believed that Mrs Allan met all the criteria.

Click to read more >

Revue of the Year

26 Jan 2009

Talented staff at Ashby School left their white boards to tread the boards in a spectacular staff revue. Almost 100 members of staff took part in the sell-out variety show, which featured theatrical performances, musical ensembles, song and dance – including a routine from hit musical, Mamma Mia! Teacher Matt Hall takes to the stage with his backing...

Click to read more >

Stars of 2008 to be Applauded at Prize-Giving

23 Jan 2009

An evening of prize-giving to celebrate the achievements of Ashby School’s most successful GCSE students of 2008 will take place next week.Prizes will be awarded to the school’s highest-achieving students, including an Outstanding Performance Award for Ben Weatherill, who scored one of the country’s top 10 marks in his GCSE Drama exam, out of 60,000 candidates.Teacher Sue Sibson said: "The January prize-giving is an opportunity to present examination c...

Click to read more >

Award Winner Ben Has High Hopes

21 Jan 2009

Princess Anne and the Archbishop of Canterbury were among the audience members when student Ben Cooper, from Ashby School, spoke at an awards presentation in London. Ben, 16, was at Lambeth Palace to receive the Hope Award, an accolade given to young people who have shown exceptional qualities. Ben was nominated for the award for his academic progress and social development, since arriving at Ashby School as a boarder in 2006. He said: “It was r...

Click to read more >

Green Students Go Bronze

21 Jan 2009

Green-thinking students have earned Ashby School the title of Bronze Eco School, for their efforts to take care of the environment. Students formed their own environmental group, the Eco Warriors, last year, to tackle issues such as recycling and energy efficiency. Since then, they have introduced classroom recycling bins for items such as paper, card and ink cartridges, installed a compost bin, and helped to reduce energy consumption in parts of the school by urgi...

Click to read more >

Poetry Comes to Life

21 Jan 2009

Characters inspired by some of the nation's best-loved poems made a guest appearance at Ashby School to mark National Poetry Day.Mrs Allford as The Lady of Shallot by Alfred Lord TennysonPoems such as 'Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti and 'Digging' by Seamus Heaney were brou...

Click to read more >

Flying Visit to France is Eye-Opener

18 Dec 2008

A day trip to Lille was a cultural eye-opener for languages students – and an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping. Sixth Form student Katie Sawyer wrote this account of the visit: ‘As I write this, I am recovering from Friday’s day trip to Lille though, despite the lack of sleep, it has to be said that I did have the most amazing time! As an admirer of most things French, it is fair to say that this report may be considered bia...

Click to read more >

Lorna is Lovin' it After Taking Away McDonalds Award

18 Dec 2008

A national award has been presented to a student from Ashby School for her outstanding performance on work experience. Lorna Wiltshire, 15, of Ibstock, picked up the McDonalds Student Award for Outstanding Achievement for Work Experience for 2008 at a gala dinner in London this month. ...

Click to read more >

Apprentice Star Inspires Students

15 Dec 2008

A finalist from TV series ‘The Apprentice’ helped to inspire Business Studies students from Ashby School during a conference at Warwick School.Alex Wotherspoon, who came second in the 2008 series, spoke to students about his business experience and answered questions from the audience. He also signed autographs and posted for photographs.Forty-three Advanced Business students from Ashby School joined students from other schools at the conference which was ru...

Click to read more >

Presentation Evening for Outstanding A Level Students

12 Dec 2008

An evening of celebration to mark the achievements of Ashby School’s outstanding A level students will be held at Ashby School on Thursday (18 December). Students who sat their A levels at Ashby School in the summer of 2008 achieved the school’s highest ever A level pass rate – a staggering 98.5 per cent.

Click to read more >

Badminton Players Net a Place in Regional Final

10 Dec 2008

Four badminton players from Ashby School have beaten opponents from across Leicestershire to reach the regional final of a national competition. Students Mark Edwards, Chris Hall and George Blackburn, from Year 11, and Joey Li, from Year 10, represented Ashby in the first round of the Center Parcs National Schools Championship at Babbington Community College in November. The four played five matches between them, including singles and doubles, beating Bosworth Comm...

Click to read more >

Trampolinists Reach New Heights

10 Dec 2008

Trampolinists from Ashby School have bounced their way into the second round of a national competition – less than a year after taking up the sport. Nine students from the school have made it through to the Zonal round of the British Schools Trampolining Competition. Trampoline Club membersIn all, 20 pupils fro...

Click to read more >

New Parent Governor is Elected

10 Dec 2008

In the school's recent Parent Governor elections, Elaine Blunt was successfully elected with 56 votes.Mrs Blunt has two children at Ashby School, one in Year 11 and another in the Sixth Form....

Click to read more >

Creative Students Scoop Prize

05 Dec 2008

Creativity helped Ashby School students to scoop second place in this year’s ‘Make Your Mark’ regional final. As part of Enterprise Week 2008, students were asked to come up with entrepreneurial ideas, based on Olympic and Paralympic values such as respect, courage, friendship, determination and equality.

Click to read more >

Live Tracking System is First of its Kind in the Country

05 Dec 2008

A live electronic system that enables parents to track students’ behaviour, progress and attendance online has been launched at Ashby School. The new system is the first of its kind in the country. Developed by Bromcom Computer Systems, it is a response to the Government’s pledge that all schools will report to parents online by 2010. Parents can log on at any time to see if their child is attending lessons or if s/he has failed to turn up to classes. B...

Click to read more >

Lifelong Learning is for Staff, Too

03 Dec 2008

It is not only students at Ashby School who are sitting exams and keeping up with coursework – staff are, too. More than 20 members of staff have been studying for extra qualifications over the last 12 months. Their efforts prove that Ashby School’s mission to ‘promote lifelong learning within a technologically advanced society’ is alive and well. Headteacher Mrs Vivien Keller-Garnett said: “At Ashby School, we believe th...

Click to read more >

'Real Men Read' Calendar Goes on Sale

28 Nov 2008

A charity calendar featuring some of Ashby School’s most photogenic male teachers has gone on sale.

Click to read more >

Young Chefs Get Cooking in Competition

28 Nov 2008

The best young chefs from Ashby School will be turning up the heat on Thursday (4 December) in a national cookery competition. Twelve students have been selected to represent the school in the search to find the Rotary Young Chef of 2009. During the two-hour challenge, students will be expected to show that they can create, organise and prepare a well-balanced three-course meal, which must not only look great but also follow the principles of a healthy diet.

Click to read more >

Tip Tops Pupils are the Tops

21 Nov 2008

Primary school pupils are tackling GCSE Maths problems at after-school workshops, with the help of students from Ashby School. The weekly ‘Tip Tops’ sessions introduce pupils as young as 10 to concepts such as advanced algebra and quadratic and simultaneous equations. The pupils are tutored by gifted and talented students from Ashby School, who give up their free time for two hours after school every Friday to attend the classes. Teacher M...

Click to read more >

Travelling Musicians Hit a High Note

17 Nov 2008

Musicians from Ashby School started the Autumn term on a high note by taking part in the school’s first residential Music trip.More than 40 students travelled to Kington in Herefordshire for three days of musical activities. These included the chance to play in several different ensembles, rehearse intensively with bandmates, an...

Click to read more >

Staff are in the Pink

17 Nov 2008

Colourful costumes replaced work clothes when staff at Ashby School wore pink for a day, in support of the Breast Cancer Campaign.Pink cowboy hats, dressing gowns, and even slippers helped to generate funds and awareness for the campaign.Each member of staff taking part donated £2 to the charity, helping to raise £263.91.Staff and students at A...

Click to read more >

Sam Makes Waves in Yacht Race

17 Nov 2008

Student Sam Pizzuto swapped schoolwork for sailing to compete in one of the world’s classic offshore yacht races in October. Keen sailor Sam, 17, was a crew member in the prestigious Rolex Middle Sea Race, covering 630 miles around the coast of Sicily. The race began and ended at Malta. Sam and his fellow crew members on the Lazy Duck completed the c...

Click to read more >

Year 11 Mock Exams to Begin on 21 November

05 Nov 2008

Year 11 mock examinations will begin on 21 November, in a range of subjects.All students should have received a mock timetable, allowing them to plan their revision effectively. These mock exams are an important rehearsal for the summer GCSE examinations and are used to determine students' levels of entry to subjects.The subjects in which students will sit mock exams are as follows: Electronic Products ...

Click to read more >

Governor Needed to Shape Future of Education

29 Oct 2008

Parents who want to shape the future of education in Ashby can do just that by signing up to become a Parent Governor at Ashby School.The school has a vacancy for one Parent Governor, who will help to make decisions on issues such as discipline, health and safety, and staffing. (Applicants must be the parent of a registered pupil).Andrew Burton, Clerk to the Governors, said: "Being a Parent Governor is extremely rewarding, particularly at a school as large and s...

Click to read more >

Trip to Conkers is the Business

10 Oct 2008

A day out at Conkers proved to be a tree-mendous learning experience for A level Business students.The 68 Sixth Formers spent a day at the National Forest visitor attraction near Moira, where they tested their team working skills by taking part in treasure hunts, mascot building and an assault course.Rangers led the day's activities.Judith Cooke, from the school's Business ...

Click to read more >

Kimberley Kicks Back at Bullies

08 Oct 2008

Black belt Kimberley Lowe will be kicking her inhibitions into touch when she steps into the ring for the first time.Kimberley, 15, took up kick boxing at the age of eight, after being bullied at school.Since then, the sport has helped to boost her fitness and her confidence and she is now preparing for her first fight in the ring, against competitors from across the region.Kimberley, who achieved her black belt in 2006, said: "When I got bullied at p...

Click to read more >

Tom is Putting on the Ritz

29 Sep 2008

When student Tom Lackenby signed up for work experience, he found himself rubbing shoulders with the elite, during five days at the world-famous Ritz Hotel.During his time at The Ritz, Tom rubbed shoulders with supermodels, ran errands across London in his bell-boy uniform, and was even tipped £20 for opening a door. At one point, Bill Clinton and Margaret Thatcher were dining in an adjacent room....

Click to read more >

It's A Knockout Comes to Ashby

26 Sep 2008

An 'It's a Knockout' tournament at Ashby School will see students and staff pitted against each other in a night of zany games.The charity tournament will feature 12 teams of students (two from each of the school's six Houses) and one team of teachers.All entrants will take part in games based on the hit TV show, 'It's a Knockout', which traditionally featured wacky water races, out-sized fancy dress costumes and hilarious assault courses.Each team will donate...

Click to read more >

Show Me Who You Are

24 Sep 2008

It's a big world out there as students from Ashby School will discover when they link up with schools overseas for a Europe-wide lifestyle project.About 25 students from Ashby School will take part in the project, entitled 'Show Me Who You Are'.Along with students from Denmark, Italy, Turkey, Romania and Lithuania, they will be compiling an e-journal to reveal what life is like for young people in the 21st century.The students, all aged 15 to ...

Click to read more >

Students to Speak at European Parliament

22 Sep 2008

Four students from Ashby School are to travel to Strasbourg, as guests of the European Parliament.Alice Gibson, Rachel Leakey, Pierre Welch and Sam Blackburn won places on the 'Euroscola' trip after impressing judges with their written thoughts on 'Europe and its Future'.Pictured are (left to right) Pierre Welch, Alice Gibson, Sam Bl...

Click to read more >

Virtual Babies, Real Life

12 Sep 2008

Class numbers are set to swell at Ashby School next week when six virtual babies join students in their A level lessons.To prepare students for the realities of modern life, the new deliveries will include one baby with drug and alcohol dependency and a shaken baby.Strolling out with their babies are (left to right) Charlotte Mahdoodi, Rebekah Wykes-Elton, Beth S...

Click to read more >

Hairy Fundraising Pays Off

05 Sep 2008

A hair-raising challenge by Sixth Formers has helped toboost funds for disaster-struck students at Ashby School's partner school in China.When an earthquake struck Sichuan province in China the home of Ashby's partner school, Leshan - in May, killing more than 68,000 people, student Filip Dragovic decided to help.Along with a small group of Sixth Form friends, Filip launched a five-week, sponsored beard growing challenge.

Click to read more >

Back to Business

05 Sep 2008

Business-minded students swapped the school day for office hours when they took part in an intensive three days of skills training.More than 90 students were given the chance to bring their business ideas to life at the21stannual Skills for Management Conference at Ashby School.Pirates (left to right) Matthew Smith, Myles Griffin, Justin Birch and Jacob Pickering, all 17,...

Click to read more >

Flagship Sixth Form Centre Opened by Ex-Students

05 Sep 2008

Two ex-students officially opened Ashby School's flagship new Sixth Form Centre three years after launching the campaign for its creation.Nick Lackenby and Lucy MacLauchlan, who were Head Boy and Head Girl at the school in 2005 06, cut the ribbon at the £740,000 centre on Thursday 11 September.Headteacher Mrs Vivien Keller-Garnett (right) cuts the ribbon, wit...

Click to read more >

Ashby is Truly International

03 Sep 2008

Ashby School is officially an international school after being presented with an International School Award for the second time.The school successfully retained its International Schools status by impressing judges at the British Council with the wide range of international-themed events taking place both inside and outside the classroom.These included an Italian-themed day in the school restaurant; African drumming in GCSE Music; and a focus on poetry of different c...

Click to read more >

Tributes Paid to Former Teacher

28 Aug 2008

Tributes have been paid to David Evans, a former teacher at Ashby School, who has died while working as a volunteer in Ethiopia.Mr Evans, 61, had worked at Ashby School for the last seven years, teaching in several Faculties, including English, Drama and PE. Dave Evans bel...

Click to read more >

Ashby Students Have Done It Again!

21 Aug 2008

Jubilant GCSE students at Ashby School have done it again – by notching up a pass rate of 99 per cent. Ninety nine per cent of all results were at grades A* – G. The A-list. Sarah Folwell (left) and Emily Harris had lots to celebrate.High-fliers included Emily Harris, 16, of Ashby, who picked up 11 A*s, along with Rub...

Click to read more >

Ashby Scores Its Highest A Level Pass Rate Ever

14 Aug 2008

Sensational students at Ashby School have achieved the school's highest A level pass rate ever a staggering 98.5 per cent.Six of the school's highest-scoring students secured places at Oxford or Cambridge University, including Alice Insley, whose four A grades earned her a place to read History of Art at Cambridge.Alice was among 38 students to gain three or more passes at grade A.Others included Sam Andrews who will now...

Click to read more >