Ashville College in Harrogate has unveiled the next stage in its masterplan to develop and modernise its 70-acre campus - increasing its investment over the last 12 months to more than £1m.
Phase 2 of Ashville’s plans to reimagine its estate and take it into a new era will be spearheaded by a major refurbishment of its Sixth Form Centre.
The purpose-designed upgrade features a wide range of enhancements designed by education specialist architectural designers, Envoplan - all with the aim of impacting positively on pupils’ lives as well as accommodating new technology and ways of learning.
It will also see a modern “study and social” learning hub - modelled on a classroom of the future - brought to life for its new cohort of Year 7 pupils joining Senior School.
It is designed to inspire staff and pupils alike to explore and thrive in a future-focused teaching environment whilst continuing the individual care and academic ambition that the ‘new’ Ashville is known for.
Both these projects, which represent over £500,000 investment, will be complemented by developments in Ashville’s Prep School, where younger pupils will benefit from a refresh of the playground and senior pupils will be able to enjoy outdoor learning and socialising with an eye-catching outdoor seating area - under novel canvas ‘sails’ - in the heart of the grounds.
The development work will take place during the summer ahead of the start of the new academic year in September, when Ashville will become a dedicated day school for both boys and girls aged between 2 and 18.
Head of Ashville, Mrs Rhiannon Wilkinson, said:
“The transformation of our academic and sporting facilities continues at pace and scale. It sits front and central to our vision of the future for the ‘new’ Ashville.
“As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2027, the delivery of our wide-ranging campus masterplan represents the biggest investment in our history.
“Against a backdrop of major changes and challenges in the wider independent school sector, Ashville is determined to optimise every opportunity our campus presents.
“We are in the rare position of being able to invest confidently in Ashville’s future from a position of financial strength - offering parents the certainty they require. The developments will not come from fee income.”
She added:
"The latest improvements form a major step forward in our bold ambition to create inspiring and enjoyable spaces in which to study.
“Our new-look Sixth Form Centre includes a number of different zones designed to have a positive impact on learning outcomes and pupils’ wellbeing.
"These include a café and social space, a collaborative learning space, and an ‘academic buzz’ space.
"Its opening will align with the launch of our new ‘Six@Ashville’ initiative where we have reimagined everything - not just the amazing new spaces but also the pathways and the philosophy of our Sixth Form.
"It’s fresh, exciting, and totally built around what our pupils need, ensuring they continue to benefit from all that encompasses the ‘new’ Ashville - including the best A Level results in Harrogate in 2024, inspirational teachers and mentors, over 140 co-curricular opportunities and 150 years of tradition.
"The bespoke design of our latest learning hub has been shaped after listening to feedback from our pupils and the specialist architects to create an age-appropriate space for the future. It will be a thriving space where everyone wants to come, study, develop, socialise, read and be together.
"We look forward to unveiling all our new facilities to new and existing parents as soon as work has been completed.”
The summer initiatives build on Phase 1 of the modernisation programme, which saw the creation of two learning hubs for pupils in years 10 and 11, as well as the refurbishment of the Prep School entrance, foyer and stairwell.
Other innovations being considered as part of the Phase 3 of the Ashville masterplan and beyond include a new, additional modern synthetic sports pitch that will be suitable for a wide variety of sports including rugby and football, to complement the existing artificial pitch that is mainly used for hockey.
There are also plans to include a running track around the new pitch for athletics and general athletic development, as well as new netball and tennis courts.
These assets would benefit pupils of all ages, and the community, ensuring all sports at Ashville are available year-round.
The aim is to develop these in tandem with a new car park and drop-off area that would greatly improve traffic management and amenity for pupils and their parents.
Longer term, Ashville is planning a large new “hub” building at the heart of the campus between the Senior and Prep schools including new teaching and learning spaces.
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