Ashville pupils praised after successive year of 'best ever' A Level results

Pupils at Ashville College in Harrogate have been praised today (Thursday) as the school celebrated its 'best ever' A Level results for another successive year.

Results day has seen an across-the-board rise in top grades for the school, with members of the record-breaking Class of 2025 securing places at their preferred universities based across the UK, USA and beyond.

From Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick and Bristol to Northeastern University in the United States, to The Royal Northern College of Music, the next stages in Ashville pupils’ global academic journeys continue to be rich in diversity.

Building on posting the best A Level results in Harrogate in 2024, today’s highlights included:

• A rise in top A Level grades at Ashville. 17 per cent of all grades achieved were A*.
• A record 43 per cent of all grades achieved were A* to A.
• A record 72 per cent of all grades achieved were A* to B.
• A record 92 per cent of all grades achieved were A* to C.
• A 6 per cent year-on-year improvement in the percentage of A*- B grades.
• 92% of Ashville pupils attained their first-choice destination.

The results come on the back of the Good Schools’ Guide independent inspection which rated Ashville as a great school with “new energy” and “strong learning and high aspirations, tempered with holistic ambitions”.

Head of Ashville, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said the range of domestic, international and prestigious university places and apprenticeships secured filled her with immense pride – and she congratulated pupils on securing so many destinations of choice.

She said:

“This set of stand-out results is unprecedented and consolidates a progressive upward trend that has built momentum over the past few years.

“They also highlight the advantages of the ‘new’ Ashville where established co-education within a nurturing environment, in a growing and flourishing school, maximises opportunities for all.

“On behalf of everyone in the Ashville family, we send our heartfelt congratulations to all our Upper Sixth pupils on their outstanding achievements and the launchpad these give them for their future success.

“Ashville provides a unique pre-university experience, creating a platform for pupils to build future-ready skills for a rapidly changing world.”

Ashville is celebrating two pupils who have secured places at Oxford and Cambridge.

Ed Hall will study History at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge gaining top results in his A Level subjects alongside Distinctions in his Cambridge Technical Performing Arts qualification. Giles Hutchinson has been awarded an Organ Scholarship to study Music at Pembroke College, Oxford.

Achieving 3 A*s, placing him within the top 2% of candidates nationally, is Rhys Wolf, one of Ashville’s Heads of School, who will be studying Economics at the University of Warwick.

The other Head of School, Tara Lane secured 2 A*s and 1 A and heads off to the University of Bristol to read Biology.

Jacob Wells, attaining 3 A*s, will take up a flagship degree apprenticeship with Ernst & Young.

Rhys said:

“The Ashville community has shaped me into the person I am today. As I prepare to leave Ashville, I know it will remain with me—the friendships, the memories, and the person it’s helped me become.”

Tara said:

“All the hard work has paid off. I have to thank all my teachers for their constant support during the lead up to my exams and through all my time here. I couldn’t have made it without them.”

This year, pupils have secured places spanning a range of degrees, from Architecture, Law and Computer Science to Sport Sciences, Languages, Physics and Filmmaking. Fergus Brown will be taking his place at the University of St Andrews to study Medicine.

Mrs Wilkinson said the diversity of choices reflected the school’s ability to nurture confidence and ambition in every individual.

William Johnson gained a coveted place at The Royal Northern College of Music to study Vocal Studies and Opera.

Ashville pupil Devan Martin, from the USA, achieved a phenomenal SAT score putting her within the top 1% globally and this leads to a place to study Physics at the University of Manchester where physicist, Bryan Cox is professor of Particle Physics and where Ernest Rutherford split the atom.

Other destinations include renowned institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, University College London, the University of Bath, the University of Exeter, the University of Newcastle and the University of Durham, covering a broad spectrum of disciplines.

Gabriella Salvin will be continuing to develop her skills by studying Musical Theatre at Leeds Conservatoire and Eliza Tognetti-Shaw has earned a place at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).

Breanne Loken, winner of the senior national title in the Rotary Club Young Artist Competition, has seen her talent rewarded with an A* in Art and a place at Nottingham Trent University to study Interior Architecture and Design.

Sporting excellence has also been recognised, with a Tennis scholarship at Menlo College, Southern California, awarded to George Burgin while swimmer, Jacob Brown, has achieved a place at the prestigious Loughborough University.

These places alone underscore the school’s dedication to fostering creative and sporting talent.

Mrs Wilkinson added:

“Ashville provides the ideal foundation for pupils to discover what their special interests and talents are and to develop confidence, resilience, and ambition within them.

“Our pupils’ successes reflect their dedication to their studies and future-ready skills, as well as the exceptional support from our teachers in a nurturing environment, empowering every pupil to excel academically, explore their passions, and discover new strengths.

“The success of the Upper Sixth of 2025 serves as an inspiration to younger pupils, demonstrating that excellence is built over years of commitment and opportunity.”