A Harrogate headteacher has been shortlisted for a national award dubbed the 'Oscars' of the education sector.
Ashville College’s Head, Rhiannon Wilkinson, who has been shortlisted in the Tes Schools Awards 2026.
Rhiannon, who was appointed as the eleventh and first female head at Ashville College in 2021, has been shortlisted for the title of Headteacher of the Year (Independent).
This year’s awards, which celebrate the UK’s most inspiring teachers and schools from both the state and independent sectors, attracted a record number of nominations from every corner of the UK.
They shine a spotlight on the outstanding work taking place across schools, celebrating the individuals and teams making a meaningful impact on pupils, staff and their wider communities.
Rhiannon has been awarded a place on the shortlist - the only nominee in the North of England - on the back of a year which saw Ashville College propelled into the Sunday Times Parent Power top 10 independent schools in the North, confirming its record-breaking A Level results are the best in Harrogate for the second successive year.
Rhiannon said:
"Thanks to the home-grown skills and talents of all our staff and pupils, Ashville continues to grow, innovate and be forward-thinking.”
“There is no shortage of inspiration in schools and their people across the UK so I am thrilled that the Ashville name will be represented on the national stage at such prestigious awards.”
She added:
“Our vision for the future revolves around the ‘new’ Ashville and equipping every pupil with the most rounded education experience in a nurturing and forward-thinking environment.”
“The fact that we can justifiably talk about a ‘new’ Ashville when we opened our doors to our first pupils 149 years ago is a clear signal of the beating of a new heart and the evolving of a new mindset.”
“Ashville is also proud of its bespoke ‘Future Ready’ programme, designed to equip pupils with skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world beyond school. This ensures they are exam ready, university ready, career ready - and life ready.”
Ashville College has also completed the first two phases of a multi-million-pound masterplan to transform its 70-acre campus – including the opening of the new Sixth Form Centre.
Under Rhiannon’s leadership, the year has also been hallmarked by a continued rise in pupil numbers, the launch of a new Sixth Form experience Six@Ashville, and an expansion of co-curricular activities to more than 150 a week.
Greg Styles, Ashville College’s Chair of Governors, said:
“The combination of Rhiannon’s skills in strategic thinking and practical business innovation is something I have found to be quite unique in the education sector. Her visionary leadership has created the ‘new’ Ashville for the future and she deserves to be recognised on the national stage.”
Rod Williams, CEO of Tes, said:
“This year’s shortlist showcases the exceptional standard of entries across the Tes Schools Awards, reflecting the breadth of impact being delivered in UK education.
"Each category highlights schools and individuals who are not only driving meaningful change within their own settings, but also setting a benchmark for the wider sector.
"The Tes Schools Awards are designed to recognise and elevate this work, celebrating those making a measurable difference to pupils, staff and communities across the UK – and with a record number of nominations received this year, it clearly reinforces the strength and impact being delivered across the UK education sector.”
This year’s awards will be hosted by award-winning comedian, writer and presenter Katherine Ryan, with winners announced at a gala ceremony on 19th June at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
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