Ashbourne Independent Sixth-form College

This year Ashbourne’s students achieved 51% A*/A grades in their A-Level exams, a rise of 4% from last year. This contradicted the downward national trend in A-Level grades. Across the country the proportion of A-Level grades achieved in independent schools that were A* or A was 48.7%, down from 49.3% last year, still far above the national average of 25.8%. Set against the tougher standards set by the A-Level exam boards, Ashbourne’s A-Level results are all the more remarkable.

We are very proud of our students’ achievement and acknowledge the primary importance of their effort. Without their ambition, determination and hard work our college would not be as successful as it is. We believe that our students also benefit from these key factors:

• Our students have high expectations which are encouraged and nurtured by some very talented teachers.
• Personal and UCAS Tutors spend much of their time with students individually, to monitor their progress constantly throughout the year and to ensure a really confident university application.
• Small classes promote engagement which is further enhanced by extending the normal teaching time.
• There is competition for places in our upper sixth form; students must reach at least C grade standard at AS before proceeding to the second year of A Level. Morale is boosted because the students share similar ambitions and goals.
• Preparation for exams is a priority. Constant regular testing provides a vital benchmark for all.
• Personal Tutors insist on the highest standards in behaviour and academic discipline.
• The College has an informal atmosphere, helping students to develop a sense of independence and responsibility so that they can flourish when they arrive at university.
• Student happiness is paramount; it is rare to find an unhappy student at Ashbourne.

A-Level exam results 2016 (328 exams)

Each year CIFE Awards prizes to the very best students from all its colleges. One in every 100 students do well enough to win an award, so we’re delighted that two Ashbourne students received prizes this year.

Lidia Makarova received the CIFE award for Visual and Creative Arts. Lidia is one of the most talented artists it has ever been Ashbourne’s pleasure to teach. She is an exceptionally committed and dedicated student. In shaping her work, which is far above the usual standard at A level, she is totally unique. Lidia is very creative and works comfortably with various media in 2 and 3 dimensions.

In History of Art her essays were rarely short of excellent and consistently showed flair, imagination, and independent thinking of a level unusual in someone of her age – they were often a delight to read and remarkable for a student whose second language is English. Lidia is described as unquestionably one of the very best students that her teacher has had in 10 years of teaching Art History.

Nicola Brownless won a CIFE College Award for her outstanding contribution to life at Ashbourne.

Culminating with her remarkable A level results of A*AA in English Literature, Drama and Psychology, Nikki’s achievements at Ashbourne included her appointment as Head Girl in her final year, her role as student ambassador at parents’ and open evenings and her outstanding contribution to our drama department including participating in our annual college revues. She was a model student, unrelenting in her pursuit of excellence.

An engaged and willing learner, she listened always to constructive advice and criticism. Polite, courteous and, possessing a sharp wit and sense of humour, Nikki always seemed to be cheerful. Her self-actualization and her determination to push against boundaries and limitations and devise creative solutions to problems made Nikki a truly amazing student.

Setting a new record for the college, Ashbourne’s students achieved 54% A/A* grades in their A level exams, with over 76% of A level exam results reaching B grade or above. Set against the tougher standard set by the A-level exam boards and the increased competition for places at Russell Group universities, these A level exam results are all the more remarkable. For example Ashbourne’s A level students have improve their performance from 46% A*/A grades in the previous year and are well above the national average achieved by A level students (25% A*/A and 50% A*/A/B grades).

We are very proud of our students’ achievement and acknowledge the primary importance of their effort. Without their ambition, determination and hard work our college would not be as successful as it is. There are some points to bear in mind:

• Our students benefit from high expectations which are encouraged and nurtured by some very talented teachers.
• Personal Tutors spend much of their time with students individually, first to ensure a really confident application to ucas and then to constantly monitor their progress throughout the year.
• Small classes promote engagement which is further enhanced by extending the normal teaching time.
• There is competition for places on our A2 course; students must reach at least C grade standard at AS before proceeding to A2. Morale is boosted because this cohort share similar ambitions.
• Preparation for exams is paramount. Constant regular testing provides a vital benchmark for all.
• Discipline is paramount. Personal Tutors insist on the highest standards.
• Informality is paramount. College provides a good proving ground for independence and responsibility so that students may flourish when they arrive at university.
• Student happiness is paramount; it is rare to find an unhappy student at Ashbourne.

A-Level exam results 2014 (263 exams)

Each year CIFE awards a number of prizes to exceptional students from member colleges. Competition is fierce, and we’re delighted to announce that Grace Tucker (seen below with CIFE President Lord Lexden) was awarded this year’s Ashbourne college prize.

Grace studied A Levels in English Literature, French, Spanish and Drama and Theatre Studies at Ashbourne. She was one of our shining lights during her time with us both in terms of impressive academic achievement and her mature conduct. Grace achieved high grades in all of her subjects (A*AA) and is now at UCL studying Modern Languages.

Grace demonstrated a degree of maturity and responsibility that is rare in a sixth form student which led us to name her Head Girl for her final academic year, a responsibility she fulfilled admirably. She is proactive and reliable, edited the Ashbourne College magazine, helped to organize extracurricular activities, was a mentor for our GCSE students and became a key member of our Critical Theory seminar.