James Busson, Author at Ackworth School

NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE SUCCESS!

May 21, 2024 | Ackworth School, Drama, Senior School, Sixth Form

Six students from Ackworth School have beaten the odds to be offered places in the 2024 intake of the National Youth Theatre.

Congratulations to Adam (L6), Erin (Y11), Eve (Y11), Harvey (Y11), Feli (Y10) and Nina (Y10), who have all been offered places on National Youth Theatre (NYT) courses. All six students have developed their performance skills in academic Drama lessons, LAMDA/Trinity classes and numerous extracurricular performances at Ackworth School.

The NYT holds annual acting auditions and technical theatre interviews around the United Kingdom, receiving an average of over 6,500 applicants. Currently, around 500 places are offered on summer acting and technical courses, which offer participants NYT membership upon completion. Members are then eligible to audition for the company’s productions, which are staged in London’s West End, around the country, and internationally.

There is a long list of performers who started at NYT and are now performing on the global stage – Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Daniel Day-Lewis, Daniel Craig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Matt Smith, Sheridan Smith, just to name a few. NYT alumni include some of the world’s most celebrated performers and award-winning backstage talent working at leading events around the globe and as cultural leaders at leading venues.

14 students from Ackworth auditioned for a place back in March 2024, with students participating in a three hour workshop with a professional actor, before engaging in a one-to-one audition where they had to perform a monologue of their choice. The six students who successfully applied have all been invited to a two-week acting course over the summer, after which they become official members of the company. Thereafter, they have a rich range of opportunities at their fingertips – from play auditions to skill workshops, from masterclasses to theatre, film and TV castings – from their respective points of entry up to the age of 25.

Some of the successful applicants shared their feelings on the experience:

Harvey said, ‘It is a honour to get in to NYT with how difficult the competition is. I am excited to start soon and hope to progress using the course.’

Feli said, ‘When I found out I got into NYT honestly at first I didn’t believe it! I had to double check that it wasn’t a mistake because, from what I’ve been told about it and from what I have researched, to get into NYT is a once in a lifetime opportunity because it opens so many doors in terms of acting. Thousands of people audition and some of them more then once, so to get in first try is just incredible. This is an opportunity not many get and I am forever grateful.’

Nina said, ‘On the day of the National Youth Theatre workshop and auditions I felt excited but nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. As the day went on, I began to enjoy myself and to see that the NYT teacher was fun and friendly. When it was time for the audition, I felt much more confident and I was amazed when I was accepted as part of the NYT. I am very grateful for this amazing opportunity!’

Adam said, ‘Being rewarded the opportunity to be an NYT member means an awful lot to me. I started my journey in drama at Ackworth and have loved every moment of it since. Perhaps naturally, I never thought too much of acting as a “serious” avenue for me to pursue beyond my days at Ackworth given the volatile and harsh nature of its industry. However, earning a place in the NYT feels like I’ve got a foot in the door. I can visualise keeping drama in my life beyond school and I now have a real and professional opportunity to do so. It’s honestly so exciting and I can’t wait to get stuck into all that the NYT has to offer and to take all that I’ve learnt at Ackworth to develop it further.’

Head of Drama, Ali Boucher, said, ‘It is a fantastic result for these students, whose hard work, commitment and passion have been justly rewarded. For one student to beat such odds is a success worthy of huge celebration, as we did last year when OId Scholar Grace became the first Ackworth student to gain membership of the NYT in recent years. But for Ackworth to have six successful applicants this year, for us to build on that success in this way, is just fantastic. I am excited for the future, not just for them but for all of our Drama students at Ackworth. We have a wealth of performance talent across all years – not just those unlucky enough to narrowly miss out, who deserve to try again next year, but also those too young to audition last March. We will absolutely apply to audition again next year, and we will be working with all of our students to enable them to emulate these feats in the years to come, to showcase and deepen their talents, and to show how all areas of Ackworth’s Performance Faculty deliver above and beyond expectations for the young people we teach.’

If you would like to find out more about how Ackworth School can support your child to unlock their full potential, why not book a bespoke visit or contact our admissions team on admissons@ackworthschool.com or 01977 233621.

Over 50% of Upper Sixth student receive Russell Group university offers

May 8, 2024 | Ackworth School, Latest News, Senior School, Sixth Form

Twenty-five Ackworth School Upper Sixth students have been offered places at prestigious Russell Group universities including LSE (The London School of Economics and Political Science), Imperial College London and UCL (University College London). Subjects include extremely competitive courses in medicine, engineering, mathematics, politics, and natural sciences.

The students, who are taking 3 or 4 A-Levels, as well as the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) have worked closely with our careers team to maximise their chances of securing a place.

Head of Ackworth School, Martyn Beer, said “I am delighted at the level of aspiration within our students and how this is being realised as they take the next steps in their educational journey. Over half of our students have received offers from Russell Group universities. Others have found their paths into vocational Higher Education courses and apprenticeships to help them further their aspirations. I am proud to lead a school community that not only supports our young people to make the best choices for them as individuals but gives them the preparation they need to play their part in creating a better world.”

Upper Sixth Form student Tamar said “The careers team at school have been tremendously helpful with ensuring my future success, Mrs. Batty has worked so hard to cater to my interests and help me utilise every extracurricular opportunity. Not only did she help me write my statement and fill out my application, but she, along with the school, provided many opportunities and leadership roles for me to seize, leading me to become a far more qualified and sophisticated candidate. I believe it is the incredible effort from Mrs. Batty that I can attend LSE this September.”

Fellow Upper Sixth student Isabelle echoed this, saying “I am really pleased to have received offers from all the universities that I applied to, including The University of Edinburgh and King’s College London. Help from the school careers team and the trip to the UCAS event at Lincoln University, as well as Mr Boucher’s support on my personal statement put me in a great position to apply. I am looking forward to starting at LSE in September to study International Social and Public Policy.“

As our Upper Sixth students depart on their study leave later this week, we wish them the very best of luck for their upcoming exams and look forward to celebrating with them in August.

Ackworth Sixth Form put their filmmaking skills to the test!

Sep 14, 2023 | Ackworth School, Boarding, Drama, Senior School, Sixth Form

Ackworth School Sixth Form students put their filmmaking skills to the test today with the One Day Film School.

In the morning, they learned the essentials:

Film History – from the early days of film to the latest in special effects.

Fight Choreography – analysing James Bond/Indiana Jones fight scenes… and filming their own screen punch.

Camera – learning to use an iPad like a pro, tips and tricks to avoid common mistakes, making a practice 3 Shot Film about a theft.

Screenwriting – discovering 3 key things every good script needs, how to tell a great story, create memorable characters… and make us care.

In the afternoon, pupils took the 10 Shot Challenge: creating a short film (2mins, max) based on a classic narrative (eg. ’Someone is kidnapped, an attempted rescue’) for premiering at the end of the day. Pupils self-allocated a role within their film crew (writer, director, producer, screenwriter, actors).

Most adverts take several months to make, so the challenge of making a successful short film in just ninety minutes can be daunting. However, the groups gelled exceptionally well, showed great leadership and teamwork, and no-one missed the deadline. Their final task was to introduce their film, just like at the Cannes film festival, and give it a poster tagline (eg. ‘In space no-one can hear you scream’). Then it was time for the VIP judges (Anton Maree, Head and Young Film Academy representatives) to take their seats and decide which would win the ultimate prize: the Best Picture Oscar…

The standard was very high, so it was a tough decision… the Best Picture Oscars was awarded to ‘The Rescue Mission’. It told an engaging, entertaining story which was technically superb: the judges were particularly impressed by the excellent performances and high standard of camerawork, editing and sound design. Congratulations to the winning team – hope to see you at the (real) Oscars!

Ackworth School Celebrates GCSE Success

Aug 24, 2023 | Ackworth School, Latest News, Senior School

Pupils at Ackworth School, near Pontefract, have yet again achieved a fantastic set of GCSE results.

Over a third of all grades at the school were at the highest levels of grade 9 to 7, with 54.4% achieving 9 to 6 grades, and 89.5% 9 to 4 grades.

Joel, from Leeds, was one of the school’s top performing students with two 9s, seven 8s and one 7.

Other notable achievements include Noah from Normanton, who achieved three 9s, three 8s and four 7s, along with Rachel from Ferrybridge, who achieved two 9s, two 8s, three 7s and one 6. All three will be staying at Ackworth School to study A-Levels.

Head, Mr Anton Maree, commented: “This year group spent a good deal of Years 8 and 9 in lockdown, arguably at a time when all sorts of academic skills should be flourishing and being nurtured, and have now been affected by the national grade boundary changes. Despite all this, we are all extremely proud with how well they have done. They have shown real dedication to their studies, supported all the way by our wonderful teaching staff, and should be proud of their individual achievements”.

If you would like to find out more about how Ackworth School can support your child to unlock their full academic potential, why not book a place at our Open Morning on Tuesday 3 October or contact our admissions team on admissons@ackworthschool.com or 01977 233600.

Ackworth School Celebrates A-Level Success

Aug 17, 2023 | Ackworth School, Boarding, Latest News, Open day, Senior School, Sixth Form

Ackworth School in Ackworth, near Pontefract is proudly recognising its students for their unwavering commitment to their studies over the past two years, resulting in impressive accomplishments.

The day and boarding school achieved a 91% A-Level pass rate (which as a non-selective school is exceptional) and is “especially proud that, despite the difficult circumstances they’ve endured over the past few years, many students exceeded or achieved their predicted grades”.

In total, 43.8% of all Ackworth’s A-Level entries gained A*- B grades, with the majority of students securing their first-choice place at the UK’s top universities which include University College London (UCL), Durham University, the University of Nottingham and the University of Southampton. Additionally, three pupils have secured places at American universities including Ivy League Colleges.

Special mentions must go to Brian, who achieved A*AA and a place at the University of Southampton to study Mechanical Engineering, and to Emily, who has secured a place at Durham University to study English Literature.

Other pupil successes to note include Grace who has secured a place at the University of Nottingham to study Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, as well as Darcy who has secured a place at University College London (UCL) to study Anthropology.

Ackworth School’s Head, Anton Maree said: “The tenacity and resilience demonstrated by our students is inspiring. Each student has every reason to take pride in their accomplishments and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to support them to achieve these results.”

If you would like to find out more about how Ackworth School can support your child to unlock their full academic potential, why not book a place at our Open Morning on Tuesday 3 October 2023 or contact our admissions team on admissons@ackworthschool.com or 01977 233600.