Alexandra Collingwood, Head of our Sixth Form, shares why boarding school could be the best place for a sixth former to thrive and flourish, both academically and pastorally.
Head of Sixth Form, Alexandra Collingwood guides students on how to get the best out of their studies using their iPads supplied by the school.
Here, she lists her top five benefits of boarding for sixth form students:
1) Bolsters academic growth
Our value-added is the best in the area and is testament to our philosophy towards learning. Every single student progresses tremendously from the start of their time with us, to the end. They consistently perform better than what their targets and previous academic performance indicate that they should.
Sixth form students who board with us have access to tutors ‘out of hours’ during designated prep (study) time, so, not only are they making strides in their learning in school, but they have the chance to further this by getting extra educational support. Even outside of prep time, thanks to our digital learning approach, advice from teachers and tutors is only a message or email away.
2) Incredible facilities
Ackworth School is a truly beautiful setting to learn and relax.
We have a state-of-the-art gym, sports hall, tennis courts and music centre with 10 Steinway pianos set in phenomenal picturesque 18th Century grounds.
With advanced facilities, sixth form students have everything they need to excel at their chosen A-levels and also take part in extra-curricular activities in and out of school hours to enhance their learning – this may help when it comes to applying to universities.
Set in expansive grounds in the West Yorkshire countryside, Ackworth provides a safe and rich learning environment.
3) Close-knit family feel
With our sixth form attached to the school, we maintain a real family community here, and, as we’re non-selective, there’s plenty of opportunity for students to mix with people from all different backgrounds, ages and places.
We have students travelling from across the UK and other parts of the world to attend Ackworth School. Boarding with us helps build and nurture life-long friendships, and encourages social growth. It really is a home away from home.
4) Oxbridge Pathways Programme
Sixth form is an integral time in a young adult’s life. Their leaving destination will depend not only on their academic success, but also the skills they gain, and how prepared they are for upcoming applications and interviews.
We make sure to cover everything with our bespoke Oxbridge Pathways Programme. Designed and managed by Helen Batty – who has a wealth of experience in Oxbridge admissions procedures and processes – sixth form students are taught everything they need to know to achieve a place at a top UK university and succeed after graduation.
5) Necessary support and pastoral care
The wellbeing of our pupils is paramount to their education. We make it our responsibility to ensure that all students have a positive environment to learn in as we believe this has a direct impact on whether they perform to the best of their abilities.
It is possible that giving sixth form students too much freedom too quickly (when they have come from an incredibly supportive secondary school environment) could hinder their progression, rather than help. Boarding school provides the right balance of support and freedom, allowing students to ease into adult life, knowing the safety net is still there if they need it.
As a Quaker school, we operate by our motto ‘Non Sibi Sed Omnibus’ or ‘not for oneself but for the good of others’. This encapsulates what we have stood for the last 240 years. A social conscience and an education go hand in hand at Ackworth School.
Visit our sixth form page for more information. Contact our admissions team at admissions@ackworthschool.com or call 01977 233 621.
Ackworth School pupils have done very well in what has been an incredibly difficult year. Most of them watched events last week with trepidation and were relieved when common sense prevailed.
The school’s results reveal that:
96% of pupils achieved 9-4 grades
82% achieved 9-5
67% achieved 9-6
50% achieved 9-7
32% achieved 9-8.
Anton Maree, Headsaid: “I am delighted with these results which compare very favourably with previous years. My teachers have worked hard to assess our pupils and they have all been awarded grades that are both fair and consistent and will stand up to close scrutiny by awarding bodies.”
Individual success stories include Charlotte and Jasmine who both achieved 10 9s and Harriet who achieved nine. Twins Harriet and Emily achieved an astonishing 16 9s between them and Rhys gained eight 9s. These are just a few of many wonderful achievements that have brightened the day for our pupils’ parents and their teachers after an astonishing two weeks of U-turns.
Dan Jones, Head of Fourth and Fifth Form said: “These results come as no surprise. Our Fifth form worked hard and were on track when schools were forced to shut by the government. Their results are a positive confirmation of their ability.”
One of 18 national winners from across the country, Alice Robson of Ackworth Tennis Club secured the honoured award for ‘Development Coach of the Year’ for her exceptional contribution to grassroots and development tennis.
Growing a coaching programme from zero to 70, Alice has a passion for getting women and girls on-court and has developed innovative sessions including a Mother and Daughter’s tennis festival, all while mentoring new coaches and engaging more than 1,800 children from schools.
“By developing the Tennis Club I have created a coaching program and given lots of children the opportunity to play tennis.”
The new all-weather court at Ackworth School has allowed the club to become more diverse, being wheelchair accessible. The club would not exist if it was not for the joint efforts of all the partners from the Head of Ackworth School, Anton Maree, to The Tim Henman Foundation, and LTA.
We are very proud of all of our Sixth Formers. With their chance to demonstrate their ability in the normal way removed as a consequence of the pandemic, their teachers were asked to provide Centre Assessed Grades that were a fair reflection of what they would have achieved in their A-Level examinations. They have done very well and their results are deserved.
36.7% of grades were A*-A
61.7% A*-B,
83.3% A*-C
100% A*-E.
Anton Maree, Head of Ackworth School said, “This was a year group required to deal with far more adversity than any other. They have responded admirably to this challenge in a way that defines them and we will all miss their spontaneity and humour whilst regretting their missed chances to shine during all the moments that accompany the final year at school.”
Madison and Aidan celebrate their top results.
Ackworth is a small, non-selective school and we regularly send our students to the best universities in the country and further afield: Henry will be studying Modern Languages at Warwick University; Martha, Spanish at Oxford University; Madison, Medicine at Hull York Medical School; Dusan, Economics and Politics at the University of Edinburgh; Reece, Dentistry atKings College London; and Mikkel, Economics and Finance at Wofford College, South Carolina, in the USA.
Alexandra Collingwood, Head of Sixth Form said, “We are delighted that our students will be moving into higher education at some extremely prestigious universities. They will do very well and were part of a cohort that we certainly won’t forget.’
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