Feb 22, 2023 | Old Scholar, Senior School, Sixth Form, Sport
Ackworth School is delighted to announce a new partnership with English Football League Two team, Harrogate Town AFC to deliver our Elite Football Academy from September 2023.
Students enrolling in the academy will benefit from high levels of contact time per week with our school-based UEFA licence qualified Director of Football. This will comprise of regular individual and group skills coaching sessions, regular football matches for both the Academy (and for the school when possible), and supervised strength and conditioning training.
In addition to the Academy’s home being at a brand-new 3G pitch ten minutes from the school, students will have access to five full-sized pitches, a multi-use games pitch and an indoor training area. Students enrolled in the football academy can also take full advantage of the heated indoor swimming pool and our purpose-built fitness suite.
Head, Anton Maree said “I am struck by the professionalism demonstrated at every level by Harrogate Town Association Football Club and their staff. The benefit of being able to tap into that professionalism can only be an advantage to our school and our students. I look forward to a lengthy association with HTAFC and am delighted with the opportunity that it brings to our school and to all footballers within our local community.”
Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town AFC Manager said “I am delighted that our football club has entered into partnership with Ackworth School. I am immensely proud of the association with my former school. Anton Maree is a great leader and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my meetings with him. We are passionate about developing student athletes at the school. The school has strong values and so do we as a football club and that is why we have faith in each other to produce a successful joint venture that gives pupils every opportunity to develop, enjoy and succeed.”
Many players will choose to join the Academy alongside their Sixth Form studies. Two study routes are available: traditional A-Levels, or the BTEC Extended National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three A-Levels) for those wanting a more vocational education. Those pupils joining the Academy in years below the Sixth Form must take the required academic course appropriate to their age and ability and involve themselves in the school’s co-curricular programme.
For more information about joining Ackworth School and the Football Academy, please visit www.ackworthschool.com/sports/football-academy/ or contact us on admissions@ackworthschool.com.
Jan 20, 2023 | Ackworth School, Old Scholar
On 19th January, Ackworth School’s Old Scholar representatives made the trip down to London to meet with Old Scholars in the South of England. It was fantastic to see to see you all and to watch connections re-establish amongst this group.
Left to right: Victoria (AOS 92), Georgina (AOS 91), Clive (AOS 81), Emmanuelle (AOS 82), Robert (AOS 81), Stephen (AOS 82), Anton Maree, Head of Ackworth School, and his wife Alison Maree
One attendee stated that is was a “great night!”.
Another quoted, “Thanks very much for organising last evening. It was an interesting event and was good to hear of the developments and to meet some fellow Old Scholars”
Thank you to all those who attended and supported this event.
Jan 9, 2023 | Ackworth School, Junior School, Old Scholar, Senior School, Sixth Form
The Head of Ackworth School, Anton Maree, has announced that he will be retiring from his role at the end of the Spring Term in April 2024.
Anton Maree said: “After 10 years at the school it is the right time to move on and give someone else the chance to set the tone and determine the direction. Being the Head of the school has been an honour and a privilege. I know that change can create uncertainty but Ackworth has survived through unforeseeable and testing times. I look forward to the rest of my time at this wonderful school”.
David Bunney, Clerk to the School Committee, said “ Anton has done so much to further the school and to help the local community. He leaves a strong legacy for his successor to build on. The whole school community wish him well when retirement eventually comes in April next year”.
The School Committee have now started their search for a new Head.
Aug 9, 2022 | Ackworth School, Old Scholar
Ackworth Old Scholar James Willstrop wins GOLD in the Commonwealth Games for Men’s Doubles Squash alongside fellow teammate Declan James.
Born 1983 in Yorkshire, James was with Ackworth School from 1995 until 2002. James was recognised as a squash sensation at an early age. In 2002, he claimed his third consecutive British Junior Under-19 National Championship title, to establish himself as England’s most successful under-14, under-17, and under-19), and British Junior Open trophies at under-17 and under-19. In the same year, he established himself as the world’s top junior player, claiming both the European and the World junior titles.
James has gone on to be one of the youngest players ever to play for the senior England team, representing his county for the first time at both the European and World Team Squash Championships in 2003.
In 2005, having finished as a runner-up in the British Open and then winning the Qatar Classic trophy, James was ranks as the world No.2 in the PSA world rankings.
In the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, James won a Silver Medal in the Mixed Doubles. He won the British National Squash Championships title in 2007 and 2008, and in January 2010, he won his first Tournament of Champions title in New York.
In 2011, Willstrop put himself into first place in the PSA World Series rankings by winning 15 matches in a row heading towards winning the Hong Kong Open, the Kuwait Open, and The Punj Lloyd PSA Masters. James ranked as the World No. 1 in January 2012.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, James won the Gold Medal in the Men’s Singles and in 2020, won the British National title.
Well done from us, James. Ackworth School continues to enjoy watching your career in Squash. We know you’ll be celebrating winning your well-deserved GOLD in the Men’s Doubles Squash!
Mar 29, 2022 | Ackworth School, Old Scholar
Our AOS London event turned into a charming evening as a group of Old Scholars came together to reminisce and reconnect. Taking place on a Wednesday in the heart of Fleet Street at Daly’s Wine Bar.
Joined by leaving years ranging from 1954 to 1978. It didn’t take long for a sense of Ackworth School community to be relit as stories of old times began to unveil.
All those who attended said how happy they were to see Ackworth School in London for its first AOS event, and we were happy to see them too. Thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you at future events!
If you would like to attend an Ackworth Old Scholar event, please click here to keep up to date!
Feb 23, 2022 | Ackworth School, Old Scholar
AOS Balpriya Kaur (AOS 10-15)
During February the school had a visit from Old Scholar Balpriya Kaur. Priya (23) met her partner, Lakh, at university in Manchester. Now engaged to marry, Priya got back in touch with Ackworth. She couldn’t think of a better place to have their pre-wedding photo shoot.
Priya left Ackworth School Sixth Form in 2015, where she studied Law LLB (Hons) and LPC LLM masters. She is now a Legal Solutions Specialist. We asked Priya how her time at Ackworth School had moulded her enthusiasm for success.
“My experience at Ackworth shaped me into a responsible and driven individual. After I left Ackworth I had a drive to succeed in the field of law.
I carry values of care, respect, and value for people of all backgrounds and cultures. Ackworth demonstrated to me the value of peace. I learnt the value of silence and how this allows us to reflect and align our thoughts.”
Priya continues to work hard and intends to study further to become a fully qualified lawyer. We would like to wish Priya and Lakh all the happiness for their wedding in May. We wish them well for the start of their lives together.
Want to visit the school as an Old Scholar? Email our Alumni department at Alumni@ackworthschool.com or call us on 01977 233 623.
