This story is sponsored by Ashville College.
At Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep and Ashville Prep School, passionate and experienced teachers provide an encouraging and safe environment where children can be creative and curious, discover their strengths and interests, and are known and appreciated as individuals.
Parents with children aged two to 11 are encouraged to come along to the Acorns and Prep School Open Doors event on Tuesday February 7, 2023. Here are just some of the ways we help children to thrive:
1. We take the classroom outside
Ashville’s pioneering Outdoor Learning programme gets kids out into the fresh air, makes tricky curriculum topics easier to understand, and teaches problem solving and teamwork skills for life. Outdoor Learning Specialist Teacher and Consultant, Mr Paul Oldham, said:
“I have seen first-hand that outdoor lessons work. When you take children out of an enclosed room and into the outdoors, you open so many possibilities.”
Outdoor learning with Mr Paul Oldham
2. We provide confidence-boosting opportunities
Whether it’s taking part in an informal music concert, representing the school as part of the Swim Squads, or getting creative for a good cause in Charity Club, children get the opportunity to boost their confidence and shine in the areas they enjoy the most.
Pupils can choose to take on positions of responsibility from a young age, such as House Captains and members of the Prep School Parliament, helping to develop their leadership skills and appreciation for the ideas and opinions of their peers.
3. Pupils are part of a wider community
Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep and Ashville Prep School are part of Ashville College, an all-through school up to the age of 18. A sense of community is nurtured from the start; from enjoying lunch together in the Dining Hall to cheering each other on at numerous Competitive House events.
There are regular vertical links between Senior School and Prep School for the delivery of subjects such as Modern Foreign Languages, Music and PE, and achievements are celebrated, such as the Head Teacher Award, for pupils who go over and above in their contributions to the Ashville community.
Year 3, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Day
4. Regular, memorable experiences aren’t a one-off thing
Whether it’s the classroom being transformed into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, taking part in a real-life magic trick, toasting cinnamon-coated apple slices around a fire pit, or a trip to the Leeds Playhouse, no two school days are the same at Ashville.
You only go to school once, and the teachers ensure that each lesson is fun, stimulating and memorable, to nurture that love of learning every day.
5. Pupils love their School
When you see pupils skipping down the corridor for break, or getting involved in a learning activity, they exude positivity. From our youngest pupils in Little Acorns to our most ‘senior’ Prep pupils in Year 6, you can tell they’re happy to be here.
Pupils in Little Acorns
Mrs Charlotte Cryer, Head of Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep, which covers ages two to five, said:
“The beauty of an ‘Open Doors’ event is that it enables parents to see happy and engaged children taking part in activities and see the staff in action too. A child is the most valuable thing in a parent’s life, so they need to be able to trust the people they’re handing them over to.”
Mr Asa Firth, Head of Ashville Prep School, added:
“The children at Ashville Prep School inspire me on a daily basis; they are polite, confident and open minded. I am very proud of our School and how it has developed since my arrival last April.”