Discover the ‘New’ Ashville – Harrogate School Invites Families to Take a Look

If you’ve driven past Ashville College in Harrogate but haven’t stepped through the gates recently, Saturday 19 September could be the perfect opportunity.

The school is inviting families to come and discover the “new” Ashville – a growing and ambitious school for girls and boys aged 2 to 18.

With new developments, an extensive programme of activities and a beautiful campus to explore, there’s much more to Ashville than you might realise.

👀 Why take another look at Ashville?

Ashville has been part of Harrogate since 1877, but this is a school looking firmly towards the future.

Today, it combines its long-established traditions with modern teaching, strong pastoral care and continued investment in facilities.

Its aim is simple: help every child to be known, supported and encouraged to achieve their potential.

And for local families considering their child’s next step, the upcoming Open Day is a chance to see what that means in practice.

⭐ A growing Harrogate success story

Ashville is a co-educational independent day and boarding school, taking children from Ashville Acorns Pre-Prep through to Sixth Form.

The school has enjoyed significant growth, particularly in its Prep School, which has expanded by more than 40% since 2021.

Ashville says additional staff and resources have been introduced as the school has grown, helping it retain the smaller classes and individual attention valued by families.

Academically, Ashville was named the top-performing school in Harrogate and one of the top ten independent schools in the North of England in The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026.

The Good Schools Guide has also praised its “bubbly and exciting atmosphere” and combination of strong learning, high aspirations and holistic education.

🏊 There’s a lot happening beyond the classroom

This is one of the areas families may be surprised by.

There are more than 150 clubs and activities every week, giving pupils opportunities to try something new, develop existing talents and simply have fun.

Sport, swimming, music, drama and many other activities form part of everyday school life.

Facilities include a sports centre, swimming pool, theatre and modern learning spaces.

For older pupils, there is a wide choice of GCSE subjects plus more than 20 A Level and BTEC courses in Sixth Form.

Ashville is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) to award US High School Diplomas.

❤️ Being known matters

For many parents, choosing a school isn’t simply about examination results.

It’s about finding somewhere their child will be happy, confident, challenged and supported.

Ashville places individual pastoral care at the heart of school life, with pupils encouraged to become the best version of themselves rather than simply concentrating on academic results.

The school’s size and community approach mean pupils can be known as individuals, with their progress, interests and wellbeing supported throughout their time at Ashville.

🚍 And you don’t have to live next door

Ashville attracts families from across Harrogate and the surrounding area.

An extensive school minibus network helps make travelling to and from school easier for families living further afield.

Boarding is also available, with pupils joining the school from across the UK and overseas.

📅 See Ashville for yourself on Saturday 19th September 2026

Reading about a school is one thing. Walking around it, meeting the teachers and talking to the pupils can tell you much more.

Ashville College’s Open Day takes place on Saturday 19 September.

Visitors will be able to:

• Meet Head Rhiannon Wilkinson and the Heads of School
• Take a pupil-led tour of the campus
• Look around the school’s facilities
• Meet teachers, senior staff and pastoral teams
• Talk directly to current pupils
• Discover the 150+ weekly clubs and activities
• Find out about the curriculum and Sixth Form choices
• Ask about wellbeing, boarding and school transport
• Discover what’s planned as part of Ashville’s Campus Masterplan

🌳 Perhaps it’s time to see the ‘new’ Ashville

Ashville has been educating young people in Harrogate for nearly 150 years, but today’s school is continuing to grow and evolve.

For parents considering nursery and Pre-Prep, Prep School, Senior School, Sixth Form or boarding, the Open Day provides the opportunity to look beyond the prospectus and experience the school for yourself.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

Ashville College Open Day

📅 Saturday 19 September
📍 Green Lane, Harrogate, HG2 9JP
👧👦 Girls and boys aged 2–18
☎️ 01423 566358

Come and explore the campus, meet the people who make the school tick and discover whether Ashville could be the right fit for your child.