EDUCATION
ASHFORD SCHOOL
MEET THE HEAD , MIKE HALL .
Please tell us some more about your ‘ one school ’ approach ?
We are proud of being an all-through school from 3 months to 18 years of age and believe that our ‘ One School ’ approach creates an environment where our pupils are happy and have complete trust and faith in their environment . Being able to be part of a school from ages 0-18 means the school , its values , staff and fellow pupils can become a constant presence in the development of a young person ; not only shaping their present but their onward education and in turn their future success and happiness .
In your opinion , what makes a great learner ?
At the heart of academic life at Ashford School we have six key habits which are designed to reflect the qualities that provide a framework to stretch and challenge across all areas of school life . These include : Independence , Resilience , Scholarship and Creativity , Tolerance and Collaboration , Creativity , Reflection and Responsibility .
Students enjoy receiving commendations for displaying any of these key qualities , either in academic work or cocurricular activities .
How does your co-curricular programme of activities give all students ample opportunity to take their interests further ?
Our co-curricular programme is an integral part of an Ashford School education and is exceptionally broad , with over 90 weekly activities . Most of these take place after school in our dedicated co-curricular period , but there are also several break , lunchtime and even before school activities to maximise the school day .
Our co-curricular programme is carefully designed to support students to become enthusiastic , talented and curious in all that they do beyond the classroom . Lots of activities focus on developing important life skills such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award along with many student leadership and mentoring opportunities .
What would you say are the greatest challenges facing headteachers today ?
I have been a head ( in three different schools ) for 14 years . The greatest challenge is the growing complexity of the role . The key interface is between being an effective leader of education and at the same time , functioning as an effective CEO .
The educational landscape is extremely dynamic with all the challenges and opportunities of change such as the growth of AI . Schools are , rightly , held far more to account in meeting and or surpassing expectations of students and parents .
Parents and their children are under increasing pressure , which manifests itself in a multitude of ways ; however , the common umbrella of mental health is an immediate challenge , alongside the complexity of safeguarding and all the societal pressures which are placed on our children .
On the commercial side , as head of an independent school , the economic and political challenges are very significant and require considerable knowledge and skill to mitigate against .
Going forward , what are your ambitions for Ashford School ?
We ’ re very excited to further develop our skills-based curriculum after the successful implementation of the Pre- Senior Baccalaureate programme at our Prep School .
We are one of a small group of independent schools including Bradfield , Stowe and Rugby who are piloting a senior level skills-based framework with The Learning Skills Trust . The programme focuses on the development of values , attitudes and behaviours required for children to succeed and flourish in an ever-changing world . Our students really enjoy the opportunities the programme offers to hone important life skills : how to be present , how to collaborate , how to be a leader , how to be more independent , and how to think outside of the box . Our vision is that at no matter what point a pupil leaves Ashford School , they leave with a much clearer awareness of their strengths and skills – ready for whatever awaits them in their future .
www . ashfordschool . co . uk
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