EDUCATION
MEET THE HEAD: ASHFORD SCHOOL
ASHLEY CURRIE
Ashford School believes the finest education pairs academic excellence with the character, curiosity and resilience young people need to thrive in a complex world. We caught up with headmaster, Ashley Currie, to discuss finance, leadership and what the future holds for Ashford School under his guidance.
Ashford School was recently rated the only‘ good value’ school in Mid-Kent. What does value for money mean in terms of private education?
This was a fantastic endorsement of our approach and how we deliver our educational provision. Value for money means delivering outstanding pupil outcomes while spending our fees prudently. It is a ringing endorsement of the pupil experience and of the financial health of our school.
How have private schools changed since Covid?
Independent schools saw changes according to their individual contexts. Post-Covid, Ashford saw a real desire for pupils to be back in their classrooms, learning with their friends. Pupils missed all the in-person opportunities that are offered through sport, music and drama, and now the co-curricular offering is as popular as ever.
Can you explain the impacts of VAT on the wider market for private education?
All schools have had to make savings as a result of VAT and the simple fact is that for many independent schools, they will not be able to remain open due to financial viability. We recognise that those smaller schools will be the hardest hit, in particular those who deliver a specialist education for pupils with particular needs. Unfortunately, I don’ t believe that we have seen the full impact of VAT on fees and I think that the next two years will see dramatic changes in the independent school landscape. At Ashford, we are in the fortunate position of being part of the largest education group in the UK( United Learning), which means that we are financially strong and can continue to invest in our schools and nurseries at a time when many schools are having to cut back.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Collaborative and delivered through a sense of service. Schools serve their communities and we work with our staff, parents and pupils to achieve outstanding outcomes for all of our pupils.
We hear that there is a new Sixth Form Centre being proposed this year; what can you tell us about that project?
Sixth Form is a time for pupils to prepare for‘ the next step’ and having a distinctive Sixth Form experience will help them to develop the independence that is needed to succeed after schooling has been completed. Our new Sixth Form Centre will serve as a physical hub for that experience, so our pupils will have a markedly distinct provision in their final two years with us. However, despite the amazing collaborative study spaces, they are most excited about the exciting catering facilities that they will gain!
You and your family have moved to live in Great Chart. How are you enjoying your new life in the Garden of England?
We have loved our move to Great Chart. We have been privileged to live in some beautiful parts of the country, but we hadn’ t experienced anything quite like the stunning coastline or the Kent Downs until we moved here. Our dogs have particularly enjoyed the proximity to various beaches that we are so close to.
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