Members

If you’re looking for progressive schools for your family, consider Ackworth School in West Yorkshire. It’s the UK’s oldest independent day and co-educational boarding school. It offers a wide variety of education for all its students.

Each child is valued in Ackworth School. There’s an overwhelming sense of acceptance and respect created by the school’s culture. Students of all ages learn to respect and value the contribution of everyone they encounter. All students are taught how to manage conflict positively and peacefully.

Visit the Ackworth School website

Academic life at Ackworth School

Academic life at Ackworth encourages students to follow their interests and really engage with their lessons. They are able to put forward their own thoughts and ideas in lessons without fear of ridicule from their peers. Students learn to express themselves coherently and passionately.

Small class sizes in Ackworth School allow for each student to get lots of valuable one to one time with their teachers. They receive individual feedback on their learning and are able to work closely with the staff. They’re encouraged to think and reflect critically on what they’ve been taught and how they can improve. All students help each other to achieve more in their lessons.

Nursery

Ackworth’s nursery school inspires learning and challenges its students. Children get to be creative and learn about music, drama and art. They spend time in the Forest School to explore nature and play. It’s here that children first develop their love of learning. They start to build confidence and an inquisitive mind to support them for a lifetime of learning.

About Ackworth’s nursery school

Junior

The junior school helps students to begin to develop academically. It prepares them for the transition into more advanced learning. Students are encouraged to explore their own identities and see where their passions and strengths lie. They’ll make personal and academic accomplishments and feel valued in every lesson. Students develop the confidence to fulfil their great potential in school and in the wider world.

More about the junior school

Senior

In senior school, students undertake their GSCEs.  Typically, students study for 9 GSCEs, including compulsory English, English Literature, Mathematics and Science. There are lots of other subjects a student can choose from too. Teachers are on hand to help each individual pick the right topics for their future aspirations. All students also take part in physical education and personal and social education.

More about the senior school

Sixth Form

Sixth form is a large step up for most of our students, so ensuring a smooth transition is a big priority for Ackworth. Social events and an individual tutor help make sure A-Level and BTEC students are supported personally and academically throughout their higher study. Ackworth recommends that students study for 3 A-Levels or BTEC Sport and offers lots of support with UCAS applications for university study.

About sixth form study

Extra-curricular activities

Ackworth School run lots of extra-curricular activities for their students, both during the school week and the weekend for fully-boarding students. Sports, drama, art and music are highly prioritised as co-curricular activities for students and are supported in teaching time and after the school day finishes.

Students have the opportunity to get involved with a wide range of sports, societies and clubs. The school hosts Student Councils, PeaceJam, sporting competitions, ensembles, art and music performances, debating teams and public speaking sessions, and encourages students to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Guest speakers and performers are regularly invited into the school to workshop with students to further enhance their understanding of a specialist interest area.

As well as daily activities and clubs, the school invites students on trips to supplement their learning. Residential trips to Wales, Nidderdale and Cumbria give students a chance to explore the UK, whereas trips to places including: Paris, Milan, Cyprus, Iceland, Berlin and Sri Lanka allow students to immerse themselves in different cultures from around the world.

Boarding

Since its foundation in 1779, Ackworth has always been a mixed boarding school and currently about one-third of the Senior School boards. We have one boarding house with boys and girls living together – with separate sleeping areas of course! Our main aim is to provide a ‘home from home’ – a place where boarders can relax, feel safe, enjoy each other’s company, or at times find a quiet place to wind down or work, and somewhere where they can find support and help if they have any concerns or worries.

Ackworth has developed a flexible approach to boarding in response to parental and student needs. Some students only go home for the three main holidays, others go home most weekends. Some board for the whole of their time at Ackworth, others board for perhaps one or two years.

About half of the boarders are from overseas, the rest come from many different parts of the UK. Some board at Ackworth because it is a Quaker School and/or their parents came here, others are first generation boarders who perhaps board because both parents work and boarding saves them spending a great deal of time driving to and from School.

Most boarders share a bedroom with one or two other students. There are common rooms for playing table tennis, watching television and other such activities, or for simply having a chat over a cup of coffee and a piece of toast.

Learning Support & Autism Resource

While Ackworth is predominantly a main-stream school, they have excellent provision for students who need a little extra support to achieve their best. Their dedicated Learning Support Department is there to help your child, whether they are identified with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) or just to go over a certain area of learning. It’s their aim to ensure that pupils with SEND have the maximum opportunity to achieve and succeed in line with their peers. Timetable adjustments, in class or out of class support, and exam arrangements can, and are, frequently made to support a level playing field.

Ackworth also have a quality Autism Resource where students with autism conditions and sensory and cognitive differences can learn. Each young person has their own space to work, fully equipped with IT facilities. One to one support is offered for individuals or small groups of students and supported inclusion activities are designed to help develop the student’s individual academic, sporting, practical and social needs.

The Resource is run as part of Ackworth School, but the conditions of entry appropriate for the main school do not apply. Pupils will typically be placed by their own local authorities following a process of consultation. If there are places available, the school will liaise with families and authorities to ensure that as far as possible and with their own assessments and forwarded paperwork, they are able to meet an individual pupil’s needs.

Autism Resource at Ackworth

Entry criteria

Students wishing to study at Ackworth must meet the formal entry procedure.

Reception

Entry at 4+ is by informal assessment during a taster session. During this session your child will meet other children in the Early Years, have the opportunity to participate in activities, and most importantly play and have fun!

Pre-Prep and Prep

Entry at 7+ is by taster day and an assessment. This will normally involve an assessment of potential and achievement in the areas of literacy, numeracy and reasoning during the course of a normal school day. All prospective pupils are invited to experience a taster day to meet their peers and experience what life is like in Coram House.

 

Entry at 11+ is by school reference, interview and entrance assessments. These will involve Mathematics and English assessments, as well as Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (VR & NVR) tests.

Entry at 12-14+ is as at 11+, though the papers will be appropriate to the age of the child.

Entry at 16+ is by school reference, interview and evidence of satisfactory GCSE grades. The standard required for studying at Sixth Form is a significant step up from the level at GCSE. For this reason, the normal entry requirement for the Sixth Form is three ‘6’ grades and two ‘5’ grades, or the international equivalent. To study certain subjects, a Grade 6 will usually be needed at GCSE in that subject.

International Students

  • Each student is considered individually.
  • Students sit the Ackworth assessment and two most recent school reports are requested.
  • An interview with the Head or Director of Admissions, either in person or by video call.
  • See www.ackworthschool.com/admissions/ for further information.

Ackworth School fees

As an independent school, parents or guardians pay for the education of their children. Ackworth School fees reflect the excellent standard of care and education each student receives.

There is a non-refundable £75 fee for registration, and a non-refundable £400 fee for acceptance of a place. These figures are correct for 2023-24 and may change in the future.

Scholarships & Bursaries

Ackworth also offer a range of scholarships and bursaries. They’re aimed at families who aren’t able to fully support their child’s education in the school. Bursaries will be means tested and can be supported by scholarship funding for students with exceptional potential.

Scholarships are awarded on merit, but parents can request funding consideration for their child. There are a number of different categories for scholarship. These include: academic, music, art, drama and sports. The school also offers financial awards to students who achieve excellence in their GCSE and Sixth Form results.

Arrange your visit

To learn more about Ackworth School, please arrange a visit. Parents and students will be able to get a feel for the school environment, meet some of the teachers and take a look at the excellent campus and resources.

BACK TOTOP