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Photo of Ashbourne College
Reviewed

Ashbourne College

Independent school · London, W8 4PL
  • Sixth form
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 15-19
  • From £40,000 pa
  • 270 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

Its high-street setting and flexible structure suit those ready for a bit more independence. Parents say ‘it’s been a succession of pleasant surprises’, delighted at how their offspring thrive so much more here than in more traditional school settings. No fancy facilities or rolling sports fields, but for those seeking top-notch teaching in a grown-up yet highly nurturing environment, Ashbourne is ‘a little gem’.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
270 ·
Sixth form numbers
227 ·
Religion
None
Fees
£40,000 pa
Local authority
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council

Headteacher

Principal

Mr Michael Kirby

Since 1981, Mike Kirby BApSc MSc. Raised and educated in and around Toronto, with a degree in aerospace engineering and astrophysics. He became a maths teacher because he was ‘entirely unsuited to the aerospace engineering profession’ and still te


Entrance

No generic entry requirements but for year 12, usually at least an average grade 6 at GCSE (or equivalent) with the expectation that students will be aiming for at least a B at A level: ‘We’re looking for students who want to progress and stretch


Exit

Most stay on after GCSEs. At sixth form, usually over 60 per cent go on to Russell Group, with London universities most popular – King’s College London, UCL etc. In 2024, three to Oxbridge and four medics. Some overseas too – in 2024 to University


Latest results

In 2024, 30 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 46 per cent A*/A at A level (78 per cent A*-B). In 2023, 33 per cent 9-7 at GCSE.

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
25%
LA avg.
19%
Eng. avg.
20%
Data highlight

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.


Teaching & learning

Students and staff alike praise the ‘close-knit, community feel’, and staff turnover is correspondingly low. The individual attention is exceptional; for many who didn’t thrive in a bigger school setting, it is life-changing: ‘You can feel the stu

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • EPQ
  • GCSE

Learning support & SEN

Consistently glowing feedback that ‘Ashbourne is very accommodating of different needs’, including ASC, ADHD and physical impairments. One-to-one support not generally required, even for more complex conditions; small classes mean that teachers kn

0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
35 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Performing arts are popular, including an end-of-year revue in the Conway Hall in which almost everyone gets involved; standard of drama performances is ‘seriously impressive’, said one parent in the industry. Lack of space has its upsides: drama


Sport

Not the main event here but GCSE students do get an afternoon of sport off site at Edgware Road; the range of sports varies over the year (eg volleyball, climbing and badminton) and is informed by student feedback. There’s one football team and pl


Ethos & heritage

It may have been in the same building for 30 years, but what started as one teacher in one room with two students aiming for better grades has evolved into a school with two sites, nearly 300 students, and maths, science and economics A levels hav


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

It’s a supportive, nurturing environment in which ‘students feel safe and calm’ and the pastoral support is some of the most impressively integrated we’ve seen: ‘It’s like an invisible safety net under you.’ The ‘absolutely amazing’ pastoral/safeg


Pupils & parents

Part of Ashbourne’s appeal is the diverse student body, now about 50:50 international-domestic (40:60 at GCSE), and the wide range of nationalities ‘all rub along together really well’. ‘It gives them a very global outlook,’ says the head. Those w

270
Number of pupils

Money matters

Not the cheapest option, but students can apply for ‘very generous scholarships’ (up to 100 per cent) in music and drama, underlining how important these subjects are for Ashbourne. Academic scholarships up to full fees also available.

Fee information
£40,000 pa

The last word

Its high-street setting and flexible structure suit those ready for a bit more independence. Parents say ‘it’s been a succession of pleasant surprises’, delighted at how their offspring thrive so much more here than in more traditional school sett


Inspection reports

What the school says

Ashbourne College is a selective independent sixth-form college located in the heart of Kensington, neighbouring Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. The college offers a dynamic, aspirational environment, providing academic prestige without the formality. Its university-style education, with small class sizes, fosters independent thinking and self-confidence. Ashbourne students consistently secure places at the UK’s top universities, with 63 per cent of graduates progressing to Russell Group institutions. With a supportive environment and flexible subject selection, Ashbourne empowers students to achieve their academic and personal goals, ensuring they actualise their potential.

Contact the school

Address

17 Old Court Place
London
W8 4PL
Get directions

Have you considered?

School data & information Ashbourne College 17 Old Court Place, London, W8 4PL
270 Pupil numbers
227 Sixth form numbers
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Ashbourne College and is updated annually. See the review

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
25%
LA avg.
19%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
40.58
LA avg.
35.65
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Psychology GCE AS level 26 B
Physics GCE AS level 19 A
Mathematics GCE AS level 39 B
Government and Politics GCE AS level 12 C
Film Studies GCE AS level 7 A
English Literature GCE AS level 16 A
Economics GCE AS level 29 C
Computer Studies / Computing GCE AS level 14 A
Chemistry GCE AS level 23 C
Biology GCE AS level 22 C
Russian GCE A level 1 E
Psychology GCE A level 17 A
Physics GCE A level 21 A
Persian GCE A level 7 A*
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 18 A
Mathematics GCE A level 41 A
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 10 B
History of Art GCE A level 8 A
History GCE A level 6 B
Government and Politics GCE A level 10 A
Film Studies GCE A level 6 A*
English Literature GCE A level 18 A
Economics GCE A level 25 A
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 11 A
Chinese GCE A level 6 A*
Chemistry GCE A level 18 B
Biology GCE A level 15 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 9 A
Arabic GCE A level 1 E

Entry and exit data

We do not have entry or exit data for pupils at this school. Find out more


SEN overview

Ashbourne College is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

0 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2%
35 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12%

SEN conditons supported

No information available from the school. Find out more.

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