Congratulations to all our Year 11 students today upon the completion of the last GCSE exam.  You have shown tremendous tenacity and commitment to your studies over the last few weeks and months.  Well done - we are proud of you.

We are excited about the next stage of your educational journey which will start in less than 2 weeks time with our Year 12 Taster Days (Tuesday 30th June at Houlton and Wednesday 1st July at Ashlawn.)  You should have received an invitation to this event last week - please check your spam folder and if you cannot find this,  please get in touch.

We are delighted with the collaboration we have in place now between our 2 sixth forms giving you a broader and varied range of subjects to choose from and offering a wider range of enrichment opportunities. Our committed sixth form staff across both schools have been working hard together over the last few months to create high quality learning resources.  Many courses are offered at both schools and a few courses are taught at one or the other school whereby you will be at that school for that day.  If this affects you,  we will be in contact with you over the next 2 weeks before the Taster Day to talk you through how this will work for you. 

We are excited about our collaboration and the breadth and depth opportunities and support this will bring you and we very much look forward to welcoming you to both our sixth forms on Tuesday 30th June and Wednesday 1st July.

For now,  enjoy a well deserved rest and once again congratulations to the class of 2026!

Mrs Lorraine Cunliffe
Trust Head of Sixth Form and Careers
Ashlawn and Houlton Schools   

Mr Matt Raffy
Houlton Sixth Form Lead

Mrs Rebecca Wilmot
Ashlawn Sixth Form Lead

Young High Sheriff for a Day Competition – Borough of Rugby 2024 hosted by Rugby High School

 Please click on this link for more information -   2024 Young High Sheriff

The High Sheriff is offering the opportunity for one young person to become a young High Sheriff for the day. You will have the opportunity to accompany the High Sheriff and help them undertake their tradition role and carry out their official duties on behalf of the King, for a day, (or part days).

As this is a very high-profile competition, winners may be filmed by local news.

This is an opportunity to stand out and be a part of something unique.

The competition task:

Produce a 3-minute video clip or write a 500-word essay, or 200-word poem on why you would want to be High Sheriff for the day and submit it to: highsheriffcomp@gmail.com

Some of the features we are looking for are below, however, this is an open task and each piece will go through a judging process. A small team of semi-professional judges will judge all entries and will put forward the top 25 to the High Sheriff’s community judging panel.

Last Year's Winner

Aaron Dhesi, pictured here in his formal Robe of Office, was last year's winner, Here is Aaron with last year's High Sheriff, Sophie Hilleary, and teachers from Myton School who led last year's competition, Jane Millington and Sarah Wyatt. 

A commitment to giving ‘our best, always’ has been rewarded at Ashlawn School, where students are celebrating A-level and vocational success today.

This year saw particularly strong performances in subjects including Business Studies, French, Economics and English Literature, with students achieving exceptional progress and outcomes across the curriculum. In Mathematics and Further Mathematics, over a third of students achieved the very top grades of A*/A, with almost three quarters of Performing Arts grades at Distinction/Distinction* and 100% of Engineering grades reaching this measure. 

Stephen Darby, Head of School, said: "My congratulations go to all of the students receiving their exam results today. It has been fantastic to see so many talented, hardworking young people celebrating their achievements and looking forward to the exciting futures that are ahead of them.  

“We’re incredibly proud of all of our sixth formers and the important role that they play in our school community, they epitomise our Ashlawn commitment to giving ‘our best, always’. 

“Throughout their time with us, they have given their all to their studies, as well as taking on a range of extra-curricular activities, leadership responsibilities and ‘paying it forward’ by becoming actively involved in the local area.  

“I’d also like to give a particular mention for the progress made by our amazing students with special educational needs and disabilities, many of whom exceeded their target grades and achieved incredible results that they should rightly be proud of.”

Students are set for a range of exciting destinations, with many progressing on to some of the country’s top universities while others have secured prestigious degree apprenticeships, for example, Nayan Vegad will now begin a degree apprenticeship in Engineering with Siemens Energy.

Among others celebrating was James Newbon, who has secured his place at the University of York to study Biomedical Science. He said: “I’m really happy I got my first-choice university. I think Ashlawn is the most supportive Sixth Form, the staff are always looking out for you and being there when you need them. I’ve got some great memories of my time here and all of the opportunities I’ve had access to.”

Agnes Bawuah will now take up her studies in Forensic Psychology and Criminology at Kingston University in London. She said: “My advice to anyone preparing for their exams is start early and revise as much as you can and make the most of the support on offer – revision sessions, studying in the library and resources provided – it’s been really helpful.” 

Gurpal Sunsoay, was relieved to finally receive his results today. He will now attend the University of Nottingham to study Mechanical Engineering with an industrial year. He said: “I’m happy, I’ve got a place on the course that I wanted, I’m grateful for all of the help I received at Ashlawn in applying for university, preparation for interviews and providing sessions with specialists in the field. I can’t wait for what happens next.” 

Scarlett Smith achieved three Distinctions in Double Health and Social Care and Sport, she will  join the University of Lincoln to study Paramedic Science. She said: “I’m so chuffed with my results. I’ve always known that I want to work in care, so I’m really excited about what happens next. My teachers have really encouraged me to pursue my passion and have provided opportunities for me to meet real-life paramedics and find out more about what the role will entail.” 

In a few weeks' time, Malachy Dolan will join the University of Nottingham to study Biomedical Engineering. He said: “I’m really pleased with my results. I really enjoyed Sixth Form and it’s nice to see that the hard work you put in pays off in the end.” 

Amelia Liddle achieved a Distinction in Music and three Distinction* in Performing Arts. She will now attend Emil Dale Performing Arts Academy, with the ambition of going into musical theatre and eventually becoming a director. She said: “I’m shocked and so happy about my results. My teachers have been amazing, sitting down with me to help me with anything I was struggling with – I can’t thank them enough.” 

Helen Stevenson, CEO at Transforming Lives Educational Trust (TLET), which runs the school added: “Results day is always an incredible opportunity to celebrate all of the hard work and efforts of our talented students, but also all of the staff, families and friends that support them throughout their educational journey. 

“Today's results reflect not only academic achievement, but also the character, perseverance and ambition of our young people. We are immensely proud of every student and look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve next.”