Aims and Provision

We aim to make boarding at Ashford School an enjoyable and beneficial experience, full of opportunities for discovery and personal development. Each pupil is given the space and support to develop individual interests and talents as well as the chance to discover both the pleasures and responsibilities of living as a member of a community – a community that is friendly, homely, relaxed and caring. 

We encourage our boarders to grow as confident and responsible young men and women, ready for education and ready for life in every direction. 

Aims in Action 

• We want to help each and every boarder achieve their full potential. This isn’t just about passing exams – it means getting the most out of everything you do and feeling that you belong.
• We aim to create an environment where we all recognise the value and the ‘good’ in other members of the community (pupils, boarding staff, kitchen staff, etc.), even those to whom you are not naturally drawn. We respect your views and value your input into how the boarding house should run.
• We want to encourage you to live your life in a way which considers the needs of others and respects their rights. We believe people should behave in a positive manner with honesty, courtesy and consideration for others (along with appropriate humour!) underpinning all they do.
• We believe in the importance of clear and fair rules and sanctions to discourage harmful behaviour.
• We work in partnership with your parents and/or guardians and all other staff to help you make the most of your opportunities and to support you through the difficult times.

Highlights of our boarding provision include:

• Progressively greater privacy, eg double or single study-bedrooms for the Sixth Form
• A “big brother/sister” scheme to support younger / new boarders
• Increased opportunities for study and for leisure as boarders progress through the school
• Boarding staff with a role in day-time school, to ensure good communication between the school and the boarding community
• School facilities available to boarders in the evenings and at weekends
• A non-uniform policy out of school hours
• A policy of providing equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, creed or colour

Medical Facilities

Our on-site Medical Centre is run by three fully qualified RSN Nurses and is open six days per week. All boarders are registered with our school Doctor (Dr Gardner) and given a medical check-up when they arrive. Boarders can visit Dr Gardner during the weekly drop-in clinic (no appointment necessary) or make additional appointments to see her via the Medical Centre if required. 

Should emergency medical treatment be necessary, the School is only a 5 minute drive from the William Harvey NHS hospital. Our boarders are also registered with a local dentist for either routine or urgent dental care.

Ashford School is committed to the pastoral care of all our pupils and we will do all we can to ensure your time with us is happy, productive and rewarding. In addition to our medical and tutor teams, the School also has a Chaplain and an independent Counsellor whom any pupil can see. 
Click here to see our support structure: Welfare Support

Admission Criteria

Please follow this link for access to our information on admissions: Admissions Procedure & Criteria