Ashford School Wins Hat-Trick of National Awards
Ashford School is celebrating after winning three awards at United Learning’s national Best in Everyone Awards. The awards recognise the impressive achievements of United Learning’s students and staff across the country. They include awards for academic excellence, extracurricular achievements and service to school communities.
The winning Ashford School students were Nathan Arnaud who won the Maths Award in the Years 7-9 category and George Levitt who was named Sportsman of the Year in the Years 7-9 category.
Each of these students had been nominated by their teachers for their exceptional achievements. In picking up the awards, they saw off strong competition from a field of excellent candidates from across United Learning.
Nathan was nominated by his teachers for his ‘outstanding’ attitude to maths which is exemplified by the way he is always eager to do additional work and stretch himself further. Nathan is described as a skilled problem solver who is always keen to learn new ways of tackling mathematical challenges.
Upon hearing he had received the award Nathan said:
“It is at [Ashford] School that I felt pushed more and challenged in maths, which has allowed me to develop much further than before.”
All-round sportsman George was nominated for always going above and beyond expectations in everything he does. This year, George qualified for the Kent Regional Swimming Championships and, in rugby, he has been nominated to join the Saracens Development Player Pathway.
George said:
“I would like to thank all of my sports teachers, especially Mr Cusani and Mrs Walsh. They have supported me and inspired me to push myself further, both on and off the field. Sport has been a massive part of my school life, and I look forward to where my training will take in the future.”
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s awards ceremony took place virtually rather than as part of a live event. The winners were therefore announced via a special video on Twitter, personalised to include a message of congratulations from the teachers who had nominated them. Schools across the country, as well as family members and friends, were then able to share these moving and engaging videos, and join together in celebrating the winners from home.
It was not just the students who were recognised at the awards, Ashford School’s Safeguarding Governor, Elaine Rose, was named Governor of the Year. Elaine had been nominated for the significant support she has given the school over the past few years.
Elaine was delighted to win the award saying:
“I am both honoured and delighted to receive this award, it being entirely my pleasure to serve Ashford School as a Governor with responsibilities for safeguarding and boarding. I have been involved as a parent since 1990 and as a Governor since 2001 and so have been privileged in seeing the school evolve over that period bringing out the best in children and young people, maximising their potential and welfare at every stage.”
Congratulating the winners, Michael Hall, Headmaster, said:
“We are very pleased to have picked up three awards this year. Both Nathan and George are deeply committed students. Nathan’s eagerness to constantly challenge himself in maths is highly commendable and George’s relentless determination to succeed in sport is truly outstanding. They are both a credit to themselves, their families and Ashford School.
“As Safeguarding Governor, Elaine goes above and beyond for our School. She has always made herself available to us and has provided very wise and considered counsel over the years. She is highly invested in ensuring that each of our students receives the very best care. She is a much valued governor and thoroughly deserves to be recognised in this way.”
