In an increasingly competitive world, it is important that we guide and support each of our learners during their years at Ashmole so that their applications for higher education and employment are as enriched as possible. In response, we have created the Ashmole Scholar Programme. Targeting students who are curious about the world around them and eager to learn more about the subjects they study this programme varies through the years but the aim is always to extend their education and provide skills necessary for a successful future.

The Programme has three phases: Junior (Years 7 and 8), Senior (Years 9 and 10) and Advanced (Years 12-13) and all students are invited to attend each year.

The Junior and Senior Scholars have weekly meetings led by teaching staff, external speakers and Advanced Scholars. They are presented with ideas beyond the curriculum, inspiring them to think critically, evaluate information and determine their own opinions. Oracy is a key element of each session and students cooperatively listen and discuss with their peers and teachers, developing the confidence and the tools to express themselves to a wider audience. Students on the programme are also invited to attend a variety of trips, recently including: Oxford University, Bletchley Park, The Royal Observatory and Williams F1 centre. At the end of each programme all students are invited to deliver a written or oral presentation about something they have investigated during the course of the sessions. A panel of teachers award a prize for the best submission in each year group.

The Advanced Scholars begin their journey to be a scholar of one of their chosen A Level subjects in October of Year 12. Each subject lead designs a series of activities, trips and opportunities to enable students to become an expert in their chosen field. Alongside this, the Scholar team deliver sessions that encourage students to think deeply about complex ideas and aid students in honing their skills in presenting their opinions in a variety of media and to a wide audience. Advanced Scholars often support the school community by supporting in lessons and running extra-curricular clubs. At the end of the programme, students are invited to deliver a face to face presentation to the Head Teacher and Scholar lead. A prize is awarded to the winner. 

Additionally, subjects also offer a range of additional trips and visiting speakers to encourage breadth of study and an awareness of how the ideas presented in school are reflected in the wider community. We also offer all students access to collated wider reading, visits to exhibitions and research opportunities.

Our Scholars are likely to follow a university career at prestigious institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, LSE and other Russell Group Universities. The Academy fully supports students in their ambitions. The Academy runs specialist programmes preparing students for university, including specific training and advice programmes for Oxbridge entry and for those wishing to study Medicine and Law. Our Medical Society meets weekly to prepare for applications and interviews. Teaching staff and individual mentors also advise on such matters. These programmes often start at Key Stage 4, at the time of GCSE option choices, through to Year 13.

You may wish to look at the following for advice and support:

• www.potentialplusuk.org: this has a useful section for parents with free fact sheets and reading lists. You can also sign up for their newsletter.
• www.iggy.net: a social network for able young people and their parents. This is linked to the University of Warwick.
• www.russellgroup.ac.uk/ : the 24 leading research universities in the UK.
• https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/ : guidance from the Russell Group on Sixth Form subject choices.