Ashcroft College Reviews 2023

Ashcroft College

We’ve had a lot of requests about Ashcroft College, so I wanted to post to the most recent: the forum discussion revolves around Ashcroft Academy, where parents and educators share their experiences and opinions about the school. Here’s a summary of the key points:

1. Positive Feedback:
   • One parent’s friend has two children at Ashcroft and is very happy with the academy.
   • Another parent praised the school’s support during GCSEs, mentioning a helpful Head of Year for upper years. They also noted that their son went there and benefitted, but chose not to stay for 6th form.
2. Concerns and Criticisms:
   • A parent mentioned that Ashcroft is very strict, with a lot of detentions, which can be demoralising, especially for new students. They also described the school’s approach as cold and unaccommodating in certain situations, like a lengthy detention for missing school due to a family funeral.
   • Another parent expressed disappointment that a specialist place for their son did not offer any additional benefits or accommodations, particularly considering his medical condition which required a mobile phone.
3. Queries about Specialisation in Technology/Science:
   • A parent inquired about the school’s focus on technology/science/STEAM, wondering if the curriculum offers more than other schools, particularly in DT and Science, as their son is interested in coding.
   • Another parent shared a similar query, under the impression that the school would have a stronger focus on DT/Computer Science/Coding.
4. Insight from a Former Teacher:
   • A former teacher at Ashcroft highlighted the school’s investment in technology, like separate sections for theory and experiments in science labs. They praised the school for its strictness, structured environment, and qualified teachers passionate about teaching. However, they also agreed that the management could seem cold, though necessary for maintaining discipline.
5. Overall Impression:
   • The discussion portrays Ashcroft Academy as a school with a strong academic focus and strict discipline, which may not be suitable for every student. The management style and approach to discipline are points of contention for some parents, while others appreciate the structured environment and support for academic achievement. Concerns were raised about the school’s approach to specialisations and accommodations for students with specific needs or interests.