Ashton School: A caring, Christian environment where hard work pays off
The importance of extra-curricular activities to each student’s education is well recognised in Ashton. In 2023, Ashton won the National Competition for Schools (Mixed Voiced category) at the Cork International Choral Festival.
Ashton School is a Church of Ireland co-educational school located in Cork city. Since its opening in 1972, it has traditionally served the Protestant community but also welcomes students from the wider community where the availability of places allows.
Ashton has an extensive campus on the Blackrock Road which includes a multipurpose synthetic grass pitch, a grass soccer pitch, a sports hall and tennis courts. The present state-of-the-art three storey teaching block was officially opened in 2015. Ashton currently has 540 students and a teaching staff of 45. Ninety places are offered each year to First Year students.
Ashton School aims to educate students in a caring and Christian environment. During their time in school, students are encouraged to develop strong spiritual and moral values alongside personal and social skills. The philosophy of the school is that Ashton students perform best in an environment where they feel valued. Ashton takes pride in the fact that students are treated as individuals and their unique strengths and achievements are a great source of pride to the school community.
Students are supported in the school by a school chaplain, a pastoral team, class teachers, year heads, subject teachers and a school counsellor. Through care and attention, Ashton aims to aid the development of students into happy, confident, positive and well-rounded young adults.
The academic achievement of students is a primary focus of the school. The Leaving Certificate results are consistently excellent and far exceed the national averages. The results for 2024 speak for themselves. Thirty students scored more than 500 points from a total of 93 Ashton students who sat the exams. Of these, seven students scored more than 600 points and are pursuing a range of university courses including Pharmacy, Medicine, Architecture and Biomedical Sciences. Each year the school presents the Pfizer Perpetual Trophy to the Leaving Certificate student with the highest achievement. This year’s recipient is Michael Daniel who secured the top score of 625 and is studying Pharmacy in UCC. Well done Michael!
The Principal, Adrian Landen, recently invited these thirty Ashton graduates back to school where their success was celebrated by the whole school community. Mr Landen summed up the feeling of everyone there when he said; “We are proud of your achievements. The consistent hard work and dedication to your learning has paid off. Well done!”
The foundation for academic achievement is laid with First Year students and continues throughout their time in Ashton. High standards are expected of Ashton students and attained. Ultimately the school wants students to leave Ashton as confident young adults, well prepared for life and with the best set of academic results that they can achieve.
The importance of extra-curricular activities to each student’s education is well recognised in Ashton. Ashton offers a comprehensive extra-curricular programme for all year groups throughout the school year. Hockey is central to the sports programme with girls and boys competing enthusiastically in league and cup campaigns. Over the years the school has developed many interprovincial and international hockey players which is a great source of pride for Ashton.
Soccer is growing in popularity in Ashton year on year. There is little doubt that the success of former Ashton soccer players and past-pupils, Franco and Jaden Umeh, has inspired students to train harder and compete enthusiastically. In recent months Jaden, formerly of Cork City FC, has been signed to top club Benfica. He follows in the footsteps of his older brother Franco who is currently signed to Crystal Palace after a spell also at Cork City FC. We wish them both every success in their professional careers.
Outside of sport, there are many other school activities that students enjoy. The Ashton choir has been very successful in competitions for choirs. In 2023, for example, they won the National Competition for Schools (Mixed Voiced category) at the Cork International Choral Festival. In April 2024 they represented Ireland at Vox Lucensis in Lucca, Italy, winning a top level Silver award. Well done to the Ashton Choir and their Musical Director, Dr Mary G. O’Brien, on their great success!
Rehearsals will soon begin for the TY musical, “Singin’ in the Rain” staged and performed by The Ashton School Players. The TY musical is one of the most popular events in Ashton’s calendar with students performing over several nights for the wider school community. In the past, shows like Moana, The Lion King, The Wizard of Oz and Elf entertained large audiences in the school.
TY Musical Director Mr Ruttle said “the TY musical gives students the opportunity to shine. Their artistic and creative skills come to the fore and new talents are discovered and developed”. Through the hard work and commitment of the students, “Singin in the Rain” is certain to be outstanding. It will be staged in the school from January 14th-16th 2025.
Ashton’s TY programme is hugely successful with almost all Third Years opting to do TY. A key feature of the year’s activities is the annual Outdoor Pursuits Week to Achill Island, Co. Mayo. Planned for later this month, students will enjoy surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, pier jumping and cycling along the Western Greenway.
International travel is also on the agenda for Transition Year Geography students as they look forward to their Geography trip to Iceland next March. Reykjavik, the Northern Lights, the Gullfoss Falls waterfall and the Blue Lagoon are all on the itinerary. What a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the Land of Fire and Ice! Preparations are also underway for the annual TY visit to France. Last year’s group soaked up the atmosphere in Paris, honing their language skills and visiting a range of cultural sites.
Second Year students studying German are also preparing for their Exchange Programme with Lessing Gymnasium in Cologne. The German students are looking forward to their arrival in Cork on September 23rd. Ashton students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and culture of Germany when they travel to Cologne in November.
A number of extracurricular activities are arranged for First Year students annually. This includes an outdoor pursuits day in the West Cork Secret Adventure Centre near Kilbrittain and a History-Geography tour to the Mitchelstown caves and Cahir Castle. The excitement is palpable on these days as students enjoy new experiences and have fun with their friends.
Belfast and the Antrim Coast will be the destinations for the Fifth and Sixth Year History students. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the history of Northern Ireland. Among the places visited are Stormont, Crumlin Road Jail, the Peace Wall and Dunluce Castle. A firm favourite with the class last year was the Black Cab Tour of Belfast city.
Ashton’s Fifth and Sixth year Art students are looking forward to the annual Art History trip to Dublin. This year’s trip will take in the National Gallery where students can appreciate European masterpieces including the work of Jack B. Yeats and Walter Osborne. Harry Clarke’s stained glass and Impressionist paintings will be the highlights of their visit to the Hugh Lane Gallery.
Altogether, these extra-curricular activities in Ashton promote student wellbeing, self-esteem and a positive experience of learning. Together with life in the classroom in Ashton, they help to create an environment where students learn, develop and fulfil their unique and diverse talents. Ultimately Ashton School wants students to leave Ashton as confident young adults, well prepared for life and with the best set of academic results that they can achieve.
If you are considering Ashton for your child, the school is holding an for parents on r, at 7.30 p.m. Ashton School’s will be on, from 1.30 – 4.00 pm.
