Ashton Sixth Form College is an 'Outstanding' sixth form college in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. Founded in 1928 as Ashton-under-Lyne Grammar School, the college has an acceptance rate of 29.3% (2021).[1]
| Ashton Sixth Form College | |
|---|---|
| File:Ashton-under-Lyne Logo.jpg | |
| Location | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Former names | Ashton-under-Lyne Grammar School |
| Type | Sixth Form College |
| Motto | Doctrina (Learn) |
| Established | 1980 |
| Headmaster | Anton McGrath |
| Enrolment | 2000 |
| Colour(s) | Blue |
| Website | www |
History
19th to 20th century
Ashton Sixth Form College first began as a grammar school attached to a parish church in Ashton during the seventeenth century. The Ashton Grammar School that came before the Sixth Form College has its roots in the nonconformist Independent Congregational school at Albion, completed in 1862.[2]
It was the largest Sunday school in England at the time, but the school closed in 1926 and the pupils were transferred to the new council school on Mossley Road.[3]
The campus now lies on Darnton Road along with the corporate buildings of Titus Tetlow Esq of Ashton-under-Lyne.[4] He left a sum of money in his will to promote the education of both sexes. He also left money to the trustees in order to devote money for prizes and for the salaries of Science and Art teachers at the Mechanics Institute. Technical Schools and Colleges then emerged from the Mechanics Institutes. Additionally, George Hegginbottom, another Albion man and mill owner, left the sum of £10,000 in his Will to the corporation.[5] The money was used to erect a "Free Library and Technical Institute" on Old Street. The Hegginbottom Technical School opened in 1892 - one of the first in the country.
In October 1904, Ashton-under-Lyne Secondary School was formed from the School of Science in the Hegginbottom Technical School. Each year, places were awarded to 32 pupils, 16 for girls and 16 for boys.[6] In 1928, the school obtained its own building on Darnton Road, where it acquired the name of Ashton-under-Lyne Grammar School.
21st century
In 1980, under educational re-organisation, high schools for 11-16-year-olds were created and Ashton Grammar School became Ashton Sixth Form College.
Academic performance
Ashton Sixth Form College is the highest Ofsted rated institution in Tameside with an 'Outstanding' rating.[7] In 2018–2019, 750 A* or A grades rewarded to students (or equivalent), and 38 courses at the college achieved 100% pass rates.[8]
In January 2020, Ashton Sixth Form College ranked fourth in Greater Manchester for 16-18 education by the Department for Education, and the highest performing college in Tameside since its establishment.[9]
Notable alumni
- Gerard Kearns, actor
- Melanie Sykes, model and television presenter
Ashton-under-Lyne Grammar School
- Peter Buckley, Professor of International Business at the University of Leeds
- Ronald Fraser, actor
- John Pendry, Professor of Theoretical Solid State Physics at Imperial College London
- John Savident, actor
- Gordon Taylor, footballer and CEO of the Professional Footballers' Association
References
- ^ "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ "England Nonconformists Congregationalists, Independents (National Institute)". FamilySearch Wiki. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ "Mossley Rd · United Kingdom". Mossley Rd · United Kingdom. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ "Our History | Ashton Sixth Form College". www.asfc.ac.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Our History | Ashton Sixth Form College". www.asfc.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ "Our History | Ashton Sixth Form College". www.asfc.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ "Find an inspection report". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Ofsted Communications Team. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
- ^ "A-Level Results Day Student Success Ashton Sixth Form College". www.asfc.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
- ^ "Compare school and college performance - GOV.UK". www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2020.