PUBLISHED 04 September 2019
Press Release 4th September, 2019
“We believe that the best possible education is not only academically rigorous but provides a broad range of opportunities and experiences to ensure that everyone, whatever their individual aspirations, is able to embrace the challenges of the world with confidence.” Mr Harrow, Headmaster AKS Lytham.
AKS is renowned for outstanding academic results delivered alongside world-class character education. This is achieved through dedicated staff who care about students as individuals and who are committed to helping them achieve the best possible outcomes.
A new Headmaster, a new chapter
The school is poised for even greater success with the appointment of Mr David Harrow, who hails from the prestigious Oakham School where he was responsible for driving academic excellence. With a Masters in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and twenty years’ experience of supporting students achieve their potential, Mr Harrow brings a fresh energy and ambition to the school’s enduring values.
Commenting on the students’ achievements he said, “We are proud not just of the superb examination results our students achieve but of the many ways they contribute, whether it is performing on stage, on the sports pitch, in service of others or elsewhere - there is no typical AKS student.”
Superb results, superb outcomes
Our students consistently win places on competitive university courses or on Higher Apprenticeship schemes. This year several students are going on to study medicine at a range of Russell Group universities; whilst others will read Biology, Computer Science, Psychology and Music at universities such as Sheffield, UCL, Manchester and Leeds to name but a few.
After receiving his A level results (A*A*A*A), Head Boy, Jeremy reflected, “It was a phenomenal experience to be Head Boy at AKS and to be involved with all our community service initiatives. I’ve also appreciated both the support and academic challenge that I've received during my time here - I couldn’t have imagined a better place to grow up”.
England U18 Hockey Captain, Mollie who secured a place to study Biochemistry and Genetics at Nottingham University added, “I’ve appreciated not only the range of co-curricular opportunities but also the great academic support. I’m particularly grateful to my teachers who have enabled me to pursue my hockey by supporting me outside of lessons and helping me manage my time”.
At GCSE, 51% of all grades were equivalent to A*/A and the number of students achieving above a C increased for another year. These results have been achieved alongside a variety of wider interests, with 65% of students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and others gaining county and national honours in sports such as golf, rugby and hockey.
World-class character education
The character education at AKS includes this summer’s trip to Nepal, which was described by one student as the “trip of a lifetime”, as well as linking up with a like-minded global network of schools in this year’s Round Square conference in India. Other opportunities include our football tour to Barcelona, music tour to Germany in 2020 and rugby tour to South Africa in 2021.
Closer to home, we consistently rank as top of the leader board in the national Tycoon in Schools entrepreneurship competition. This year, our winning students raised £2,500 for Trinity Hospice before receiving their award at Buckingham Palace. Members of the team have also been involved in developing Vent, our student-led support initiative which won the Singleton Shield in the 2018 Rotary Respect Awards.
These achievements reflect the growing recognition of the positive impact that experiences outside the classroom have on academic results. Mr Harrow concluded, “From the moment I stepped through the doors of AKS, I knew it offered exactly the education that I wanted for my own children. Starting from the Nursery and Preparatory School, there is a commitment to academic excellence and holistic education at all levels which is delivered with compassion. All schools make claims to deliver this, of course, but here it can be seen and felt across our campus. This rich experience within this wonderful community lights a spark that we have a duty to nurture.”
To find out more, please register for our Open Day, or contact us to arrange a visit: admissions@akslytham.com or 01253 784100.