Ash Hill Centre of Excellence

July 2, 2026

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Ash Hill Academy is part of the Delta Academies Trust, which is continuing to strengthen its commitment to an inclusive ethos. The Trust has been creating opportunities for collaboration, professional development and networking, encouraging all academies to support one another. The senior leadership team at Ash Hill Academy is committed to removing barriers to learning and encouraging increased attendance and attainment. The academy provides support so that all students are given equal opportunities and not impacted by circumstances, including free uniform, free trips, breakfast, snacks, and classroom resources. There is an ongoing desire to ensure that nobody is left out.

Ambitions for everybody

Leaders are extremely ambitious for what their pupils can achieve and maintain high expectations for pupils’ conduct, learning, and outcomes. Students are recognised for both their attainment and the progress they make from their individual starting points, with support and encouragement provided every step of the way. Overall students are each enabled to do well both in school and in their wider future. There is a culture of celebration which goes beyond academic rewards or certificates. Fun, celebratory initiatives are in place to allow learners to celebrate publicly. Students are seen as individuals who have individual strengths and can each achieve great things and feel pride in themselves.

Strong enrichment offer

There is daily Enrichment offer which is well attended with 42% of students taking part in a trip or club in the most recent term. Pupil voice shapes the clubs and trips which are available, and which could benefit from more promotion within the school (for example through dining hall slide displays) leading to engagement and enthusiasm. As the offer is shaped by students’ ideas and interests, it reflects a broader range of hobbies and activities, for example “Nibble and a Natter” which was suggested by a pupil and has now become a popular part of the programme.

The Life of a Student programme maps the student journey from Year 7 to Year 11, covering pledges, experiences, enrichment, and celebration. This programme is a significant, self‑developed strength of the academy and has been selected for rollout across the entire Trust later this year. The staff leading this work are exceptional and a real asset to the school, reflecting its strong commitment to students’ personal development, engagement, and enjoyment of school life.

Work on cultural capital, both locally and globally, plays an important role in raising students’ ambition, broadening their understanding of the wider world, and strengthening the culture of learning, drive, and achievement at the heart of the school. This work is inclusive by design, with recent examples including Women’s History Month, recognition of those with protected characteristics, and awareness‑raising linked to the Paralympics.

All students are entitled to a core offer, with an enhanced offer providing additional opportunities such as seaside trips, awards evenings, residentials, and visits to colleges, universities, or industry settings. The enhanced offer is free of charge, with the expectation of good attendance and positive behaviour.

Students reported feeling safe, listened to, and supported when they needed help. The approach to student wellbeing is robust and effective, with pupil voice gathered regularly through surveys covering wellbeing, safety, enrichment participation, clubs, and wider Ethics, Philosophy and Citizenship (EPC) themes such as online safety, faith, and belonging.

Ash Hill Academy is committed to each of its pupils and works to include every pupil in ambitions and enrichment. We are proud to recognise them as a Centre of Excellence.