The journey towards a fulfilling A-level experience is not always straightforward. At this point in the year, ambitious students can find themselves looking for a better fit for a range of reasons. Ashbourne is highly experienced in supporting students to make the right change, providing the environment they need to unlock their full potential.
The period leading up to September can be a time when a range of factors cause students and families to question whether their current educational environment is the right fit. Whether prompted by examination results, time over the summer to reflect on future plans, or a growing realisation that a different environment may better support their ambitions, students in a range of circumstances may find themselves considering a change.
For some students, examination results can prompt a reassessment of their next steps. They may have exceeded their expectations and are now looking for a more academically ambitious environment that will challenge them to achieve the highest possible grades at A level.
For others, results may have changed their original plans due to narrowly missing the grades required for their highly competitive sixth form entry requirements. These students are now seeking an environment that combines academic ambition with the individual support needed to help them continue to thrive.
Ashbourne has many success stories of students who joined us later in the admissions cycle, with the right change of environment helping them to rediscover their enjoyment of education and fulfil their academic potential.
A prime example is Tian, who joined Ashbourne later in his sixth-form journey and went on to complete six A levels, achieving A*A*A*A*A*A in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Computer Science. His success demonstrates how finding the right environment at the right time can help students stay on track and achieve exceptional academic outcomes.
Ashbourne is a selective college, and we take the time to carefully consider every application to understand whether a student is the right fit for our academic environment, and whether Ashbourne is the right fit for them. Our admissions process allows us to look beyond grades alone, considering each student’s ambitions, motivation and suitability for our community.
If you are considering an application for September 2026, we encourage you to contact our admissions team as soon as possible. This allows us to check subject availability and exam board compatibility before moving forward with an application.
1. What type of students does Ashbourne consider for late applications?
Ashbourne is a selective college, and we look for students who are academically ambitious, motivated and suited to our learning environment. We consider applications from students who are seeking a more personalised and academically focused environment, where they can continue to develop and achieve their potential. Every application is considered individually to understand whether Ashbourne is the right fit for the student, and whether the student is the right fit for our community.
2. What are the entry requirements?
Entry requirements vary depending on the subjects a student wishes to study and their individual academic background. As part of the admissions process, we consider a student’s previous academic performance, subject choices, ambitions and suitability for Ashbourne’s approach to learning. Our admissions team will be able to advise on the specific requirements based on each student’s circumstances.
3. How quickly can the application process be completed?
We understand that students applying at this stage are often making an important decision within a shorter timeframe, which is why our admissions process is designed to be efficient while ensuring every application receives the careful consideration it deserves.
Once we have confirmed subject availability and exam board compatibility, our admissions team works quickly to arrange the required steps, including individual interviews and admissions assessments. Once all aspects of the application have been completed, we aim to provide a decision as promptly as possible.
