A-level Music
At Ashbourne

Many talented young musicians feel pressured to choose between developing their musical ability at a specialist music school or fully realising their academic potential. At Ashbourne, A Level Music students are not faced with this ultimatum. Instead, they develop both alongside one another receiving expert musical tuition alongside a rigorous academic education. This balanced approach allows students to leave Ashbourne as more accomplished musicians and more confident, intellectually mature academics, well prepared for university pathways, in music and beyond.

Ashbourne’s music students go on to secure places at prestigious institutions including Royal Holloway, Birmingham Conservatoire, Russell Group Universities and the Royal College of Music, as well as moving directly into creative arts and music careers. Our students have also secured

Our A level Programme provides students with the exciting opportunity to write and perform their own music through concerts and events hosted at local London venues.

Ashbourne’s location in Kensington offers easy access to world-class musical culture. With a constant programme of live concerts, recitals, and performances easily accessible to our students, they are able to experience music at the highest professional level alongside their studies. This direct exposure enriches musical understanding, inspires performance and composition, and brings A Level Music learning to life, creating a stimulating and immersive environment for developing musicians.

At Ashbourne, the average class size is just 10 students, a key factor in our academic success. Smaller classes allow teachers to truly know and understand each student, building genuine rapport and trust. This trust is essential: when students feel understood, they are more confident in accepting feedback and using it to improve their musical performance. Small classes also deepen subject knowledge by encouraging discussion and debate, aswell as helping students feel confident asking questions, contributing ideas, and engaging fully.

Ashbourne’s friendly student body creates a classroom atmosphere defined by a supportive culture between musicians, where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and developing their abilities. Performance is driven by strong personal ambition and self-belief, rather than competitiveness with peers. This environment has proven essential in helping musicians grow in confidence, feel enriched by their learning, and perform at their best in class. Within this culture, students respect one another’s talents and actively encourage progress, enabling them to reach their full potential through the A Level Music programme.

To begin an application, please contact our admissions team, who will advise on the documents required. Once received, we arrange an individual appointment for interview and admissions assessments. After reviewing all elements of the application, we aim to communicate outcomes within the following days.

If you are considering a January start, we encourage you to contact our admissions team as early as possible to discuss subject availability and next steps.

Getting involved in the many clubs, activities and events the College offers is a great way to make friends, discover new passions and develop skills.

The Ashbourne Revue and the European Trip are real highlights for many students (and staff). The Revue offers the chance to showcase talents from dance, music and theatre to fashion, poetry and martial arts.

There is also a great selection of clubs featuring the successful Ashbourne Allstars football team, Bollywood dancing and Creative Writing, just to mention a few.

Located on High Street Kensington, Ashbourne offers a truly inspiring learning environment in the heart of London. Students are within walking distance of world-class museums and leading universities that host free public academic lectures. Beautiful parks, iconic architecture, and an exceptional range of global cuisine surround the college, creating a vibrant and intellectually stimulating setting that naturally complements academic ambition and curiosity.

Ashbourne attracts a diverse range of students from all over the world, accounting for around 50 different nationalities, who are keen to take advantage of the wide selection of subjects on offer and the high level of individual attention.

This makes the College an exciting place to learn with students bringing a wealth of ideas, talents and culture.

We hope every student will develop a great affection for Ashbourne and form some wonderful friendships, as most of our students do.

Please complete the fields below and a member of our team will be in contact with you shortly.

1. What makes Ashbourne’s A-level courses stand out in London?
Our students consistently achieve outstanding results, with 52% A*A in 2024–2025 and a 10-year average of 51% A*A. We rank in the top 2.5% of UK schools for Value Added, showing how much students improve from GCSE to A-level.

2. How many A-level subjects can students choose from?
Students can select from more than 25 A-level subjects, with flexible course lengths of one year, 18 months, or two years. This allows each student to create a pathway tailored to their ambitions and strengths.

3. What class sizes can students expect at Ashbourne?
Classes are typically fewer than 10 students, ensuring plenty of individual attention. This small-group teaching style allows for more engagement, feedback, and independent thinking.

4. How does Ashbourne support students outside the classroom?
Students benefit from weekly Personal Tutor meetings, subject-specific clinics, support classes, and peer mentoring. This extra support helps them stay on track academically and personally.