Ackworth School, Pontefract | Fees, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

Visiting my old boarding school ( ’65 to ’72) hugely cathartic experience. As a non quaker scholarship girl always felt different uninvited to others homes in th holidays and a bit removed. The school buildings are largely the same stone construct with essential upgrades in heating, lighting and some luxurious additions like the senior school fitness room and sixth form lounge n self catering kitchen. Unfortunately many of the toilets in the public visitors and meeting house area are not accessible ones. For arthritic people doors are particularly stiff. Good to see the creative arts are still well supported and the design and technology rooms are much lighter and brighter than in our era. It’s sad the buildings next to the swimming pool are in such a sad state of disrepair that major funding is needed to restore them. I strongly suggest them creating a just giving page or something similar to get it started. Our guide for a tour of the grounds on Open Day was gracious and charming, showing us many new features like the grow garden space, and the Autism centre. The latter was of particular note for me as late life diagnosed person. I wished l had been given the same opportunity to be supported. I do recognise though that the broad liberal education l received here stood me in good stead to be the caring compassionate social activist l am today; a confident motivational speaker and poet( hopefully publishing later this year). There are only 80 boarders now with 400+ day students. It was the reverse in my day. It’s international status still remains with Chinese, American and European admissions. I wish the school well but l doubt I’ll be planting a tree or placing a bench with my name on it in the memorial garden as part of my will. I exorcised a few ghosts during my visit .. l wished ld been able to stand on the stage one last time to shout my name at the back row of Fotheringill Hall. My name isn’t on any achievement plaques. I was a player it forgot. I might just dedicate a poem to the school in my Poetry lTYC series and that will be our shared legacy.

I had an awful experience boarding at this school in year 7. Send your kids somwhere with more compassion and care.

It was a good quaker school back in the 90s. Hope everyone is well.

Wonderful boarding school.

nice