On top of the world! Harrogate Ashville A level pupils celebrate future-ready global opportunities

A student whose father led Canada to FIFA World Cup success earlier in the summer is just one of the many A level success stories at a Harrogate secondary school.

After a stand-out set of A Level results at Ashville school in Harrogate, students are now heading to leading universities, international institutions and prestigious global organisations spanning the UK, Europe and the United States.

The Class of 2026 is taking up a diverse range of higher education opportunities, from Medicine to Ancient History, and coveted apprenticeships, including Ernst & Young, after securing their destinations of choice.

Head of Ashville, Rhiannon Wilkinson, said the rich and unparalleled diversity of this year’s destinations highlighted the individuality, ambition and future-ready mindset of the school’s pupils.

Harrogate Ashville student Lennon Marsch took all his A Level exams while his father, Jesse, was leading Canada as its Head Coach to a historic finish in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Picture contributed)

She said: “All our pupils are supported to be exam ready, university ready, career ready, and life ready for a rapidly changing world.

"Our new-look Sixth Form Centre and unique pre-university experience is adding a newdimension to this.

“The opening of their envelopes and emails today has opened up a new and exciting world to explore and put their ‘Ashville’ stamp on.”

Among the many personal Ashville triumphs is Deputy Head Boy, Ben Harrison, who has secured a coveted degree apprenticeship with EY (Ernst & Young).

The successful Class of 2026 at Ashville School in Harrogate is taking up a diverse range of higher education opportunities, from Medicine to Ancient History, and coveted apprenticeships, including Ernst & Young. (Picture contributed)

This rare accolade marks the second consecutive year Ashville pupils have been awarded a coveted position with the ‘Big 4’ global professional services leader.

“Getting a degree apprenticeship with EY is an incredible opportunity and I’m proud to have secured my place and be part of their world,” said Ben.

Another success story is Lennon Marsch, who took all his A Level exams while his father, Jesse, was leading Canada as its Head Coach to a historic finish in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reaching the last 16 for the first time.

Lennon Marsch is now set to follow in the footsteps of his father, who formerly managed Leeds United and gave an insight into his sporting journey to pupils at Ashville before heading off to the World Cup, after securing a place at the University of Bath to study Sports Management.