In his January - February update, Emil reflects on the final chapter of his six months at Future Hope, describing it as a deeply formative experience. He highlights the children’s challenging backgrounds and the school’s vital role in providing stability, care, and opportunity, while much of his own time was spent in the Resource Room, where he learnt the value of patience, adaptability, and persistence through daily work with the students. In his concluding reflections, Emil acknowledges the challenges of an unpredictable environment but emphasises how much he has learnt in return, with the experience becoming a deeply personal journey shaped by the children, the community, and the unexpected.

In his December update, Emil reflects on becoming more embedded in daily life at Future Hope. From working in the Resource Room to sharing music, sport and time in the boarding houses, he writes about the small moments that help build relationships. Teaching piano and cooking with the students have become particularly meaningful, and his reflections are filled with gratitude for the people and experiences shaping his time so far. Read Emil’s full reflection and see photo from December and the Christmas holidays at Future Hope below.

This distinction highlights schools showing exceptional momentum and impact, and reflects the strength of our unique ethos, the breadth of opportunity, and the confidence with which our pupils move into the future.

Thank you to our pupils, staff and wider community whose sense of mission and community shape the direction of Ampleforth. Being recognised on a global stage reflects the energy and purpose that define life here. Keep watching! 

Ampleforth has a strong sporting reputation and there have been notable successes and achievements under Will’s leadership. Sport is integral to life here for all our students, not only for those in the top teams or participating in national, regional, and county performance pathways. Will should be very proud of our 100% student participation rate and across such a broad range of sporting opportunities besides the long-established staples of rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, and tennis. Under his tenure, our students have enjoyed fixtures against other schools in everything from water polo to raft-racing, fencing to shooting, and squash to basketball. 

As a committed believer that sport is about personal fulfilment and wellbeing, as well as learning to work in teams and develop the resilience necessary to achieve goals, Will has made sure that sport is enjoyable for all through an enthusiastic and positive coaching approach. Often called the Big Man, behind the imposing and unmistakeable looks of a 2nd row rugby player, he is a gentle giant with a kindness and thoughtfulness which have earned him a huge following amongst students and staff alike. His sports tours – and not just the ones to Sri Lanka or South Africa – have never been more popular. 

Will, his wife Rose, and daughters Bethan (B20) and Loyce (B22) leave the Valley to return to their family home in Devon. They go with our very best wishes and with a great debt of gratitude. 

At the Jubilee Mass tomorrow, 1 November, in St Peter’s Square, Rome, with our very own Fr Ambrose concelebrating, the Pope will declare Newman a Doctor of the Church and co-patron of Catholic education alongside St Thomas Aquinas. In two thousand years of Church history, only thirty-eight saints have been given the title of Doctor of the Church, thirty of whom were declared before 1054AD. It is amazing that John Henry Newman, England’s most recent saint, is being given the same standing as Thomas Aquinas.

If you'd like to tune in for the Jubilee Mass, you can access the live stream here. The service begins at 9.20am GMT on Saturday 1 November. 

Chloe (13M) entered the John Locke Institute’s Global Essay Prize, a prestigious competition in which students from over 150 countries develop their writing and critical thinking skills exploring challenging questions that go far beyond the school curriculum. The competition is judged by a panel of senior academics from leading universities including Oxford and Princeton. Essays can be submitted in seven categories: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law. Chloe submitted her Essay in the Philosophy category, exploring the question “Is atheism implausible?”. She was nominated as a finalist and attended the glittering awards dinner in Mayfair, London on 4 October. As a result of her essay, Chloe has been awarded a scholarship to a John Locke summer school.

Arabella (10M) also took on the challenge of exploring a Philosophical question through essay writing, entering her essay into the Catholic Young Writers Award 2025. Entrants were asked to “imagine that a friend has said to them that Jesus was a great man, and wonderful moral teacher, but that they did not accept that he was God. They are encouraged to write an essay in response drawing on the Scriptures and showing evidence of having studied the Catechism of the Catholic Church and some Papal teachings”.

Arabella won second prize for her entry and will attend the Annual Meeting of the Catholic Union in Farm Street, London later this year to celebrate her success and hear from Baroness Hollins. Baroness Hollins is an eminent speaker and writer about learning disabilities and a crossbench life peer.  

It is fantastic to see our students taking on challenges, pondering important and complex philosophical questions, and seeking feedback and guidance from their teachers. Both of these essay writing awards attract hundreds of entries from across the country, making these achievements especially impressive.

We congratulate Chloe and Arabella on their hard work and the well-deserved recognition of their achievements. Well done!

If you would like to read Chloe's essay, you can find it below.

Click here to read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/ampleforth-catholic-herald

Having acclimatised with their first self-led training session under their belts, the Rugby 1^st XV and girls 1^st XI Hockey teams took to the pitches to play De Kuilen High School. The 1^st XV fought hard in a tough first match closely taking a win at 27-22. After a good match the Girls 1^st XI took home an 8-1 win to start the tour. Ahead of each of their matches each of our teams had self-led training sessions to help them acclimatise, sharpen their tactics and build team cohesion laying the groundwork for strong performances. The students took their highs from their wins with them as they set off on their transfer to Grabouw for their Cape Canopy ziplining experience where they soared through mountain canyons in the Hottentots Holland range. The group then moved to Cape Town, a vibrant city famous for its coastal views, historic landmarks, and dynamic urban culture and a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens which was swiftly followed by their second match of the tour. Against a strong and physical team, the 1^st XV played HTS Bellville securing a 17-0 victory through disciplined play. The girls 1^st XI had a challenging match against Fairmont High School, one of South Africa’s top ranked teams, losing 1-4 to Fairmont.

It was off to the beach to start day 6 with a surf lesson at the top of the agenda. A glorious morning at Table view where the students learnt to ride the Atlantic waves with professional instructors surrounded by the stunning scenery. That afternoon was one of the most meaningful parts of the tour. A visit to Fisantekraal Orphanage, where students spent time with the children. It was a humbling and inspiring experience as they learnt about the children’s lives and the daily challenges they face.

The final match for our 1^st XV against Bernadino Heights High School saw a dominant 45-5 win showcasing their attacking strength. The girls 1^st XI bounced back with a 10-0 win against Bernadino Heights. The girls 1^st XI took on their final match the following day and ended the tour with a narrow 3-4 defeat to Bellville High School in a fast-paced and competitive game. From this point onwards the tour absorbed the culture and adventure that South Africa has to offer. A Seal Island cruise from Hout Bay gave them a chance to see Cape fur seals in their natural habitat, and a ride on the Table Mountain cable car offered breathtaking views of Cape Town and the surrounding coastline. The group took a guided tour of Langa Township, Cape Town’s oldest and most historically significant township. Established in 1927 during apartheid, Langa was designed to segregate Black South Africans. Today, it stands as a vibrant community full of resilience and culture. Students visited local homes, community centres, and art initiatives, engaging with residents and learning about the township’s legacy.

The tour concluded with a traditional meal at Lelapa Restaurant, where students were welcomed with warm hospitality and authentic South African cuisine. The final leg of the tour took them to Aquila Game Reserve in the Karoo region, where they enjoyed a tranquil escape and experienced South Africa’s wildlife up close. At Aquila Game Reserve, students enjoyed two guided game drives and full-board hospitality. They saw elephants, lions, rhinos, and giraffes in their natural environment, rounding off the tour with a powerful and unforgettable conservation-focused experience.

Throughout the tour, the students showed maturity, enthusiasm, and curiosity. They embraced every challenge, built lasting friendships, and gained a deeper understanding of the world around them. It was an unforgettable experience for all involved. Special recognition goes to Minnie and Charlie, who were named players of the tour for their outstanding efforts on the field. Ampleforth College extends its heartfelt thanks to GB Sports Tours, the host schools, and the communities who welcomed the group so warmly. Thanks also go to the staff and students whose energy and conduct made the tour such a resounding success.

Jon Mutton, Headmaster, said: “We are delighted with our students’ achievements in their GCSE results. I am very proud of them all, particularly those students who have required extra resilience and perseverance to achieve what they have today. 

I would like to thank our excellent staff who always give so much beyond the classroom and mentor each student individually to help them achieve their very best. These results reflect the individual value that is added at Ampleforth. I am confident our students will continue to thrive on their academic journeys and will embrace the great range of opportunities that our holistic education offers.”   

80% have got into their first choice of university at this point although we expect this number to increase as some options are still being considered. The most popular choices for our students are Edinburgh, Durham and Newcastle University and places have been accepted at Cambridge, Imperial College, Bristol, and Exeter amongst others, including a number of international universities.

Popular courses include Economics, Theology, Medicine, various types of Engineering, Politics, Psychology, Physics, Music, Classics, Business, and Product Design, with many other individual choices.

Jon Mutton, Headmaster, said, “Well done and many congratulations to our students on their A Level and BTEC results. I am very proud of them and, amongst all these good grades, there are some wonderful individual success stories. Throughout their time at Ampleforth, our pupils are mentored individually on the best pathways for them at school and for life after school. I am delighted that so many will be going on to their first choice of university and am equally proud of those choosing to take gap years or pursue other paths. We know they will all go out into the world to make a positive difference, sustained by the Compass for Life Ampleforth has given them, and supported by our community for life.”

Travelling from Waterloo, the group made their way to the CAFOD headquarters for an inspiring afternoon of reflection and prayer. It was a chance to pause, think deeply about their journey, and recognise the difference they’ve made through their efforts. The students have been brilliant all year — whether organising charity events, leading assemblies, or simply living out their faith through action.

The day ended with the proud moment of receiving their leadership course certificates, followed by a celebration on CAFOD’s rooftop terrace. With stunning views across the London skyline, it was a joyful and well-deserved end to a year of hard work, compassion, and faith in action.

Well done, year 10 Chaplaincy team — you’ve been a real light in our school community!

Ampleforth Art Scholars were treated to an “Art shot” talk at lunch, where Emily shared her process and inspiration. Scholars had the opportunity to view a small sample of 3 and 2D work, ask questions of her practise before experiencing their own bespoke afternoon workshop.

Seb (10H)

"Visiting RAF Waddington was both an inspiring and thought-provoking experience. We visited the new Protector RG MK1 drone operating room, and control system, followed by an in-person tour of the hangar where we got up-close with the aircraft itself, and its weapon/surveillance systems.  

This was followed by a presentation by the Chief engineer of the RC-135W river joint, and a quick Russian lesson from a RAF Intelligence linguist, who has worked aboard the spy plane while deployed in the Black Sea.  After lunch in the officers' mess, we drove to the Defence Fire and Rescue station where we were shown how to use a heavy-duty fire hose and were given a tour of two fire trucks. Later we visited a Vulcan and Red Arrow which were on display. The Red Arrows had only recently moved to RAF Waddington and this was made clear as on the way into the base, when we saw an incredible display of the Red Arrows skill while practicing their manoeuvres.   

To finish the experience off we met a RAF Police dog crew, who showed us around the dog station and gave us a little preview of their impressive training and capabilities. The trip was fantastic giving us an excellent insight into life on an RAF base, and what careers pathways may be on offer." 

Ben (9J)

"On Wednesday, we went to RAF Waddington on a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from school.  

When we arrived at the base, we were welcomed quickly, and went to our first activity, which is where we saw these multi-million-pound drone simulators for the new Predator aircraft, replacing the Reaper. We also got to see it in person, what surprised me the most was how long the wings were. These aircraft were used for stealth missions, equipped with many missiles and a very high quality camera.  

After we went to the 51 Squadron to learn about certain types of domestic and foreign aircraft. We also learnt a bit of Russian.  

After lunch, we went to the fire department, sat in a fire truck and tried spraying a cone down with a high-pressure hose, personally, this was my favourite part. Next, we saw a display Red Arrow Hawk T1, and also on the day we saw the Red Arrow team practicing near the base earlier when we were driving over to it, which was mesmerising to watch how they could all do it. 

Finally, we went to the RAF Police Dog Section, to see all the canines they use for various activities. We ended the day there arriving back to school at about 6.  

Overall it was a very enjoyable and insightful experience seeing some of the operations a main RAF base does. The red arrows were truly incredible though seeing all their manoeuvrers in synchrony, it was just shocking. Really though, the whole experience was just amazing." 

The students were joined by their family, friends, and their House parents.  Among the congregation were our Headmaster, Fr. Ambrose, and Fr. Henry who were delighted to be able to there for this important milestone in the journey of our students. A truly special day for all.

Firstly, on a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon, six students went gliding at RAF Topcliffe.     

Then last week, another group of RAF cadets had the fantastic opportunity to visit RAF Leeming to complete Air Experience Flying. Under the guidance of some very experienced fighter pilots, cadets took to the skies and gained hands-on flying time in the Grob Tutor G 115, a fixed-wing propeller aircraft. 

All participating cadets are now working towards their Bronze Pilot Wings, the next step on their exciting journey in the RAF Cadet programme.

This demanding competition challenges young minds to develop their creative and critical thinking skills, and to apply their knowledge in new and interesting contexts.

A special congratulations to James, who after securing his first National Gold award earlier in the year at the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, has now secured his second National Gold award at the RSC's Chemistry Olympiad! 

10.30am saw members of the CCF conducting a flag raising ceremony in similar fashion to those events that took place across the country at the same time. 

Then at lunchtime a very busy charity bake sale was held in support of the Royal British Legion.  Such delicious offerings available to us all. 

During the chaplaincy period on Thursday afternoon the House masses recognised all the previous Amplefordians that served and fell in the service of their country.   The Mass also reflected on the conflict, its relevance and ramifications for the present day. 

In the evening, a detachment from the CCF attended the VE Day service at All Saints Church in Hovingham.  A further detachment from the CCF RAF Section supported a beacon lighting ceremony at Danby, this again was happening at the same time as other beacon ceremonies across the country. 

Major Dennis, our CCF Contingent Commander, said “VE Day is not only an opportunity for remembrance but also an occasion for rightful celebration that the sacrifice made by service personnel and civilians alike to achieve victory was worthwhile and provided the basis for the lives we are fortunate enough to enjoy today. May we hope as a community never to see such a terrible conflict take place again in the future.” 

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes initiation into the Christian life, by a particular gift of the Holy Spirit of God, like the apostles of Jesus received on the day of Pentecost. That is why the bishops, who together are the successors of the apostles in an unbroken line, confer this sacrament. 

Candidates, known by their Latin name as confirmandi, are prepared over many weeks both by chaplains and House catechists (who are fellow students). On the day itself, confirmandi are sponsored by a member of their family, or friend, someone who lives the Christian life in such a way they can accompany them into a deeper sharing of the life of the Church.

On Friday night, the confirmandi came together to pray in the Abbey Church in preparation for Sunday, to make their confession as a preparation of the heart, and to ask the prayers of their chosen saint.  Each candidate chooses a patron saint, whose name they would like to be added to their baptismal names. They write to the bishop asking for confirmation and explaining the choice of their patron saint. On the day itself, the bishop talks to each candidate about their saint and calls each by their chosen name, to mark this moment in the Christian life.

Families and godparents come to Ampleforth to support and witness the moment when the bishop asks the Holy Spirit to be close to the confirmandi, using a special holy oil to do this which he brings with him. Called the oil of Chrism, it is blessed by the bishop just before Easter. Consisting of olive oil mixed with balsam, it has a powerful fragrance which diffuses in the air around you, like the Holy Spirit, making you a fragrant offering to God, as it says in scripture. It sets you apart, reserves you, for the work of making God known in the world.  It’s the same oil used to set apart the hands of a priest at ordination, for the work of celebrating the sacraments.

77% of A level grades are A*-B and 43% are A*-A. BTECs are 100% Distinction*-Merit (UCAS equivalent to A*-C) and 61% Distinction*-Distinction (UCAS equivalent to A*-A). This puts us in the top 25% of independent schools both in terms of our results and the value that we add.  

These excellent results reflect the hard work and commitment of our students, their dedicated teachers, and the support of the entire school community. We have focused this year on strengthening our unique educational approach which collectively builds good study habits, intellectual curiosity, moral courage, and an authentic love of learning. This provides a strong foundation for all students to do their very best academically at school, in their future studies, and in life. Almost all our students will be going on to their first choice of university, including Oxford and Cambridge, and we equally celebrate those who chose other paths after school.    

Peter Roberts, Headmaster, says “We are really pleased with this year’s grades and I wish to pass on my congratulations to our fantastic students on their great success. These results are the summing up of individual stories and we are delighted that so many of our students’ hard work, in different disciplines and with different goals, has allowed them to achieve their very best. They leave Ampleforth having experienced an enriching, holistic and transformative education which sets them up to flourish in life. We wish them all the best and look forward to hearing how they continue to progress over the years to come.”