killed and 90 decorations were awarded to Old Ashvillians. The school did not return to its original site in Harrogate until 1946. In 1982 girls were admitted to the school for the first time, initially only as day pupils until 1989 when the girls' boarding house was opened. In December 2018 Ashville College was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Few schools in the United Kingdom hold this status. Houses All pupils are part of a competitive house, which they remain in throughout their time at Ashville, these are: Ellis (Green) Riverdale (Red) Duckworth (Yellow) Windermere (Blue) Boarding Ashville College offers boarding for pupils in Years 5 (aged 9) and above. Pupils live in three boarding houses: Briggs House (senior boys), Mallinson House (senior boys) Norfolk House (senior girls) Boarding houses are managed by housemasters or housemistresses who are assisted by a team of residential tutors and matrons. Current head Mrs Rhiannon Wilkinson, former Head of Harrogate Ladies College and Wycombe Abbey, took over from Elspeth Fisher as Head in September 2021. Elspeth Fisher had been the Deputy Headteacher (with specific responsibility for pastoral care) since September 2005. Mr Ian Kendrick held the specific responsibility for the academic side of the school at the time. Headteachers Dr William Richardson BA LLD (1877–1889) Dr John Bowick BA LLD (1890–1905) Rev. Alfred Soothill (1905–1926) Joseph T. Lancaster MA MLitt (1927–1957) G. Ronald Southam (1957–1977) David Norfolk MA (Oxon) (1977–1987) Michael Crosby (1987–2003) Andrew Fleck (2003–2010) Mark Lauder (2010–2017) Richard Marshall (2017–2020, died 2020) Elspeth Fisher (the 2020–2021 academic year only, owing to Richard Marshall's deteriorating health) Rhiannon Wilkinson (2021–) Notable Old Ashvillians Arthur Balfour, 1st Baron Riverdale (1873–1957), industrialist Jim Carter (born 1948), actor, Mr Carson in Downton Abbey Iain Coucher (born 1962), former CEO, Network Rail Jamie Donoughue, Academy Award nominated film director, producer and writer Sir Stephen Furness, 1st Baronet (1872–1914), shipping magnate and Liberal MP Andy Gray (born 1977), footballer Chris Salkeld (born 1991), racing driver John Grieve, CBE, QPM, (born 1946), police officer and university professor Simon Heywood (born 1959), actor (The Bill etc.) but most notably as teacher, Mr Smart in 1980s Grange Hill Henry Iles (1871–1951), entertainment entrepreneur Harold McIlvenny (1922–2009), footballer Sir Stuart Sidney Mallinson, CBE, DSO, MC, DL, JP (1888–1981) Tony Richardson (1928–1991), Academy Award winning film and theatre director Granville Sharp (1906–1997), Labour MP Jay Smith, pub landlord,