Dear Ash Mount Community,
As we move through the spring break, I hope many of you are enjoying some time together as families. Breaks in the school calendar often give us the opportunity to slow down slightly, reconnect, and spend time with the people who matter most.
To those celebrating at this time, I would also like to wish you and your families a very warm Eid Mubarak. Eid is a time that reminds us of the importance of community, generosity and peace, values that sit closely alongside the themes we have been exploring in this month’s blogs.
Throughout March we have been reflecting on the role education plays in helping young people contribute to a more peaceful and thoughtful world. Schools cannot solve the challenges of the world, but they can help children develop the understanding, empathy and judgement needed to navigate them wisely.
At Ash Mount, this thinking is embedded through the Ash Mount Pathways, which guide how learning is designed across the school. Rather than separating academic learning, personal development and future preparation, the pathways ensure that these elements grow together.
Students develop strong knowledge and intellectual curiosity through the Future Ready Pathway, while the Global Pathway helps them understand cultures, perspectives and global issues. Through the Enterprise Pathway, students learn to turn ideas into action and approach challenges creatively. The Wellbeing Pathway ensures that belonging, resilience and emotional development sit at the centre of school life, while the Adaptive Learning Pathway allows teaching to respond carefully to the strengths and needs of every learner.
Together, these pathways support students in becoming thoughtful, confident and responsible young people, young people who are able to understand the world around them and contribute positively to it.
Even during the spring break, the Ash Mount journey continues to move forward. It has been lovely meeting new families and continuing conversations with those who are exploring joining the school community.
In response to the recent announcement regarding distance learning for schools, we have also moved our next Ash Mount Open Day online so that families can continue to learn about the school and ask questions.
Our Open Day 2, taking place on Sunday 29 March, will now be held virtually. While we had originally hoped to welcome families onto campus, this online session will still allow us to share the thinking behind the school and continue the conversations that are such an important part of building a community school.
During the session we will explore:
- the vision and philosophy behind Ash Mount
- the Ash Mount Pathways and how they shape learning
- how our curriculum combines inquiry-led learning with strong academic foundations
- how we support wellbeing, leadership and future pathways for students
- the opportunities available through clubs, squads, academies and international experiences
We will also introduce some of the partnerships we are developing with universities and organisations to support students as they begin thinking about their futures.
These Open Day conversations are not only about sharing information; they are also an opportunity for us to listen to our community. Many aspects of Ash Mount have been strengthened through the thoughtful questions and perspectives families have shared with us along the way.
As we continue building the school, we are reminded again that education is ultimately about people, relationships, dialogue and shared purpose.
The International Baccalaureate describes education as helping young people create “a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” That idea remains at the heart of the work we are doing as we build Ash Mount.
Wherever the spring break takes you, I hope the coming days bring rest, connection and moments of joy with family and friends.
And to those celebrating, once again Eid Mubarak, and wishes for peace for our communities and our wider world.
Best wishes,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal
Ash Mount School
