Will the school be ready to open in August? If not, what are the plans?
Yes, the school is on track to open in August 2026.
Our build is designed in planned phases, allowing completed areas to be handed over for full interior fit-out while other areas are finalised. This is a well-established approach and ensures that all learning spaces are fully prepared, furnished, and ready for students from day one.
If there are any changes (which we do not anticipate), we would work closely with KHDA to approve a contingency plan. As always, we would communicate early, clearly, and ensure continuity of learning and care for every child.
If online learning is required, will the school be ready to support that?
Yes, we are fully prepared to deliver high-quality learning both in school and online if ever required.
However, our focus is always on in-person, community-based learning, where children thrive most.
If there were ever a shift to remote learning, we would:
- Ensure structured, engaging lessons
- Maintain strong teacher–student relationships
- Support families with clear routines and expectations
Vision & Philosophy
What does the Ash Mount vision mean in practice?
At Ash Mount, our vision Learn with Purpose. Live with Compassion. Lead with Courage. is not a statement on a wall; it shapes daily life across the whole school community.
Learn with Purpose
Children understand why they are learning, not just what. Learning is connected to the real world, locally and globally, helping students see relevance and meaning in everything they do. This clarity extends beyond the classroom into staff training, parent sessions, and all communication.
Live with Compassion
Compassion sits at the heart of the school, towards self and others. This includes how we approach academic goals, relationships, and emotional development. It also means developing understanding and respect for different cultures, nationalities, religions, and beliefs, creating a truly inclusive community.
Lead with Courage
Every child is known as an individual and supported to grow in confidence. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, show empathy, and step forward to lead in areas they care about, academically, socially, and personally.
Ultimately, this is about developing capable, thoughtful young people who feel they belong and can make a difference, within a strong, connected community.
Facilities & Environment
What facilities will support nature, outdoor learning, and play?
Our campus is being designed to include meaningful access to outdoor and natural environments, not just traditional playgrounds.
This includes:
- Forest School areas
- Spaces for growing plants, herbs, and food
- A Mediterranean-style herb garden, exploring how plants are used beyond food, including wellbeing and sustainability
- Wadi-inspired planting areas
- Links between growing spaces and the school canteen
These areas will evolve with the children as the school grows.
We will also provide:
- Outdoor learning spaces integrated into the curriculum
- Areas for exploration, creativity, and unstructured play
- Opportunities for environmental learning and hands-on experiences
Whilst we do plan to introduce some school-based animal experiences (such as incubators and life-cycle learning), our focus is not on a “zoo-style” environment. Instead, we aim to help children connect with nature in purposeful, sustainable ways through inquiry, observation, and real-world learning.
Can you provide more detail on the facilities?
Yes, and we will continue to share more as the build progresses.
Our campus includes:
- Specialist science, design, and innovation spaces
- Dedicated art, music, and performance areas, including a black box theatre
- Sports facilities and outdoor activity spaces, including pitches and swimming pools
- Flexible classrooms designed for collaboration and inquiry
- A multipurpose hall, creative studios, and an amphitheatre
- Libraries, including a secondary library garden
- Quiet and reflective spaces for students
Every space has been designed deliberately to support how children learn best, not just how schools traditionally look.
Curriculum & Pathways
What happens if a student leaves an IB pathway at 16?
In schools offering the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), students may have the option to complete MYP eAssessments, leading to the MYP Certificate. Whilst not all schools offer this, we strongly value this pathway, particularly for international students who may move between systems.
Students completing the MYP can receive a widely recognised certificate, allowing them to transition into different pathways at 16, including:
- A Levels
- BTEC or vocational pathways
- IB Diploma Programme (DP)
- IB Career-related Programme (CP)
Our approach is to keep pathways open and flexible, ensuring students and families can make the best decision for their future.
Learning & Expectations (Middle School)
What are your expectations for Year 7 students (homework, assessments, etc.)?
Our approach is high expectations with purpose and balance.
- Homework will be purposeful, not to simply fill time
- It may include:
- Preparation for upcoming learning
- Research and inquiry
- Collaborative projects
- Assessments will be regular, but meaningful:
- Focused on understanding, not memorisation
- Including projects, presentations, and applied learning
We want students to work hard and be challenged, while also having time for friends, family, and personal interests.
Sport & Enrichment
Will there be opportunities for sports teams and competitive sport?
Yes, sport is an important part of life at Ash Mount.
We will offer:
- Development and competitive squads across a range of sports
- School teams and inter-school competition opportunities
- Pathways for students already engaged in competitive sport
- Opportunities for all abilities to participate and develop
We have shared a form with families to understand which sports are most important to our students, allowing us to shape our curriculum, squads, and academies accordingly.
We also aim to extend sport beyond the school day. Where possible, we will work with community groups to explore facility use, strengthening connections between the school and the wider community.
Clubs, Squads & Activities
Who will run clubs?
- Clubs and Squads → run by teachers (included, no additional cost)
- Academies → run by specialist external partners (fee-based, optional)
How can we share our child’s interests?
We will be sharing a form via our newsletter and social media where families can tell us about:
- Interests
- Passions
- Preferred activities
This helps us shape a programme that truly reflects our community.
Will there be school trips? Can you give examples?
Yes, trips are an important part of learning at Ash Mount.
We are already working with organisations such as Camps International to develop future international opportunities, all of which will include a meaningful service element.
Trips may include:
- Local curriculum-linked visits
- Outdoor education experiences
- Residential trips (age-appropriate)
- International service or expedition opportunities in later years
These experiences are designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, building independence, confidence, and perspective.
Thank you again for your thoughtful questions — they are a key part of building Ash Mount together.
A school designed deliberately. A community built together.
