Dear Ash Mount Community,
Thank you to everyone who made today’s Green Design Event so special.
Each time we come together for an event like this, I find myself feeling more and more excited. There is a real sense that we are no longer just planning a school — we are already becoming a school and a community. Seeing families, children, and staff learning alongside one another, sharing ideas, and enjoying the experience together is exactly what Ash Mount is all about.
These moments matter. They build connections, create shared experiences, and help children feel that sense of belonging that is so important as they begin their journey with us.
As we move into May, our focus shifts to an important part of our vision: how children grow as individuals developing confidence, independence, and a sense of ownership over their learning.
This week, we begin with confidence.
Confidence in children does not come from always getting things right. It comes from feeling safe to try, to make mistakes, and to keep going. It grows when children know they are supported, when their efforts are recognised, and when they begin to see themselves as capable learners.
At Ash Mount, we support this by:
- creating environments where children feel safe to share their ideas
- encouraging participation and valuing all contributions
- recognising effort as well as achievement
- helping children reflect on what they have done well and what they can improve
We want children to feel that their voice matters in the classroom, in the playground, and as part of the wider school community.
Families play a very important role in developing confidence at home. Some simple ways to support this include:
- encouraging children to try things independently before stepping in
- praising effort and perseverance, not just outcomes
- giving children time to explain their thinking
- supporting them to talk about challenges and how they worked through them
- allowing children to take small risks in a safe and supported way
Confidence grows gradually, through everyday experiences.
At the same time, it is helpful to have clear and consistent expectations. Children feel more secure when they understand routines, boundaries, and what is expected of them. Confidence and independence grow best when children are both supported and guided.
Over the coming weeks, we will explore how this develops further through independence and student agency, helping children take increasing ownership of their learning and their role within the community.
We are also very much looking forward to seeing families at our upcoming events, continuing to build the relationships and shared experiences that will shape Ash Mount from the very beginning.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support as we grow this community together.
Best wishes,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal
Ash Mount School
