Dear Ash Mount Community,
It has been another exciting week at Ash Mount School. Each time I visit the site, there’s something new
to see and something new to imagine. This week, as I stood in the site offices, I looked across to see the
Secondary building beginning to take shape. The structure is rising quickly now, and for the first time,
you can really picture the spaces that will soon come to life, the music rooms, library, and dining hall.
Each of these spaces represents something special about what we want learning at Ash Mount to be.
The music rooms will be places for creativity, collaboration, and confidence; spaces where students can
perform, experiment, and find their voice. The library and library garden will be the heart of curiosity
and calm, designed for reading, research, and reflection. And the dining hall will be more than just a
place to eat; it will be a shared space for connection, community, and conversation. Together, they form a
vibrant picture of what daily life at Ash Mount will feel like: purposeful, joyful, and human.
Behind the scenes, our work continues to move forward too. This week, we’ve been finalising a number
of policies, including those for admissions. These documents might not sound exciting, but they are the
foundation of how we work with families and how we define our identity as a school. In our admissions
approach, we want to get to know each child as a learner, to understand their strengths, interests, and
ways of learning, so that from day one, we can truly be partners in learning.
Each policy we write is designed to reflect our vision; to learn with purpose, live with compassion, and
lead with courage. Together, these become our differentiators, the qualities that set Ash Mount apart and
ensure that every part of our school, from the curriculum to the culture, is deliberate by design.
This week’s focus continues that theme: Teaching Independence and Moral Compass.
At Ash Mount, we believe that independence is not something children are simply given, it is something
they develop through experience, inquiry, and reflection. Like all meaningful learning, it happens
gradually, with structure, guidance, and trust. Independence gives children confidence, but it also gives
them responsibility.
- In the early years, independence begins with small acts – tidying toys, washing hands, or choosing a storybook. These moments help children understand themselves as capable learners.
- In primary, it grows through responsibility – managing routines, asking questions, taking initiative, and learning how choices have consequences.
- In secondary, independence becomes self-direction – setting goals, reflecting on learning, takingownership of outcomes, and making decisions that align with personal values.
Independence isn’t just a practical skill; it’s part of developing a moral compass. As children learn to
think critically, collaborate with others, and consider multiple perspectives, they begin to understand what
it means to act ethically and to make choices that contribute positively to their community and the wider
world.
At Ash Mount, our teachers will guide this process through meaningful dialogue, reflection, and action,
encouraging students to consider why their decisions matter, not just what they decide. I often ask: Do
you do the right thing when no one is watching? That’s the heart of integrity, being true to yourself and
your values.
Our school vision provides the framework for this growth:
- Purpose helps students see the relevance of their learning and take ownership of it.
- Compassion encourages empathy and understanding across cultures and perspectives.
- Courage empowers them to stand up for what is right, even when it’s not easy.
Families play an essential role in this journey. Encouraging children to make small decisions, to manage
their time, and to reflect on fairness and kindness helps them build agency and self-belief. When children
see the same values modelled at home and at school, they begin to understand that learning is not
confined to lessons, it’s a lifelong mindset.
As I walked the site this week, watching walls rise and rooms take shape, it reminded me that building
independence and integrity in young people is much like constructing a school: it takes vision, patience,
and purpose. Each layer matters, and every decision contributes to something lasting.
Ash Mount is being built deliberately by design, not just in its structure, but in its spirit. Together, we are
creating a school where children will learn with purpose, live with compassion, and lead with courage.
Best wishes,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal, Ash Mount School
