Dear Ash Mount Community,
It has been lovely to share our March newsletter with you this week. There is something very special about seeing the different elements of the school coming together, from people, to curriculum, to community. We were particularly pleased to introduce our new Head of Language and Literacy, and to continue sharing how we are building strong academic foundations across the school.
This week has also marked an important step forward for our academic team. We have been on site, walking through the school as the spaces begin to take shape, and using this time to plan how learning will come to life within each environment. Seeing classrooms, shared spaces, and specialist areas in real terms allows us to think carefully about how children will move, learn, collaborate, and grow throughout the day.
Curriculum design is never just about what is taught,
it is about how learning is experienced.
As we move into April, our blogs will focus on how we design a curriculum that is connected, purposeful, and meaningful for children.
At Ash Mount, we often talk about having a local heart and a global mind. This means that children develop a strong understanding of the country they are growing up in, while also learning to think internationally, understanding different perspectives, cultures, and global challenges.
Our curriculum is inquiry-led, encouraging children to ask questions, explore ideas, and think deeply rather than simply memorising information. At the same time, it is grounded in strong academic foundations, ensuring that knowledge and skills are developed with clarity and rigour.
We also place great importance on learning being real, relevant, and purposeful. Children are more engaged when they understand what they are learning and why it matters. When learning connects to the real world, it becomes more meaningful, more memorable, and more motivating.
Over the coming weeks, we will explore this in more detail, including:
- how inquiry supports deep thinking and understanding
- how we connect learning to real-world contexts and experiences
- how we ensure strong academic progress from each child’s starting point
- how children develop independence and ownership of their learning
At the heart of this is a simple but important idea: children should not only know what they are learning, but understand why they are learning it.
Progress matters, and at Ash Mount we think carefully about how each child moves forward from their individual starting point. Learning is not one-size-fits-all. Through thoughtful teaching, feedback, and support, we ensure that every child is both supported and challenged so they can grow with confidence.
We are also looking forward to welcoming many of you to our Introduction to Secondary Curriculum Choices session next week, where we will explore in more detail how our curriculum supports future pathways and opportunities for students.
As always, thank you for your continued support as we build Ash Mount together, thoughtfully, deliberately, and with a clear sense of purpose.
Warm wishes,
Abigail Fishbourne
Founding Principal
Ash Mount School
