Dear Ash Mount Community,
What a lovely Open Day we had last Saturday. Thank you to every family who came along, asked
thoughtful questions, joined in the activities, and shared your hopes for your children. The energy in the
room was warm, curious, and genuinely collaborative, exactly the kind of atmosphere we want to build at
Ash Mount.
One of the things we are enjoying most at this stage of the journey is involving the community in the set-
up of the school. Your voices matter. Hearing your perspectives, questions, and aspirations helps us refine what we are designing. Schools are strongest when they listen well, and we are committed to
doing just that.
It was wonderful to see families engaging in the different activities during the event, from the
interdisciplinary learning task, to experiencing how assessment works in practice, to the NSEW reflection
activity where families shared what excites them, what they need to know, their suggestions, and their
worries. These conversations are invaluable. They give us insight not just into questions, but into what
truly matters to you.
Below, we have summarised the key FAQs raised during the Open Day, your questions and our
responses.
Ash Mount Community FAQ
Your Questions — Our Responses
N — Need to Know
Admissions, Places & Class Organisation
How many students will be in each class?
Our class sizes are intentionally small, around 20 students in early grades, increasing to approximately
24 as students move through the school. Smaller classes allow teachers to know each child well and
respond to their academic, social, and emotional needs.
Will children be placed with friends?
We carefully consider personal, social, and emotional wellbeing when creating classes. We always listen
to parent and student wishes; however, final decisions sit with the school so that we can create balanced,
supportive learning groups. We also remind families that every new child is a potential new friend, one of
the strengths of an international school and one of the gifts we give our children by choosing to live in
Dubai.
Facilities & Daily Life
What facilities will students use?
Students will learn across inquiry classrooms, specialist science and innovation spaces, creative arts
areas, sports facilities, outdoor learning zones, and quiet wellbeing spaces, all designed to support
independence and collaboration.
What do break times and lunch look like?
Primary students will enjoy creative and active play environments. Secondary students will have
welcoming spaces to connect and recharge before school, during breaks, and after the school day. There
will be food available to purchase in the canteen, and children may also bring a healthy snack and lunch
from home. We ask that children drink water during the school day, better for growing bodies and
healthier for teeth.
Most Asked Need Question — How will learning work day-to-day?
Ash Mount offers inquiry-led learning designed by experienced IB leaders. Learning is interdisciplinary,
built around units of inquiry and big concepts, and underpinned by English National Curriculum
standards. Lessons encourage curiosity, strong subject knowledge, collaboration, and independence so
children understand not only what they are learning, but why it matters. We are deliberately building a
school with a local heart and a global mind, relevant, purposeful, and connected to the real world.
S — Suggestions
Sport & Enrichment
Sport and enrichment are central to our philosophy. As the school grows, so will our ECAs, competitive
teams, and student-led activities, shaped by student voice. We will run development squads through to
competitive teams and offer paid Academies after school hours.
Community & Communication
We are building strong home–school partnerships through mentorship programmes, student leadership
opportunities, and regular community forums. We will use a robust communication platform and create
frequent opportunities for families to come together. Being a true community school is fundamental to us,
which is why we are focusing our outreach within a 20-minute radius of the school.
Life Skills & Character
Independence, resilience, collaboration, and responsibility will be developed daily, through routines,
leadership opportunities, and meaningful experiences. Children will have agency and take part in
authentic service experiences. Everything we plan is intentional, deliberate by design, including
international trips, all of which will include an element of service.
W — Worries
Transition & Academic Pathways
We are building clear pathways that support future academic choices and university opportunities while
keeping options open internationally. We have already begun conversations with universities in Dubai
and internationally about our students’ future journeys.
Moving from another curriculum?
Transitions are carefully supported. Any curriculum differences are identified during the admissions
process so teachers can plan appropriately. If you have concerns, please speak to us, we work best in
partnership.
Being a New School
Joining as a founding family means shaping a new community from the start. Our experienced leadership
team and established education group ensure strong systems and long-term stability.
Biggest Worry — Will my child feel happy and settled?
Belonging sits at the heart of Ash Mount. Through strong pastoral care and relationship-building, we aim for every child to feel safe, known, and ready to flourish. We encourage families to attend community-
building events and engage with the monthly newsletter so that you and your child feel connected from the outset. If your child is feeling unsure, please reach out, we are always ready to provide a little extra
support.
E — Excited About
Families shared excitement about:
strong community
student voice
real-world learning
sport and creative opportunities
being part of something purposeful from the beginning
This month, our focus is Leading with Courage.
Courage in education is not about being bold for the sake of it. It is about integrity. It is about making
thoughtful choices, standing up for what is right, and supporting others even when it would be easier not
to. It is about not being a bystander.
At school, we nurture this through discussion, reflection, respectful debate, and leadership opportunities.
We create environments where children feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and take positive risks.
At home, families can support this by:
encouraging children to express their views respectfully
discussing everyday scenarios and asking, “What would you do?”
praising honesty and integrity
modelling calm, values-led decision-making
We are partners in education. When school and home send consistent messages about courage,
kindness, and responsibility, children grow into confident and principled young people.
Thank you again for being part of such an encouraging Open Day. Your questions, reflections, and
enthusiasm help shape the school we are building.
Best wishes,
Abi
