Latest news at Ashmount School......

• Chair of Governors' Autumn Term Blog

  Fri 16 Dec 2016

  This has been a very busy term, with many staff changes and, of course, a majority of new pupils arriving in the early years classes, but I hope everyone feels, as do the Governors, that Ashmount has really 'kept calm and carried on' most successfully, after the changes in the summer!

   

  As far as I can see, the only thing that has slumped is the Staff football team, as its coach and manager David Deacon has had to assume other responsibilities! (but they are in good company - look at Leicester City!!)

   

  Our achievements and activities continue to multiply: we have had an excellent Scarecrow Festival, with some super imaginative and inventive presentations, a very impressive dance presentation of 'Annie' at The Curve Theatre as our contribution to an evening from all the Leicestershire special schools, two brilliant nativity presentations recently, and a number of sporting successes, including an award to Claire Malpas for developing sport. I never cease to be amazed at the variety of activities underway in school, as well as the usual teaching work!

   

  And we have continued to work hard in lessons too, as a recent inspector confirmed! Congratulations to all staff and pupils for the wonderful effort you put into all our activities. It was noted by that same inspector that everyone at Ashmount seems to give 100 per cent all the time, both in lessons and to support out-of-school activities. The Governors are conscious of everything you all do to make Ashmount such a thriving school - thank you all.

   

  But now it's time to relax and enjoy the holidays, and come back refreshed and ready for new challenges in January! Merry Christmas, and very best wishes to all for the New Year.

   

  Jean Lewis

   

  Chair of Governors. 

• Headteachers' Autumn Term Blog

  Fri 16 Dec 2016 David Deacon

  It has been a busy first term for me as Headteacher at Ashmount. Personal highlights have been watching our pupils perform in our two Primary Christmas performances ‘Straw and Order’ and ‘Busy, Busy Bethlehem.’ And there was the SEN Music Festival, ‘Where the River Flows,’ that we hosted in November for pupils from schools across the county. Senior students also performed excerpts from Romeo and Juliet at The Curve Theatre in Leicester.

   

  It has also been fantastic to see our pupils and staff being recognised again for their sporting achievements, with our Assistant Headteacher Claire Malpas being awarded the ‘Outstanding Contribution to School Sports' award at the recent Charnwood Sports Awards and the school being awarded the Gold School Games Award Mark for the first time for our commitment to the development of competition across our school and into the community.

   

  Our new termly parents’ coffee mornings are also proving a great way for you to meet up with other parents and carers, to share experiences and to receive training and support from staff and other outside agencies.

   

  On behalf of all of our pupils, staff and governors, I would like to wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year.

• Christmas Jumper Day

  Fri 16 Dec 2016 David Deacon
  Many thanks to everyone who wore a Christmas jumper today. Staff, students and volunteers raised over £100 which will be donated to Save the Children. 

  

• Leicester City Football Coaching

  Mon 12 Dec 2016 David Deacon

  Dave Eassom from Leicester City Football Club has been in school this term providing football coaching at lunchtimes for the Primary and Secondary Children. He has also been leading football sessions for a selection of Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 children. Dave has thoroughly enjoyed working with our pupils and we will be welcoming him back after Christmas to work with a different group of children.

• Ashmount Success at Aylestone Athletic Event

  Mon 12 Dec 2016

  Key Stage 4 and 5 students have been celebrating their successes at the Leicestershire and Rutland School Games, which were held over two days at Aylestone Leisure Centre. Students initially travelled around a carousel of jumps, hurdles and both standing and seated throws, before the sports hall was cleared to make way for the eagerly anticipated relays. Despite dropping the baton, Ashmount came home third of five teams in their race. Having initially snatched the final qualifying spot on the first day of competition, the Thorpe Hill squad went to the finals in December, representing North Charnwood, securing a podium finish, returning with bronze medals proudly hanging from their necks. Barely had the team retaken their seats following the medal presentation when they were again called forward, this time to collect the trophy awarded to the team that best embodied the spirit of the games – a fine honour. 

• Santas Dash Through Town

  Fri 09 Dec 2016 David Deacon

  Loughborough town centre was awash with Santas on December 4th for the annual Santa Fun Run. The event was organised by The Rotary Club of Loughborough and proceeds will be shared between Ashmount School, Rainbows, Loros, When You Wish Upon A Star, ProstAid and Leicester City FC charity The Second Million. Thank you to all those who took part on our behalf.

  

• Outstanding Contribution to School Sport

  Fri 09 Dec 2016 David Deacon

  Ashmount Assistant Head Claire Malpas has been awarded the Outstanding Contribution to School Sport at the Charnwood Sports Awards. Claire and her team have established lunchtime sports clubs and after-school activities. Claire has also provided opportunities for leadership and competitive engagement. As a result the school has been awarded the Gold Award for PE for the very first time. Claire said: “The Ashmount team work extremely hard to give  our pupils as many opportunities as we can to engage in a range of physical activities. We have worked with a number of outside agencies to develop our lunchtime and after-school sport provision and the children have benefited from having professional coaches in school. “We have also attended a number of inclusive sport festivals throughout the year and organised our own gymnastics festival for local primary schools. “This award acknowledges the school’s hard work and commitment to sport and we will proudly display it in the school trophy cabinet.”

  

• Celebrating Shakespeare

  Mon 05 Dec 2016 David Deacon

  For the Community section of the Moving Forward module, our senior students took part in the Shakespeare Schools’ Festival - a national Shakespeare event that included over 1100 schools, performing in 131 theatres around the country.

   

  Ashmount students performed an abridged version of Romeo and Juliet at The Curve Theatre. Students began by learning about the play, the plot and characters by watching various animated versions and excerpts of key scenes from well known versions. They then took part in a technical dress rehearsal followed by a public performance. The group then repeated the performance to parents, students and staff at school.

   

  Richard Heath, Assistant Head at Ashmount, said: “The show was a huge success and was greatly enjoyed by all who saw it.”