Latest news at Ashmount School......
Wednesday 10 January – Monday 29 January
Come on a journey to see our Sensory Ateliers and experience a unique installation of work created by students from Ashmount School and Ellesmere College.
Local, regional and international artists have been involved with the students, including the Bamboozle Theatre, TETRAD and 'Turned on its Head', who have taught across a number of art forms. This project has been generously supported by the Paul Hamlyn project.
Please click on the link below to find out how to get there:
The Autumn term has flown past as usual, although it is always the longest and busiest period in school. It seems such a long time since the summer holidays, but suddenly here we are rushing round preparing for Christmas. I do hope you are enjoying the festive events that our pupils and staff have produced for us - it's not Christmas for me unless I've had at least four lunches, three Carol services and two Nativity plays! Congratulations to everyone involved in the variety of Ashmount celebration events which, every year, get better and better.
The Governors this term have been looking at developments to playground equipment and facilities to better provide for the ever growing school. In fact, work has already begun on a new gazebo and seating area in the primary playground. Hopefully more is to follow.
We have also been raising awareness of the possible changes to transport provision for post-16 and nursery age pupils—a consultation closes on December 21st, and we would urge parents to give serious consideration to responding to this consultation. Even if your children are not within this age range, it could still affect you in the future - so make sure you have your say!
And finally, congratulations to all those in school for the many awards which we have entered and been recognised for this term. Sporting awards, teaching awards, community awards—Ashmount has figured in them all—well done to everyone!
Happy Christmas to you all—pupils, staff and parents. Enjoy a relaxing holiday, and come back in the New Year to help Ashmount make 2018 an even more successful year!
Jean Lewis
Chair of Governors
We are delighted to announce that Ashmount scooped three prizes at the recent Leicester Mercury Education Awards 2017.
Class teacher Emma White was runner-up in the 'Inspirational Teacher of the Year' award. She was nominated in recognition of the standard of teaching and learning and the quality of care that she provides to her pupils.
Headteacher David Deacon said of Emma’s nomination: “Emma creates passion and excitement in her classroom to engage pupils in their learning by finding out what they are interested in and building on these interests to enthuse and motivate them.
“Her enthusiasm and passion for learning is infectious and she is constantly investigating new ways of meeting her pupils specific needs.”
Long-term volunteer Shaun Crate was runner-up in the ‘Community Champion’ category. Shaun has been volunteering at Ashmount for three years, supporting staff at lunchtimes to help pupils with the most profound and multiple learning difficulties to develop their fine and gross motor skills.
David said: “What is perhaps most inspirational is the fact that Shaun has cerebral palsy and has his own challenges to overcome when providing support to pupils.
“It is no surprise that some of our students who have physical disabilities feel comfortable in asking Shaun personal questions about the challenges he faces.”
Ashmount was also named as runner-up in the 'School of the Year' award. David said: “We are delighted with all three of these awards. The whole school team works closely together to provide teaching and learning opportunities that inspire and engage pupils in order to help them achieve their full academic and social potential.”
Ashmount students are walking from ‘Loughborough to Lapland’ in a bid to raise money for the school.
The sponsored Sensory Santa Fun Run will see students and staff completing 1226 laps of the school bike trail—the same number of miles that separate Loughborough and Lapland.
During the last week of term, the trail will be transformed into a magical Winter sensory trail. Staff and children will be wearing Santa hats and Christmas accessories to run, walk or be pushed around the trail as many times as they can.
On the last lap the whole school will come together and there will be a special surprise on the finish line!
Students have been busy preparing artwork to be exhibited at the Attenborough Arts Sensory Symposium next month.
Ashmount School and Ellesmere College have teamed up with Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester to address the physical and curricular barriers to the arts and learning.
The project created a space and process for children with a spectrum of learning difficulties, communication disorders and disabilities within the classroom and at Attenborough Arts Centre.
Artist Sian Taylor has been working with students to create artwork to be displayed at the Symposium, which will be held at the Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester from 10th–29th January 2018.
Charnwood Borough Council hosted their 9th annual sports awards on Monday 4th December 2017 at Burleigh Court, Loughborough. The evening is an opportunity to celebrate the sporting success of a wide range of individuals, teams and clubs from across the Borough. As well as presenting awards, a raffle and silent auction were held on the night raising over £600 towards the Loughborough Well-being Cafe, myaware-Fighting Myasthenia Together and the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust.
We are pleased to announce that Ashmount was named as runners up in the 'Outstanding Contribution to School Sport'.
In July 2016, we were awarded the Gold School Games Mark for the second consecutive year in recognition of our commitment to the development of competition across the school and into the local community. In 2016/17, an increasing number of students took part in lunchtime clubs and engaged in sporting competitions in school and out of hours, including boccia, kurling Aqua Splash, gymnastics and athletics. This is in addition to the PE, physio therapy, swimming and horse riding sessions that groups of students access throughout the school week.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our pupils and their families, and our teachers and support staff. Thank you very much for your support.
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!
Special mentions must go to one of our Year 14 students for their throwing ability which caught the eye of a British Athletics scout, resulting in them being invited to a British Athletics talent development day at Loughborough University in March and we wish him the best of luck.
Thank you to all of our fantastic fundraisers - pupils, parents and staff - who supported Children in Need with us on Friday 17th November 2017. Many staff and students came to school dressed in their pyjamas, whilst others wore odd socks in support of our activities held in aid of National Anti-Bullying Week. A total of £143 was raised, which will be donated to BBC Children in Need, who make a huge difference for disadvantaged children and young people from across the UK.
We are delighted to announce that Ashmount has been shortlisted for several awards in the Leicester Mercury Education Awards 2017.
Class teacher Emma White has been shortlisted for the 'Inspiration Teacher of the Year' award; long-term volunteer Shaun Crate has been shortlisted for the ‘Community Champion’ award; and Ashmount has been shortlisted for the ‘School of the Year’ award.
The winners and finalists of the Leicester Mercury Education Awards 2017 will be announced at a presentation event being held at the King Power Stadium in December 2017.
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