Aiden Griffin
Why Outdoor Learning Matters in the Early Years
Ask any early-years teacher what young children need most and “time outdoors” will be near the top of the list. Outdoor learning isn’t just about running off energy, though it does that too. Fresh air, nature and space are genuinely good for how children grow, learn and feel. Here’s why it matters so much in…
How the EYFS Prepares Your Child for School
If your child is starting nursery or reception, you’ll hear the letters “EYFS” a lot. It stands for the Early Years Foundation Stage, the framework that shapes how children learn from birth to age five. It sounds formal, but at its heart it’s about something simple: helping young children grow, through play, into confident and…
Three Generations, One Blue Front Door: A Family’s Annemount Story
As Annemount celebrates its 90th year, a former pupil and parent shares her family’s story of three generations at the school. Annemount has been a magical thread running through my family for three generations. My uncle Peter was among the first children to join the school when it opened, followed by my mum, Wendy, who…
Fond Memories of Annemount: A Former Pupil Remembers the 1950s
In 1954, a four-year-old boy walked through Annemount’s doors for the first time. Seventy years later, Alan Cohen still remembers his teachers’ names, the headmistress’s cat and the thrill of winning the Long Jump. As the school celebrates its 90th year, he looks back on his five years here. “They will rename the school Alanmount”…
Baking for a Good Cause: Jeans for Genes Day at Annemount
Last week Annemount came together to support Jeans for Genes Day, and for the day our school felt a lot like a bakery. Jeans for Genes raises money for children and families living with genetic conditions, and our pupils put their hearts (and their mixing spoons) into the cause. Across the school, children came up…
What to Expect at an Annemount Open Day
An open day or private tour is the best way to get a real feel for a school, far more telling than any prospectus. If you’re planning to visit Annemount, here’s what to expect, and how to make the most of your time with us. A warm welcome From the moment you arrive, we want…
Settling Your Child Into Nursery: A Parent’s Guide
Starting nursery is a big milestone for children and parents alike. A few tears in the early days are completely normal and rarely last long. With a little preparation and patience, most children settle happily within a few weeks. Here’s a gentle, practical guide to help. Before they start Talk about nursery positively and often,…
Harvesting, Planting and Growing: Autumn in Our Garden
Autumn has arrived in the Annemount garden, and our children have been busy putting it to good use. This week we harvested our potatoes and planted daffodil bulbs in our growing bed, ready to bloom in the spring. There is something rather magical about tucking a bulb into the soil in September and knowing that,…
Keeping Safe: Our Early Years Safeguarding Lessons
Keeping our children safe and happy is at the very heart of everything we do, and this week our Reception, Year One and Year Two pupils took part in age-appropriate safeguarding lessons. The children explored what it means to keep safe, the idea of personal space, and how to look after their own bodies. They…
What Caring for a Pet Teaches Our Children
At Annemount, we believe that some of the most valuable lessons are those that teach our children how to care for others. This week, with the help of our school dog Mitzi, a much-loved Welsh Terrier, our pupils explored what it really means to look after a pet. Caring for an animal teaches children so…