About our Montessori school
We endeavour to provide your child with an early education which brings them a love of learning and
encompasses their growth as a whole person.
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Respect for your child as a unique individual : The core of the Montessori philosophy revolves around a firm respect for each child as an individual and the unique abilities each one brings to the classroom. The Montessori approach assumes that children learn in different ways.
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Engaging a variety of learning styles : The Montessori philosophy recognises that an individual child’s learning style is as unique as his or her personality. With this in mind, Montessori classrooms provide a wide variety of settings and activities to appeal to each child’s interests. This ensures that your child’s needs are being met, that he or she is engaged and challenged and develops flexible thinking strategies.
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Fostering independence in your child : We place a high value on teaching children how to learn for themselves. Your child will be encouraged to reach their highest potential at their own individual pace. In Montessori classrooms students challenge themselves when they’re ready, developing greater self-sufficiency and personal independence and building an internal sense of purpose and motivation.
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Our teachers serve as guides : Our classroom teachers are collaborative members of the learning process. The child, teacher and environment create a learning triangle. The classroom is prepared by the teacher who serves as a guide encouraging independence, freedom within limits and a sense of order. In a Montessori environment, you will not find teachers standing in front of the classroom giving a lecture. Instead of dominating the classroom they act as guides in a child’s developmental journey.
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Mistakes are part of the learning process : We view mistakes as part of the learning process. Unlike traditional school settings where rewarding perfection is often viewed as the best approach, in a Montessori setting mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. The goal is to assist children to recognise and resolve their errors on their own. Students are taught not to be embarrassed or ashamed by mistakes, but encouraged to learn in a natural, human way which includes making and learning from errors.
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Children learn best in social environments : Children are born with individual personalities. These personalities develop and grow as they interact with others, especially other children. Children spend much of their day learning from and socialising with other students. This helps them develop interpersonal skills and independence.
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Learning in a unique and inspiring environment : We aim be build a harmonious, ordered, and calm classroom which encourages learning. Our classroom is filled with natural lighting and soft colours. The Montessori materials are arranged on open shelves so your child can access them easily. There is an emphasis on personal choice so there are quiet corners for solo learning projects and larger areas where students can work together in groups.
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Specialised materials that stimulate learning : Montessori schools use a range of beautiful, hands-on materials and tools which foster a deep sense of concentration and a curiosity about the world. Special materials are used that are uniquely designed to appeal to all five senses and encourage the learning process.
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Instinctive and active learning : Our curriculum emphasises the belief that children gain knowledge instinctively through active learning. The Montessori approach embraces embodied education, the philosophy that movement and learning are tied together. Montessori learning is hands-on, experiential, and investigative.
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Building a strong sense of community : A strong community is at the heart of a productive learning process. This community is made up of students, teachers, and yourselves: parents. The goal is to create a network that is as warm and supportive as possible which continues over a 3 year period. The fact that a Montessori environment offers a multi-age-level approach to learning means that children remain with a single teacher for three years. This allows strong bonds to form between the teacher and child, between the teacher and youself and between students.
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Inspiring love for the natural world : The Montessori curriculum believes that an early and profound love for the natural world is an important part of a child’s personal development. We will be starting a Montessori garden for the 3 to 6 age class where your child will plant from seed tomatoes and courgettes and herbs. Amongst other projects they will learn the importance of the insect world. Through the gardening and outdoor activities your child will explore qualities such as patience, dedication, hard work, order, creativity and harmony.
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Creating global citizens : Montessori schools understand the importance of preparing children to play an active role in the global community. In a Montessori environment, children learn the value of mutual respect and a deep appreciation for different cultures. Maria Montessori famously said that preventing war was the work of politicians but
« Establishing peace is the work of educators ».
With this belief at the heart of the Montessori philosophy, Montessori schools actively encourage kindness and peace within each child.