School News

I found my feet when, after 15 years of mainstream primary teaching, I discovered the Montessori approach ("Finding their feet," TES Magazine, November 13).

Not being bound to a timetable is the greatest change for me. The children determine the pace of the day: they eat their snacks when they are hungry; they can repeat an exercise as many times as they need to.

Careful observation determines when lessons are presented. Sometimes children ask for specific lessons - until I retrained I had never had a child ask me to tell them about pronouns.

I now work in a mixed-age class. The range of needs and abilities is wide in most single-age classes so I do not find this more challenging. Children will ask each other for help and learning can be consolidated when showing another child how to do something.

I do miss being part of that large dedicated group of teachers working within the state system. I wish all children had the opportunity to have a Montessori education, regardless of their parents' income.

Stephanie Garrett, Primary teacher, Brighton & Hove Montessori School, Brighton.

Article written on TES Connect - http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6028065

Veteran 'Meridian Tonight' presenter Fred Dinenage will break with tradition in the new year when, for the first time, he will make a return visit to a school he has previously featured in 'Child's Eye', part of the ITV news magazine programme Meridian Tonight.

Fred visited the Brighton & Hove Montessori School for 2-11 year old children in Stanford Avenue in Brighton earlier this year, to record the segment where children give their views on the world as they see it. Children in the Montessori junior class spoke about different life experiences here and abroad. They were full of information on such subjects as exotic animals in Thailand and a 6-year-old entrepreneur declined Fred's offer of a voice-over to promote his ice-lolly business as he'd already got it sorted. Fred was moved to say that the children at the school were "the most remarkable children I have ever interviewed".

Montessori headteacher Daisy Cockburn is delighted Fred is returning. "It's wonderful that it was actually Fred himself who asked if he could return. He has been a children's broadcaster for many years and has visited many schools during his journalistic career. It's flattering that he noticed the difference that Montessori education makes to children's motivation, concentration and imagination so quickly. Fred and his crew were naturally interested in the children and so the whole experience was easy and rewarding for everyone. "

We visited the Fiveways based Brighton and Hove Montessori School

Montessori is a method of teaching based on the scientific observations of child development made by Maria Montessori combined with her deep interest in the development of moral values within the child. It has as its starting point a very positive view of human nature and a profound belief in the potential of every single child.

In the early years the emphasis is very much on developing confidence and learning habits of the child. From 6-12 years old, children be-come a lot more aware and interested in social and moral issues and at this stage the curriculum changes to develop such skill as ‘thinking for yourself’, ‘self motivated learning’, appreciating diversity’ and ‘moral values’.

On looking around the school and observing the children I was struck by how each child was happily getting on with what they were doing. Interestingly each child was engaged in an activity of their own choice this is part of the approach taken to nurture a love of learning in the children whilst not neglecting areas they find difficult and need extra help with.

Read the full article: Fiveways Directory - "Bespoke" Education for your Children and a Bright New Hope for the Future - June 2007

Despite government rhetoric, alternatives to a 'bog standard' comprehensive education remain strictly limited - but there is hope

Brighton College, a private school in the heart of the city, was expecting the usual draw of about 250 parents at its termly open day last Saturday. In the event, 600 anxious families crowded into the hall to find out how they could get their children out of the state system.
Since the announcement of a new school admissions plan which will divide the city into catchments and use a lottery to confer places, a stream of parents have beat a path to the door of Richard Cairns, the head teacher.

"I've had parents in all week who are desperate to move their children," he said. "Many are families who have never considered the independent sector but are facing the prospect of sending their children to a school they don't rate. We are already pretty tight on numbers, we are almost full for 2008, but we are looking at perhaps doubling the 25 pupils we take at 11."

This weekend, head teachers across the country are gearing up for calls from parents who are among the many thousands who have just found out that they failed to get their child into the state school of their choice. For families who can afford the fees, qualify for means-tested bursaries or have children who are scholarship material, switching to the private sector is a predictably attractive option. For most others, though, the cost is prohibitive. In 1985, average annual fees for private day schools were £1,806. By 2005 that figure had risen to £8,388.

Read the full article : What Can People Do When The State System Fails Them - Sunday Telegraph 04-03-07

The century-old Montessori education method is more successful than traditional teaching methods, according to research published today.

The study, which attempts to put education on a scientific basis by comparing children at a private inner-city Montessori school with those who attended traditional schools, suggests that Montessori education equips children with better social and academic skills.

Montessori education was pioneered by Dr Maria Montessori, who used it in a slum in Rome a century ago. The new assessment of its effectiveness is published today in the journal Science.

The method is based on observing young children and learning about their characteristics and needs.

It puts children of various ages in the same classroom, and features special educational materials, student-chosen work, a collaborative environment with student mentors, absence of tests, and instruction in social skills.

Read the full article: Montessori Teaching "Better Than Traditional Schooling" - Telegraph 29-09-2006