School News

A big thank you to all those who made it to our 25th anniversary picnic. The weather was great and everyone had a fantastic time. This kids especially liked the cake. It was great to see both old and new faces. Here is a video of the photos taken on the day:

Further to our previous post on the Springwatch Parade, here is a short video of some of the photos that were taken on the day:

Hi!

On Thursday 18th March parents and staff met to discuss Montessori provision for children over the age of 4 years old.

Among issues discussed were the drawbacks of targets for children at 5 years old as currently dominate the New Early Years Foundation Curriculum. Parent, Lisa (Oscar and Alice), found email literature on the Open EYE campaign that you might also be interested in and via this you can look at a thought provoking film or just go to:

We went over how the Montessori curriculum covers and extends the principles and cognitive development of the New Early Years Foundation Curriculum.

Parents enquired about what gaps in opportunity there could be if their child remains in the relatively small peer groups here as opposed to the 30+ groups of children of the same age who can benefit from shared team games and such like. We talked about how we can still work on a range of skills here, how we will try out further collaborations between the groups. Children and parents may also be able to recommend out of school groups for some specialist interests such as football, martial arts, dance, extended music and much more.

We outlined our practice on Information Technology.

Some parents are interested in Morning Only schooling and would like to collaborate with other parents and teachers to consider how Home Schooling can compliment the Montessori morning.

An information pack about Montessori Education for children over 4 and about our new Montessori Home Schooling initiative can be picked up from the office. We can easily set up a meeting with your child’s class teacher or you are welcome to discuss any other queries with me.

Best wishes

Daisy

Game Designer Will Wright, Montessori graduate, talks about how his Montessori experience influenced his mega success in the field of video game design.

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. "