Independent Education Consultancy Amanda Kemp BA(Hons), MontDip, AdvMontDip

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What is a Montessori education? The Montessori environment allows the child to progress through self-discovery, working with a broad curriculum including Maths and Language (frequently at a higher level than experienced in most Reception classes), as well as Project work covering Geography, History, Science, Music, and more. Like all forms of education we need a structured framework, and it is within that structure that solutions will be found. A family seeking assistance with their child’s schooling can expect A Curriculum Diary, in which you can refer back to what needs to be covered each week A comprehensive Lending Library of resources Home visits and email support Seminars and training Planned curriculum Progress Reports for your record keeping Downloadable resources    I'd like to train to be a teacher to help my children. We would recommend you visit the website of North American Montessori Center inCanada, if you are  interested in pursuing a distance learning qualification in Montessori Education.. The course supplies beautiful manuals with colour photos throughout and excellent support.  www.montessoritraining.net "It is necessary, then, to give the child the possibility of developing according to the laws of his nature, so that he can become strong, and, having become strong, can do even more than we dared hope for him." Maria Montessori But how will my child manage if he goes back into mainstream school later on? We are frequently asked if and how a child receiving a Montessori education can settle into a mainstream school later on. The simple answer is that the Montessori child has had the experience of being treated with humanity and respect, had his opinions valued and his confidence in his own achievements has grown, as his natural humility is inspired by the glory of our Earth. He can think for himself, study independently and devise his own project work. Academically he has been able to pursue his interests and has thus progressed with a happy spontaneity. He will be more able to face the challenge of mainstream education once he has seen his work and ideas valued, and will embrace it with confidence. To understand how a Montessori schooling differs from a Mainstream ethos there are several excellent books you might like to read. Montessori Today , Paula Polk Lillard, Schocken Books Inc. 1996 Montessori in the Classroom, Paula Polk Lillard, Schocken Books Inc. 1980     So does your consultancy simply promote Montessori above all else? No. We see immense potential in Montessori , but more important than a label is an ethos, a guiding principle. Time and again we meet small independent nurseries and Home Educators who are employing elements of Waldorf, Steiner and Montessori without even realizing. A key benefit of adopting a Montessori approach is a pragmatic one: resources (and qualified teachers) are readily available. What about the National Curriculum? As independent educators we are not required to adhere to the National Curriculum, however we constantly compare the children's achievements in our Montessori curriculum with the suggested levels set out for each Key Stage. In this way, we ensure the child continues to make good progress and could join a mainstream class with ease. Our children do  well academically, and are well-rounded individuals, thanks to the breadth offered by the Montessori syllabus.   Montessori offers a non-selective approach to education, and we work in partnership with parents to help each child progress to the best of his ability. While most children entering the programme will cope well with the curriculum independently we are able to educate children with a wide range of mild to moderate learning difficulties, supported by years of SEN experience. We are equally committed to including children considered to be gifted, and recognise their own Special Educational Needs. Support can be provided to allow them to have access to an appropriate curriculum. We consider it extremely worthwhile to bring children through the Montessori system for these formative preparatory years. This could mean supported Home Education, or simply supplementing his mainstream schooling. The journey to self-discovery begins with the child's pursuit of knowledge, supported by those who teach him, and with a strong element of pastoral care. Beyond all this, the child who is able to experience a rare nurturing environment of mutual trust, will always find his place in the world.

(c) Amanda Kemp 2007       Home  |  Top of Page  |  Train to be a teacher  |  Back to mainstream  |  Only Montessori? |  National Curriculum |  Contact Us