2009 census results now available

In March 2009 a census form was sent out to all Montessori Schools Association (MSA) schools in the UK. The results give a snapshot of the Montessori movement in the spring of 2009.

Responses were received from 345 of the 622 MSA member schools (55%) so results can therefore be taken as a fair picture of the entire membership.

88% of Montessori schools returning their census were graded ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ at their last Ofsted inspection.  The remaining 12% were graded ‘Satisfactory’ or ‘Satisfactory/Good’.  None were rated ‘Inadequate’.  This is a tremendous endorsement of the quality of provision offered by Montessori schools.

The extrapolated results show that at any one time there are over 31,000 children in Montessori settings in the UK.  This has increased from an estimated 26,000 in 2004 showing not only that Montessori has held its ground, but that the Montessori sector has expanded in the last five years.

84% of children in Montessori schools are between the age of 2 and 5 – the traditional age group for Montessori settings.  Thirty nine schools declared that they had Montessori provision for children aged six or above.  This is more than double the figure in 2004 showing that schools are expanding to meet the demand from parents who wish their children to remain in the Montessori sector as long as possible.

Settings vary in size from just 5 pupils to well over 200.  Approximately two thirds of Montessori settings are held in rented premises not owned.         

43% of staff members in Montessori schools are Montessori qualified.  Five of the schools returning their census stated that they do not currently have a qualified Montessori teacher though staff are undergoing training.

Extrapolating the data gives an estimate of 5202 staff FTE employed by Montessori schools in the UK of which 2214 are Montessori qualified.

Some schools were happy to share some basic financial information, indicating which band their annual turnover fell into.  When these results are extrapolated to the total number of MSA schools, it could be estimated that the Montessori sector in the UK has an annual turnover in excess of £60,000,000. 

The MSA would like to thank all the schools who returned their census forms for their part in making this possible.  The full report will be published with the next Montessori St Nicholas Annual Review.