MSA holds successful conference

The Montessori Schools Association (MSA) held its 2009 Annual National Conference on Saturday 3^rd October.  The sell-out conference was attended by 300 delegates from Montessori settings round the country along with representatives of several Local Education Authorities.

The speakers looked at how different aspects of the Montessori curriculum fit with the EYFS and how MEAB accreditation is helping raise the standards of Montessori throughout the UK.  Delegates left with many ideas to take back to their own settings.

Professor Kathy Sylva OBE, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Oxford (pictured) spoke about the importance of quality in Early Years Education.   She presented the latest results from the EPPE research project, a study which has shown that the quality of early childhood settings has a lasting impact on children’s intellectual social-behavioural development at the age of 11.

There was also a panel discussion with representatives with backgrounds in Montessori, EYFS, Ofsted and Every Child a Talker.  Issues discussed ranged from how to positively incorporate ‘superhero’ play into a Montessori environment to how the proposed changes to the Early Education Free Entitlement will affect Montessori settings.   

One delegate said: ‘It’s really good to know that Montessori and EYFS are coming together for the benefit of children.  And as practitioners we are meeting the needs of all children in our settings in our ever changing childcare workforce’

Jane Besley from Essex was presented with the Montessorian of the Year Award in recognition of over forty years working in the Montessori sector.  Presenting the award, Montessori St Nicholas Chief Executive Philip Bujak said ‘It is people like Jane who work at keeping the flag flying at local level that ensure that the Montessori movement remains strong from the bottom up.’  

To view images from the conference click here for the photo gallery.