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28 April 2008

Montessori Assessors undergo training

Twenty Montessorians, selected for their experience and knowledge, gathered at the end of April to be trained as Montessori Assessors at the offices of the Independent Schools Inspectorate in London.

There was a buzz round the room as Martin Bradley, the MSA National Chairman, explained the new MEAB accreditation scheme in detail and introduced the assessors to the forms and paperwork they would be dealing with. He kept the mood light with anecdotes from his many years inspecting Early Years settings with Ofsted and said that the ultimate aim is to ensure that the country is full of genuine Montessori schools to protect the Montessori brand.

Steve Bristow from the British Accreditation Council spoke about the meaning of accreditation. He pointed out that accreditation benefits many people – the accredited organisation (in this case the individual schools), the accrediting organisation (ie MSA), the consumer/service user (ie the children and parents) and the wider society as a whole.

On the second day the emphasis was on the Montessori side of the accreditation led by Barbara Isaacs, the Senior Accreditation Officer, and Kim Simpson of Studio Montessori, Kew. The assessors participated in discussion groups, learnt techniques for feeding back information during visits and put their IT skills to the test.

By the time they left after an intense two days of training and team building, the group of assessors had formed a good bond and were fired up and ready to begin visiting the first schools in the pilot scheme during the summer term.

If you are interested in becoming an assessor when the scheme rolls out in September, please contact Philip Davies at admin@meab.co.uk for details and an application form.

18th April 2008

The EYFS In Montessori Settings Conference

Over 250 people attended the MSA’s Conference in London to launch the publication of a ‘Guide to the EYFS in Montessori Settings’.

This publication shows how the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) will impact on Montessori practice, and how the Montessori approach can meet the legal requirements of the EYFS.

Ruth Pimental (pictured), National Director, Early Years and Barbara Isaacs, Principal of Montessori Centre International training college, co-authors of the guide, gave the keynote speeches. The afternoon included breakout sessions lead by representatives of the EYFS, Ofsted and MCI.

This event is indicative of increasing links between Montessori and the Government. It was attended by Local Authority workers with responsibility for the delivery of the EYFS as well as heads and teachers from Montessori schools from all round the UK.

Feedback was very positive and comments from delegates included:

• A very useful day.  Good to share information, good to see other Montessorians, good to see Montessori ‘on the map’
• I have really enjoyed today.  I have found it informative, affirming and will go back to work confident in my own practice, better prepared and inspired and ready for any changes needed.
• A very enjoyable conference.  The handouts/folder etc look fantastic.  Thanks to all who organised the day. 
• What exciting times for Montessori!
• I really enjoyed it and look forward to the EYFS at my Montessori school
• A very informative well organised day.  Thank you
• A great opportunity to network, express our views and grievances and show unity for a variety of issues.  Thank you for organising the Conference.

To download a copy of the guide, please CLICK HERE http://www.montessori.org.uk/pdfs/guidetoearlyyears.pdf

April 2008

Over 150 Montessori Heads and guests of the St Nicholas Charity enjoyed a wonderfully fun evening as guests of the City of London at the Guildhall to launch the 1907-2007 Centenary Book. Taking over 14 months to produce, Alderman Dr. Parmley, Charity Chairman, explained how our main sponsors SONY provided 50 digital cameras to be sent to 50 Montessori schools around the world and how our other sponsors had supported the book. Containing 45 different nations, the Centenary Book can be obtained for the Charity price £10 to MSA members.

December 2007

Centenary Service for Montessori, Westminster Abbey

With 2007 being the Centenary year of the Montessori movement around the world, the Montessori Schools’ Association celebrated the event with a stunning service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on St Nicholas Day the 6th of December, 2007.

Over 1,200 children, parents and staff attended the service which was led by The Dean of Westminster himself and uniquely the service was also held in the round in The Abbey with all the chairs having been removed. Over 50 of the 490 schools in The Montessori Schools Association were present and 7 schools formed various parts of the hour long service. Dance, choirs and readings from Dr. Montessori’s seminal works on the roots of education and learning were also part of the programme. Also present was the Lord Mayor of Westminster, The Indian High Commissioner and over 100 guests representing the DCSF, University training colleagues, research foundations and other charities.

The Dean spoke on the importance of building blocks in life and had recently visited Studio Montessori in Kew before the service.

A reception for 150 guests after the service saw a portrait presented to Mrs. Anne Mallinson, OBE, JP who retired after 20 years as Chairman of the Montessori St Nicholas Charity. There are now over 30,000 children in over 490 Montessori Schools across the U.K. and further growth is anticipated in 2008.

September 2007

Montessorian of the Year 2007
Roz Payne- Clifton Children’s House, Bristol

The Montessori Schools Association (MSA) are pleased to announce that the Montessori of the Year 2007 award goes to Roz Payne of Clifton Children’s House in Bristol.

Since she first visited Montessori School in South Africa 30 years ago, Roz Payne has been a passionate believer in the Montessori approach to education. For the last 18 years Roz has run the highly regarded Clifton Children’s House which draws from a wide multicultural catchment area. Roz has supported the training of many students over the years giving freely of her time and knowledge. These students continued the Montessori tradition as teachers and leaders both here and abroad.

With the help of parents, Roz has fundraised thousands of pounds to provide training and equipment for Montessori nursery schools in Nicaragua. She has visited Nicaragua three times living as a member of the community, training many members of staff and each time taking with her Montessori materials and ideas. Her enthusiasm has led to trainers from the USA also visiting and others volunteering to give their own time at their own expense, to improve the lot of these children who would otherwise have no education at all.

The Montessori of the Year Award was first introduced to honour the unsung heroes of the Montessori Movement. There are a considerable number of Montessorians, who each in their own way make a tremendous contribution to their setting and to the lives of children in their care. There are also those Montessorians who contribute much on regional, national and international level indirectly to improve the lives of children through effecting changes in policy and legislation, and who help shape the future of adults through training and development.

The award is made annually by the ember of the MSA National Council and presented at the annual MSA National Conference. For further information for the 2008 award please contact caroline@montessori.org.uk

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