Stebbing Primary School achieves Montessori accreditation

Stebbing Primary School achieves Montessori accreditation

Montessori is proud to announce that Stebbing Primary School in Dunmow, Essex has become the UK’s first fully accredited Montessori state primary school from reception to year 6. Barbara Isaacs, Senior Accreditation Officer of the Montessori Accreditation and Evaluation scheme says, “There is a Montessori spirit across the whole school.”

Following on from its very successful Montessori accreditation, Stebbing Primary School has just been awarded a £7,000 grant from the trustees of Montessori St Nicholas to help with ongoing development of Montessori teaching and methodology in their school.

The Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board (MEAB) was introduced in 2008 by the Montessori St Nicholas  charity to ensure that all schools using the Montessori name in the UK offer high quality education and care to children. It puts “best practice” at the heart of what it does and the charity is actively encouraging all its 600+ members to undergo accreditation.

Karen Wallace, Head Teacher of Stebbing Primary School says: “It has been recognized by MEAB that we now fulfill their criteria for accreditation. This means that we have a Montessori ethos throughout the school, evidenced by our “family” atmosphere, our use of exceptional natural surroundings and the calm and respectful way that all members of the school community try and conduct themselves. 

What has evolved is a broad and balanced curriculum which has a unique blend of the National Curriculum being taught through a topic based, skills approach, in a Montessori setting.  The Accreditation in conjunction with our “Outstanding” OFSTED report (June 2009) means that parents can be reassured that their children’s school is providing a Montessori Education of the highest quality.”

Philip Bujak, Chief Executive of Montessori says: “This is an exciting time for Montessori following its recent plans to move into the state primary sector. Schools such as Stebbing Primary School in Essex and Gorton Mount in Manchester are leading the way in terms of demonstrating that Montessori can work just as effectively in state as well as private settings. 

The school leadership team, governors and parents at Stebbing School have all supported the introduction and development of Montessori principles which we know have positively changed the lives and perspectives of their pupils and created a genuine Montessori learning environment.

Montessori is now involved with 4 mainstream primary schools and aims to widen accessibility and grow interest for the approach within the state sector. We look forward to other primary schools contacting us to embark on their own Montessori journey. ”

For more information about Montessori and the MEAB scheme, please visit www.montessori.org.uk  

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For more information please contact Lewis Stagnetto at the SPA Way on: 020 7403 6900 or email: lewis.stagnetto@thespaway.com