As a former parent at The Montessori Place (Hove / Easons Green), I feel a responsibility to share my experience so that other families can make informed decisions.
What first appeared to be a nurturing, independent Montessori school revealed, over time, a deeply concerning lack of professional structure, safeguarding accountability, and emotional care. Leadership often discouraged questioning or constructive dialogue, and there was a noticeable absence of transparent governance or external oversight.
The school’s culture felt increasingly closed, hierarchical, and insular — more like a belief-based community led by a few individuals than a professional educational institution.
My family and others experienced distress, manipulation of trust, and an environment where children's needs and parental concerns were not adequately met.
In my view, the Department for Education and Ofsted should closely review how such independent setup like The Montessori Place in Hove and Easons Green are permitted to operate with minimal regulation, especially when vulnerable children are involved.
I share this publicly in the hope of preventing others from being misled by what appears to be an idealistic, yet in practice highly questionable, organisation.