Montessori primary school?

[Memoo]

A group of people from my area are trying to open a free Montessori primary school and I've been invited along to a meeting this week.

I've been googling and can find information about the theory of Montessori but not much about it in practise.

Does anyone have any experience of a Montessori school? I'd be very interested to know how people how found it in practise.

I went to a Montessori primary school, run by the Sisters of Mercy in Sunderland.

I can't be much help, though, as this was in the sixties - not only are my memories dim but I expect things will have changed.

I do remember that right from the start when we were aged four and five great importance was attached to self-discipline and responsibility. For example we had a duster and a miniature carpet sweeper and were expected to clean our little table and rug at the end of each afternoon.

Also, as tinies we had regular 'silence lessons': the headmistress would sweep into the room, sit in her personal chair and put her finger to her lips. We had to stop what we were doing and remain still and quiet for a couple of minutes until she said, "Carry on, children" and swept out. I don't know what she would have done if anyone had had a tantrum - no-one in my class cared to find out!

I'm sure you can see the principle underlying this approach.

You may be interested in this picture of Dr Montessori visiting the convent at Sunderland - scroll down the website and it's on the right. I remember Sr Austin and Sr Vincent from when I was there. This all makes me feel ancient!

I went to the open day of the Montessori primary near me this weekend. However, I only went to the pre-primary section which does rising 3 to reception.

I'm definitely sending my DS there for pre-school. If I get in. I have to go for an hour long interview, just me that is, not DS!!

They do pure Montessori at pre-primary and then a hybrid of Montessori and National Curriculum at primary.

TBH I really like the idea of the education at the primary, however the school is not big enough to offer much in the way of sports and music/drama and it only goes to 11 whereas I need through to 13. If it weren't for those factors I would very seriously consider it.