Montessori Primary school

[NewBoots1]

We are considering moving DD1 from yr 1 in state school to a Montessori primary school.

Her current school is large (450pupils), and very diverse (amazingly, over 30 different home languages!). She is getting on okay, but not really thriving. Gets very tired, and has struggled in the playground. She gets on well with other kids in the classroom, but seems to get lost in the busy playground and hasn't got a reliable group of friends to play with.

I am very drawn to the Montessori approach, especially that it is much more holistic. Concerns are transitioning from there to large state secondary school when the time comes.

Can anyone share their experiences of Montessori primary school?

Thanks!

Personally we did not find the Montessori approach good when our eldest DD was there. The approach is less structured and may serve some children but not others. We also found it too "free flowing" so beware if you think it will be the solution to all your problems. Out child was not thriving, the friendships were a bit let to happen naturally but the teachers did not deal with all the clickiness going around, and her learning was not great and she was a bit unhappy, so we moved her. Very much depends on child especially primary school. Personally I would not choose a M school for primary if I can avoid it. This was our experience but there may be others more positive for sure.

Sorry to hear that your daughter is not settling. Sometimes it may just be that they are not telling you abotn their friendship groups in the playground? Have you spoken to teachers about your concerns? Why do you want Montessori in particular? Have you looked at private schools with smaller class sizes and more of a creative curriculum rather than one that follows Montessori curriculum. That might give you a bit more choice? As for what happens at secondary, I think the transition from private to state can always be tonight but perhaps once your daughter has been in a more nurturing focussed environment at primary she may have the confidence to better deal with a busy, large secondary state?

Sorry, meant to say tough not tonight!!

My DS went to a Montessori primary school. (not in the UK though).

It was fantastic and he went on to do very well at secondary level.

He's still really good friends with some that he's known from his Montessori school days. He's 27 now.

If you choose a Montessori school carefully, look at reviews and reports, I think it might be just the right thing for your daughter. They are wonderful for little ones.

Interesting - we are thinking about the same thing for our DD (also in year1). But for different reasons - DD's school is fine, but it all just feels a bit 'meh' - she's bright (learnt to read easily , etc) but doesn't seem that engaged with the learning at school. My issues are more with the national curriculum than the school itself, I guess. The necessary one-size fits all of it and it just doesn't seem particularly inspiring... I feel like its quashing all her imagination and independence.

Thinking about moving her to either a Montessori primary school or another 'alternative' indie.

I would be liking carefully at what qualifications the staff had in the Montessori school. Are they qualified teachers or have they been on Montessori course?