Help needed - any experience of Montessori at primary level? and other questions for primary teachers perhaps

[MariaMontessori]

Hello I wondered if anybody knows anything about Montessori primary schools? Maybe your child went to one or maybe you swapped to one or swapped back to a normal primary school. What was your experience?

I also would like to know what mainstream primary school teachers think of it in general and what you think is a problem with the methodology at that level? Or an advantage?

Is it all just too wacky?

Message withdrawn

No! It's just that we've moved and it's an option for dd but I am not sure

Hi. My DS experienced Montessori for about 18 months - our local nursery/school go up to age 8.
I was impressed with the school, and the ethos, and the effort the teachers put into helping the children. I feel he gained a lot from the experience, and some of the learning he gleaned still surprises me - his grasp of maths/science is exellent.
I did change him into a state primary half way through year one - but that was more about him needing a lot more support than a small school could provide, plus I felt mixing with older children would benefit him.

Odd talkname for someone undecided about whether Montessori is a good thing.

My cousin pulled her children out of a Monterssori primary school due to bullying problems -- a teacher was the bully. But I know other people who rave about Montessori.

DS is at a Montessori nursery which seems well-run, but nothing that special.

Many mainstream early years classes adopt aspects of Montessori philosophy in their organisation.

is not a stamp mark of good or not. Like anything there will be good ones and bad ones. Go there, have a look and see if you can imagine your child there.

Look at Ofsted and see if they have a report on them there...and ask zillions of questions:

How many staff are fully trained there - in Montessori or other methods

Staff to children ratio

Do they use Brasso? (toxic and for some strange reaosn used in most Montessoris)

Ask around, do a google search on the school to make sure there are no rants about it

When it's good, it's very good, when it's not it's just as bad as the rest of the bad ones

I really believe it can be a great method, and works for some children - but no method is a one size fits all. However whilst I felt Montessori methods really suited my son (who does struggle in mainstream now) the limitations of a very small school, with a top age of 8 didn't suit him.

Mine go to a Montessori primary (in France, but it's all the same methodology). It's been great. Nothing wacky about it, they teach the same things as mainstream schools, just using different methods and specific equipment.

We have been very impressed with the speed with which our DDs picked up some quite complex maths concepts, for example. And DD2, who started at 4 and is now 8,is a remarkably fluent and accurate reader and speller.

We are very happy with it, and there is nothing wacky or weird about it at all. Montessori simply teaches in a way that is easier for children to grasp. It's all very normal!

I own a Montessori nursery.
There is no official Montessori accreditation system (yet - it's in the pipeline) so anyone can call themselves 'Montessori.'
Just thought I'd point that out!