The Montessori Elementary Community (Prep School)

Children of primary school age need a curriculum without an end goal, an environment that provokes awe and wonder, allowing the child to explore and understand the universe. Instead of working through a set curriculum according to a time frame that is the same for everyone, in a Montessori classroom children are guided towards working on individual or small group projects, fuelled by their enthusiasm for exploring topics in which they are interested. The six to twelve year old child is the most curious, interested human being, with an almost insatiable hunger for knowledge. They are explorers of independence, explorers of cosmic patterns, explorers of the universe, explorers of how things relate to each other and how people live together, focussing their attention on imagination which allows us to see the possibilities in reality.

Guided by their key person and inspired by Montessori materials and lessons presented by teachers either individually or in small groups, we makes sure that each child receives a firm foundation in all academic subjects. The Montessori Great Lessons, a series of stories and lessons designed to awaken a sense of wonder as well as providing a scientific understanding of the history of the universe, are told each year so they spark the children off, pose the big questions and leave them to find out. When exploration of a topic exhausts the resources of the classroom, children must 'go out' beyond the limits of the classroom to find the information or resource that they need. Each 'Going Out' is an entire course of study on independence, responsibility, and good citizenship -to say nothing of the intellectual rewards that children get from such experience. Montessori schools are a place for learning not simply about the function of language and math operations, but about social conventions, communication, and caring for others in a community.

Even though their cognitive development enables children now to think on ever more abstract levels, primary age children still benefit immensely from having concepts initially presented concretely: the Montessori primary curriculum therefore is rich in concrete, hands-on materials. These are now complemented with task cards and booklets to give the children ideas of how to practice their newly learned skills independently and on an ever more abstract level.

Instead of formal testing, we use our own assessment and record keeping system which is based on close observation as each child progresses through the ever more complex and abstract activities provided. Children are invited and encouraged to continue their research projects outside of school hours, but are never given homework by teachers.

'The teaching enables pupils to make good progress, encompasses effective behaviour management and is supported by suitable resources.' ISI insepction report

Being based on a careful balance between freedom and responsibility, the Montessori curriculum acknowledges that being an independent learner is a skill that needs to be learned, a skill that needs guidance to flourish. We therefore introduce three essential tools to assist the child in his path of accountability and self-construction.

The Journal - a daily record of each child's work and the time spent on each activity

The Rose House Standards - a child friendly representation of the skills each child in England has to achieve by the age of 11

The weekly child & teacher meeting - a weekly meeting during which the teacher and the child reflect on the child's learning, their progress and together set next goals.

The Rose House Montessori School Curriculum provides activities and lessons in the following areas:

  • English please click here
  • Mathematics please click here
  • Relationship & Peace Education please click here
  • Science please click here
  • Biology please click here
  • History please click here
  • Astronomy & Geography please click here
  • Art & Design please click here
  • Movement & Health Science please click here
  • German please click here

Our Learning and Development Policyplease click hereplease click on the logo