Our approach
What Montessori means at Beech
Beech is a Montessori school: children choose their own work, in rooms set out for them, with a guide who teaches one child or a few at a time. We say "Montessori" to describe how the rooms work, and we leave the rest to what you see on a visit.
Nothing in a room is there to entertain. Each piece of work has one purpose, and a child can return to it until they have finished with it.
“I would rather you saw a room working than read what we say about it.”
Three ideas
What to look for in a room
The work cycle
A long stretch of the morning with no bells and no group activity. A child picks work, finishes it and puts it back before choosing again.
Mixed ages
A primary room holds children from three to five. The youngest learn by watching the eldest, and the eldest learn by showing.
The guide
A guide shows how to use a piece of work and then steps back. The guide watches, keeps notes and decides what to show a child next.
Come and watch a room work
A visit is the clearest answer to what a work cycle is.