How did you come to be involved with Montessori education?
I worked at Time Outediting travel guides for many years, but when I had the first of my children 12 years ago, I decided I wanted more of a purpose. I retrained as a primary school teacher and by chance did an infant school placement and loved it. It’s permanently refreshing working with young children. Their delight in seeing you is always genuine and the day is never dull. Eventually I fell out of love with the Ofsted-fixated demands of mainstream education. A few years later a friend suggested Montessori and I’m just qualifying as an Early Years Educator.
What appeals to you about the method?
What’s satisfying is that it comes from a real philosophy of education based on science. All Maria Montessori’s ideas were based on careful observation and her knowledge of child psychology and education. It’s all about trusting the natural instincts of the child, and learning through the senses.
What is it like being a man in early years?
Having a man in a setting can change the dynamic in a positive way. I often let the boys have wrestling matches as it teaches them how to grapple in a safe and fair way. Everything about early childhood education is (or should be) in tune with a child’s natural instincts, interests and abilities. Sadly, Reception marks the transition point.
Where do you see your career heading?
My ambition is to set up a Montessori primary school as there are virtually none and I think the method is just as relevant and effective beyond age four. It’s impressive because now there’s modern evidence about how correct Montessori’s ideas are.
