Maria Montessori

"Education is not something which a teacher does, it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being. It is not acquired by listening to words, but in virtue of experiences in which the child acts on his environment." (Maria Montessori).

 

Montessori's legacy combines a philosophy of freedom and self-development for children with a practical approach.  Although established some 100 years ago Montessori's teaching philosophy continues to inspire and grow and there are now around 22,000 Montessori schools, educating children from age 3 - 16, spread over 145 countries.

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In America and Canada in particular there are a growing number of Montessori state funded primary and secondary schools.  These schools offer a choice for families who are not in the financial position to privately educate their children and are true to Montessori's own beliefs of the need for equality in education.  Hopefully in the future the UK may decide to go down the same route.