Our Teaching Approach
Our experienced, caring team of teachers is central to what makes St. Andrew’s so special. With strong relationships and a deep sense of continuity, we are able to provide children with a consistent and enriching learning experience from day to day and year to year.
At St. Andrew’s Montessori, our teaching is guided by the belief that children learn best through curiosity, independence, and their natural desire to explore the world through their senses. We provide a nurturing, well-structured environment that supports each child’s individual journey and encourages a lifelong love of learning.
Our approach includes:
- A prepared environment tailored to children’s needs, with everything proportioned to their size and accessible for independent use.
- Self-directed learning supported by experienced Montessori-trained teachers who observe, guide, and introduce new challenges when each child is ready.
- Respect for each child’s individuality, fostering confidence, focus, and self-discipline in a calm and supportive atmosphere.
- Beautiful, purposeful materials designed to develop understanding through hands-on discovery.
Rather than focusing on tests or competitive goals, we nurture each child’s unique interests and talents. Teachers observe and adapt learning plans at the start of each term to ensure personalised support.
We maintain small staff-to-child ratios – 1:4 in the afternoons for 2–3-year-olds, and 1:8 during full-day and morning sessions – ensuring each child receives individual attention. We also welcome enthusiastic student teachers from Montessori Centre International.
Progress is carefully tracked through detailed observations, weekly feedback, and termly reports, covering intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development.
Football is now a valued part of our Physical Development curriculum and included in school fees – supporting movement, teamwork, and fun.
Montessori & Mainstream Education
At St. Andrew’s Montessori, we blend the freedom of the Montessori approach with the structure of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring that children receive a well-rounded education in line with national expectations.
The EYFS framework is organised into seven key areas of learning:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Our curriculum integrates these areas seamlessly within the Montessori environment, allowing children to explore them through hands-on, self-directed activities. We remain true to Montessori principles – celebrating creativity, individuality, and spontaneity – while meeting the goals set out in the national curriculum.
St. Andrew’s Montessori has an excellent track record of preparing children for their next steps, with many successfully moving on to the schools of their parents’ choice.
St. Andrew’s Montessori is uniquely set within the beautiful St. Andrew’s Church in Islington - a calm, natural space that reflects the heart of the Montessori philosophy. Built in 1894, the church’s stone and wooden interiors create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe, curious, and engaged.
Classrooms are arranged into five key Montessori areas:
Mathematics, Language, Culture & Environment, Sensorial, and Practical Life.
Children work independently or in small groups during uninterrupted three-hour learning cycles, using carefully chosen materials they can access freely.
We encourage independence and joyful learning through everyday tasks like pouring drinks or setting tables, alongside creative activities inspired by our “Letter of the Moment” - a playful, school-wide theme that sparks imagination and conversation.
Our church isn’t just a building - it’s a nurturing space where lifelong learning begins.
The gardens at St. Andrew’s Montessori are a natural extension of our classrooms - a beautiful, secure space where children can explore, move freely, and connect with the world around them.
In true Montessori fashion, we believe in “taking the inside out.” Children are encouraged to bring classroom materials outdoors, sparking creativity and new ways of thinking. From climbing and swinging to imaginative play and teamwork, our outdoor environment supports physical development and social growth.
Children also take part in nature-based activities like gardening, clay work, and simple building projects - hands-on experiences that deepen their understanding of the natural world.
Football is a key part of our Physical Development curriculum and included in school fees, offering structured movement and fun for all.
Daily breaks include fresh fruit, mineral water, and outdoor play - helping children recharge and return to learning with joy.
At St. Andrew’s Montessori, we nurture a strong sense of community between children, parents, and staff. Every morning, families are warmly welcomed at the door, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
Our Open Mornings - held weekly - invite parents into the classroom to share in their child’s learning and connect with other families. Termly parent-teacher meetings ensure ongoing communication and support.
We love welcoming guests into our setting - from local police and firefighters to parents who are artists, musicians, doctors, and more - offering children real-world insight and inspiration.
Our community extends beyond the classroom with local outings to Barnsbury Woods, the library, museums, and even pizza-making adventures. Children also take part in meaningful fundraising events like the Spring Bazaar, Jeans for Genes Day, and the Shoebox Appeal - learning the value of compassion and giving back.
Take a look at our school
Extra-Curricular Activities
Alongside core Montessori learning in mathematics, language, science, and cultural studies, children at St. Andrew’s Montessori are encouraged to explore creativity through art, music, dance, singing, and group activities.
We also offer a variety of optional weekly classes led by qualified professionals, including:
- French
- Ballet – with termly performances to showcase the children’s progress and confidence
- Computers
- Yoga – featuring termly sessions focused on mindfulness and movement
- Monty’s Choir – our joyful school choir nurturing a love of singing and teamwork, with termly performances
- Football – now an integral part of the Physical Development area of the curriculum included as part of the school fees.
All extra-curricular activities are optional. Children who choose not to take part are always included in the wider classroom experience, and our open-door policy allows them to observe and join in when they feel ready.
Admissions
We’d love to welcome you to our school! Whether you’d like to learn more or just have a friendly chat about what we offer, we’re always happy to help.
Get in touch with us and we’ll personally invite you to one of our open days. It’s a great opportunity to experience a typical school day, meet our team, and let your little one explore and get a feel for the environment.