Education

Oaks Montessori - Exploring Life!

Oaks Montessori opened its doors last autumn and is now enjoying its second term following its ethos of exploration. The school, situated in Gidleigh, has access to Dartmoor on the doorstep which proves to be a wonderful location for children to learn.

Oaks has an early elementary class for children aged 5 (reception year) to 6. A lower elementary class for ages 6 - 9 and an upper elementary for age 9 - 12. The class sizes are small and its teachers are committed to providing an excellent level of care and education based on the teaching philosophy of Maria Montessori. Alongside the Montessori curriculum it also provides weekly art, music, dance, sport and drama lessons.

Through her observations, Maria Montessori recognised that all children learn most effectively through doing. With this in mind she created specially designed equipment and resources to foster independence and facilitate that inbuilt desire in every child to learn and explore. ‘As we observe children, we see the vitality of their spirit, the maximum effort put forth in all they do, the intuition, attention and focus they bring to all life’s events, and the sheer joy they experience in living,’ said Maria Montessori. Montessori schools offer a vibrant, broad and holistic curriculum where academic and non-academic subjects, as well as personal/social development, are equal and there is a balance between indoor and outdoor learning. Children learn at their own pace, from real objects and there is a strong emphasis on respect for each other, the planet and all things living on it. Montessori classrooms offer a prepared environment where children are able to access everything themselves, a beautiful, harmonious environment based on nature and full of exciting and interesting learning experiences. This environment promotes freedom of choice and movement. There are quiet places to read, areas to learn and work with friends, a teacher or alone, places to create, to eat and relax both indoors and outdoors.

Each curriculum area has its own, specialised Montessori teaching materials, which are child-sized and functional. All subjects are learnt through discovery and exploration with concrete experiences which assists children to grow into capable people who have a strong sense of self and the ability to connect and collaborate with others and the planet. For more information, or would like to arrange a visit, visit www. oaksmontessori.co.uk or email oaksmontessoridartmoor@gmail.com

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The Morris Family Forest School Shelter

New school plans receive overwhelmingly positive response

Visitors are stunned when they visit Boasley Cross Primary School, a school within Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust. People are talking far and wide about the amazing shelter which was created by the Morris Family. The shelter has carved posts, wooden mushrooms and owls plus field mice to spot amongst the beautiful design. The floor is covered in bark chippings, there are rustic tables for the children to make crafts on, log seating and a fire pit.

The pupils of Boasley Cross Primary are lucky enough to be able to use the shelter all year round; from outdoor lessons to enjoying the fire pit and sharing stories. Some of their favourite activities have been toasting marshmallows whilst sitting together around the fire, making crafts like reindeers, hedgehogs, bug hotels and bird boxes. The older children are encouraged to help the younger ones, and everyone knows the importance of safety.

Plans for a specialist social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) school in Dartmoor have received glowing praise from the community. The Promise School, due to open its state-of-the-art campus in September 2023, is being developed by Dartmoor MultiAcademy Trust (DMAT). In line with guidance from the Department for Education (DfE), the trust ran a public consultation on these plans, which came to a close shortly before Christmas. Respondents noted that ‘the school is desperately needed in our area,’ and that it was ‘good to see that a trust which has expertise in SEND is leading on the development of the school’.

This positive sentiment was also expressed during in-person information events held by the trust, with one attendee noting that ‘here was a clear moral imperative coming through… that was very reassuring about wanting to get this right for the children of Devon’.

The trust also received a wide array of constructive and useful feedback from the process, which will now be explored and put into action by the school’s new Principal Designate, This kind of outdoor space is particularly important during the recent challenging times when children have emerged from lockdown needing that outdoor space and innovative approach to learning. Lorraine Simmons HLTA and Forest School Leader at Boasley Cross Primary School said: ‘We are truly thankful to the Morris Family and everyone else who has made this structure possible. We use the shelter 3 or 4 times a week during lesson times and in after school clubs. Research has shown a strong link between mental health and wellbeing and spending time in the outdoor environment. Boasley Cross Primary offers regular Forest School sessions to all age groups. Without the kindness of the local community, projects like this and the Sensory Garden would not be possible.’

Ms Tracy Ashton. Tracy joins the school with a wealth of experience, having worked in Lipson Cooperative Academy as Senior Deputy Head for Inclusion for over 20 years. While work on the new site is being completed, a small number of students will be made at home in two of DMAT’s other academies; St James’ Primary and Okehampton Community College. The students will have a dedicated space on each site during the 2022/23 Academic Year, meaning they are fully welcomed into the DMAT family of schools during their first year with the school.

Ms Ashton said: ‘I am hugely excited to get underway in this role, and to build upon the positive momentum which this project has already generated. Our consultation results highlight the comprehensive plans which the Trust have put in place, and I am looking forward to working closely with everyone in the community to bring this much-needed school to life.’