Your stories

Renate Diallo started out as a conventional secondary school teacher. She became interested in Montessori education after her son was born four years ago.

“You want to do the best for your child and the Montessori system seemed to best reflect my own thoughts on bringing up children. You want to encourage their own learning – not force them into a system we’ve devised for them.”

Montessori schools allow children to learn through activities that they choose for themselves. That could be cutting out paper shapes, piling bricks on top of each other or playing with water.

“Simple activities such as these help children to develop really important skills – such as concentration or responsibility,” she explains.

Renate and her son are about to embark on the trip half way around the world to take this method of teaching to a tiny school in Nicaragua. The class currently meet under a tree.

“I’ll be going to help the school get started,” says Renate. “They have just moved from a tree to a small classroom, so I’m going to support the teacher and help provide equipment.”

The classroom has just been built by sixth formers from Bristol. The pre-school currently has 20 pupils but Renate is hoping they’ll attract more to the Montessori system.

The old classroom under a tree

I ask her if a Montessori school is considered a luxury in a developing country like Nicaragua.

“I know that Montessori schools have an elitist reputation. But actually, Dr Montessori started these schools in the slums in Rome. It wasn’t intended for middle class kids – it was for everybody.”

However, these schools do require more resources and more teachers due to the emphasis they place on addressing the needs of each individual child. But Renate is positive that with the right support, it can take off in Nicaragua.

“This system of schooling is popular all over the world. It allows each child to reach its potential – to see things from the child’s point of view instead of imposing our own.”

Renate is still fundraising for her sabbatical. Donations can be sent to the Kings Castle Montessori Nursery, Tuckton, BH6 5NB.