New all-through Montessori school to open in Wiltshire

Initially the school’s development will see the launch of a co-educational Montessori Day Nursery and Infants Department in the autumn of 2013. The year-round day nursery will care for children aged from six months to five years. Children will then be able to go on to the infants department in the independent school or can transfer to other local schools.

The school will then expand year-on-year to cater for about 300 children up to the age of 18.

It will be an independent fee-paying school, however it will accept early education funding for two, three- and four-year-olds.

The focus will be on a well-rounded education combined with outdoor learning and a strong focus on sports. The children will have access to the 2,000 acre estate and surrounding woodlands and it will work towards achieving forest school status.

The school will be run by a new Community Interest Company.

Susan Hartley-Raven, who sits on the Executive Board of the not-for-profit Community Interest Company, said, ‘This is an exciting opportunity to create a new environment in which the children of the future can be educated. The Montessori philosophy offers children a sound education equipping them with skills for life. The spectacular location and environment at Norman Court will only assist that process, and inspire the children to find their own strengths and talents.’

The opening will begin with an Open Fun Day, details of which will be announced at a later date

Norman Court was previously an independent day and boarding school for children from the age of three to 13, until it closed in July 2012.