Miss Frances – Principal / Owner
Miss Frances opened The Montessori School In January 1997 for her twin daughters and three other children. Over the last twenty eight years, it has gradually grown, filling the lovely Victorian house it occupies in Chestnut Grove. Having originally trained as a dancer and teacher at The Royal Ballet School, Miss Frances qualified as a Montessori Directress in 1987 in order to enhance her teaching of very young children. Her strong belief in the method inspired her to start the school and she continues to oversee the running of it, with the support of an excellent team, alongside her dance studio in Chiswick, which she has run for forty years. She also enjoys lecturing teacher training students who are undertaking the Montessori Diploma at the school and acts as a practical teaching supervisor and Mentor and Teaching Supervisor for The Royal Academy of Dance, and as an Affiliate Teacher of The Royal Ballet School. Miss Frances is a qualified Enquiry Lead for Children’s Philosophy, Vocational Awards Assessor and Lead Internal Quality Assurer.
Miss Isadora – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Family Liaison
Miss Isadora was one of the first pupils to attend The Montessori School. She later went on to train in Dance at The Brit School and then obtained her BSc Degree in Psychology and Criminology at Roehampton University. Miss Isadora completed a MSc in Affective Disorders at Kings College London and has a Doctorate in Psychotherapeutic Counselling; she has also undertaken the Level 3 Early Years Educator and Montessori qualifications. Miss Isadora initially worked at the nursery as a teaching assistant, covered maternity leave as a teacher and eventually took on her current role. She is the school Lead for Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs. Miss Isadora teaches Aerobic Gymnastics in her spare time and is an ex-British Champion.
Miss Isadora is qualified to diagnose Autism and practices Family and young persons therapy, in her private clinic.
Miss Venetia-Rose – School Business Manager (Finance)
Miss Venetia-Rose was one of the first pupils at The Montessori School. She later went on to train in Dance and Media at The Brit School, gaining a Bachelors Degree in Radio Production at Westminster University. Miss Venetia was a member of the British Gymnastics squad for many years. Having freelanced in radio production and talent management, Miss Venetia is a qualified accountant and member of the AAT. In her free time Venetia-Rose enjoys going to the gym and playing tennis.
Miss Gaelle – Curriculum Lead and Deputy to The Principal (Wimbledon and Balham)
Miss Gaelle is a Montessori Directress, having trained with Modern Montessori International. She worked as make-up artist for many years, before starting a family; she has two grown up children and a younger son. In her spare time Miss Gaelle enjoys cooking and crafts – many of which become the inspiration for the many art and science activities she presents to the children. Miss Gaelle is fluent in English, French and German language.
Miss Zamira – Montessori Teacher Support
Miss Zamira completed the full-time course at Maria Montessori Institute in London and loves to lead children in the exploration of their own style of learning. In addition, she has accomplished a BA in English Language and Literature and a Master’s Degree in Teaching English, from the University of Tirana. Miss Zamira is able to converse in English, German, Italian and Albanian and in her free time enjoys playing volleyball, painting and embroidery. Miss Zamira has just returned after maternity leave and has a daughter.
Miss Shannon – Montessori Teacher – Camellia Class
Miss Shannon is from South Africa and was raised in Tanzania. She qualified as a Montessori teacher nine years ago and has worked with children from 8 months to 10 years old. She did her Undergraduate Degree in Psychology in London. Miss Shannon has always wanted to be a teacher and to help the next generations grow into the best versions of themselves whilst having fun.
Her free time she enjoys yoga, travelling, hiking, cooking, embroidery, crochet and nutrition.
Miss Sabrina – Montessori Teacher Training Assessor
Miss Sabrina is a qualified Primary School Teacher and holds the Montessori International Diploma, having trained with Montessori Centre International. Miss Sabrina has a young son and in her spare time she enjoys reading and having fun with her family, as well as being the Lead Vocational Awards Assessor for our Teacher Training Course. Miss Sabrina is qualified to teach English as foreign language.
Miss Joanna – Montessori Teacher – Camellia Class (Balham)
Miss Joanna’s background is a fusion of artistic and academic experience alongside a teaching career. She obtained a Theatre & Screen undergraduate degree from the University of Arts London, specialising in costume design, and a diploma in Jewellery and Silversmithing from the General Fine Art School. Her studies included practical craft skills alongside Latin and Ancient History, History of Art, Philosophy and Modern Languages. Her academic journey culminated in completing the Art and Visual Culture course at postgraduate level at the University of Westminster.
Miss Joanna is dedicated to further pursuing Montessori teaching experiences, alongside gardening, skiing, and hiking.
Miss Shuchen – Montessori Teacher – Nests (Balham)
Miss Schuchen is currently undertaking the Montessori Teaching Diploma course. She has a Masters Degree in Special and Inclusive Education from University College London, and is particularly interested in supporting children with autism and hearing impairment. In her life outside of school, Miss Schuchen enjoys listening to music and playing the piano.
Miss Francesca – Special Education Needs and Social Skills Groups (Balham and Wimbledon)
Miss Francesca gained her Teaching Diploma at Modern Montessori International and has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Roehampton University. Originally a Class teacher with us, Miss Francesca now works as Special Education Needs support, alongside Miss Isadora and runs the Social Skills Groups in the School, helping children in areas they find a little more challenging. Miss Francesca is currently studying to be a qualified Speech and Language Therapist at City University and in her free time, enjoys going to the theatre and baking.
Miss Francesca will be leading the Nests during the Autumn term.
Miss Pressy – Montessori Teacher in the Marguerite Class (Balham)
Miss Rena (pronounced Miss Lena) – Montessori Teacher – Violet Class and Foxglove Class (Balham and Wimbledon)
Miss Rena studied the AMI Montessori Diploma at the Montessori Institute of Tokyo and then went on to work at a Montessori preschool in Japan. Before training as a teacher, she worked on cruise ships as she loves to visit different countries and experience their culture. Miss Rena is our teacher in the Cream Nest and teaches in our Wimbledon Branch on Fridays in the Foxglove class.
Miss Emma – Administration of Children’s Journals and Reports
Miss Emma’s passion for the Montessori approach has inspired her teaching and driven her to study a Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy with Montessori Centre International. Prior to this, Emma taught in Pre-school as an Art Teacher, Ballet/Dance Teacher and Gymnastics Coach alongside working as an Area Manager within the Arts and Entertainments industry, teaching and managing special effects make-up artists and animators. Her passion for creativity and working with children has been at the forefront of her desire to become a Montessorian. Miss Emma reviews all the Tapestry journals for both schools.
Miss Sophie – Montessori Teaching Assistant – Nests (Balham)
Miss Sophie has been an assistant in each of our classrooms and has spent much time creating art projects for various classrooms. She has completed the Montessori Practical Certificate and continues to train towards completing the full Diploma. In her spare time Miss Sophie teaches art to children and enjoys volunteering in schools around the world during her holidays.
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Miss Sheetal – Montessori Teacher – Rose Class and Foxglove Class (Balham and Wimbledon)
Miss Sheetal completed her Montessori Teacher Training with the Association Montessori InternationaIe in Hyderabad, India. She has worked with children since 2019 and has completed a Masters Degree in in Early Childhood Education from Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. Miss Sheetal works in both of our branches.
Miss Giulia – Montessori Teacher (Balham and Wimbledon)
Miss Giulia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and has a special interest in Photography and Art. She is currently completing the Montessori Diploma.
Miss Tina – Montessori Teacher – Foxglove Class (Wimbledon)
Miss Tina trained at the American Montessori Society after gaining Bachelor’s Degrees in English Language and Culture and Child Development. She also has a Master’s in Childhood and Youth Studies. In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, cycling and travel.
Miss Mounia – Class Teacher – Foxglove Class (Wimbledon)
Miss Mounia has the Level 3 Diploma – Early Years Educator. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering (specialising in Roses and Bananas), which she undertook in Morocco. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, the gym, reading and needlework.
Miss Amanda – Class Teacher – Foxglove Class (Wimbledon)
Miss Amanda has a Level 3 Diploma – Early Years Educator. She has daughter at university and in her spare time she enjoys swimming, yoga and walking her dog, Isla.
Miss Sharmila – Montessori Teacher – Bluebell Class (Wimbledon)
Miss Mounia has the Montessori Diploma gained at the Maria Montessori Institute in Sri Lanka; she also has the NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Early years Education. Miss Sharmila has children aged 8 and 18 and in her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading and watching films.
Mr Eze – Chef (Wimbledon and Balham)
Bio to follow soon
Miss Claire is a qualified Montessori Teacher and helps to support the teachers and children throughout the school. She also has a keen interest in plants and has a Diploma in Horticulture from Capol Manor College.
Miss Emily – Montessori Teacher – Snowdrop Class (Balham)
Miss Emily trained as a Montessori teacher at the Maria Montessori Institute in the USA and also has a Masters in Education from the Loyola University in Maryland. In her life outside of school, Miss Emily enjoys reading, photography and travelling.
Miss Fatma - Montessori Teacher - Balham
Miss Fatma trained as a Montessori teacher at the Modern Montessori Institute in the UK. She is fluent in English, Swahili, Arabic and German and has a young daughter, who has recently become big sister to another baby girl! Miss Fatma is also a qualified assessor of vocational awards, including the Montessori Diploma.
Miss Fatma will be returning to us in November!