Grantham Farm began in response to the growing number of Children’s House parents who recognised the value of the Montessori Approach to Education and who wanted their children to remain within this environment for a longer period. Children feel they are taking an important step when they move into Grantham Farm – they are proud to wear the uniform and ready – from their preparation at The Children’s House - for the additional demands which will be made on them. Whilst this is a big step to the child, it is a carefully planned transition and all underpinned by the same Montessori principles. Grantham Farm is a small nurturing environment. Our focus is on the individual child and we know each one extremely well. Because we are small we can spend time working on the child’s specific needs – both in the learning and behavioural spheres: gifted children can reach their true potential and those with specific learning difficulties can be shown success. We aim for the children to have a keen sense of right and wrong and regard their successful personal development to be as important as their academic achievement. The school is based on Christian values but we take time to study other religions and cultures. The children incorporate the National Curriculum into their learning experiences whilst following the Montessori approach, this approach is individually tailored to the needs of every child so that all learning is enjoyable, stimulating and meaningful. Maria Montessori developed a wide variety of practical materials for these older children. The children use these as a foundation to their learning in every curriculum area, to great effect, only moving towards more abstract learning when each child is ready. Computer technology is used to reinforce what is being learnt and as a tool for exploration. Through our dedicated teaching together with the child’s self-motivation, children leave Grantham Farm with a head start in the 3 R’s, a love of learning and a positive outlook on life.

	Reading A child reads individually with an adult every day at school and will take books home daily to read in the evening. We aim to encourage a love of reading and an appreciation of its many benefits.
	Language Analysing language through grammar and spelling exercises.
	Writing Children enter Grantham Farm with the pencil control and early writing skills they have developed at The Children’s House, with daily practice, they rapidly build on these skills to become more creative writers.
	Mathematics Montessori maths materials allow the child to develop mathematical concepts naturally without being expected to work in the abstract before he or she is able.
	Science The learning of science is made interesting and exciting by studying the natural and man-made world.
	History As children develop a sense of time, the study of historical events becomes more relevant to their learning. We aim to bring such study alive by making regular trips.
	Geography Maria Montessori designed many materials to encourage an interest in the world
	French Having made a start at The Children’s House, children make rapid progress once in Grantham Farm. Within the small familiar group they do not lack the confidence in beginning to converse.
	Music Once in Grantham Farm children begin to learn the recorder. They also sing every week, developing their voices both individually and as a group.
	The Play Grantham Farm children put on a production of their own which they perform alongside The Children’s House nativity play.
	Physical Education The children look forward to their PE sessions with sports coaches from Ludwig Leisure.
	Swimming We have our own swimming pool which is used in the Summer Term by all those children who stay to lunch. This encourages them to become confident swimmers as they enjoy these swimming activities with their friends.