The Woodland Montessori Academy

"Picking a pre-school can feel random, weird and difficult. They aren’t all the same. You go to a few and sit there feeling peculiar. Your child curls into you. It can feel staged; overly euphoric and giddy, and the kids sense this. However, after a few of these experiences, we finally discovered Woodland Montessori Academy on Caine Road. We met Ellie upon walking in, and from the get-go she alleviated all of our concerns. Most memorably, however, was that we watched smiling kids running up to her, hugging her legs, and her calling each of the kids by their names. This was a great example of why the school works and children love it: the staff and teachers really care about each child.  Six years on our experience with Woodland is that it has never let us - and most importantly, our children - down. It is an excellently administered and operated school, which has boldly committed back to its students and parents in its investment into building a world-class environment. Whilst becoming even safer, more hi-tech, it has still maintained its friendly and nurturing character. Pre-school actually is about letting go of your preconceptions and objectives as parents and letting professionals help facilitate your child’s social learning skills. They learn and gain confidence when they are given freedom, feel safe, and are given clear guidelines. Happy to report that we’ve now had both of our (very different) children progress through Woodland and both have loved it. We believe Woodland has played a major part in both of them attaining places in an excellent primary school."