Draft:St Andrew's Montessori School

St Andrews Church

St Andrew’s Montessori School London is an Ofsted Outstanding Montessori nursery and early years school for children aged 2–6, located in St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, Islington, London . Founded in 1988 , it has operated continuously within the historic church building and is recognised for combining authentic Montessori education with the national Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework . The nursery is part of the Islington community and welcomes children from all backgrounds, offering an inclusive environment where independence and curiosity are encouraged . The school operates within the premises of St Andrew’s Church. While the school’s website states it was established in 1988, some official directories note its formal opening in 1996 under the leadership of Samantha Rawson Samantha Rawson, who served as proprietor and principal for nearly three decades, began with just two classrooms and 14 children, gradually building what became “a thriving, busy little gem in the heart of Islington .” By the 2020s, the school was home to more than 50 pupils each term . As of 2025, Nina O’Neil is listed as the Principal of St Andrew’s Montessori School London , succeeding longtime head Samantha Rawson and marking a new period of leadership for the nursery . Nina O’Neil holds a Montessori Diploma, a BA in Media and Film Studies, and a Degree in Interior Design . According to the school, her Montessori training and academic background reflect a commitment to both creative and educational development, positioning her as well qualified to continue the school’s Montessori ethos . Samantha Rawson, continues to serve as one of the school’s governors, maintaining an ongoing role in its governance .

Ofsted and accreditation

St Andrew’s Montessori School London is registered as a childcare provider. It is subject to Ofsted inspection. St Andrew’s Montessori School has consistently been rated Outstanding by Ofsted across multiple inspections , including in 2011 in all categories . The Islington Gazette also reported on the nursery’s success, noting in 2020 that it had been awarded an Outstanding grade for the third consecutive time .

In 2020, inspectors praised the nursery’s “highly qualified and experienced leadership and staff team [that] successfully fulfills the highest of expectations for all children” and noted that “the quality of teaching is consistently excellent.” They observed children showing “unapologetic enthusiasm for learning and discovery” and behaving “exceptionally well” in a “vibrant, inspiring environment.” Parents told inspectors that staff were “devoted to making their children enjoy their learning and feel part of a wider community. ” The report described teaching as “inspirational” and highlighted that “children develop high levels of independence and are making rapid progress.” Inspectors further commented that children were “extremely well prepared for their next steps in learning and the move on to school.” Ofsted similarly found that “children flourish in this stimulating and calm environment” where staff provide “an extensive range of exciting and stimulating activities .”

Educational Philosophy and Curriculum

St Andrew’s Montessori School follows the principles of Montessori education , which emphasises child-led, holistic learning in line with the ideas of Dr. Maria Montessori. The school’s ethos is rooted in respecting each child as a unique, independent individual and fostering curiosity through hands-on, experiential activities. Classrooms are designed to encourage independence, concentration and a love of learning, with teachers providing guidance within clear boundaries.

Like all registered early years providers in England, the nursery integrates the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework into its Montessori practice . This blended curriculum ensures that children meet national developmental standards while benefiting from the freedom of Montessori methods. Activities include practical life exercises, sensorial exploration, language, mathematics, cultural studies, music, art, and outdoor learning Ofsted inspectors have consistently praised this approach, observing that children “develop high levels of independence” and make excellent progress through self-motivated learning.

The school is inclusive of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and works with families and specialists to provide individualised support. According to the Islington Council Local Offer, the nursery has experience supporting pupils with autism, Type 1 diabetes, Epidermolysis Bullosa, dyspraxia, and dyslexia. It employs a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) with qualifications in child psychology, and all staff are trained Montessori educators. The team collaborates with the local authority’s Area SENCO and external professionals to ensure inclusive practices, and Montessori materials are adapted flexibly to meet the needs of each child.

Location and Church Building

The nursery is housed within a historic church . St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square London and shares the premises with an active Anglican congregation. St Andrew’s Church is a Grade II listed Victorian church known for its striking architecture and community role. It was constructed in 1852–1854 to serve the growing population of 19th-century Islington, built of Kentish ragstone with Bath stone dressings in a Decorated Neo-Gothic . The design, by architects Francis B. Newman and John Johnson , features a cruciform layout with a prominent spire, and originally provided seating for up to 1,650 worshippers when it was consecrated in 1854 by the Bishop of London . Today, the church building retains its architectural significance and is noted for its “captivating architecture” and “spectacular stained glass,” though it has also required restoration due to its age .

During weekdays, the interior of St Andrew’s is adapted as a Montessori learning environment, with the church hall divided into classrooms and equipped for early years . The arrangement benefits from the church’s spacious halls and even a garden around the building, providing outdoor play space. Because the Montessori school occupies the building on school days, the church is generally closed to the public on weekdays in term . However, the space reverts to religious use on weekends. St Andrew’s Church (Barnsbury Parish) holds its worship services in the same building, meeting every Sunday at 9:00 am and 10:30 am for communion and family. The church opens its doors to visitors on Saturdays from 11 am to 1 pm as , allowing community members to visit the heritage site.

St Andrew’s Church is part of the Church of England’s Barnsbury Team Ministry. It describes itself as a “diverse evangelical Anglican church” serving a vibrant urban community in The congregation is noted for reflecting the diversity of the local area and for its community outreach. Despite the dual usage of the premises, the partnership between the school and the church is well-established, the church benefits from the building’s upkeep and daytime use, while the school benefits from a unique setting that “embodies” a connection to nature and the broader community, in line with Montessori philosophy On weekends the sanctuary is restored to a worship arrangement, demonstrating a successful example of a shared use of a historic building. This collaborative usage has been supported by local grants and heritage initiatives to maintain the structure, ensuring that St Andrew’s Church continues to function both as a place of learning on weekdays and a place of worship on Sundays .

Community and Recognition

Over the decades, St Andrew’s Montessori School has become a well-regarded part of the Islington community. It has been praised not only in inspection reports but also in local education circles and publications. The school’s philosophy of treating children as respected individuals in a “warm and nurturing ” atmosphere comes across strongly in parent testimonials. . Many families have been drawn to the setting through word-of-mouth , and the school typically enjoys full enrollment with a waiting list. The London Borough of Islington’s official childcare directory highlights St Andrew’s Montessori as an example of high-quality early years provision, noting its strong staff team and the fun, caring environment it provides for children and parents alike .

The school’s dual accreditation by both major Montessori bodies (MEAB and MEUK) has further solidified its reputation within the Montessori education . These recognition's affirm that St Andrew’s Montessori upholds authentic Montessori practices and staff development. The combination of outstanding regulatory inspections and Montessori accreditation is relatively rare, positioning St Andrew’s as a model Montessori nursery. The unique setting in a beautiful church has been an attractive feature; the church’s own publications and the National Churches Trust have noted the Montessori nursery as a positive presence, bringing weekday life and young families into the historic space

Summary

St Andrew’s Montessori School is a long-standing Montessori nursery in Islington, London, serving children aged 2 to 6. Known for its child-centered educational approach, inclusive environment, and distinctive location inside the Grade II listed St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, the nursery has operated for several decades as part of the local community.

Throughout its history, the nursery has maintained a strong commitment to Montessori principles within the framework of England’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum . Under the leadership of Principal Nina O’Neil, this vision is being strengthened with determination, ensuring the nursery continues to flourish as one of the top Montessori nurseries in the UK and providing children with an inspiring start to their educational journey.

St Andrew’s Montessori has consistently been rated Outstanding in Ofsted inspections (2011, 2016, 2020) and holds accreditation from both the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board (MEAB) and Montessori Education UK (MEUK). With its record of consecutive Outstanding ratings and professional Montessori accreditation, the school has been recognised as one of the top-performing Montessori nurseries in London and in the United Kingdom and consistently a high performing nursrey