Situated close to the North Sea, near the town called Cromer is a small village known as East Runton. The village was once known for being a traditional fishing ground,  with an economy based on catching fish and harvesting seafood (This possibly explains the sign!). In recent times, it is also known as a holiday destination for camping and caravan holidays. But beyond just being a traditional fishing village and a holiday destination, East Runton is also known for being the place where the first Montessori school in England was open.

Rev. Bertram Hawker (Courtesy to lookandlearn.com)

Mr. Hawker’s drawing room in his home at East Runton, England

Child using Geometric Cabinet tray at Mr. Hawker’s School, East Runton

Child building the Pink Tower at Mr. Hawker’s School, East Runton

Child working on Buttoning Frame at Mr. Hawker’s School, East Runton

Mr. Hawker’s School, East Runton

The first conference was held in a real barn that accommodated 250 members, with Montessori classes at work in another barn. The conference had a wide range of speakers including Professor Culverwell from Dublin University, Sir William Mather chairman of Froebel Union, Lord Lytton the chairman of Montessori society, Ms. de Lissa the head of kindergartens of South Australia etc. The general conclusion of the conference was for “greater freedom for the children, more self-government, and responsibility, more observation and less active interference by the teacher” (Smith, 1914).

However, this conference resulted in the society to be disbanded as a result Lord Lytton’s speech, who saw the society expanding by embracing Montessori and other kindred movements (Kramer, 1988). Dr. Montessori vehemently opposed this idea, and she insisted that her pedagogical approach could not be mixed with any other educational system. This led to members of the society resigning, and Dr. Montessori herself being the president of the newly formed group.

Dr. Montessori definitely had good reasons to protect her scientific approach in order to avoid dilutions and misapplications. However, the very nature of scientific knowledge highlights its constant evolution and adaptation.  If we reflected upon Lord Lytton’s words today, we could say that the future of England has definitely followed his predictions. The EYFS national framework has definitely widened our perspective as Montessorians. It has brought us in touch with other child-centered pedagogies, making our practice more rich and balanced, and yet allowing us to remain true to the core features of the Montessori approach.

And so continues what started in the small village of East Runton…

Brehony, K.J. (1994) Montessori and English Education  New Orleans: University of Reading
Kramer, R.(1988) Maria Montessori: A Biography Boston: Da Capo Press
Radice, S.(1920) The New Children, talks with Dr. Montessori New York: Frederick A. Stokes
Smith, B. (1914) ‘Montessori’s Work’ in Boston Evening Transcript August 12, 1914

Sid Mohandas is a Montessori practitioner from the UK. He received his training at Montessori Centre International (MCI), London.