Over the next few weeks, Nub News will be bringing you exclusive articles about the head teachers of each of our local Riverside Nursery Schools. 

There are seven Riverside Nurseries in the Richmond and Twickenham area and this week we will spotlight Claudia Neves, Headteacher of St Margarets Montessori. 

St Margarets Montessori is a school that focuses on self-directed learning with hands-on activities. 

"In Montessori, the classroom is called 'Casa dei Bambini', meaning the Children's House. What is essential to the philosophy is that it is the children's classroom as much as the teachers.

"Meaning that that it creates that freedom and responsibility," explains Neves.

At St Margarets Montessori, students choose their tasks and work at their own pace, fostering independence and creativity, while teachers guide and support them. Unlike a traditional nursery where there is fixed schedules and curriculums. 

St Margarets Montesorri Head Teacher, Claudia Neves with the children in the garden (credit: Riverside Nursery Schools).

Neves admits that as hard as it is for her to understand how quickly time flies, she has been a Montessori teacher for 20 years and has been with St Margarets Montessori for over six years. 

When asked what she loves most about being a head teacher at St Margarets Montessori, she says: "Seeing the children as individuals with gifts to offer the world every day, makes coming into our 'house' at Riverside St Margarets Montessori, so exciting. 

"No one knows what the day will bring, as each unwraps their gifts." 

Children at the nursery can choose how their school day will go under the guidance of teachers (credit: Riverside Nursery Schools).

Neves adds: "The environment is filled with a busy noise, like a beehive, with lots of movement and activity but it is purposeful, and productive.

"The children feel a sense of freedom but also a sense of responsibility and ownership creating the opportunity for the children to strengthen relationships and a sense of solidarity among the members, which Montessori calls 'social cohesion'.

"A child that offers the teacher a glass of water to soothe her voice; another that reminds an older friend to go slowly on the bike because the younger one is still learning to walk; or another realising they have just been able to write their name and wants to share it with a friend."

St Margarets Montessori takes a different approach to teaching children (credit: Riverside Nursery Schools).

The Twickenham nursery, 'develops these qualities of kindness, courage, compassion, curiosity and happiness.

'These are referred to as 'soft skills', which are essential as humans to interact effectively with others and be peace makers,' Neves tells Nub News. 

"Each moment precious and worthy of admiration and celebration for their personal achievements but also affecting the world around them positively." 

"It is a family, with the children at the centre surrounded with the adults comprising of the dedicated and loving teachers and the parents/carers growing together, learning with and from each other," Neves says. 

St Margarets Montessori is a school that focuses on self-directed learning with hands-on activities (credit: Riverside Nursery Schools).

She continues: "I am privileged to call this work, where every day I have the support of devoted staff, and the love of supportive parents to witness the awe and wonder of life unravelling in each of the children in our care." 

To find out more about St Margarets Montessori in Twickenham, click here.

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