Cardiff Montessori School and Nursery, Cardiff

Cardiff Montessori School and Nursery is a school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

Estyn's report on its March 2023 inspection summarises Cardiff Montessori School and Nursery like this:

"Cardiff Montessori School was founded by the proprietor and current headteacher in 2016. The school implements the Montessori approach and curriculum faithfully. It empowers pupils to ‘be Montessori’ and embodies the values of kindness, honesty, respect and responsibility highly successfully. There is a determined focus on the promotion of well-being through these values, and consequently the school has the affection and loyalty of pupils, parents and staff. Nearly all learning experiences throughout the school are authentic. Throughout the school there is a clear and progressive focus on sensorial, physical and cognitive development. Pupils are taught independent living skills from an early age, and kindness, respect, grace and courtesy are actively taught to pupils of all ages. Pupils at the school are inquisitive, confident, responsible and highly independent. They feel happy and safe due to the nurturing and respectful relationships that exist between all members of the school. Pupils confidently resolve many of their own problems and excitedly take responsibility for their own learning."

"As a result, most pupils make strong progress from their starting points. Leaders are knowledgeable, compassionate and caring and their management of the school is highly effective. There is a strong sense of staff unity and everyone at the school works together in pupils’ best interests. All staff actively contribute to the school’s improvement. However, these arrangements are not focused or structured sharply enough. The Montessori teaching approach is firmly embedded across the school. All staff know their pupils extremely well and respond to their well-being needs effectively. Teachers work as ‘guides’ to facilitate pupils’ learning, which is sequenced so that their knowledge and skills build as they move through the school. However, pupils do not always receive feedback on their work in a timely manner to help sustain improvements. Cardiff Montessori School meets all the Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2003."

"Compliance with the regulations for registration Independent school inspections are governed by the Education Act 2002 and related regulations: the Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2003. These regulations require an independent school to meet an appropriate standard in the following areas: The quality of education provided by the school The school meets the regulatory requirements for this standard. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils The school meets the regulatory requirements for this standard. Welfare, health and safety of pupils The school meets the regulatory requirements for this standard. The suitability of proprietors and staff The school meets the regulatory requirements for this standard. Premises of and boarding accommodation at schools The school meets the regulatory requirements for this standard. The provision of information The school meets the regulatory requirements for this standard. The manner in which complaints are to be handled The school meets the regulatory requirements for this standard."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Formalise and sharpen quality assurance arrangements to focus on key areas for improvement; (2) Ensure that teacher feedback is more immediate and helps pupils sustain improvements in learning successfully; (3) Improve the quality of writing across the school.

Estyn follow-up status: The school does not meet the requirements of the Independent Schools Standards (Wales) 2024. Inspectors will revisit the school regularly to evaluate progress..

The nearest railway station is Ty Glas Rail Station, about 650 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

22 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Crundale Crescent West (before), 130 metres away.