Summer 2025 leaver
Dear all WMS teachers,
I wanted to take a moment to share just how much we truly appreciate the incredible work you’ve done with all of our children. It feels bittersweet to write this, knowing that our family’s time at Walthamstow Montessori is coming to an end, but we couldn’t let this moment pass without expressing our heartfelt thanks.
From the very beginning, when our child first joined your school, we knew this was a truly special place. The warmth, care, and dedication you show to each child has been consistent throughout all of our children’s journeys. You’ve created an environment where curiosity is encouraged, individuality is celebrated, and kindness is at the heart of learning.
For each of them, this school has been more than just a place to learn, it’s been a place to grow, to explore, and to feel completely supported. We’ve watched them all flourish here in their own ways: gaining confidence, building friendships, and developing a love of learning that we know will stay with them for life.
They’ve come home day after day with their eyes lit up, eager to share new discoveries, projects, and little stories from their time at school. Whether it’s been learning a new skill, tackling a challenge, or proudly showing us something they’ve made, we can see your guidance and encouragement in everything they do.
It’s not just the lessons they’ve learned, but the values you’ve instilled: patience, perseverance and empathy that have truly made the difference. You’ve given them a foundation that reaches far beyond academics, and for that we are endlessly grateful.
Saying goodbye is not easy. Walthamstow Montessori has been such an important part of our lives for so many years, and it’s hard to imagine not coming here anymore. But please know that we will carry these memories with us, and we will absolutely keep in touch. You’ve all made an indelible mark on our children’s lives, and we will always look back on this time with immense appreciation and affection.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything you have done for our children. The impact you’ve had on them will last a lifetime. With our warmest thanks and deepest gratitude.
SM
Where do I start? WMS is just the loveliest school any parent could ask for. Both of my children had their learning school journeys at WMS, and I am so pleased with the school. Could not have asked for a better foundation. The staff are amazing, and all the support staff make everything run smoothly. The teachers are attentive, efficient and so caring. The children are cherished and nurtured. This school is a GEM! MANY THANKS. We are sad to be leaving you.
Summer 2025 leaver
My daughter has enjoyed every moment at WMS. She has grown in so many ways and learnt such amazing skills. All of the staff have been approachable and attentive. They remember the small things that could easily go amiss, and to my child that has meant so much. This has especially been during the time talking in the mornings when she needed it, or sharing special important moments. My daughter has been able to be herself always and to learn at her own pace, which has been great for us all. She hasn’t felt pressured to do anything she’s not ready for, and I haven’t felt pressured that she hasn’t done something yet. The only regret that I have is that I didn’t find the school when she was younger.
Summer 2025 leaver
We have been very happy with WMS – all of the teachers have shown that they care for our child and are invested in her wellbeing and development. Our daughter has enjoyed being at the school and has grown there, and we appreciate that.
MZ
Thank you so much for all of the care and support that you have given our daughter during her time at the nursery. We’ve seen incredible progress in her speech, social skills and behaviour, and her kindness and caring nature truly shine outside of nursery too. I genuinely believe this is a reflection of the nurturing environment you’ve created and the dedication of your wonderful team.
A special thanks to Miss Marcella for her thoughtful feedback and the time she’s spent working one-on-one with our daughter to support her speech development. Your efforts have made a meaningful difference and we are so grateful.
LS
J, like his brother before him, has had a wonderful time at WMS. As he moves into Reception, I know he will flourish with the educational foundation he has had with you. We could not recommend your school enough to other parents.
C & AB
Our daughter has had a truly wonderful time at the Montessori. She has blossomed both socially and academically. The staff have been lovely! It is really noted how much you care for the children, and the way you communicate with them has helped our child be so settled throughout her time. She is obsessed with the adults there!! And she has always been keen to go into nursery, again showing what a lovely setting you create for the children. The range of activities you provide is also very good. I know she is getting a well-rounded experience which has prepared her well for starting primary school. She will really miss the school. Thank you for doing such a great job of caring for our child.
D
End of an era when our daughter leaves, as her older sister also attended WMS. Can’t thank you all enough for their time with you all. It really has been such a great start for them both. I always highly recommend WMS to others. Thanks so much.
H & E
We are so grateful for everything you’ve done for both of our children. All the staff have been wonderful and we are so lucky to have you on our doorstep and be able to give our children the very best possible start to their educations. They are both such confident, happy children, and that is thanks to the warm, nurturing and stimulating environment at WMS.
H & S
As we prepare to move to North London, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the excellent care and support that you and the teaching staff provided to our son since he was two years old. It’s been a joy to see him grow in confidence, curiosity and independence – all thanks to the nurturing and thoughtful environment you’ve created. We’ve always felt reassured knowing he was in such kind and capable hands. We’ll truly miss you and are so grateful for the amazing start you’ve given our son in his early years.
CD
Thank you to the entire WMS team for providing our daughter with such an enriching, supportive experience. We are so thankful to you all.
MM
Thank you for everything you do: I cannot rate WMS highly enough and always praise you when speaking to others. Communication with yourselves is always great and clear, and you offer so much support and understanding. Honestly, if it wasn’t due to the ease of having children in the same school for pick up and drop offs, I would have kept our daughter with yourselves. She has learnt so much and enjoyed her time at WMS. You have done so much for both of my kids and I will forever be grateful. I do not have a third child but if I ever do, you can bet I will be doing an application for them to attend WMS. Wish you all the best in the future.
CB
We have loved our time at Montessori and will be very sad to leave the wonderful teachers and setting.
M & M
Thank you for your support and commitment throughout both our boys’ time at WMS. We have a long association with you and it will be a sad moment when we have to say goodbye. Thank you for your continued support.
H & M
We will be forever grateful that our daughter attended WMS. We have been amazed at the incredible diversity of curriculum, activities and themed events that have taken place over the last 2.5 years that she has been with you. We can only imagine just how much planning goes into it all! The addition of ballet and PE at the Children’s House has been a real bonus too and something that demonstrates how WMS goes above and beyond to enrich the experience of the children. It is such a warm, nurturing environment.
RS
Thank you for everything – my daughter has had a wonderful time at WMS!
GW
Thanks very much for all your hard work with both of our sons. It is much appreciated. Best wishes to everyone at WMS.
AN
We truly couldn’t have asked for a better school for our son. He has always felt supported, even during more challenging times, and for that we are deeply grateful. Every one of his teachers has been exceptional. The compassionate and thoughtful approach in helping our son navigate his social and communication challenges has made a meaningful difference in his journey. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for a constant source of comfort and security. Knowing that he had such a safe and understanding presence in his day-to-day life has been incredibly reassuring for us as parents. Thank for you all the incredible care and support you have shown our son.
P
We have been so content to send our son every day knowing he’s in such safe hands and with people who understand him so well. He’s been so happy there. You have gone the extra step to give him the dream start. Thank you so much.
AK
I am very grateful that both of my children attended the WMS. I believe that Montessori education is one of the best ways to build the strong foundation not only for further education but also how children are shaped for life. Our daughter’s journey with you started when she was only 2 years old and we were certain that she would thrive in this environment, and she definitely did. This was very much down to all the amazing teachers she had along the way, not to mention all the other staff members who contribute to make the WMS a very special place.
When I had a chance to visit the school and participate in activities alongside my daughter, I was always very impressed with how calm and peaceful this place is despite a full room of children. Children were always well behaved and fully absorbed in the activities. Therefore making a decision to delay our daughter’s start at primary school last year was an easy one for us to make, as we knew she is in a good place.
I also wanted to praise the communication at WMS. Not only the newsletters which I absolutely love, but also the communication via emails and SMS. Staff are so good in replying to emails and answering all the questions. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for explaining to me very thoroughly the way how the new fees work after which I was able to make an informative decision about free government hours I should choose.
In addition to communication I wanted to praise the curriculum at WMS. I was always very much excited to read about the new topic for the term and the activities that were planned for the term ahead. Not every nursery provides things like ballet classes, tennis, or Italian, which makes this special place even more special.
I will definitely stay in touch and keep you up updated on how both of them are doing on this new journey we have ahead of us. Thank you for everything.
AM
Thank you full-heartedly to the full school team – both of our boys have loved WMS which has set them both up so well to move into primary school. Wishing you many more happy cohorts of children!
F & S
This is a heartfelt email to all the staff at Walthamstow Montessori School from 2016-2024. We have had the honour and privilege of being part of an amazing school for almost a decade. We can sincerely say that it has felt like an extension of our family. We have made amazing friends throughout our journey here. We had four children under the age of five – it’s true what they say that it takes a village! The school has been nothing short of amazing. All of our children received admission to WMS as their 2nd birthday present! We have watched our four children grow through learning and play. They have great discipline and character in them.
Reflecting on nearly a decade at Walthamstow Montessori School, there are countless cherished memories.
A few highlights:
- First Day Excitement: The nervous energy and excitement of the first day, seeing our children step into their classrooms with wide-eyed wonder.
- Seasonal Celebrations: The joy of seasonal events like the plays and concerts! community came together in celebration. My personal favourite is the sports day where every year everyone’s a winner!
- Art and Craft Projects: Watching our children’s creativity blossom through various art and craft projects, proudly bringing home their masterpieces.
- Outdoor Adventures: The fun and learning that happened during outdoor playtime and nature walks, fostering a love for the environment. Catching bugs at Lloyds parks and sporting various creatures!
- Graduation Ceremonies: The bittersweet moments of graduation ceremonies, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, filled with pride and a few tears.
- Parent-Teacher Interactions: The warm and supportive interactions with teachers and staff, who always went above and beyond to ensure our children’s growth and happiness.
- Friendships Formed: The lifelong friendships our children made, and the bonds we formed with other parents, creating a strong sense of community.
We feel sad not to be a part of WMS anymore, but you have provided the stepping stone for our little ones to grow. Having passed various exams between the 4+ and 7+, they are now at Bancrofts School and Forest School and hopefully will do as well there as they have here!
Keep up the amazing work and contribution you make to the local families! A heart full of gratitude and love!
RM
We have loved our time at WMS. Both our children have grown from the care, and well thought out provision, they have experienced at the nursery. It is fantastic that our children can experience Montessori practice whilst they attend the school. This has influenced how we parent our two children, focusing on helping them to foster their independence. We have loved the teachers, support staff and leaders of the nursery, who nurture and care for our children and always find ways to keep in touch by sharing anecdotes day to day and through the carefully planned parent meetings the school hold. The community amongst parents and carers within the school is also precious and unique. It feels like a close, warm and friendly community to be a part of. We cherish the time our children have spent at WMS.
CC
Honestly, everybody at WMS has been incredible, always going the extra mile to help and make us & the kids feel comfortable. We appreciate you guys!
VC
We have loved every minute at the school and will send our next son there. We only have fantastic things to say about the school, and really it has given our child confidence, friendships, knowledge, independence and so much more.
NN
I just wanted to send you a huge thank you for all you did for my child last year – I am so thrilled to say that she started reception with confidence and pure excitement! When I think back to how nervous she was entering WMS for the first time, I have noticed a huge change in her. Starting reception, she went straight into the classroom and eagerly took part in all of the activities. I definitely feel like her time at WMS has set her up for success, so thank you to all of you, and I hope you have a fantastic year ahead.
VW
Thank you for running such an amazing school and being so responsive to our needs. It’s clear that lots of effort goes in behind the scenes to make this such a positive place. The school felt right from our first visit and Children’s House is an inspiration. We really feel that our child couldn’t have been in a better environment. We will absolutely miss WMS! Thank you.
RL
My daughter has attended WMS since she was two and is now almost four. It has been such a brilliant and rich time for her there. She amazes me with her knowledge that she garners daily from the various activities both in the classroom and in the garden. She is so happy to go there and has such a confidence and a love of the place because her teachers have been so incredibly attentive and nurturing.
During lockdown the efforts that the whole staff made to stay open and safe were epic and brave. Daily it was a logistic nightmare but they kept endeavouring to remain open so that the children could remain in their brilliant social and learning environment. I have felt so grateful to WMS in these early years in the knowledge that my daughter is in a space where she can draw, paint and express herself with the encouragement of her teachers. It has been a very precious time and perfect school for us.
JD
I can’t express how happy we are as parents to have found Walthamstow Montessori School. It is such a caring environment where all the staff, from teachers, to assistant teachers, to administration, love and care for each and every child. It feels like our son (and ourselves as a matter of consequence!) found a second family, where all the staff know him so well and deeply care. The place feels like a little oasis of peace and quiet, where Montessori principles are applied with respect for each child.
Though being in the middle of a pandemic, the school never gave up and was quick at organising a range of tools to move online, with daily meaningful lessons, helping children to stay connected with each other and the school.
Being back on school premises feels safe as everyone is truly taking all the precautions to create a COVID safe environment.
I would definitely recommend the school and its quiet and creative environment to any prospective parent!
AS
My shy two year old has blossomed at WMS. I can’t praise her nursery teachers enough, they are so nurturing. We had Zoom sessions during lockdown so we were able to keep connected with her class which was invaluable once we returned in person. It’s been a delight to watch her flourish here.
EF
It was such an honour to have experienced your beloved school in action. I think you probably realised that we both were completely overwhelmed with how beautifully harmonious we found it.
The entire space was bursting with love and happiness and calm play. It was truly like nothing we’ve ever seen. We have researched Montessori techniques a lot, but hearing it from you and learning so much more of the true version and seeing it in action was so eye opening.
Thank you for your energy and precious time.
We came out like we’d just been let in to the biggest and best secret ever (not that it should be) we feel so fortunate to have found you.
KM
We are delighted with WMS!
PS
I think this is a great school. My daughter is in the Lower School and seems to be making rapid progress. She loves going and pretty much runs to get there each day. The staff are warm, welcoming and care about the children. There is a clear vision for the way in which she is taught, and we are very fortunate to have this school so close.
EL
My son and daughter went to Walthamstow Montessori School from the age of two. We wanted our children to be in a nurturing, safe environment, and we found it here. We always found the teachers to be very enthusiastic, encouraging the children to choose the sequence of their activities throughout the day.
ME
My daughter spent her nursery years at WMS. She had a brilliant time there, and I always thought the school had a fantastic energy about it. The activities varied each day – painting, making, stories and music – and the learning is absolutely embedded in play. You can’t ask for a better start than that, and I feel very fortunate that our daughter began her education in such a wonderfully nurturing school.
MCK
Lovely school! Great place for your child to become the best version of themselves. There’s a lot of opportunity as a parent to get involved. Great knowledgeable team of teachers. Couldn’t have chosen a better place for our son.
RE
We had visited 7 nurseries and nearly given up hope of finding one we liked, but within minutes of walking into Walthamstow Montessori School it was obvious that it was a world apart. At the other nurseries we had seen staff and children looking frazzled. However, at WMS the atmosphere was calm, warm and happy. The children were absorbed in their various activities with unusual and interesting equipment.
As we came to know the principal, Lorna Mahoney, we appreciated her as an outstanding and inspiring teacher. Our daughter spent two years at the WMS nursery before we moved from the area. We still visit and continue to admire the dedication, creativity and sheer hard work of all the WMS staff. The high quality of education at WMS is all the more surprising given its relatively low fees.
Our younger son attended a Montessori nursery near our new home, but it wasn’t as good as the Walthamstow Montessori. (Possibly because the other nursery was following only a few Montessori methods, whereas it’s a full Montessori approach at WMS.)
We have so many happy memories from WMS.
DC
Lovely teachers who genuinely care about the children.
JS
Lovely dedicated teachers and other staff, great space. Our daughter loves it!
HBT
Our son has attended WMS since he was 2yrs old.. he is now 7yrs. He has excelled from strength to strength as a person & academically. The near on 1:1 education he has received from nursery to his current prep class is a rare experience for a child to receive & blossom in.
WMS is caring, extremely supportive to each child & family’s needs. The teachers, many of whom have been there since our son started, are without a doubt true professionals with hearts of gold.
The staff are all of an extreme high level in their professional abilities, experience & duty of care. The principal is so driven by her strong ethics at giving the children the best start in life by way of the Montessori method, and the school is a true reflection of her years of hard work & dedication.
Our son continues to go from strength to strength, & we are proud to say he’s a WMS student… 1st class.
GD
Both of my children attend WMS. They truly enjoy going to school and have developed a natural curiosity for learning that is wonderful to see. The materials and techniques employed to educate have been very successful in giving my children a deep understanding of the subject matter. WMS is a great school!
EC
My son really enjoys being at the Nursery and now Kindergarten. The teachers have all been so kind and attentive, and it is a wonderful learning environment.
SW
Both of my daughters attend WMS and both of them love school! The environment is warm and nurturing and the staff are all attentive and understanding to both the children’s and parents’ needs.
We need more schools like this so that every child could experience this special approach to learning enabling them to develop into well rounded, confident and inquisitive little people.
AQ
This is my daughter’s first experience of a teaching environment and she loves it. She was only 2 years old when she started but settled in very quickly and now looks forward to her time there. The teachers are so lovely and the overall experience has been great. I couldn’t recommend this nursery high enough. A real local treasure!
CW
Staff genuinely care, the biggest factor when exploring nursery options. All teachers have been warm and attentive, which made settling in for my daughter a doddle. She loves the variety of activities including the weekly ‘out and about’ exploration.
Our second most important factor when considering nurseries was how calm the environment was. Peaceful yet industrious, with choice and flexibility of both guided and independent activities was crucial as our daughter had not been in any other kind of daycare until she started at WMS (2 months off 3 years old) and had been visibly overwhelmed during visits to other nurseries.
We enjoy reading the weekly newsletters to find out what our daughter has been up to as she rarely tells us and look forward to events throughout the academic calendar such as Christmas and summer concerts, sports day, carol services. Not forgetting the ‘birthday walk’, a beautiful marker to celebrate being another year older.
