School Heads

Elaine Fitzpatrick

Headmistress

The past, and all the experience it entails, always contribute to making the present better.

Many members of the staff, almost 1/3, have been with us for more than 15 years. Some members have been with us for more than 20, and a few have been with the school almost from the beginning.

All the knowledge and expertise that these members of staff have brought to the school have helped to keep the original philosophy and expectations alive and improving. Of couse all the knowledge and expertise that more recent members of staff have brought from schools in Britain and other International schools abroad have made what this school is now, a school which is confident in getting the best out of their pupils, a place where skills and knowledge are taught so that pupils enjoy their learning, secure in the knowledge that the results achieved in external exams and in all the languages in which they study are among the best.

Education is ever-changing today and pupils must be formed to cope with these changes. A sense of purpose, creativity, high expectations and team work are vital to the well-formed person in today’s society. When walking around the school or when our pupils attend concerts or visit museums these attributes are highly evident.

The programme at The English Montessori School today encompasses everything pupils need to become confident learners and equips them to deal with the constant changes of modern society. The relationships they build with their peers, other pupils and teachers all serve to guide them gently and positively along the way, and to take what they have learned into their adult lives and futures, no matter where in the world they may find themselves.

Belén Ulecia

Directora Técnica de Español

El proyecto educativo de The English Montessori School después de estos 35 años de andadura, se ha concretado en todas las promociones de alumnos que, curso a curso, se han ido incorporando, primero a la vida universitaria, y posteriormente a la laboral, y, por supuesto, en los alumnos que actualmente se forman en nuestras aulas, a los cuales queremos proporcionar las herramientas necesarias para que alcancen su máximo potencial académico y personal que les facilite la incorporación a un mundo en constante cambio, cada vez más competitivo.

Entendemos que el desarrollo intelectual no supone solamente la adquisición o aprendizaje de conocimientos, sino el despertar y potenciar en los alumnos a través de todas las áreas del currículo, unas capacidades que les permitan “aprender a aprender”.

Buscamos, no solo un alto rendimiento académico, sino el pleno desarrollo de la personalidad de nuestros alumnos mediante una formación integral, fomentando el respeto a los derechos y a las libertades fundamentales del individuo.

Uno de nuestros principales objetivos a lo largo de estos años ha sido el incorporar a nuestro proyecto educativo lo mejor de las dos culturas, la británica y la española, de manera que nuestros alumnos puedan continuar sus estudios universitarios en cualquiera de los dos países, o bien, en cualquiera de los muchos países del mundo que homologan sus enseñanzas.

Kathryn Slack

Head of Senior Department

I joined the school in September 2005 and ever since my first day I knew I’d made the right choice. Our pupils are friendly and generally (!) very well behaved and the atmosphere is happy and relaxed. They are full of life and confident in their individuality.

We have a great staff who are highly motivated and caring. We strive to encourage pupils to fulfill their own potential to the best of their ability and become independent, autonomous, confident, enquiring, informed and critical learners. Pupils should take an active role in their own learning which leads to increased enjoyment, understanding and achievement. They should show self-respect, respect for others and respect for their environment. They should use self-correction and selfdiscipline and listen to the opinions of others and understand when it might differ from theirs.

We go on regular residential trips skiing, camping and to a field study centre in Gredos. Pupils are encouraged to raise money for our sponsored children in Nicaragua through various fun activities that each tutor group organizes. We have parties at Halloween and Christmas and a talent show in the summer.

Despite all this our pupils have time to be fully prepared for IGCSE exams and pupils from TEMS now achieve excellent results which are as competitive as schools in England.

Abigail Kay

Head of Infants

After teaching for five years in my home town of Leeds in Yorkshire, England, I came to Madrid to seek new challenges and experiences. I joined The English Montessori School and taught my first year here in Year 1. I enjoyed every minute of it, working with enthusiastic and motivated staff and with children who eagerly took on the challenges of learning in English. I am now very excited to take on the role as Head of Infants this year.

Working with Infants is not for everyone. It’s messy! It’s noisy! But it’s where the magic happens! I am proud to say we have a team of staff who all clearly share the passion for Early Years learning and want to play a part in the important formative years of your children’s education.

Everyone is special in the Infants; talents are discovered and nurtured and an enthusiasm for learning is encouraged through an exciting, relevant curriculum. Learning is about trying your best and having a go; making mistakes and learning from them. Children are taught that it’s right and safe to question; to think for themselves and do the right thing. We place children’s emotional security, health and personal / social development at the core of everything we do and we know that this work is impacting positively on our children’s lives, securing their sense of safety and happiness at school, building their self- confidence and enabling them to achieve more positively in the classroom.

Our school has always had a commitment to providing quality education and we are dedicated to ensuring that this continues. It is a real pleasure for me to teach the children here and play such an important part in their young lives.