Many of the trips are organised by the children themselves for research purposes, but this was an end of term treat - a backstage visit to the Windsor Royal Theatre. Children, parents and volunteers had a lovely afternoon learning about the theatre sitting in the Royal seats, managing the lighting and treading the boards. Thank you to all of the staff who gave us such a fun afternoon.

Not what you'd call 'healthy eating' though we did use Shredded Wheat for our chocolate nests rather than Rice Crispies! We don't usually cook as a large group but the recipe was easy and it was a lovely way to be social and creative on our last day.

27 March -Thank you to Grace and Ayaan who planned our visit today to the Eton NH Museum. This was a long piece of work over a few weeks which involved deciding on a date good for the children in the school; contacting Mr Fussey, the Curator, after practising the phone calls in class; deciding on the route. Grace (6 1/2 years) very confidently asked a policeman for directions when we got a bit lost. Mr Fussey's enthusiasm is contagious. The children's letters reflected their appreciation.

Our garden is growing. Not necessarily the seeds that we are sowing - that is a learning process. Julie from Homebase Staines, was able to explain ‘why’ some of our efforts have not paid off. But we are inch by inch expanding our gardening empire with hanging pots, a trough with lattice work for the sweet peas, broad beans, and raspberry cane - and the pear tree that we’re sneaking in. The children have each decided what they want to take responsibility for - flowers, fruit or veg.

Early work in operations with fractions - another example of the Montessori approach of moving from the concrete to abstract

1st March - Our wormery now has worms! It took us some time to find them. This will lead onto more study about what worms contribute just by doing what they do. This is a big topic in Montessori - how the work of something (including human beings) contributes to the greater whole. The worms will find their eventual home in our raised bed vegetable patch. A group of children in the afternoon had a long planning session about what we can grow as produce in our raised bed

28th February Today was shopping day for our two 6 1/2 year olds. It took us a little while to get out as the children had to think about what to take - shopping list (check); map (oops), money (oops); shopping bags (oops again). The fact that we blew the budget was down to me - for the little cinnamon, ginger and bicarb of soda we needed, I said I’d bring from home (absolutely fine if using spices of best before date Nov 15 is OK to use!) (Big oops from teacher!).

2 other children are organising a ‘going out’ to Eton Natural History Museum - a learning process. They practised and conducted their phone call - have yet to realise that a route needs to be planned, a timetable organised and all children are in receipt of road safety training before we can go - but that too will come. It’s such a positive step in the right direction (even if we don’t yet know what direction we are going to have to take when we leave the building!)

21st February -Now that some of the children are gaining in maturity, they are taking on more responsibiilty for their own learning. Today we had several good examples of this. The more confident children have been proactive in writing their worklists. This is seen as a real progression by the children. 2 children decided that they want to do more cooking. SO we established some groundrules together and the children have selected their recipe and written down their shopping list