Cobham Montessori School

Inspection of Cobham Montessori School The Hall, 21-23 Spencer Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2AF

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Inspection dates: 23 to 25 September 2025

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Early years provision Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

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What is it like to attend this school?

Right from the start of the early years (‘Children’s House’) and throughout the primary (Elementary) class, pupils are enthusiastic about their learning at Cobham Montessori School. The youngest children eagerly get started with their work as soon as they enter school. They love choosing their independent activities indoors and outdoors and cannot wait to get stuck in. Older pupils in the Elementary class begin their day by planning what they want to achieve. The school has created a culture where everyone is motivated to learn and succeed.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Older and younger children play alongside each other in a considerate and caring way. They learn how to tidy up after messy activities. Across the school, pupils take pride in carrying out their daily responsibilities to help care for their classrooms and the garden. Pupils rightly see the school as a safe place and their attendance is high.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Staff have exceptionally high expectations of pupils’ capabilities. They work with each pupil patiently and kindly. As a result, pupils who find learning or concentration challenging grow in self-confidence. They develop the stamina to persist when learning is hard. Pupils achieve highly and are ready emotionally, socially and academically for the next stage of their education.

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better?

The school’s curriculum is broad and ambitious. It encompasses a wide range of subjects. Each subject has been coherently sequenced. Staff have expert subject knowledge in all curriculum subjects. This enables them to make strong links between subjects. As a result, pupils build a deep, interconnected body of knowledge about the world and its people.

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better?

Right from the start of the Children’s House, the school teaches children how to learn independently. Children quickly become accustomed to the school’s daily routines. They take pride in deciding what they will learn, within limits. They are taught how to help themselves by finding the right resources to guide them. Children respect each other’s workspaces and wait until others have finished with resources. Older pupils structure their own research based on areas of specific interest arising from their learning. They meet with staff regularly to report how their projects are evolving. They achieve high standards of verbal and written language skills through presenting their research to a wider audience of peers.

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better?

The school has a sharp focus on early reading and writing, which are taught together. Staff enable each child to develop their knowledge of phonics. Children delight in making simple words containing the letter sounds they have learned. As their coordination and confidence grow, they begin to write words and simple sentences. Children practise the sounds they have learned regularly. The books they read match the sounds they know. Children love to read independently and with their friends in the school’s inviting reading areas. Staff are alert to any children who 23 to 25 September 2025 struggle to read, including children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These children receive tailored support until they are confident, fluent readers.

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better?

Staff have an expert knowledge of the curriculum and how young children develop. Staff work with each pupil individually, so they learn the curriculum through their own interests. Staff regularly check on pupils’ learning. They identify any areas where pupils need more practise or have developed misconceptions. Staff gently guide pupils so they can improve their own work. Pupils are empowered to help themselves and are highly motivated to learn. They trust staff to help them gently and in ways which preserve their dignity and self-esteem. This tailored approach greatly helps all pupils, but especially those with SEND. Pupils with SEND are identified quickly. They are supported to overcome any barriers and learn the same curriculum as their peers. Throughout the school, pupils achieve highly and are ready for the next stage of their education.

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better?

The school’s work to develop pupils’ character is exemplary. Staff teach pupils self- discipline, autonomy and pride in their contribution to the school community. Pupils behave impeccably, constantly absorbed and happy in their work. They are explicitly taught how to show respect, kind manners and empathy. They learn to value different faiths and viewpoints, preparing them well for life in modern Britain. Pupils have many wider curriculum opportunities, such as yoga and outdoor learning. Older pupils plan and take responsibility for class outings to further their curriculum- related research.

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better?

The headteacher, who is also the proprietor, has a clear and ambitious vision. The governing body and wider staff team ably support the headteacher in providing an exceptional education for pupils. The school consistently meets the independent school standards and remains fully compliant with Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 23 to 25 September 2025

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School details

Unique reference number 148324 DfE registration number 936/6048

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School details

Inspection number 10391800 Type of school Other Independent School

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School details

Email address office@cobhammontessori.co.uk

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School details

Date of previous inspection 8 to 10 November 2022 23 to 25 September 2025

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Information about this school

 Cobham Montessori School is an independent day school for boys and girls aged from two to eleven years. It follows the ethos and teaching methods of Maria Montessori. Most staff, including the headteacher, were at the school at the time of the previous standard inspection which took place in November 2022.  Pupils are split into two groups. The Children’s House caters for children aged two to six and the Elementary class is for children aged six to eleven. Parents in the Children’s House can opt for part-time arrangements. Once children reach statutory school age they attend on a full-time basis.  The headteacher is the sole proprietor.  The school does not use alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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Information about this inspection

The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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Information about this inspection

 Inspections are a point-in-time evaluation about the quality of a school’s education provision.  Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors held a wide range of meetings with the headteacher, senior leaders and teaching and support staff.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: reading, mathematics, geography and personal, social and health education. Inspectors discussed the curriculum with leaders, observed pupils as they worked, spoke to teachers, spoke to pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work. The lead inspector also heard pupils read to a member of staff.  Inspectors also looked at wider curriculum plans and spoke to leaders about some other subjects.  Inspectors looked at the school’s website, toured the school premises, examined policies and associated documentation and spoke to staff to consider if the school

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Information about this inspection

meets the independent school standards.  The lead inspector spoke with the chair of the governing body.  To inspect safeguarding, inspectors: checked the single central record of recruitment checks and talked to leaders responsible for safeguarding. Inspectors scrutinised records, including those relating to the safer recruitment of staff, 23 to 25 September 2025 health and safety, fire safety and risk assessment. They also talked to a range of staff and pupils through the course of the inspection.  Inspectors took account of the responses to the online survey, Ofsted Parent View and the additional free-text responses. Inspectors talked with some parents on the second day of the inspection.  Pupils were listened to through the inspection to gain their views about the school. This included a formal meeting with a group of older pupils.

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Inspection team

Jo Brinkley, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Gareth Flemington His Majesty’s Inspector 23 to 25 September 2025 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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Inspection team

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