Along with his parents Keith and Lizzy, and his two sisters, our own Theo Wright proved himself  a true entertainer in the Maresfield production of Puss in Boots!

While snow causes chaos all over the South East on Monday 2 February 1009, and schools close their doors on the children, there is one small independent school still open.

Trefoil Montessori Farm School, situated on the edge of East Grinstead, is an Eco school with a few dedicated children who have braved the bad weather and come in to feed the pigs and sheep and poultry that live on the school grounds.

After a hard mornings work, the children have a lesson in `sledging’, and end the day exhausted and happy.

The headmistress of Trefoil, Wendy Vickerman, along with her `sustainability expert’ husband Patrick, have created the first secondary school of its kind in the UK, taking children from 6-16 and with classes of no more than 12 pupils.

Wendy is pragmatic about the need to not close the doors of the school just because of the snow.

“The children know that the animals must be cared for, whatever the state of the roads.  Their parents have been fantastic in getting the children into school, and we make most activities here `educational’ but also great fun.”

We now have our first two pigs at Trefoil Montessori.  As you can see, they are very popular with the children.  Joseph and Elia have been given the responsibility of looking after them.

On the last day of the Autumn term we are planning a Medieval Banquet, followed by mince pies and hot chocolate on the veranda at 3.30pm on Friday 12 December 2008.  Everyone is welcome to join us to hear some Christmas songs and enjoy the pies!

Interesting articles and resources:

Montessori in secondary education  montessori_way_hs

We are planning a Halloween experience that will be more in tune with the ancient festival.  Details will be posted on this site soon.

Trefoil Montessori Farm School and Home Educators

‘A special way of learning for a sustainable future’

We offer a part time Montessori based education for home schooled children from Monday to Wednesday.  Three days a week for children between 6 and 16 years of age.

Click here to see our prospectus or download our pdf version by clicking HERE.

Registered Eco School
We provide Montessori Workshops for children of 6 – 16 years of age.

3 classes of 12 children maximum for 3 days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

We are based in a beautiful small 22 acre farm, within walking distance of East Grinstead and yet in the heart of the countryside

At Trefoil:

we know that we need to look after this planet, which is our home,

we know that we need to re-learn skills that are lost,

we know that we need to be independent in food, energy and mind,

we also know that everyone is unique and special,

now is the time to pave the way for the future !

The Environment:

An Organic farm; wildflower meadows; beautiful low impact sustainable buildings; kitchen garden; farm shop; ancient woodland; healthy happy and well treated animals; organic home cooked lunches.

The Weekly Timetable:

Montessori classes three days a week; Beautiful Montessori Prepared Environment, French, Literacy, Maths, Environmental Studies ( Phenology, Botony,  Herbalism, Geography)  Choir, Textiles, , Woodwork, Drama, Science, Pottery, Sculpture and Painting. – Underpinned by our programme in Sustainable Living.

Termly Outings:

Exciting trips to special places and museums that help us with our termly projects. These trips may incur some further cost.

Annual Trips:

Highland trip to Scotland, staying with the Greenland family at Cambusmore Lodge, Dornoch. 12,000 acres of Scotland to ourselves. Red Deer, Ponies, Lochs, Seals, Ancient forest, waterfalls, Mountains and sheep.

Children are so different

In the way they react to their environment. Some children find the pressure of large noisy classrooms far too overwhelming. They can find panic sets in, learning becomes impossible and we all know that emotional imbalance can have many disturbing consequences.

At Trefoil we have small, child centred, beautiful classrooms that enable the child to settle in to learning at their own pace. In this calm stimulating environment we find creativity and confidence returns.

We have a strong inclusion policy, which encourages understanding of others and their needs, which stands them in good stead for their future citizenship.

Comparison is not seen to be useful at Trefoil

We are careful to avoid situations where children feel under the pressure and judgement from comparison. We also do not have collective SATS testing. We endeavour to find and encourage each individual’s inclination and skills, this is beautifully created by encouraging individual daily planning and one to one presentations rather than large group lessons. Whilst using positive language, encouragement and humour we can avoid deepening insecurities.

We do hold some small group lessons, but on these occasions we maintain the principal of using positive language at all times.

Flexible Education – Parental Partnership

We have a unique approach to education, as we value and see the need for parental involvement with their child’s education, whilst recognising the need for children to develop independence and social skills that prepare them for world citizenship.

How it works

• All children attend 3 days a week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
• The cost is £1,140 per term
• There is a further cost for Organic Vegetarian Lunches.

.

Lunches

• We will be providing organic vegetarian lunches at a cost of £133.oo for 3 days per term.
• If your child has any dietary needs or allergies, we will need you to complete a diet form, and we will endeavour to be able to include this into our weekly menu.

Registration

This will require a simple 3 stage process.

1. Parents and child/children visit classrooms while in operation, where you will see how the classroom activities are sustained.

2.  Your child is then invited to attend for 3 trial days, at a cost of £60.

These trial days give an opportunity for the child to sense whether they would

feel comfortable in our learning environment, and equally for us as a working team,

feel that we can provide the stimulation that your child needs.

3.  We would then arrange a meeting to discuss our mutual discoveries.  A registration form would need to be completed.

Fees

• There is a non-refundable registration fee of £100. ( This helps cover administration costs )
• Fees may be paid in 3 cheques ( Post Dated ) at the beginning of every term.
• One full terms notice will be required in writing or fees will be charged in lieu of late notice. This Policy is necessary to ensure the financial security and sustainability of the school.

Discipline and the Peace Ceremony

Our approach to discipline is really very simple: We pre-empt all situations with a measure of the ground rules that apply in each given situation. This can be done through simple games with the younger child, but generally as they get older we have small conferences before we approach any new situation.

Another way to maintain a happy working environment is for all teachers and parents to follow the ground rules also. To be a hypocrite, instantly causes suspicion amongst the children and one instantly loses respect.

We use positive language at all times, and use reflection through theatre and emphasis, rather than allegations.

When disputes happen amongst the children, we use a simple peace ceremony so that the children can air their upsets, anger, frustrations etc

This is created using a quiet space, a small table in the middle of the peace circle, a candle and an amethyst that is used like a talking stick. An adult arbitrator is recommended, eventually aiming towards the children feeling able to reconcile their differences by themselves.

Normally all of these techniques do not require any further action.

The Individual’s right to discover their own spiritual path

We believe in the Individual’s right to discover their own spiritual path.

Then as an underlay for their individuality, we encourage collective responsibility towards their home environment, the people around them, the human race and the planet on which we all live.

Biodynamic Farm

Ashwood Farm, originally Peredur Home School Farm and Mill Mead Farm, was the first biodynamic farm and training centre in this area. Ashwood Farm land has also been used for a hay crop by Plaw Hatch Farm for the past several years, and we are very keen to re-establish it’s full Biodynamic status. Plaw Hatch Farm has very kindly offered to give us support in this process. We are very pleased to be able to sustain this link with the local community farm and restore Ashwood Farm to it’s former glory.

History of Farm

‘Ashwood’ is the name of our woods to the western side of the farm, and we have agreed it would be nice to change the farms name to ‘Ashwood Farm’, to develop it anew but maintaining links to it’s ancestral past. During the 1950’s and 60’s the farm was known as Peredur Home School, where children lived on site and worked on the farm.

Please click here for downloadable pdfs of the Prospectus and Registration Form.

We have further pictures and a short video

Click here for our video page

Trefoil Montessori Farm School

And Home Educators Partnership

‘A special way of learning for a sustainable future’

Workshops held at:

Ashwood Farm

West Hoathly Road,

East Grinstead

West Sussex

RH19 4ND

Tel: 01342 316129

Email  p.vickerman@btinternet.com

Supported by:  ‘ Friends of Trefoil Trust’

Charity No:  1113654

www.trefoilfarmschool@wordpress.com

Education for a Sustainable Future

Posted in home educators ]]> http://trefoilfarmschool.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/home-educators-partnership/feed/ 0 trefoilfarmschool http://trefoilfarmschool.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/prospectus/ http://trefoilfarmschool.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/prospectus/#comments Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:17:22 +0000 trefoilfarmschool http://trefoilfarmschool.wordpress.com/?p=36 ]]>

Fundamental Concepts that underpin the Educational Philosophy at Trefoil Montessori Farm School

It’ s evident that the way we live at present is not sustainable.

Change is required.

We are looking to provide an educational platform that researches the important elements of what is required for the future.

Download pdf version of the prospectus after clicking this link….

1.We nurture the concept of Personal responsibility towards:

a.      Oneself -  Self respect and confidence

b.      The people around us -  Friends and family

c.      Our Local surroundings – School/ home/ Community

d.      The Planet that we live on – The natural worlds.

2.      We have created a fine balance between freedom to choose ones own work, structure and   spontaneity.

3.       We are an Eco school and use 100% green energy. Working towards being carbon neutral.

4.        We are developing a curriculum in Sustainable Development and Living.

To include:

A broad understanding of building design

a.     Traditional building methods.

b.     Environmental performance focussed on materials.

c.     Water consumption.

d.     Orientation. – Solar gain and solar shading.

e.     Low / High impact -  Funky, Vernacular or standard.

Food Production

f.  Traditional farming methods.

g.      Kitchen Gardening.

h.      Herbalism – Food and health.

i.        Organic farming.

Land Husbandry skills.

j.       Forestry skills.

k.     Wild flower meadow maintenance.

l.        Traditional crafts.

m.     Carpentry

Waste

n.      Recycling.

o.     Re-using.

p.      Purchasing.

Monetary Systems

q.      History of money – 5^th Great lesson.

Energy Systems

r. Wind Power

s.      Solar Power

t.      Geothermal energy

u.      Water power

v.      Wave and tidal power

5.   In all areas of Learning there is a cross curricular hands on holistic approach.

So that things are not seen to be on their own, but part of a whole.

For Example:  Cookery is also maths, gardening sustainable living and science.

6.   The discipline within the school environment comes from:

a.      The use of positive language by all staff members.

b.     Teaching the children what the ground rules are; using games, role play and discussions.

c.      All ground rules come from the foundation of safety and respect for the individual’s freedom to work and think for themselves.

d.     The children are given opportunity to air disagreements or upsets amongst themselves.

e.     We use a Peace Table to resolve differences. As the children get older they can have the choice to do this with or without an adult present.

This being the case we never have disputes that are not resolved and the school environment is harmonious and inspirational to work within by all.

7.   We have a strong inclusion policy, offering places to children with special educational needs where possible and balances allow.

8.  We have small class sizes, with children of mixed age groups.

( Maximum of 12 in a class )

9.  Providing an approach to learning that is ground breaking and child centred.

Download pdf version of the prospectus after clicking this link….

Trefoil Farm School and  Home Educators Partnership

‘A special way of learning for a sustainable future’

Ashwood Farm

West Hoathly Road

East Grinstead

West Sussex

RH19 4ND

Tel:   01342 316129

Email:  p.vickerman@btinternet.com

website: www.trefoilfarmschool.wordpress.com

Supported by:  ‘ Friends of Trefoil Trust’

Charity No:  1113654

On the 12th of august our ducks got attacked! We do not know what by, we think it was a weasel or something that tried to grab them though the electric fence. It might have been Darsy (the cockerel). Chitchat is worse off than puddleduck, with a very nasty bite on his neck. He wont let any one near him. Puddleduck is eating and drinking well, and both ducks are definitely getting better.

By Emerald Greenwood & Cydney Taylor

Medieval Sports Festival

Saturday 12^th July

12 pm – 4pm

FREE ENTRY

Archery,Javelin,Tug of War, A Tournament with a difference, straw bale house building workshop, and juggling Skills.

Everyone is invited to join in with the sporting activities.

Organic Café Open

Come and Join in the fun, and learn about our new exciting Montessori Farm School.

“Education for a Sustainable Future”

Trefoil Montessori Farm School

@Ashwood Farm, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead.

RH19 4ND Tel; 01342 316129

We offer places to children from 6 – 16 years of age

www.trefoilfarmschool.wordpress.com