New Campus Prospectus

Our Mission Statement

‘To provide children with the knowledge, skills and global awareness needed for the 21st century.’

to Mont21 school

Welcome to our learning community situated on the Costa del Sol, Situated close to the town of Estepona and with open views of the majestic Sierra Bermeja mountain, our sustainable campus provides an inspirational learning environment.

As we now live in an ever increasing complex world of technology, social injustice, political instability and climate change, we believe that as educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that children are fully prepared to meet the challenges they will encounter in tomorrow’s

We achieve this through an holistic educational programme that combines the long established Montessori pedagogy with the British National Curriculum, the best progressive real-life learning concepts from around the world and sustainable education. It is through these four pillars that we enable every student to flourish, not only by achieving excellent academic qualifications but also to acquire those skills and environmental awareness that they will need to be happy and successful citizens of the world.

Our new innovative green campus has been designed to enable our students to accomplish these objectives in a wonderful natural environment and to benefit from those facilities one would expect to find in any leading international school in the world.

We hope you enjoy reading this prospectus and how at mont21 we prioritise purpose-driven education for the 21st Century.

Michael, Ann-Marie and Melissa Garrett

“ Education should not just be preparation for university, it should be preparation for life”

Maria Montessori

Our Inspiring Campus

We enjoy an exceptional learning environment very different to any other school on the Costa del Sol.

Our campus was commissioned in 2018 to a firm of awardwinning British architects who were tasked with designing a sustainable building that would entwine the Montessori pedagogy with progressive educational concepts. With design inspiration taken from Scandinavia, the school house provides open flexible learning areas, teaching pods, breakout areas including mini kitchenettes, libraries, two science labs, PBL & STEAM workshops, art studio, music room, student’s learning kitchen and digital media hub.

It was also our wish for the building to have a seamless connection with the outdoors, enabling the students to enjoy and appreciate the natural environment. This has been achieved by the use of folding doors between the internal learning areas and the soft landscaped central courtyard and play areas. There is also a forest school, a wilderness area to encourage wildlife, a student’s garden, a plot for organic vegetable production and a poly-t unnel.

The natural landscaped grounds include a wooden activity play centre, a moveable-parts construction area, a yoga studio, amphitheatre, all purpose sports pitch and competition swimming pool.

There is no doubt that the mont21 school environment makes for a truly unforgettable educational journey.

Maria Montessori 1870 - 1952

Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator who devised the long established and world renowned Montessori pedagogy.

The first female doctor in Italy, she became interested in the development of children where she found they learnt best from using didactic materials and practical activities through freedom of choice (within limits) and the ability of free movement. Through these, children acquired high levels of concentration, self-discipline, motivation and a love of learning.

It was however, not only academics that Maria Montessori was concerned about but also the acquisition of independence, confidence, self-esteem and time management.

Since the first Montessori school, ‘Casa Dei Bambini’ opened in 1906, the popularity of this educational method continues to grow with now an estimated 20,000 schools around the world. Although the majority are for kindergarten aged children, there are several secondary schools with many of the leading progressive schools now embracing the fundamental Montessori principles.

Our Educational Programme

The Four Pillars

Montessori Pedagogy

• Personalised Learning

• Freedom of Choice (within limits)

• Personal, Emotional and Social Development

• Practical/Real Life Skills

21st Century Education

Progressive Education

• Project Based Learning

• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)

• Entrepreneurship

• Success Skills

• Hybrid and Online Learning

British National Curriculum

• Early Years, Primary & Secondary (EYFS to Year 11)

• International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)

• A.S. and Advanced Level (Year 12 & 13)

Sustainability

• Environmental Education & Awareness

• ECO Schools Programme

• Community Projects

• Health & Wellness

• Global Initiatives

Progressive Education

There is growing awareness that the traditional way of educating children is no longer fit for purpose for the 21st century.

With ever increasing use of technology including the internet, Artificial Intelligence, 5G networks, robotics and visual reality, there needs to be less emphasis on memorising facts and a greater need to foster 21st century skills. This include critical thinking/problem solving, creativity, time-management as well as being adaptable and resilient, enabling them to become life long learners.

At mont21, we achieve these skills through the use of progressive educational concepts used in some of the best schools around the world.

These include PBL (Project Based Learning) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) where students follow a topic related interest through research, practical application and presentation. Students have daily access to computers, laptops, tablets, interactive smart-boards and wipeable walls to assist with research, to be creative and to provide additional support for their learning.

In later years, students can benefit from both hybrid and online learning wherever they maybe in the world.

Although these educational concepts are relatively recent, there is a direct correlation with Montessori pedagogy that was created over 100 years ago.

Our Values

As a school community, we subscribe to two sets of core values on a daily basis. The Montessori values are those that relate to personal, emotional and social attributes whilst the 21st century skills are those that students need to acquire to ensure employability and success in the workplace of tomorrow.

These are reinforced through their modelling, discussion and daily dialogue between mentors, students and visitors.

Montessori Values

• Respect

• Empathy

• Trust

• Positive

• Responsible

• Peace

21st Century Skills

• Critical thinking/Problem solving

• Collaborative

• Creative

• Resilience

• Adaptable

• Time Management

The School Years

Nido (12 months to 3 years)

Our pre-nursery follows the Montessori pedagogy of encouraging early sensory exploration, independence and creativity.

The environment is simplistic with the use of natural wood and textiles, a soft neutral colour palette and lots of uncluttered space, natural light and ventilation. The children are free to choose from the early didactic Montessori materials on low level shelves and baskets. There are hygienic floor mats, bean bags, wall bars, wall mirrors, ceiling hung mobiles and sensorial lighting.

Sleeping facilities are provided by the provision of cots and floor beds (each child is provided with their own brand new bed set upon entry), nappy changing facilities and bottle preparation area.

The nursery staff are all highly qualified and experienced for this young age group with a low ratio of 1:3.

It is our aim for the children to be both happy and stimulated at the very beginning of their learning journey.

Children’s House (3 to 5 years)

The Children’s House follows the authentic Montessori curriculum.

In addition to early learning, emphasis is placed on the development of personal, social and emotional skills including independence, confidence, self-esteem and curiosity.

This is achieved by encouraging the students to do things for themselves and to have freedom of choice. In the morning 3 hour work cycle, they are free to choose at their own pace, any of the activities from the open, easily accessible shelves; practical life, sensorial materials, literacy, mathematics and understanding of the world. They are also free to join in messy play, paint, to take morning snack or to participate in a group activity.

The class is a hive of activity but with a sense of calmness and purposefulness that is not ordinarily found in this young age group.

In the afternoons, the students enjoy; music and movement, cookery, gardening, forest school, art and craft, construction, physical education and yoga.

There is a Montessori Guide assigned for each student to provide support and encouragement, who is also responsible for their progress which is recorded in a digital learning journal on a daily basis. The qualified and experienced staff team provide a low ratio of 1:8.

We consider that learning should be fun and enjoyable so that each child reaches their true potential.

Daily Life

The Primary students enjoy their day very differently to what they would experience in an ordinary school

The day starts with a change into slippers and joining community time to share news, a personal, emotional and social aspect, an item relating to the term’s topic or possible changes to the day’s schedule.

A short period of direct instruction in one of the teaching pods then follows or independent/collaborative learning either inside in one of the many different areas of the schoolhouse or outside in the central courtyard. During this time, the students are free to move around and to help themselves to a healthy snack or drink at one of the kitchenettes. Mid-morning is playtime where the students enjoy the many outside activities in the natural environment.

A healthy, organic buffet style lunch is served in the heart of the school where the students are free to choose what to eat using china plates and to help themselves to mineral water from jugs on their table. They are responsible for clearing their plates into the Bokashi bins and cleaning their environment.

In the afternoons, the students continue with their learning, either an academic subject in the teaching pods, undertaking experiments in one of the science laboratories, being creative in the art room, working on a project in the STEAM workshop, completing a recipe in the student’s learning kitchen or playing an instrument in the music room.

There are also times when the students might be planting or harvesting at the food production plot or in the poly-tunnel, searching for minibeasts, making a wooden seat in Forest school, playing a sport, meditating in the yoga studio, working in the Eco Hub or making a video in the digital hub.

After normal school hours, the students can partake in one of the many after school clubs; football, pottery, gardening or a water sport at the nearby beach.

At mont21, we give the students a level of trust, responsibility and autonomy that they would not normally enjoy in an ordinary school. It is from this they grow in independence, confidence and to acquire a love of learning needed in their future lives.

Lower Secondary (12 to 14 years)

At this important stage when students transition from childhood to adolescence, they are not only supported in learning but also importantly in their social, moral, personal and emotional development.

The classes are: Year 7/8 - ages 12 & 13 and Year 9 - age 14. Ages are taken as at 31 August.

In Years 7/8 & 9, students follow Key Stage Three of the British National Curriculum; English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Design and Technology, Computing, History, Geography, Art and Design, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Religious Education and PSHE.

At end of Class 9 they choose which subjects they wish to study to obtain the Cambridge IGCSE, the world’s most recognised international school qualification.

In addition to the compulsory subjects of English Language, Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Language, Spanish and Physical Education, they can also select from the following:

• Computer Science

• Design and Technology

• Geography

• History

• Environmental Management

• Global Perspectives

• Music

• Art and Design

Upper Secondary (15 to 16 years)

The style of learning is similar to that of college or university where the students are mostly responsible for their own work, assignments and time management.

The classes are: Year 10 - age 15 and Year 11 - age 16. Ages are taken as at 31 August.

The students follow Key Stage Four of the British National Curriculum where they study the subjects that they have chosen at the end of Class 9 and where, at the end of Class 11, they sit the IGCSE examinations at age 16.

Subjects are delivered by specialist mentors through a combination of traditionally taught lessons, independent and collaborative study, small study groups or blended learning.

The students are provided with a personalised study plan and benefit from one to one conferencing with their form mentor on a weekly basis.

They have free access to a comprehensively stocked library, technology, smart-boards and wipeable walls.

In the upper secondary years, the students are very much treated the same way as adults would be expected to be in the modern work place. They are given the respect and freedom to undertake their work in a way that suits them best, whether in different parts of the school or at home through the use of blending learning and technology.

In addition to academia, they are encouraged to do purposeful work in the school community and to develop their entrepreneurial skills through project based initiatives.

Sixth Form Education (17 & 18 years)

There will be the opportunity to study for the A.S level examinations at age 17 and the A level exams at 18 to enable a seamless progression to leading universities around the world.

The students will benefit from an individualised study plan that will comprise lectures, independent and blended learning which can be undertaken both at school and at home.

Each student will be allocated a personal mentor who will meet with them each week to assist and support their studies.

Whilst the sixth form students form a very important part of our community, they also have additional privileges to take into account these most formative years. These include their own social areas, use of the coffee shop and the flexibility of when they arrive and depart from school.

The students are encouraged to support the younger students in the community and charitable initiatives and to participate in various outdoor programmes.

More details of available subjects etc will be released nearer to the time of opening.

September 2028

Our Team

Our staff team come from all around the world and have been chosen for their experience, passion and innovation for education and also for the natural world. Many have worked in schools abroad and have travelled widely so they have first hand awareness of global and environmental issues.

Our mentors all hold University degrees and an international teaching qualification.

We refer to our teachers as mentors as they guide and support the students in their learning.

All our staff have access to a personalised professional development plan enabling them to keep up-to-date with current educational developments, to follow their passions and to contribute to our unique curriculum.

Our staff team will increase as the school grows.

Art and Music

Creativity is an essential attribute for children to acquire in their most formative years as this extends their personal development beyond academics and fosters commitment, dedication, confidence and communication.

Our students enjoy creativity during many aspects of their week, either through the preforming arts; drama, dance and music or as part of art and design through the use of a wide range of materials enabling drawing, painting, print-making, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography and crafts.

Music is an integral part of life at the school, as a curriculum subject, after school club, as a performance or as a background medium during learning, brain breaks or mediation.

An appreciation of music begins in the Early Years with music and movement extending to the Primary and Secondary years through the learning of the different composers, styles and the reading and writing of music. This is also when students can learn to play an additional instrument on a one-to-one basis.

Students are able to present and demonstrate their creativity through weekly assemblies and regular exhibitions for parents and visitors. There are also regular music and drama/dance events and an end of year school performance.

Our Sport Programme

The importance of physical development in children is greater than ever in today’s technology society.

We provide a programme that extends beyond that required by the British National Curriculum which strives to build strong, confident, young athletes through various sporting experiences.

These include football, athletics, basketball, gymnastics, swimming , cross-country, netball, volleyball, hockey, tennis and badminton.

There is also an off-site programme offering sailing, surf/kite boarding, golf and horse riding at local professional facilities.

Mont21 offers an all-weather multi-use sports pitch, a 400m running track and a 25m outdoor heated swimming pool.

We develop each student’s individual abilities which are strengthened by providing the opportunities to participate and compete in local and international sporting events.

It is through sport that children learn the values of commitment, dedication, teamwork and a healthy lifestyle.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

An essential part of the school’s ethos is the mental health and wellbeing of the students. This is integrated into the daily life of the school including circle time, assemblies, open discussions, mindful minutes and yoga.

As we believe students should not experience un-necessary worry and stress during their early lives, we do not regularly test or set homework beyond a daily reading book and weekly spellings in the primary years.

Older students have the opportunity of having time out during their busy daily schedule, to mediate or practice yoga in the studio.

Pastoral care is available from our Community Wellbeing Director (CWD) throughout the day who has extensive experience in dealing with all sorts of problems and issues that arise with children of all ages and who is always happy to involve parents as and when it is appropriate.

Our CWD is also happy to speak to any parent on either school or unrelated matters whether personal or those involved with moving and living in Spain.

Sustainability

It is our belief that as educators, we have a social and moral responsibility to teach the consequences of man-made pollution, our responsibility to mitigate it’s effect on the environment and the importance of sustainability as custodians of the planet for future generations.

The students are immersed daily into ecological values by a building of sustainable timber construction and ecofriendly materials. It is also a Net Zero Carbon building by in corporating renewable energy sources including photovoltaic technology, wind generation and a ground heat p ump. The design of the schoolhouse utilises maximum amounts of natural day-light and ventilation. Single use plastics are not permitted and the majority of teaching resources and household items are recyclable.

Sustainability forms one of the 4 pillars of our educational programme with all children learning awareness and how to care for our planet .

The students learn through the use of project based learning, practical life activities, how to plant, grow and cultivate food to prepare in the school kitchen or to sell in our market or coffee shop. Guest speakers and experts are invited into school to discuss environmental related issues and to interact with students on related projects. Participation in local initiatives including beach cleans, tree planting and creation of wild life habitats also form an important part of the sustainable curriculum.

The Eco Hub, which is overseen by the student -led eco committee, enables the m to partake in community waste management programmes, col lecting recyclables and using them either in design ideas and products or to send them to the local recycling centre. There is also an opportunity for students to undertake eco initiatives and presentations at other schools and to the wider community.

Mont21school will is becom e a member of the Eco Schools organisation, the largest sustainable schools program in the world.

We aim to provide a close community of similar minded parents and mentors to support our students in all that they do whether intellectually, creatively, entrepreneurially, sustainability or sport.

This is achieved through arranging educational, social and sporting events, student-led project initiatives and presentations, exhibitions, assemblies, open doors and parent evenings. The maximum number of children attending the school will be 300 to ensure a sense of community.

As we are principally a paperless school, communications with parents is achieved by:

• Regular daily contact with the class mentors

• Easy appointment system for parent meetings

• Regular update emails

• Weekly e.newsletters

• Class Dojo

• Parent Zone on website

• Parent and mentor mornings

There is a coffee shop next to the reception area which parents and visitors are free to use and a school market place selling hand-made crafts, baked products and organic fruit and vegetables grown on the premises. These are managed and operated by the students themselves.

We also have a Parents Association - Friends of Mont 21 - who arrange fundraising and social events throughout the academic year.

It is through the positive interaction between staff and parents that students learn respect, politeness, collaboration and social awareness.

In addition to our own school, we also reach out to the local and wider community through student initiated social, environmental and charity projects.

The students enter into sport and other competitions with local and international schools.

General Information

Tuition Fees and Supplementary Charges

To obtain the latest fee schedule and supplementary costs, please contact us at admissions@mont21school.org

School Uniform

Mont 21 has a comfortable gender neutral capsule uniform that whilst providing uniformity, also provides individuality and self expression. As part of this is self-choice, there is a dress code to ensure appropriateness. It is available via our online shop.

Academic Year

The school year runs from September to the end of June and is divided into 3 terms, Autumn Term - September to December, Spring Term - January to March and Summer Term - April to June. A school calendar is published in the summer term for the year ahead.

Technology and Mobile Phones

The Primary and Secondary schools have free use of electronic devices; desktop computers, laptops and tablets to assist and support learning. The use of personal devices is permitted subject to prior written agreement. The use of mobile phones is not permitted.

Food and Drink

We provide healthy mid-morning and afternoon snacks as well as a nutritious cooked buffet style lunch prepared in our own kitchens using many organic ingredients including those grown by the students on-site. Many of the dishes are plant-based with less reliance on meat products and we can accommodate all types of dietary requirements. Mineral water and healthy drinks are available throughout the day.

Arrival and Collection Times

Times are staggered to elevate traffic and foot congestion. Arrival time for Nido and Children’s House is 9.20am for collection at either 1.30pm, 3.30pm (Nido only) or 4.00pm. Arrival time for Primary is 8.30am with collection at 4.00pm. Arrival time for Secondary is 8.45pm with collection at 4.30pm. Arrival and collection for Sixth form is flexible, depending on timetables. It is permitted for all students to be dropped off from 8.00am at the Breakfast Club (extra charge).

Bus Service

There is a private bus service that runs from Marbella and Estepona to and from the school with regular pick-up points. To obtain further details and prices, please contact us at admissions@mont21school.org

Our admission process is designed to make it as easy as possible for your child to join the school. Enrolment is possible anytime during the year, subject to availability.

Application Process

Step 1

Telephone or email your interest when we will arrange an appointment for you to tour the school at which time we will answer your initial questions and take you through the admission process.

Step 2

Complete and submit the application form accompanied by copies of your passport/identification document, the last school report and payment of the registration fee (non-refundable).

Step 3

On receipt of the above documents, we will arrange a taster day for your child if joining the Children’s House, Primary or Secondary schools. This is to see if your child likes the school and to undertake any informal assessments including English as an Additional Language, if considered necessary.

Step 4

A parent meeting will be arranged to explain our approach and to obtain your expectations for your child to ensure a good match between you and the school.

Step 5

A place is offered and upon written acceptance, we will request payment of the returnable deposit (subject to one term’s notice in writing) within 7 calendar days of the receipt of the invoice. A start date will then be agreed which can be at any time of the academic year.