PARENTS will be able to send their children to a new independent school when it opens its doors in a Suffolk town this autumn.

Craig Robinson

PARENTS will be able to send their children to a new independent school when it opens its doors in a Suffolk town this autumn.

The Meadows Montessori Primary School will be based in the grounds of the Gresham Sports and Social Club in Tuddenham Road, Ipswich.

The school, which is affiliated to the nearby Willow Park Montessori Nursery, will initially offer a Key Stage one class for 20 children aged five to seven - but there are plans to offer education for youngsters up to the age of eleven.

Sam Sims, who is launching the new school, said she was responding to parents' needs because other schools in Ipswich were oversubscribed.

“We live in an area where, although there is good local state education, it has been my observation as a parent of three children - plus speaking with many parents of older children - that the existing system of oversubscription for local primaries is forcing parents to seek alternative choices for their children's education,” she said.

“With this in mind, we have made the decision to open The Meadows as a 'school for everyone' and we hope that many parents will find that our fees are less than they are already paying for existing childcare.”

The school will follow the teaching philosophy of Maria Montessori, which recognises each child as an individual, but will still follow the National Curriculum.

Each youngster will be taught mathematics and literacy individually - allowing progression to move at the child's pace and development levels.

Ms Sims, who also runs the Willow Park Montessori Nursery, added: “It is such an exciting time for us.

“We are delighted by the interest we have received so far and, with our highly qualified staff in place, can't wait for September to come when we can start guiding the children in our care towards an exciting future.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council, which is responsible for the running of state schools, said a high percentage of children were allocated their first choice of primary school within their catchment area. “Every child in Suffolk has a place in a school and every child will get a place,” she added.