Into Montessori

Professor Catherine McTamaney is an award-winning teacher and author including two books on Montessori education and compassionate teaching, The Tao of Montessori and A Delicate Task, and noted Montessori academic. Her years of experience in Montessori practice informs her contributions to the Montessori Daoshi (www.montessoridaoshi.com), a daily blog for parents and teachers interested in Montessori education.

Professor Dame Alison Peacock is the CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching. Prior to this she was Executive Headteacher of The Wroxham School in Hertfordshire. Her career to date has spanned primary, secondary and advisory roles. In 2018, she became an Honorary Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge, one of the first ever female Fellows admitted. She is also a Visiting Professor of both the University of Hertfordshire and Glyndwr University.

Dr Julian Grenier is the headteacher of Sheringham Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Newham, east London. Sheringham is a Research School. He was appointed by the Department for Education to lead on the 2020 revision of Development Matters, the non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage in England. Julian has worked in the early years for over 20 years and has a Doctorate in Education from the UCL Institute of Education (University of London).

Dr Jonathan Barnes worked in primary and secondary schools both in the UK and overseas. In 1992, Jonathan became head teacher of a popular and successful primary school in Canterbury. In 2000, he joined the staff of Canterbury Christ Church University as a lecturer and researcher.

Jonathan has written several widely-used books on cross-curricular approaches. Inclusive values and a concern for improved social and psychological well-being have framed his research studies. Jonathan was elected a university Teaching Fellow in 2014 and chosen by the UK’s Higher Education Academy as a National Teaching Fellow in 2015. He is now Visiting Senior Research Fellow of Canterbury Christ Church University.

Anne Longfield is a notable campaigner for children who recently served as the Children's Commissioner for England. In this role her portfolio included researching children's mental health, which resulted in her office making proposals for giving children more power over their digital lives. She launched a long-term study and data index on vulnerable children invisible to the state and researched the experience of children in care. Prior to this she was the CEO of the charity 4Children. In this role she worked with Labour minister Harriet Harman on developing Sure Start and was seconded to the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit to assist with the programme's delivery.

James Archer is the Director of the International Montessori Institute which is housed in the Carnegie School of Education at Leeds Beckett University. He is an author of several books and chapters that explore creative approaches to teaching and learning in the primary phase and is a co-editor of the Bloomsbury, Mastering Primary Education series. He has overseen the validation of the Montessori programmes at Leeds Beckett and leads the research work of the Institute.

Leonor Stjepic is an award-winning international executive and influential driving force in global education, delivering positive social impact around the world. As Chief Executive of the Montessori Group Leonor works to establish versatile education solutions in partnership with international authorities, private corporations and NGOs.