Some parents find that the only time they can take their family on holiday is during term times. To minimise this, Stillbrook Lodge's calendar is not in line with mainstream school holidays in places, and we encourage parents to take advantage of this. If there is a valid reason as to why a child needs to be taken out of school for any specific period, parents must complete and return a term-time holiday request which will be reviewed and granted at the discretion of the School Management team.

Any absences which are not accounted for are classed as unauthorised. Regular absence from school is damaging to the child and is an issue Stillbrook Lodge takes very seriously.

Monitoring Progress
Observation is the main way in which children in a Montessori classroom are assessed and monitored, and in Stillbrook Lodge this is also the case. One of the teachers in your child's class will undertake between two and four observations on your child every term. These will last for the whole work cycle and will give a good overview of your child's learning during this time. Based on these formal observations, and also daily ad hoc observations by the staff in your child's classroom, teachers will be able to assess your child's progress in the Montessori curriculum. You can request to see these observation notes at any time.

It is important to note that unlike other schools, testing and examinations do not feature in Montessori education. This is because each child learns at their own pace and taking away the pressure of testing, and the concepts of passing and failing, the child will continue to learn with self-confidence and motivation.

We aim to keep you well informed of your child's progress at all times. Prior to the start of the school year you will be sent an evaluation form to complete and return regarding your and your child's assessments of their learning. We will then arrange for an initial family conference with your child's Class Manager and together an individual learning plan (ILP) will be drawn up for your child for the first term. The ILP will set forth individual educational, personal, social and moral goals for each child that parents, students and teachers mutually agree to consciously work towards during the term ahead.

Towards the end of each term, a written report will be sent home to parents containing a narrative evaluation of your child's work and social development. This will be compared to observations made. A portfolio of the child's work will also be made.

Once the child's portfolio is complete and the written progress report has been sent to parents, another family conference will be held to review the child's portfolio, any self-evaluations that have been made, and to go through the teacher's assessment of your child's progress towards their ILP. A new plan will also be agreed upon at this meeting, and any concerns parents or teachers may have can also be discussed.

Discipline
Stillbrook Lodge has a strict code of conduct which every child is expected to adhere to, for their own welfare and for the welfare of the other children at the school. We believe in conflict resolution and will encourage children to talk through their problems in our Peace Corner. Our aim is to help each child to develop inner self-discipline which tends to alleviate many problems of discipline. Children learn this self-discipline and mediation skills in a controlled environment. If necessary, a teacher will re-direct a disruptive child to another activity and will talk through any unacceptable behaviour so that the child knows what is and is not acceptable in the classroom environment.

Complaints
We aim to provide the best service and education we can at Stillbrook Lodge. If you have any queries or concerns, please feel free to discuss them with your child's Class Manager or a member of the School Management Team. A full copy of the School's complaints procedure will be given to parents on enrolment.