Droxford Montessori School

Real tools for woodwork, children washing their snack bowls and gardening in an allotment give Droxford Montessori School a practical character. These were features of daily life in November 2025, with independence built into ordinary routines as well as planned activities.

At its 13 November 2025 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard judgements for achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, and inclusion; leadership and governance received Expected standard, and safeguarding standards were met. The setting has capacity for 20 children in total.

In November 2025, children played in mixed-age groups, with older children helping younger ones locate cups and equipment. Puzzles and construction activities gave them opportunities to persevere, while a bug-themed activity brought counting, sorting and new vocabulary into the same experience.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, its areas of learning were brought into play and daily routines in November 2025, including mathematical language and conversations that extended children's vocabulary.

Outdoor experiences that month included large climbing equipment and children making obstacles to explore balance. Woodwork involved real tools, with staff demonstrating safe handling. Cooking, allotment gardening and yoga sessions added different ways to practise physical skills.

At the November 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that key-person relationships supported children's confidence, settling was adapted for younger children, and support for additional needs combined professional partnerships, individual adaptations and collaboration with parents.

In November 2025, younger children started through staggered settling periods. Staff adjusted resources, routines and the environment as needs changed, and families shared information to review children's progress and support together.

Daily care also created opportunities for independence that month: children cleaned their own bowls and cups after snacks and practised dressing for outdoor play. Staff helped children put feelings into words and work through small disagreements. Familiar routines and spaces for managing emotions supported participation in the group.

Droxford Montessori School is based at Droxford Scout Hut, Park Lane, Droxford, SO32 3QR. In November 2025, opening hours were 8.45am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, and children attending were aged two to five. Those hours and ages describe the setting at that inspection.

• Staff development. In November 2025, professional learning concentrated mainly on required training. Broadening staff learning and using reflection to guide development were the next steps. This is a useful priority to discuss when assessing how teaching is being developed.
• Practical independence. November 2025 activities included real-tool woodwork and children managing parts of their own care. Families should consider whether this emphasis fits how they want their child to learn.
• Attendance fit. How would the current attendance arrangements fit your child's age and your family's weekly routine?

Droxford Montessori School suits families drawn to practical learning, mixed-age interaction and growing independence. Its November 2025 experiences made those priorities tangible through tools, gardening and everyday self-care. The balance is clear: strong inspection judgements across children's learning and care, alongside a specific development priority for leadership to broaden staff learning.