Pocklington Montessori School

Sector:  Other
No.of Employees:  97
Region: Yorkshire & Humber

Summary
Alongside a pre-prep school, nursery and toddler centre, Pocklington Montessori School also offers a range of additional business services including a sports centre, teacher training college and internet company.  The School ultimately remains a successful business, with children as the primary focus.

Background
The Pocklington Montessori School was established by Rosie Pressland, School Principal and Owner, after setting up four similar schools in Papua New Guinea, Iraq, Iran and Malaysia.  Since its inauguration, Pocklington Montessori School has become the largest Montessori school in the UK.  The school now employs 97 staff, teaches 350 children and deals with 2000 customers.  Turnover has increased from £26,000 to £1 million.

Responsible business objectives 

Whilst exceptional educational achievement continues to be the primary focus, investment in training and the provision of facilities for use by the wider public are embedded in the school's principles.

How they do it

• Staff development as key.  2,505 hours of free training available for every employee annually.

• 'Sport Monty' sports complex.  Offers range of sporting facilities and professional coaching, specifically for young children, available for public use.

• 'Green Monty' environmental area.  Includes a pond, wildflowers and a sensory garden for disabled children.  Used by local schools and community groups in evenings and at weekends.

• 'Monty's Skatepark'.  A safe area for young skaters and BMX riders.

• 'Mini Montys' town for cycling proficiency.  Area for children to learn road safety and proficiency over pseudo roundabouts, zebra crossings and bridges.

• I-C-Eye virtual university.  Launch of innovative internet-based childcare training university.

What impact it has

• Highly trained workforce.    Completion of 190 training courses in the last 18 months, some of which have been to PhD level, others with a Romanian school. 

• Sporting celebrity involvement.  Coaching by professionals, including David Byas, Yorkshire's cricket captain.

• Cultivation of organic vegetable plot.  Organisation of "dig-in" day to initiate sustainable, eco-friendly garden, whilst simultaneously educating children in importance of organic agriculture. 

• Recognition for innovation.  Receipt of funding for I-C-Eye venture, including £1.8 million from the Department of Education, resulting in invitation for Pressland to meet the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. 

• 6 boxes of unclaimed lost property donated to charity annually.

Business Benefits

• Highly motivated and productive workforce.  Emphasis on staff development resulted in employee satisfaction, low staff turnover and greater efficiency.

• PR mileage.  Acquisition of awards, including the Federation of Small Businesses Award, and original project initiatives generated media coverage, resulting in higher profile and visibility.

• Strong reputation. Community involvement has reinforced the school's wider value and helped integrate the school into the local community.

• Competitive advantage.  Offering a range of unique additional services for customers adds value, attracting new customers and encouraging customer loyalty.