Owner and Lead Montessori Directress
Andrea Venathithan is the owner and manager of Arborescence Montessori School.
She was born in the Czech Republic and moved the United Kingdom in 1997. Her journey into the Montessori environment and the method of education began in 2004, when she decided this was going to be the educational start for her two young children. Both children were enrolled in Sitara Toto Montessori, where they began their early education. Inspired by their time there, she was introduced to Montessori and began to witness the fabric of this powerful method of education. Quickly, she was inspired and ultimately this led her to choose Montessori and dedicate her life to becoming a Montessori educator.
This path was made possible by the former Director of the school Mrs Shital Shah who offered her a position of an assistant at Sitara Toto. As time went on, her passion and dedication to the school and learning about the true principles of the Montessori approach, she decided at every opportunity that was supported by the school to further her own qualifications.
Andrea went on to be trained at the Maria Montessori Institute in London and holds the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Montessori Diploma 3-6 since 2008. She also holds a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education qualifications since 2007.
She also went on to complete the Montessori Observation course in 2011 at the Maria Montessori Institute in London and with all these qualifications and her experience under her wings eventually become the Manager of the school.
Andrea has also completed the Forest School Leader training in 2014 and has been running the Forest school sessions in the extensive school’s woodland since then.
Today, Andrea is not only the owner but also the Lead Directress who still enjoys teaching. She carries on working in the classroom using her education and experience to deepen her understanding of the pivotal needs and requirements of children’s developments in learning and making sense of their journey to adulthood. In September 2023 , Andrea has become a member of the training team at the AMI Maria Montessori Institute in London, where she supports the students on their journeys to become trained Montessori teachers.
Her aim is for the school to continue to provide the solid foundation initially set by Maria Montessori and in addition any important advancements related to child development and education. Andrea and her energetic team will carry on with their dedication and devotion to continue offering the best possible nurturing Montessori setting and environment for all existing children and newcomers.
Deputy Manager Savita Patel is a hard working, caring, and friendly teacher who can adapt to many different situations easily. She was born in India, where she completed her high school education and moved to Kenya with her family. She then moved to the UK, where she married and settled down with her husband. They went on to have three lovely children. Since April 2007, Savita had been working at Sitara Toto as a Montessori Assistant and now at Arborescence Montessori as the Deputy Manager. She has completed the AMI Montessori Assistant’s Course at the Maria Montessori Institute and gone on to complete her Level 3 Childcare training (0-3) and (3-6). She also helps support the day to day running of the school. Savita has also completed her SENCO training.
School Chef Mrs Gami is the School Chef at Arborescence Montessori. She worked at Sitara Toto in 2012 and spent her early career working at Colart making colour dyes.
French Teacher Patricia Linton is our French teacher. She was born in Lyons, France where she met her English husband. When his work sent him back to London, she came over here. Patricia has two daughters, Melissa who is 26 and Audrey who is 23. Patricia has been introducing French to young children in North London for more than 15 years and she really enjoys it! “The children are at an age when they are open to everything and are very enthusiastic and it helps that I come with a huge bag full of soft toys!”. |
Classroom Assistant
Classroom Assistant Katarzyna "Kasia" Pater-Hayes is a Classroom Assistant at Arborescence Montessori School. She joined Sitara Toto Montessori in November 2015 and excited to start a new chapter with Arborescence. Prior to choosing Montessori, she has her previous training in Travel and Tourism. She has completed the AMI Montessori Assistant’s Course at the Maria Montessori Institute and looks forward to expanding her knowledge of Montessori.In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two wonderful children and loves singing. |
