The growing demand for Montessori primary education in the Bay of Plenty has seen the launch of Montessori@Arataki.

The new primary school unit will operate within Arataki Primary School from 2016.

A new Montessori unit will be ready for use in 2016. Photo: File.

Tauranga Montessori Education has been working with Arataki Primary School teacher Shelley Blakey to make the project a reality.

The move satisfies TMET's objective of catering for Montessori demand in the region and further enhances the reputation the Arataki Board of Trustees has for delivering innovative education services, says TMET Chair Leanna Mitchell.

'Arataki Primary has everything a Montessori class requires,” says Leanna. 'The physical space indoors and out will allow students to experience the full Montessori educational philosophy.

'The unit will be governed and largely administered by TMET, while its staff and students will be an integral part of Arataki Primary School.”

Arataki Principal Shelley Blakey has played a key role in bringing Montessori to the school.

TMET has governed Montessori@Bellevue, a Montessori primary unit within Bellevue School in Otumoetai, since its launch in 2004.

It will utilise this experience to provide the support necessary to get Montessori@Arataki established and growing organically.

TMET will use its experience and resources to govern and support the two

Montessori units as simply as possible.

'One team in two locations – that's how we'll be approaching it,” adds Leanna.

Montessori education is an approach developed by Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori, with an emphasis on independence, mixed-age classrooms and student choice of activity.