National award for town nursery school head
The owner of a Newmarket nursery school has received a major national award.
Susie Norman, who set up and has run the Colourbox Montessori School in Exning Road for the past 20 years, was named Montessorian of the Year at the organisation’s national conference held in London earlier this month.
Amnada Gilchrist, spokesman for the Montessori organisation, said: “Although Colourbox is a business, Susie’s priority is always the children who attend. This is evident in the large number of children from low income families who come to Colourbox to ensure their children are valued and cared for to the highest standards.”
The nursery, which has an outstanding rating from government Ofsted inspectors,
also attracts many children with special educational needs, some of whom travel up to 40 miles a day to attend.
“Susie has encouraged and supported staff to set up two sensory rooms so that even the most profoundly disabled children can be nurtured at the setting. This has been hugely beneficial to families who require an inclusive and welcoming nursery, dedicated to the individual needs of their children,” said Mrs Gilchrist.
Deputy manager and special educational needs co-ordinator Sandra Copping was recently shortlisted for a national award in recognition of her outstanding work with autistic youngsters.
“Susie is a wonderful employer and very appreciative of the work that all staff undertake for the benefit of the nursery and its families,” said Mrs Gilchrist, “ her motto is ‘Just do it, we’ll make it happen.’”
Panel judges also heard of Mrs Norman’s support for staff training, with everyone
offered the opportunity to undertake Montessori teacher training. She currently has three staff studying at Montessori Centre International and plans to deliver her own in-house sessions next year.
For more information about Colourbox, go to colourboxmontessori,co.uk
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Weather for Newmarket
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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