Our Story

The Willows Montessori School

The Willows began in 1975 as a playgroup, founded by Win Pledger. In 1980, inspired by the first Montessori teacher training courses in South Africa, we switched our classrooms and methods to Montessori. This made us one of South Africa's oldest and most respected Montessori schools. It has been our privilege to teach 2nd generation pupils. The Willows is a family affair with Win’s daughter, Claire, taking over the running of the School 14 years ago.

Expanding Horizons

In 2014, we expanded our offerings by registering as a Primary school with the Department of Education. Our diverse curriculum empowers learners to excel academically, socially, and personally in a nurturing, stress-free environment.

Maria Montessori
(1870 – 1952)

Maria Montessori was an extraordinary figure—a visionary, humanitarian, philosopher, doctor, scientist and educator. She is best known as the creator of the Montessori method of education. Maria defied the conventions of her era, earning the distinction of Italy’s first female medical graduate.

Driven by a deep curiosity, Maria immersed herself in scientific studies and observation. After fifteen years of medical practice, her path shifted when she began caring for children in a mental asylum. This experience ignited her interest in education. In the slums of Rome, she founded the “Casa dei Bambini” (Children’s House), treating it as a pioneering educational experiment to explore her theories on child development and learning.

In 1909, Maria documented her insights in "The Montessori Method," sparking a revolution in education. She dedicated herself to sharing her findings through lectures and the establishment of schools worldwide. Today, educators across the globe continue to be inspired by her profound understanding of child development and her enduring legacy.