Established in 1985, we are an accredited Montessori school for two to seven-year-old children. We have an established track record of high-quality education: we focus on the individual needs of each child.
Our Head Teacher Emma Wetherley leads a talented team.
Emma Wetherley, Head Teacher
Montessori Dip. (0-6+), (Association Montessori Internationale)
BA in Early Childhood (0–12), (Open University)
Sector-Endorsed Fd (A) Education in Early years (0-6) (Oxford Brookes University)
Children’s Care, Learning & Development (Level 4), (Scottish Qualifications Authority)
Emma brings a wealth of academic knowledge, international experience, and deep commitment to child-centred education in her role as Headteacher. Trained in both Denver and London with the prestigious Association Montessori Internationale, Emma has dedicated her career to nurturing young minds through the Montessori philosophy.
Her teaching journey began in Brussels, where she lived and taught from 1996 to 2004, before returning to the UK to continue her passion for education. Emma’s leadership is grounded in her belief in every child’s passion for learning and potential for growth.
In addition to her role as Headteacher, Emma serves as the school’s Senior Mental Health Lead, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, and is a certified Paediatric & Adult First Aider and Fire Warden. She also chairs the School Leadership Team, guiding strategic decisions and fostering a collaborative school culture.
Emma’s dedication, expertise, and compassionate leadership make her a cornerstone of the school community.
Caroline Imi, Deputy Head Teacher
Early Years Educator; MA History of Art & French
Caroline is a passionate Montessori educator and a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team at Grantham Farm, where she also serves as one of the Deputy Heads. With an MA in French and History of Art from the University of Edinburgh, she brings a rich cultural and artistic lens to her work with young children.
After raising three children of her own, Caroline pursued her calling in early childhood education, completing Level 3 training at the Helen Arkell Centre supporting learners with specific learning difficulties and then qualifying as an Early Years Educator. Since joining Grantham Farm in 2015, she has been a guide in The Children’s House, supporting children aged 2 to 4 during their sensitive period for language, movement, and independence.
Caroline currently serves as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and has completed extensive training in Special Educational Needs, Paediatric First Aid, Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Food Safety and Manual Handling—ensuring a prepared and secure environment for every child.
She leads a weekly art class, introducing work by different artists and offering opportunities for children to explore materials freely, develop fine motor skills, and express their inner world through creative work.
Caroline Palmer, Deputy Head Teacher
BA (Hons) with QTS
Caroline joined the school in 2011 and teaches in the primary classroom, skillfully blending the Montessori approach with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 curricula.
A highly experienced educator, Caroline holds a BA Honours degree with Qualified Teacher Status and brings over 30 years of teaching experience across both mainstream and independent schools. She has received specialist training in the teaching of Montessori as well as mainstream mathematics, making maths one of her superpowers, and has previously worked as a subject leader, supporting and training other teachers.
Caroline’s Montessori journey began when her son was just two years old, sparking a passion for this child-centred approach to teaching and learning. Since then, she has become deeply committed to nurturing independence, curiosity, and a love of learning in every child through the Montessori approach.
As a school Deputy Head and member of the Senior Leadership Team, Caroline plays a key role in shaping and developing the Grantham Farm Class curriculum. She also serves as a school Fire Warden and is trained in a wide range of essential areas including growth mindset, safeguarding and child protection, paediatric first aid, health & safety, equality, diversity & inclusion, and mental health awareness.
Inspired daily by the children she works with, Caroline combines her wealth of experience with genuine care and enthusiasm, making her an invaluable member of the school community.
Paul Freeman, Music Teacher and Literacy Support
Montessori Phonetic Reading Cert.; BSc (Hons) Engineering
Paul joined the school in 2006. He teaches music and drama throughout the school.
He supports our successful language development programme and reads with the children each week.
Paul has trained in safeguarding and child protection, health & safety, fire awareness and paediatric first aid.
Gitte Bailey, Early Years Educator
Children’s care, Learning & Development Level 3; Montessori Phonetic Reading Cert.; Montessori Number Sense Cert.; Montessori Materials & the Mind Cert.; Montessori Assistant Toolkit
Gitte is a dedicated and experienced Early Years Educator with a passion for nurturing young children’s development. With a career in early childhood education dating back to 2003, she has built a wealth of experience in creating enriching learning environments that support children’s growth, curiosity, and independence.
Gitte joined the School in November 2020 working in our Children’s House class, guiding children aged 2 to 4 years old. She is deeply committed to the Montessori approach, which encourages self-directed learning and fosters a sense of responsibility, respect, and community in young children.
Alongside her teaching role, Gitte is the school’s resident Yoga Teacher, a role she undertook with the support of the school to deepen her skills in promoting mindfulness, relaxation, and physical well-being for children. Her yoga practice is integrated into the daily routines, helping children develop awareness of their bodies and emotions in a fun and engaging way.
Gitte’s qualifications reflect her broad expertise in early childhood education. She holds a Level 3 certification in Children’s Care, Learning & Development and has completed Montessori-specific certifications in Phonetic Reading, Number Sense, and Materials & the Mind. Her holistic approach to teaching is underpinned by her training in growth mindset development, fire safety awareness, health & safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
As the school’s Primary First Aider, Gitte is also dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all the children under her care. Her blend of Montessori training, yoga, and commitment to child development makes her a key figure in our nurturing educational environment.
Gitte’s ability to blend traditional Montessori principles with modern techniques ensures that every child in her care receives the best start on their educational journey, promoting independence, confidence, and a love for learning.
Sophie Dahroug, Montessori Assistant Teacher
Montessori 3–6 Assistants Cert. (AMI); BSc (Hons) Geography
Sophie joined the school in 2022 having taught as a children’s swimming teacher for many years. She qualified as a Montessori assistant teacher in 2020 and is currently studying with Montessori Partnership to become a fully qualified Montessori teacher.
Sophie is trained in safeguarding and child protection, health & safety, fire awareness and paediatric first aid.
Sarah Burnard
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS); Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (Level 3)
Sarah is a qualified teacher with over 20 years of experience working with children across a variety of educational settings. She holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and recently completed a Level 3 qualification in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the Early Years.
This is Sarah’s first year at Grantham Farm Montessori, and while she is new to the Montessori approach, she deeply values its emphasis on nurturing, child-led learning. She is excited to immerse herself in the Montessori philosophy and contribute to an environment where children are encouraged to explore, discover, and grow at their own pace.
Sarah has a strong background in early years education and has recently been teaching a range of sports to preschool-aged children in different settings. She is looking forward to bringing this energy and experience into her role in the Children’s House class, supporting children’s physical development alongside their cognitive and emotional growth.
Outside of the classroom, Sarah enjoys going to the gym, playing netball, and spending quality time with her family.