Meet the Team

Juliet Dowman founded Acorn Montessori school in 1994 after running a Montessori Nursery school in Cookham. Over this time Acorn Montessori has welcomed more than 1500 young students through the school, with wonderful family feedback on their further educational journeys beyond Acorn. 

Juliet is extremely proud of the excellent reputation she has built up over the years and owes much of this success to her fabulous team of dedicated teachers, and particularly her Deputy Head Irene who has worked alongside her since day one. 

Miss Irene started teaching after receiving her Cert Ed teaching qualification. Miss Irene started Acorn Montessori with Juliet since its inception in 1994 and had worked alongside Juliet before that. Irene not only has created the extremely successful phonics and reading tool 'Elephonics', she also writes, composes and directs our schools plays and concerts which each year receive outstanding reviews from parents. 

Miss Christine has been a dedicated teacher at Acorn Montessori since 2011. She trained at the Maria Montessori Training Organisation in Hampstead over 30 years ago and has thoroughly enjoyed teaching ever since. Miss Christine has introduced 'Brain Gym' Sessions to Acorn enhancing the children's co-ordination and focus. 

Following a 20+ year career in Marketing, Miss Claire started working within childcare in 2013 and has worked as a Montessori teacher at Acorn Montessori School since 2016. Miss Claire is also a childminder and helps parents with before/after school and holiday child care.

Miss Al has been working at Acorn Montessori since 2011 and she has been working within Montessori education for a further 5 years. She was inspired to retrain as a Montessori Teacher after seeing her children thrive at Acorn when they attended in the early 2000's.

Miss Catherine has been a Montessori teacher for over 20 years and joined Acorn Montessori school in September 2017. Having worked in many urban Montessori settings throughout her career, she is delighted with the outdoor experiences that Acorn offers and loves the Woodland School days.

Miss Christy studied at the Montessori Centre International and is a Level 4 qualified teacher who joined the team in September 2018. 

Miss Christy has followed in her mother Juliet's footsteps in her love for teaching and has enjoyed every moment working at the Acorn. 

Miss Ruth joins our teaching team from Cookham Montessori School. Ruth originates from Ecuador and brings her unique teaching experience to Acorn. Miss Ruth has a creative flare and enjoys all forms of art and craft and has a wonderful rapport with the children 

Miss Alison has been qualified within Early Years since 2010 and has joined Acorn Montessori school from the charity sector where she supported children with life limiting and life threatening conditions. Alison is passionate about supporting children to fulfil their potential and preparing them for independence.