LagosMums interviews Nwosu Chinonye – Proprietress and Co founder, Stonyhurst Schools, located in Lekki Phase 1. She discusses the school curriculum, ethos and more.
What is the name of your school, and when was it founded?
We are Stonyhurst schools,an early childhood educational center established on the 19th of Sept 2016.
Please give details of your staff/ administration?
Our staff strength consists not only of loving and experienced caregivers- some of who are mothers too, but also, of qualified, seasoned and dedicated professionals who work together to give Stonyhurst its warm, nurturing and edutaining characteristics . Our teachers/directresses are resourceful degree holders whobring their passion and expertise to bearin handling the children while continuously striving to keep up with latest developments in the education sector both at home and in diaspora. Each teacher along with a teaching assistant takes full responsibility for her pupils and ensures that a prepared environment is set up for the children always. Care is taken in preparing the activities for each day with materials displayed in a beautiful and orderly manner. Also on our Staffing list,are the administrator and other renowned teachers who oversee the After school, entrance prep and the different subjects’ clinics Stonyhurst offers. Music, ICT, Arts and crafts and other extracurricular activities are handled by experts in an in-depth manner to truly arouse and nurture the different talents our children are endowed with.
What will the ratio of kids to teachers be?
At Stonyhurst, we maintain a small class capacitywith a Student to teacher ratio of 8:1. Our classes remain spacious and bright at all times. The idea is to have a better one on one touch with each child while assisting them to reveal their potential.
What age range of students are you expecting?
We run a full preschool, after school and entrance preparatory services. Our age range therefore covers 3months -10years.
What is the curriculum/Teaching methodology to be adopted?
Our curriculum is a blend of the EYFS and Montessori education structure. Our teaching content reflects this,though with emphasis on forming children that will become responsible adults of the society as they grow. Education in Stonyhurst preschool is based on Christian principles and ideals and remains open to everyone. As Dr.Maria Montessori’s new education teaches, our learning is child centered with the child leading while the teacher guides the child to success because; we know that good beginnings never end.
Do you have extra-curricular activities available?School Hours and any after school services offered?
Yes please. Various extra curricula activities such as Music club, Arts and crafts, Ballet etc are available but of most interest is the Volunteer club which was established to help the children experience the love in giving back. Stonyhurst preschool offers Crèche, Preschool (Playgroup and Nursery), after school and entrance prep classes into choice secondary school services. Math, Reading and creative writing Clinics are also available. We are open all year round from 6am to 6pm everyday including during the termly and mid-term breaks to accommodate particularly the children in our Crèche. Also on request, we offer late pick up and early drop off services as well as Saturday drop off services too.
What is the admission process? Deadline/ is it rolling?
Admissions are rolling and open every term. After school, entrance prep and the Subject clinics are open all year round.
Tuition? Is there a payment plan for the pupils?
At Stonyhurst schools, we bear in mind first, the importance of education for every child and the need to provide and deliver top notch educational services. This value to education which is a priceless one and the desire to create the possibility for children to experience the best, led us to pegging our fee at the affordable price it’s at today. Instalment options are available and discount given not only to families with multiple children in our school but also for referrals. The Monthly payment option especially for the Crèche services also apply.
How will you access student’s progress?
The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, ’The children are now working as if I did not exist.’ This is a quote from Dr. Maria Montessori on which our children’s progress is measured. We know that each child’s needs are unique and so work on assisting with the development of each individual as they unfold. Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual and is acquired not just by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.”
What are the Disciplinary methods to be adopted?
Though we advocate that early childhood formation is indispensable, each child is treated with respect and affection. Spontaneous self-discipline is what we aspire for in our children and we achieve this by establishing order and structure in our environment, and, ensuring conformity by firmly encouraging the child. With the nature of exercises which the children are exposed to, they develop a natural capacity towards goodness and prompt obedience.
What separates Stonyhurst School from the rest?
At Stonyhurst Schools, every child is at the Centre of learning. We work closely with our parents to ensure continuity in the learning process.
-With small class sizes of not more 12 scholars, each child will receive the adequate attention that is needed. Every child is encouraged to discover his or her strengths through a wide range of subjects and activities which will also help to build the child’s self-confidence.
-Our location and ideals based on Christian formation provide a serene and nurturing environment, a home away from home.
At Stonyhurst schools also, we cover all the bases with a comprehensive academic curriculum that’s grounded in Montessori methodology, aligned with selected Nigerian curriculum and infused with creativity.
-Playful and experimental learning brings lessons to life in both our Outdoor Classroom, volunteer clubs activities, ICT/ Coding, Creative arts and writing space, Music room etcand in daily project work both indoor and outdoor.We believe that early development is fundamental to the growth of the whole child, and so educate to produce a new generation of “fulfilled and well-balanced normalized young adults” who would lead the world to peace.
Does the school offer a school bus service?
School bus services are available
What should parents be looking for to decide if your school would work for them/their children?
As parents explore educational options for their children, we hope they keep our unique preschool in mind. One might ask, what makes Stonyhurst School such a special place? I would say; a love of learning that is contagious, a close-knit community that’s like family, a genuine enthusiasm for going to school every day.In partnership with our parents, our normalized learning environment sets the tone for an unrivalled early childhood educational experience for our desirous life-long learners. We also offer late pick up and early drop off service and also exercise flexibility when our parents crave that.
How will your school prepare children for learning and operating in the 21st century?
Experts worldwide acknowledge that today’s children need more than the traditional reading, writing and arithmetic to prepare for 21st century careers. At Stonyhurst preschool, we have also adapted thePartnership for 21st Century Skills (PS21),by preparing our learning environment and structuring our curriculum to capture the 4Cs namely: Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Critical thinking. Our state-of the art facilities and classroom activities encourage team work, creative thinking and employs multimedia tools and instructional aids in teaching and learning. We encourage in our children, freedom to explore and follow their natural impulses within a structured and orderly environment as through freedom and environmental experience is it practically possible for human development to occur.”
How can parents contact you for more information? Or to schedule a visit to the school?
We are situated at Block 23, Plot 98, OloriMuyibatOyefusi Street, Behind Lagoon School, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Our numbers are 08081230263, 08137013664 and email can be sent via[email protected] or [email protected].
We are open Mondays to Saturdays for prospective parents to come have a tour of our facility.
For more information, please visit our website, www.stonyhurst.sch.ng. facebook page @stonyhurstpreschool and Instagram @stonyhurstschoolsng
