CHILDREN at a school near Malvern have been taking part in global celebrations for the Montessori centenary.

In 1907, the first Montessori school was opened by Maria Montessori in the slums of Rome marking the beginning of what became a global education movement.

Karen Ramsay, a spokeswoman at the Downs School, Colwall, said: "Montessori works because it is driven by the developmental needs of children, rather than the ever-changing educational policies of government.

"There are now more than 22,000 Montessori schools around the world in over 110 countries.

"This week children at the Downs School's Montessori nursery and kindergarten are celebrating with a sponsored walk, entitled 100 steps for Montessori.

"In true Montessori style and in keeping with the Downs School's ethos, the older pupils will support the younger children in their endeavours and help them celebrate in style."

The children will set off on the walk on Thursday at 11am. The walk is being done by children in schools all around the world during the centenary year.

Mrs Ramsay said: "The children's footsteps are being registered and tracked on the centenary website and we are hoping that, by the end of the year, the children will have walked metaphorically all around the world."