Wiggles And Squiggles
Children in Randburg

Our school promotes a safe, nurturing, orderly and supportive environment for children with a variety of special needs between 2 and 13 years of age.

The school began as a pre-primary school called Wiggles and Squiggles. Wandsworth School gradually began to attract children in the Randpark school district whose special physical, sensory and educational needs where not being met by other schools in the area. Children with Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, various Genetic Syndromes, and multi-sensory disorders all benefitted from the high staff to child ratios and the progressive teaching methodologies. The children now benefit from the diverse combination of the Foundation Stage and Montessori Curriculum, which facilitates children working through elementary milestones to age appropriate academic markers at their own pace. Each individual child is able to experience his world of learning through tactile, concrete equipment that goes beyond the microcosm of the classroom and extends into the macrocosm of everyday life. The children work methodically through the curriculum, enjoying a language-rich environment which meets both academic literacy and communication needs. As Wandsworth School has grown, so too have the children who have moved through the school since its inception. Deirdre Maritz has always had a passion for working with, and educating children. Deirdre qualified with her Bachelor of Primary Education in 1998 from WITS University with majors in Psychology, English and Physical Education. She has worked at The King’s School, Buccleauch Primary, Panda Pen Nursery School and St Vincent’s school for the deaf. Deirdre began her transition into special needs education in 2014 when she joined the St Vincent’s staff. Working with special needs children has shown Deirdre, that there is still a significant gap in our education system for the children who learn differently. So like the philosophies of Wandsworth School, Deirdre is intent on developing children’s education by seeing them as whole individuals first, then teaching them in the manner in which they learn. She gained work experience in the corporate environment doing office management and pay-rolling. In 2001 she found her way back to the science world where she was a consumable and instrumentation sales representative for one of the world's leading molecular and analytical instrument research supply companies. Angie has always had a penchant for studies and it was this that brought her into the teaching field. Studying the Montessori curriculum and philosophies had a life changing impact. Angie has performed the role of Class teacher, Deputy Principal and Director over the last 8 years at Wandsworth School. She has been instrumental in developing and maintaining the service excellence that Wandsworth endeavours to deliver. Sue worked as a supply teacher at a number of special schools in and around London for a few months before being offered a permanent position at Paddock School, where she taught for 5 and a half years in the Reception (5-7 years old) and Early Years (3 to 5 years old) classes. It was at Paddock that she gained experience and training in special needs education, which included: Autism, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children) principles, as well as Epilepsy management, Sensory Integration and Makaton sign language. Sue not only integrated her local and international teaching experience into Wandsworth School but guided and led the staff members with her knowledge and passion. In the ten years that Sue had been a part of Wandsworth School she imparted invaluable knowledge to teachers, support staff, therapists and parents alike. The ethos and ethics established while Sue was in South Africa are ingrained in the staff and daily teaching practices, providing a strong backbone for Wandsworth to move forward in special needs education.