My first encounter with Steiner education was some years ago. And, as is the norm, it took the form of muddling them up with Montessori schools. However, last week, Newsnight ran a report on the 30 or so private Steiner schools that showed how different they are from anything else.
But we revealed the contents of two memos from the Department for Education DfE on complaints about bullying in the private Steiner schools - also known as Waldorf schools or Steiner Waldorf schools - and concerns about racism. The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship SWSF , the umbrella body for Steiner schools, responded by saying "Our schools do not tolerate racism" and "bullying is not tolerated by our schools and all our schools have strong anti-bullying policies".
Some people also tweeted me to praise their Steiner education. As our report made clear, the issues are not ubiquitous in Steiner schools. None of the reports concerns any of the three, open state Steiner schools.
But Steiner schools could be susceptible to these problems. That is because of the particular views of Rudolf Steiner, the intellectual father of Steiner schools. The Austrian-born occultist, who died in , left a vast body of work covering everything from biodynamic farming to alternative medicine. It is known, collectively, as "anthroposophy".
The SWSF's guidelines from said that schools using the Steiner name were obliged to prove "an anthroposophical impulse lies at the heart of planning for the school". Since , this has been made vaguer: they now need a commitment to "the fundamental principles of Waldorf education". Pupils may not have been sold this creed, but Steiner was very strict that teachers were not supposed to pass them on to children - just to act on them.
So, for example, the Steiner curriculum's focus on a late start to learning is driven by the pace at which souls incarnate. An odd rationale, but not a very worrying result. Other consequences, however, are potentially more troubling.
Steiner agreed to take on the task, under the conditions that the school be:. The intended outcome would be young people who were independent thinkers and problem-solvers, capable of creatively meeting the challenges of their time. This inclusive and forward-thinking spirit of idealism, commitment, and engagement with the world continues to be a hallmark of Waldorf Education in our time. Phone: Fax: [email protected]. What is Waldorf Education?
The Foundations of Waldorf Education. Early Childhood — Develop the limbs through doing Young children from birth to age seven live primarily through their senses and learn best through imitation. Middle Childhood — Develop the heart through imagination Between the ages of seven and 14, children learn best through lessons that touch their feelings and enliven their creative forces. Adolescence — Develop the mind through discernment of the world Ages 14 to 21 marks the development of the independent intellect and, along with it, the ability to examine the world abstractly and exercise discernment, judgment, and critical thinking.
The Benefits of Waldorf Education. Children enjoy an unhurried childhood. Learning is hands-on and age-appropriate.
In-depth study enriches learning experiences. Students learn how to take an active role in their own education. Waldorf schools produce well-rounded individuals. Waldorf-educated individuals have a lifelong passion for learning. Happy Birthday Ms. Our Director of Enrollme. The season might be over but the great performance. The thinking capacity assumes an important role in.
A display of characters from everyone at steiners. Precious memories from halloween and our walkint. Load More
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