Waldorf Steiner Schools

nanna8

There’s a Rudolf Steiner school near here. It is a bit ‘alternative’ but quite popular and has been there for many,many years. They don’t teach kids to read and write until they are quite old and there is a bit of fairly unusual philosophy taught. Arty kids would love it and they would thrive. A few friends sent their kids there back in the day when my kids were at high school. The ones I came across seemed happy and well adjusted but there were a few difficulties with University entrance then because the curriculum was different. Maybe that has changed,though.

The school I mentioned is in Australia and the anecdote is recent too.
Perhaps they're more alternative over there.

Although the children didn't learn to read until 6ish they did learn long poems which meant that by the time they were 12 they were performing Shakespear's plays. They started maths (in my son's case) by planting out gardens and building a little house..so a lot of the education was experiential, especially when they were little. Although there might have been a hippy impression with the parents, in fact the teachers were quite strict and the curriculum was very much adhered to. None of the philosophy believed by the teachers was passed on to the children and the parents had to read about for themselves if they wished.. It was a close knit community because the parents were so involved.. some of the schools struggled financially as, for example my son's class had 18 children and at the time parents paid what they could afford.. so many teachers were underpaid by state school standards... all the schools were different.. some were very expensive to attend. with regard to teachers wearing skirts..it was encouraged for kindergarten teachers to wear them because they told stories and the children huddled round and felt very secure..I don't think it was a rule just how it was explained tome 40 years ago.. and probably wouldn't be allowed nowadays cuddling children.. It was a wonderful experience as a parent and other parents are still my friends..

nanna8 I think if you read the whole thread you will find that many things have changed, as they have in state education. The national curriculum has been disastrous in many areas of learning, especially in the arts. Our poor children start formal learning far too early. Ours at 4+yrs, compared to 6+ in Europe. Measure their attainments at 11 and the 6+ starters are way ahead after the benefits of experiencing kindergarten.
Steiner education seems to have adapted over the years to provide a good, all round, experience which, as many on this thread have pointed out, produces well rounded, thoughtful, achieving individuals.
I was a TA in a village primary and I’ve probably seen just about everything! State education is definitely not better, nor is it improving.

I am very much of the view that the rigidity of our state education system and the strait-jacket of the national curriculum has been to the detriment of education in the UK - particularly for the slower learners who just switch off and often become disruptive, and of the teachers whose freedom to use their professional judgement is curtailed

I do agree that childeen are often supposed to fit into the boxes designated for them and, if they don't, they 'have a problem' or 'need help' when what they might need is more understanding.

However, faced with a class of 30, that does create difficulties for the teacher.

There’s a Rudolf Steiner school near here. It is a bit ‘alternative’ but quite popular and has been there for many,many years. They don’t teach kids to read and write until they are quite old and there is a bit of fairly unusual philosophy taught. Arty kids would love it and they would thrive. A few friends sent their kids there back in the day when my kids were at high school. The ones I came across seemed happy and well adjusted but there were a few difficulties with University entrance then because the curriculum was different. Maybe that has changed,though.

Agree Aveline.

Lucky I so agree with you.
the rigidity of our state education system and the strait-jacket of the national curriculum has been to the detriment of education in the UK

I campaigned against the National Curriculum before it was imposed (along with many teachers and educationalists). I think this became a stick to beat good ideas with and it continues to restrict the most creative teachers and pupils alike.

Some of us who have direct experience of alternative education for our children (or ourselves) will inevitably see things differently to the mainstream.

Some schools suit some children better than others... One size will never fit all.

I agree. There should be more flexibility and choice in education style and availability. There is absolutely no one size fits all.

My DDs were reading very early - including the one who went to a Steiner school when small - she just read at home and enjoyed the freedom of what went on at school - the reverse of normal! - which was fine. Children who are not as bright as she was benefited from not being pressured into learning to read before they were ready.

Steiner's theories were of their time politically - not great - but he had some good ideas but education. As I say - I ignored all the "woo" and other stuff and looked at what the benefits were for my children. Steiner schools are of course very inclusive now.

GSM - I think the whole point is to have "totally different learning experiences"! There were never any problems with my 2 DDs who went to the Steiner school fitting in with others of their age, whom they met through Brownies and other activities - it was all fine.

Every school is different in terms of the quality of Steiner education they provide - good ones and bad ones, just as in the state system. I am always slightly puzzled as to how the local Steiner school always gets an "Outstanding" as clearly the targets in the early stages are not met (deliberately of course). OfSted are clearly applying different rules for them and recognizing that it is a different system. I always feel a bit pissed off that the state primary where I am C of G is not afforded the same parameters and allowed to ease children into their learning more gently.

I am very much of the view that the rigidity of our state education system and the strait-jacket of the national curriculum has been to the detriment of education in the UK - particularly for the slower learners who just switch off and often become disruptive, and of the teachers whose freedom to use their professional judgement is curtailed.

My SIL attended Summerhill and went on to gain a BA (Hons) and MPhil. - alternative schooling isn't always to the detriment of the pupil. ( Of course that presupposes that success is measured by conventional academic achievements!)

I trust that Steiner's anti-Semitic, racist and esoteric ideologies have been relegated to the past.

Well I am disappointed that people are so quick to judge something they know little about.
I had to move schools many times as a child. I went to a village school, a private school and others between
I found the friendliest most accepting children at a London primary where there was poverty and huge classes. 46 in one.

How do you stop a child from reading at the age of 7? Our girls and GCs were reading simple words when they were 3 and were reading Ladybird books by the time they all went to school. All still avid readers. Mind you none of them were interested in playing musical instruments.

That’s what I thought might happen BlueBelle. And if a child doesn’t learn to read before seven I would have thought that would set them apart from those going to the local state schools; they would have totally different learning experiences.

The only thing I ll say is I went to a different school to all the local children (not private or Steiner) but when we moved I wanted to stay at my school and not change I was never really accepted by the local kids who all went off together and knew all the in jokes and local happenings I wasn’t invited to their houses or even their groups outside I sometimes snuck in if there was only one or two of them but I was called a snob and all sorts

www.theguardian.com/education/2019/jan/17/ofsted-inspections-find-three-steiner-schools-to-be-inadequate?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Steiner schools are not child centred like the Summerhills, tthey are teacher centred as it’s the teacher who decides the activities.

Callistemon ooooh. Lucky. He is a lovely man and a good writer.

Aveline

Alexander McCall Smith writes about a little boy called Bertie who ran away from his Steiner school to play rugby at a local boys school! Bertie had become disillusioned by the non competitive sports at his Steiner school. Mc Call Smith is a very kind writer but he does prod the sensitivities of local middle class life

Oh yes, I've got that book! (A signed copy 🙂)

What a fascinating discussion, thank you everyone 🙂

Also to say that the 2 DDs who went to Steiner schools for varying lengths of time were involved in Brownies, orchestras and other outside organisations and had no trouble getting on with everyone.

I am OK with no rugby or soccer - they get lots of exercise but not in ways that involve aggressive competition.

That is a fact Aveline neither rugby nor soccer are played at Steiner's.

Alexander McCall Smith writes about a little boy called Bertie who ran away from his Steiner school to play rugby at a local boys school! Bertie had become disillusioned by the non competitive sports at his Steiner school. Mc Call Smith is a very kind writer but he does prod the sensitivities of local middle class life

Not in any Steiner school I know!

Isn't there a thing about women teachers wearing longish full skirts in early years? I knew somebody who wanted to teach in one but was put off. she always wore trousers.