Moving to Steiner for Secondary School from State Primary

Most Steiner Waldorf schools will let you send your child for 3 to five day trails.
So you could try that. I would personally be wary of PLANS but read it anyway they certainly set out to shock you. The problem with a lot of the critics is that they give you their point of view based on limited experience some admit they have just read blogs and have not been near a school. There is a lot of hear say and not enough substance. I have had my children at a Waldorf School for 10 years and though not perfect I am very happy how they are taught and looked after.

A site that adresses most of the basic questions and myths about Steiner Waldorf education is Waldorf Answers.

Thanks so much for posting that link, RN - although I kind of can't bring myself to read in to all this thoroughly, too guilt-inducing.

I just wish I'd had access to all this information before uprooting my DCs and putting them among these people.

At least now there's another view available for people in the position I was then.

I notice that there's now a news section on UK Anthroposophy useful to anyone considering Steiner Waldorf education. Mike Collins invites 'interesting, funny or illuminating' items related to this theme, so it should be interesting.

Once again, imo there's no reason to fear that referring to or linking to UK Anthroposophy is potentially libelous in any way since the blog's legal adviser can be confident that its content is fair comment or honest opinion.

As are the comments of mumsnetters expressing their own opinions and reflections on their experience or impressions of Steiner Waldorf education, good as well as bad.

UK Anthroposophy has certainly become a very popular site, I imagine with politicians as well as journalists. Mike Collins is a scrupulous researcher of anthroposophy in the UK and its relationship to Steiner Waldorf education. The site has its own lawyer and cannot fairly be accused of harbouring libelous content. Indeed it's difficult to know who anyone on mumsnet could be libeling, since it isn't possible to libel the dead (ie Rudolf Steiner) and there's no concrete international Steiner Waldorf Movement to own the brand, as there is with a multi-national company like Nestle or Shell or Mcdonalds. Mumsnetters have been careful not to mention individuals or particular schools, for the sake of the dcs and families involved as much as anything. Having said that, it's easy to understand mumsnet's anxiety.

As explanation, mumsnet supports libel reform and has been following the recent Simon Singh libel case, the conclusion of which is discussed by skeptic lawyer Jack of Kent here The case drew attention to the disputed claims made by chiropractors and to the behaviour of the BCA - in other words there were unintended consequences for those bringing a charge of libel. I can't imagine it would be in anyone's interests, least of all any Steiner school, interested individual or anthroposophical initiative to sue mumsnet with regard to comments made on this site concerning Steiner Waldorf education, even if they felt they had any reason to do so.

Imo the issue of libel in this case is a (Swedish) red herring.

WKMum - I really wish you luck. It's still early days, as you say and things could change by the time your dd is ready for her next school, particularly when we know what's happening after May 6th. It's absolutely right that gs is not for every child especially if it's a struggle to keep up with maths. I have a dd about the same age as yours and like you, I just want her to be happy at school. I've been the Steiner route some years ago and wouldn't want to go there again - there's been enough good, critical advice on this thread already for me not to need to add any more.

Australian article here

UK journalist writes here

Hope this link works

The arbitration pages (there are many) about Steiner waldorf on wikipedia are well documented
A user called thebee seems to have caused seeming incivility, deletions, personal attacks, moreover thebee's conduct was criticised by experienced editors and mentors. Thebee is criticised for using his own webpages as a definitive source of reference.
Wikipedia's information should be taken with a large pinch of salt.

Information which doesn't paint the perfect picture is deleted

WKMum
You may find the UK Anthroposophy useful

Informed decisions, that are good, but can be more or less difficult to make when it comes to subjects where opinions can be very polarized for different reasons, takes also reading Waldorf answers.

The best way to make an informed decision beyond ideologically based arguments in one or other direction is to visit the Steiner/waldorf school you may plan to put your child in, and not only look at it, or listen to an introduction, but also invest some time in talking personally with the teachers, pupils and parents at the school to get to know it.

Wikipedia is an Encyclopedia, not a discussion board. After an arbitration some years ago, the Wikipedia rules for good editing and use of sources are applied strictly. On possible controversial points, only non-Waldorf sources are allowed. It is very well sourced.

You have to be careful with Wiki, because it can be edited by anyone. There have been 'anti-Waldorf' posts removed, so you will not see a true account of Waldorf.

I do tend to worry about organisations like this that have an overwhelming need to silence their critics!

Ah, Tizian, would that be the same 'reliable source' who trawls the net threatening to close down any site containing anti- Waldorf material?

Try Americans for Waldorf Education informing the public about PLANS Inc. too. The extensive Wikipedia article on Waldorf education is based on reliable published sources.

I should have added (but I forgot!) that Home Educating my children is the best thing for them because ds in particular was very unhappy in his school (normal state school) He has aspergers which they couldnt really be bothered to help him with - so HEing is good for him because he no longer talks about burning the school down or killing himself.
I often feel that I dont have the skill set or patience to HE my children

I think the fact that steiner education causes such controversy should highlight to you that it is probably something to stay away from - unless you are happy for your child to spend A LOT of time learning about and taking in part in Anthroposophy ideas/rituals etc

If you google PLANS, you'll find a forum for 'Waldorf Survivors' - one of whom is a Mumsnetter who I won't name as she'll probably come across this thread and decide whether she wants to join in or not.
I wish you the best.

What Laura said, apart from the home educating.
We moved our oldest aged 7 from state to Steiner and took him out three years later, when he was begging us not to make him go back - in spite of having made good friends there and settling socially.

< whole paragraph missing here as I remembered your 'libellous' comment - btw, why do you think these threads get pulled? >

I thank the Lord I don't believe in we did leave - can't bear to think what might have become of our family if we'd stuck it out to the bitter end, as so many do.

I seem to remember a website for survivors of this set-up, can't remember what it's called, but you might find reference to it if you search.
I'm off to bed now but will check this thread tomorrow.

WKMum I've looked into Steiner too but decided against it due to some of the beliefs that come with it.
Have you spoken to the School yet? I was under the impression that they don't always accept children into the schools at a late age but I could be wrong.
I must admit the one we were looking into had fantastic facilities and really excellent exam results.

But how would your DD react to a completely different schooling style?
The artistic subjects aren't always as free style explore your talent style more like this is how you do it copy the teacher type.

How would your DD cope with being expected conform to very different philosophy and play styles the other children will have been raised to believe is true. For example believing that Gnomes as really existing.

How would she cope will limited TV and computer time?
My children watch very little TV and only occasionally a DVD but even I was uncomfortable about the insisting that children should be very limited to almost no TV and computer time, it was even in the parents handbook along with a warning of that they can tell if a child has been watching TV. For me that was a step into my family private life and I wasn't comfortable with it.

If it hadn't been for the philosophy style and the instance that you buy into it then I certainly would have sent DD but instead we will home educate.