To consider sending DC to a Steiner school

[Cherrypancakes]

Has anyone got DC at one?

Nope.

O ... OHHHH.

I think there was a thread not long ago about their dodgy views towards bullying and SN.

Excellent, there's nothing on TV anyway.

I know someone who goes to one, loves it. Doesn't really learn much though and high tolerance needed for poor behaviour going unmanaged.

My Ds goes to one he's leaving at the end of this term to do an MMath degree at a RG Uni, so he must have learnt something!

It would depend on your personal reasons and on your individual child, just like choosing any other school. Bit of a funny AIBU tbh.

I don't have a DC at one but am considering doing a placement at my local one whilst studying at uni (doing an degree related to children/education). Whilst I am pro gentle-parenting etc, I honestly don't think I could send my future child to one. I agree with many of the principles but I don't agree with a lot of the woo stuff. Democratic schools are probably a better shout but there aren't many of them around!

Mayoli - it'll be interesting to see how you feel about it after your placement if you decide to do it. Do you know if they are all as into the woo stuff as each other or if it varies from school to school?

vThis comes up quite regularly in the Education topics, you might want to look there. There's 3 in one of them right now.

Always seems to end up as a bunfight.

Have a read of this OP:

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthroposophy

Ok I'll have look thanks. But equally if people want a bunfight on my thread, go ahead!

I looked round one for my DCs about 11 years ago.

I loved the holistic ethos. The kids made their own playground equipment and grew the fruit and veg for their lunch, which they helped to prepare. The focus on the arts was good too.

However, they treated sport like it was something shameful and they didn't want DD, who has LD. They also talked a lot about pledging time, skills and income to the school, as well as paying the fees.

I don't mind this; I've always done it, but I don't expect it to be compulsory.

I decided against it and have never regretted that decision.

No, but a friend sent her DS to one. He seemed to enjoy it and turned out perfectly well.

Hmm I'll definitely ask about the hierarchy of races thing when I go to see the school!

Shockers please could you elaborate on their attitude to sports?

Don't, they are a cult.

You can't jump as you can't take both feet off the ground at the same time

I think the way state schools are heading, they seem less bizarre all the time. I once thought they seemed a bit crazy, but now the way state schools are, any alternative is better surely?

BertieBotts do you have personal experience of this?

These threads always seem to fill up with lots of people who will tell you lots of '@things about Steiner schools and what 'they' do or think, despite having no first hand knowledge. They're usually pretty keen to shout down the people who do have personal experience too.

I've come across a few Steiners in my time, they're really not all the same. I know some Steiner educated kids who have achieved some very good outcomes. Your best bet is to go and look round, talk to the staff and parents and reach your own conclusion based on your child.

@CherryPancakes I think it does vary from school to school and I think (hope!) the school I'll be at is less woo. But we'll see. It will be interesting to see if my views shift but I don't think they will- I agree with PP with the attitude to race and disability etc. Democratic education covers the bases I like without getting into that.

mayoli yes the race and disability stuff doesn't sound good at all, I'll definitely be asking about that.