To consider sending DC to a Steiner school

[Cherrypancakes]

Has anyone got DC at one?

I think that any educational philosophy that has online survivors' forums should be avoided.

Why do you think it would be a good fit for your child, OP?

RockyTop yes it sounds like they're not all the same - will see what my local one's like.

The one-word responses aren't all that helpful and I suspect are coming from people who haven't had direct experience

I'm really confused by the attitude to disabilities as discussed here as my only exposure to Steiner has been through the Camphill movement. Would anyone care to elaborate? It's just really at odds with my own experience.

The religious aspect is bonkers but, IMO, no more so than sending your child to a Christian school...

OlennasWimple I'm not sure that it would be although she's very creative, into art and dance, and I've heard that the Steiner system is good for encouraging that

Aside from the "philosophical" issues, one thing to think about is when/if you plan to re integrate your child into mainstream ed - I've worked with a few exSteiner school children and it can be quite a difficult transition - and one you'd want to get out of the way well before any important exam years started.

The one I saw looked amazing tbh and the holistic approach is something I though my dc would benefit from but I've heard nothing but bad stuff from Mumsnet about them.

thatverynight that's a good point - I went to a very Christian school and being forced to pray and sing hymns and attend church is actually just as 'woo' as anything else imo

zzzzz true, I think I meant the very brief responses but I acknowledge that YABU and YANBU are perfectly adequate responses on AIBU!

I would be cautious. This poor little girl choked to death on a bit of jelly at a nursery that adopts the Steiner approach -
an unnecessary tragedy all in the name of 'hands on activities and creative play' www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3503464/Nursery-toddler-died-choked-raw-jelly-cube-ordered-pay-200-000-fines-admitting-health-safety-breaches.html

I went to a very Christian school and being forced to pray and sing hymns and attend church is actually just as 'woo' as anything else imo

How is this relevant? Are you actually having to choose between a Steiner school and a 'very Christian' school?

And at least if your child picked up stupid beliefs from a very Christian school they'd be somewhat socially acceptable. The same can't be said about the views re. race and disability and whatever this thing about pixies is about.

I agree that they're a cult

The one in our area went broke. Figure most people sniffed out the bullshit in the end.

How many of you have actually set foot in a Steiner school?

Absolute bullshit that they believe in a race hierarchy

I think there is one message for parents, and another one for those who are insiders - members of the Anthroposophical society. Prospective parents are regarded as unenlightened and not ready for the truth.

They might be pro-art but in a very prescriptive way. Lots of rules about what colours/types of paints can and can't be used. It's the same with dance.

I would not touch them with the longest of long bargepoles.

(Lived for around 5 years with Steiner people.)

There'll always be responses from people who don't have direct experience of the subject, I was expecting it.

Bit of a funny AIBU tbh.

I've got it!

"AIBU to start a thread where I ask a disingenuous question and then barely conceal my agenda?"

Dixie what are you going on about you seem very determined to start an argument, but there isn't really one happening here, sorry to disappoint you!

I viewed a Steiner school and was quite impressed with it...

My dd has recently left a Steiner school under not very great circumstances.
I don't want to get into too much detail on here as I know some of the parents / teachers are on here and it would put me but I'm happy to answer any questions you might have by pm.

Out me not put me

My children went there and had very good experiences. I obviously have lots of Steiner friends and their children too. A lot are at university and have done very well. One is really struggling. Several are on the autism spectrum or have learning disabilities as a result of early trauma, and the schools really looked after them. Oh and different races and religions too.

They do march to their own drum though.
The religious stuff isn't part of the schooling, most teachers are not anthroposophical anyway. It's an educational philosophy separate from the religion.

What area are you in, OP? Google the school directly see what you can find.

The ofsted inspection of the Kings Langley Steiner school is pretty damning. I wouldn't trust that particular school with a hamster.
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/117631