To consider sending DC to a Steiner school

[Cherrypancakes]

Has anyone got DC at one?

Thanks Barry

pickle I'm southwest

Cherry You seem to be awfully focused on poopooing or requesting that people elaborate on the answers that are negative for someone who is neutral and genuinely curious about these schools.

If you're genuine, you might want to rethink whether you're approaching the idea with from an unbiased viewpoint. Of course, if you've already decided a certain way and are just looking to tell yourself you're right no matter what the answers are, that's OK too. People do that all the time about all sorts of things. Threads like that don't go down without questioners in AIBU, though.

I know a family who had a good experience with the Derby school.

I personally think it helped that the children went to an ordinary primary school and have science specialist parents, so that they started with a conventional grounding in common sense

For someone puportedly neutral and new to the idea of Steiner schools I find your dismissal of their views on race /disability as "doesn't sound too great" somewhat astonishing.....

I would agree you only seem interested in the negative rather than the positive. As a Steiner Mum I am happy to answer your questions if that is what you actually want however I feel you are more interested in stirring up the anti brigade.

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.independent.co.uk/news/education/steiner-schools-have-some-questionable-lessons-for-todays-children-a7402911.html%3Famp

They think disability is a punishment for past life misdemeanours and that there is a hierarchy of races.

[shocked]

And pixies? What about pixies?

My birth sisters and I were all adopted separately when we were younger. The very youngest one went to a Steiner school in the Midlands. I teach and have researched many types of schools and education settings over the years. From a personal perspective I know that my sister had a tremendously terrible time at her school and now, as a 30-something still struggles hugely with friendships, relationships and managing her own behaviour. It's in no way conclusive proof that all Steiner schools produce x, y or z, but having spent time in one as part of my degree, it's not for me.

The ascending through the races thing is utter bollocks, as is the whole 'karma' concept that is taught and a huge amount of the original ethos behind the schools is nonsense. Some parts, like the fact that they study topics in huge detail for prolonged periods, makes absolute sense and is something I'd love to incorporate into the EYFS curriculum, and their acceptance that children aren't always ready for 'formal' education until later than in state schools is something I'm also convinced would transform state schools if we could implement it. But no, overall it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

My nephew got expelled from a Steiner School.

My bF is Swedish and sends her children, she says it's the closest thing to Swedish education she can find

Vanilla What did he do? I always thought it was impossible to be expelled from a fee-paying school; DH went to school with some utter toe rags whose parents refused to allow them to be expelled because they'd donated enough money to buy a cruiseliner or have the staffroom repainted in F&B.

I looked into it IRL a little bit. The one near me never got off the ground. I was interested when DS was little because I liked the creative approach.

I was intrigued again later when every time it was mentioned on MN the threads would mysteriously disappear in a puff of smoke. No deletion message, nothing. This was when the site was much much smaller than it is today and they were very concerned about legal action after being sued by Gina Ford. I became curious about this and became a bit more aware of threads. At least a couple of times I saw a post or two before the thread was deleted saying that it was no use trying to discuss Steiner in the public domain because they had people working for the foundation who would use google alerts and such to find similar postings and threaten site owners with legal action if the threads were not taken down. These days it's difficult to censor debate in the same way as discussing an educational philosophy is not illegal and site owners are more savvy about what is and isn't allowed in terms of free speech. The Gina Ford case probably wouldn't happen today, for example.

I agree that the hierarchy of races thing probably doesn't play a prominent part in their schooling today as it seems to be one of those where the founder had some odd beliefs that are later hastily scrubbed out because they are not politically correct. Do note that while this doesn't mean that current followers of Steiner philosophy hold such views, it also does not necessarily mean that they oppose them. And while you will, likewise, find no direct mention in their literature about disability being a type of bad karma through reincarnation, you can find many accounts online of people who have been involved with these schools and heard comments which would suggest that it is quite an important part of their philosophy.

I can explain more but my dinner is ready :)

"They think disability is a punishment for past life misdemeanours"

I thought this was a vile but fairly common belief in many religions which preach reincarnation?

We have looked at the Canterbury Steiner for our daughter, it seemed lovely and not at all cult like but maybe that's how they suck you in....

Based on the kids at the one near me, Steiner schools are good if you don't mind how your children behave in public.

Based on the person I know who went to one, they're good if you don't mind not being able to read or write.

Based on the person I know who went to one, they're good if you don't mind not being able to read or write.

Based on the person I know who went to one they're great if you want to do a Masters.....

A lot of a negative things raised on here (a bad ofsted, behaviour etc) could be said about private education, state education, home education if you pick your examples correctly.

(Oh, and the person I know does not believe in pixies, nor was she ever encouraged to believe in pixies...)

I have a friend whose son goes to one, which isn't very woo compared to some. They are so happy with it.

I visited one when when there was an arty fete. Lovely, open arty classroom but no books. My oldest two could read fluently before school (and no, I didn't teach them, they taught themselves) and my then 4 year old automatically looked for the book corner and it wasn't there. There was also no writing on the pictures and no labelling of the bag racks with the children's names, only with pictures.

I think they only start teaching reading after 6 or 7 or something.

Which for many is the natural time when left to their own devices. There is no research showing that learning to read earlier is better, the opposite in fact.

the opposite in fact

Where's the evidence for this "fact"?

They're like the Montessori schools in that each one is different. Friend of mine has relatives in S.A. with kids at one; it's very strict about television and they 'know' if a child has had screen time any day other than the permitted Friday night (when they may watch an age appropriate movie with their parents). Another friend is a Cambridge Professor who absolutely trusts in her kids school and their stance on not teaching the basics of reading until their top 2 teeth have fallen out. I sent my DS to an independent Montessori. Believed the hype that they would play to his strengths and work on the areas he struggled. All he learnt in reception and yr1 was how to read music by the teacher who came in once a week for individual music lessons. He spent the rest of his time being bullied with his teachers and the Head refusing to acknowledge anything was going on (despite the physical evidence and testimony from other children in the classroom), and the Head telling him it was all in his head while recommending we take him to see an educational psychologist complemented by a course of therapy for me to get my energies realigned. Still angry that I paid for that shit. But they're not all the same. He's now at a state primary with a Montessori ethos and has thrived. Another pupil from his previous school joined later on this academic year, and the Head can't believe how much they've blossomed since starting, and how their increased confidence has resulted in feeling secure enough to learn. They're both now reading, their writing has improved immeasurably, and they're willing to have a go.
My only advice would be to look at several. And look at state and other independent schools to get an idea

I was Steiner educated for over 7 years. Never heard a thing about pixies??? Nor about the 'hierarchy of races'. A lot of stuff that Steiner believed well over 100 years ago isn't followed, or supported by modern Steiner schools/teachers.

I loved school and was very happy there. Being arty and enjoying reading/writing meant that the classical style of education really suited my strengths. The maths and sciences...not so much. 99% of the teachers were hugely committed to the school and their pupils in a way I haven't observed in any other school.

Like all schools it has its strengths and weaknesses. And some Steiner schools are much better than others. Michael Hall always had an excellent reputation, as did Winstones - back in the 80s they had long waiting lists.

Are Steiner schools the same as Montressori schools?

On the Continent children usually don't learn to read until they are 7-ish. I don't see that it is a problem.

Literacy rates in the UK are embarrassingly bad compared to most of the developed world.