What do you know about Steiner schools?

[hunkermunker]

Anyone been to one? Sending their children to one? Know children who go?

I grew up in a steiner household (ie the hardcore religious "I was an elf in a former life" school of thought)

and have just had an arguement with my mum

so am feeling most disrespectful

Can I just say though, that Steiner is NOT about self expression, it is NOT about fluffiness or being a bit alternative, it is a very very rigid belief structure which, IMO. is badly in need of updating, because a lot of their stuff is twee. Its also not really very respectful to kids, when you get right down to it, - but what school is?

nah, pixies ok, i think.

I think there are lots of fab aspects to Steiner- ds went to a summer school at our local one and I thought it was great. However, I know if quite a few people at our local one who have removed their child because of bullying- the attitude (there, at least) is very much that the child should confront the bully and they should sort it all out amicably. The teachers have been very reluctant to get involved, and because there's no management structure there's no-one to go to. The other big issue seems to be this problem of having the same teacher throughout, as has been pointed out. Have a personality clash and you're doomed. I also think of some teachers ds and dd have had at their standard school and shudder to think of how they would have coped with the same person throughout. And of course if it doesn't work out it's not necessarily that easy to transfer into the state system. There's a boy in dd's class who transferred at 7, by which time all the rest of the class had been able to read for 2 years. Not easy on the poor lad.

I agree -the lack of headteacher is I think a problem. When I was enquiring about our local steiner school I was told different things by different people, no-one seemed to take responsibility for people enquiring and it was impossible to get a straight answer out of anyone!

I presume they have to follow the national curriculum?

Oh blimey no, I don't think so- didn't think any private schools did?

JJ, it's such a shame when there's so much about them that's good. It seems to me that there would be scope for just tweaking the whole thing a bit, but maybe that would ruin the ethos.

No they don't have to follow the national curriculum (no private schools have to, although a lot do).

I meant that any private schools have to, not that they don't follow it...

Yes agree tamum. We also thought that they might be doodgy about our caring duties (with ds1) getting in the way of ""school" duties (such a vegetable planting etc).

I think its worth checking out the individual schools though- our local one is very dogmatic, the one I used to go to for P+T in London was much less so.

they don't have to follow the national curriculum

though there are plans for a state funded school in hereford.

f'ck knows how they'll swing that one. there is NO WAY a steiner school could follow the NC

Tamum-have heard bullying is a big problem also. And the teachers are very patronising.

Private schools have no oboligation to follow the national curriculm. Might be one reason the most academic ones do better than state schools. It's good to be free of the straightjacket.

A steiner school would probably not be good if you had your sights on Oxbridge for your child... put it like that.. but if AAAA at A level is not part of the game plan then go for it. Education is about a lot more than exams. Someone will now tell me about a Steiner sixth form which feeds an Oxbridge college I suppose...

feel a bit that I didn't know private schools didn't follow the national curriculum!

yeah, don't think oxbridge is really a problem for steiner schools. academic results are pretty good, afaik, given the intake. plenty of steiner students do get all As.

I do know people from Steiner schools who have gone onto become Drs. go to Oxbridge etc, but generally they take a year out after school to cram in some A levels.

Don't worry scotchick, most private schools do follow it, so it's not that obvious.

A level results at our local one are just after Edinburgh Academy and ahead of the rest of A level taking Scottish schools, so not a problem at that level.

I do wish there were alternative (e.g. not CofE) schools that weren't quite so alternative (e.g. no homeopathy, dance as therapy etc etc). What's wrong with schools that just follow science?

Or am I missing something?

Not Scientology :-P

Science!

what exactly is scientology anyway??

Oh, wait, will start another thread.

Wonder what to call it?

am looking for one of those also nqc

there seems to be a paucity of people who question the system yet are not mad raving loons.

listen, a steiner school has the ability to make knitting dull. thats got to tell you something.

Things I know from very close relatives and friends at one (hence the name change). I have been to numerous events and listened to the children and parents and tried to keep an open mind. But... (and this is first hand information/experience) -

1. God didn't give you feet to kick - so no football. In fact no competition.

1. Steiner schools don't want to emphasise differences so boys have to sit down to wee.

1. TV is bad as are computers. No tv or computer usage on school nights if at all.

1. Children don't go full time for years. Not a full day, every day all week until age 10.

1. God (there are Steiner priests), angels and Norse myths crop up a lot.

Not teaching reading or writing until age 7/8 can be really detrimental to those children who would enjoy being able to read. At least one of the children I know seemed to get very bored with 'playing' and drawing and crumble making in those first years.

Artwork is meant to express individuality but is all the same style. 'Look, see how the child fills the page' they say. 'Yes' I reply 'but all the pictures are the same'. Where is the individuality? It seems more regimented than state schools in this respect.

My local primary seems to be far more representative of society which should hopefully give my children the life skills they need. At the end of the day I want my children to be likeable individuals and get on with as many people as possible. I think Steiner is so elitist and unusual it fails to teach children how to interact with others.

What do you mean, follow Science?