Tell me everything you know about Steiner schools/philosophy

[Pruni]

Message withdrawn

I'm just highlighting that it's unlikely to meet with modern thought as it is quite dogmatic and loyal to Steiner which was some time ago. My local school doesn't make claims about their scientific approach but puts emphasis on spiritual development, imagination and creativity, confidence and ability to learn (not sure which hemispheres these belong to). The results I've seen from the approach have been very encouraging and the children are amongst the highest achievers at the state secondary school they join at 14. This I'm sure may vary from school to school.

rebelmum - you might be interested in 'Free to Learn' by Lynne Oldfield... I bought it from the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship website.

it's an introduction to Steiner Waldorf early education.

I attended a Steiner school along with my 3 siblings (now a physiotherapist, a farmer, a textile designer and I"m a wanna be academic) and we all had a fantastic experience, though not without difficulties and knitting a few gnomes (knitting preceded reading by a long way). So here's some positives, bearing in mind that the schools vary widely especially as they are run by a college of teachers rather than one head teacher and democracy is messy:
we had lots of green space and were encouraged to use it and learn about it.

as a small class we had plenty of teacher's attention.

we were not explicitly taught steiner's philosophy but learned about a range of mythical figures etc.

we did learn conventional science and the school now has up to date computers. (parents ideally should feel free to ignore some draconion aspects of steiner, he was fairly dogmatic at times but also into constantly examining your thinking)

we just loved school and their was a real community feel with lots of festivals celebrated, drama, music, art etc.

Some negatives:

I was embarrassed attending brownies and admitting I couldn't read (it did me no harm, I am a literature student, each child should go at their own pace).

I left before gcses as i wanted to experience the wider school world - found it pushy and stifling, fortunately i did ok under pressure.

there were sometimes long disagreements within the school which led to problems not being dealt with quickly.

the tiered fee system meant facitilities were far less than is usual for private schools. (the hereford school is now a government-funded academy - so we'll see how it goes.)

conclusion: i would love to send my daughter to a steiner school, we don't have one near unfortunately. if conventional education is so good why do people complain so much about it ? at least steiner teachers want to be there (i never saw them smoking dope though it was a local rumour). i would always choose a school that celebrates diversity - we had black children who were happy in our school. i wish i could impart steiner values at home but i've forgotten how to knit!

sorry to ramble on

Message withdrawn

It's really good to hear your positive experiences. On first impressions I've been really impressed with the local steiner school, it's an enriching environment. I think there are downsides but the downsides of conventional education may by far outweigh them. I considered alternative education having experienced first hand the education system when I did a PGCE.

I was most impressed with the confidence of the steiner children and their eagerness to learn. I don't have any problems supplementing the education myself if needs be, I don't see why we should hand over all responsibility for education to someone else. Thanks for the book reference, I did borrow a copy but had to give it back before I finished, I think I'll invest in a copy. Does anyone know of a book that gives a basic overview of Steiner generally? I'm interested in finding out more overall.

BTW My step daughter is about to take her GCSE's and still hasn't been taught what an essay is. Hair and Beauty is on the curriculum ..

I actually went to a Steiner school myself, in Norway, from the age of six to fifteen. Having been a pupil there, I am seriously considering sending my own children there. I was fully able to integrate into a "normal" school at fifteen, and found I had learned so much more than my fellow classmates had in conventional state schools. Not just on subjects such as handicrafts, but also academically, I found I was ahead. I am a very "normal" person, and grew up in a family that DID watch tv (though my parents were conscious of how much time we were allowed to spend watching), and most, if not all, of my fellow Steiner friends were not freaks!

The best things that a Steiner education gave me were: 1. an early introduction to foreign languages, thus enabling me to be bilingual at the age of 15 without having a parent who was non-Norwegian. 2. skills such as wood carving, metal shaping, painting, drawing, knitting, sewing. 3. a well-developed imagination, a "thinking outside the box"-attitude, which has been useful throughout my life. 4. A sense of esthetics and interest in fine art and beauty in nature and architecture. 5. Musical abilities.

We didn't learn about Steiner's philosophy at school, so I can't answer questions such as "what does Steiner think of computers." Though we didn't use computers, and despite this I had no problem picking up computer skills at a later age.

What I think is particularly valuable at a Steiner school is how seasons and festivities are celebrated. It's difficult to describe it, but the traditions I had at my school became truly precious to me.

I hope people aren't put off considering a Steiner school until they've visited one to see for themselves.

Are you a teacher now Rebelmum?

No. I left the course. The teaching time was minimal, the majority of the role seemed to be classroom control. I didn't agree with integrating special needs. Teachers don't have time to help develop children's individual needs. I was also quite shocked at some of the inaccuracy of the teaching in my school. The morale of the teachers seemed very low. It was a question of idealism meeting reality.

Were you doing your PGCE in primary or secondary education? It sounds like you had an awful time. Though I think we all know that schooling is a big compromise, it shouldn't be a negative experience for either teacher or pupil.

Hello

I am new to this site but have some experience of Steiner schools. Although now a mum myself in my pre-mummy life I covered education for a local newspaper. DUring that time I did visit the local Steiner school. To be honest I found it a little wishy washy and found the approach of Montessori schools a lot more solid although still offering benefits of not following such a rigorous education as ordinary state schools.

My main memory of being shown round was of children walking around the corridors and teachers spontaneously bursting into song with them. I also remember one teacher in particular being very difficult to talk to because mid-interview this is exactly what she kept doing and she struck me as a bit of a hippy.

If you want your child to have a very laid back education where they learn at their own place Steiner may well suit. If you want something more disciplined and structured I would go for more traditional education

That seems to sum it up nicely

I have to disagree. But maybe that's what Steiner schools are like in this country? I never had teachers "bursting into song", or a "laidback education." But then, that was in Norway, not UK.

I thought you'd only visited your friend's school once fortyplus?

"If you want something more disciplined and structured I would go for more traditional education" I'm not entirely sure this is what you will find in traditional education these days. The disiplined and structured schools I taught in had chairs being thrown through windows, pupils demonstrated appalling behaviour and had a lack of respect and appreciation of learning. This was considered a 'good school'.

Just to add. From the experience I have had in my local Steiner school structure is extremely important and is instilled from an early age. It is Montesorri that is less structured and focuses on self-motivated learning. My daughter currently attends a Montesorri.

Can i butt in??

I went to a steiner school and have considered sending my daughter to the same school i attended but only if I feel she needs to.

My point is I was extremely shy as a child and my parents had been to parents evening at my primary school only to watch the teachers face when they said who they were, she had to really think and try to remember who I was. This a appalled them so I was enrolled at a steiner school, it was the best thing they could of done, wilth small classes and no pressure to win or be noticed I loved every single second of it, I look abck at my schools days and the sun is shining! I came out with excellent exam results and wonderful memories of my school days.

If I feel my daughter would benefit a steiner education then I will enrol her, every child is different and has differnet wants and needs I needed one to one, i needed confidence and that's what I came out with.

I totally love Steiner education but don't have the energy to go through it again on another mn thread!!
If you are interested in my view I went into detail on the other thread - (of course you are most welcome to rip it apart and come back to me!!)

Lovely to read the positive first hand experiences of Steiner education here - Thankyou to all those who have shared - including negative experiences. I'm more determined than ever to qualify as a Kindergarten teacher after I graduate. Thank you

"they are pretty much a bog standard private school, IMO, but with more knitting. "

That has to be a contender for quote of the week.

The best faces I have ever seen was at a teacher meeting for music teachers. A gifted and talented teacher (who had a 3 year old son who could read, and is now 9 and ready for high school , (usually 13)) and a Steiner teacher. They were both absolutely horrified with each other.

And to me that summed it up - to each their own. That's why we need choice.