Steiner Schools

[Heathcliffscathy]

following on from the are we putting too much pressure on our primary school aged children, I wondered if anyone has experience of Steiner schools (either becuase ds/dd is at one or even better because they went to one)...we're really interested in these schools but i'd love to hear more info from people who have direct experience: anyone?

Um, well that's not what is said at our local school JimJams. They have a big display about why the movement opposes vacs.

I've said this before, I'm sure, but just in case anyone missed my words of wisdom last time ....

I agree with jimjams, that it's probably best to judge each school individually. I have only very minor direct experience in that ds went to one of their summer schools, but quite a lot of indirect experience as there's one very close to us and I know lots of people who've used it. I was seriously considering it as a secondary school choice as I thought the summer school was lovely. However, a few people whose children went there have withdrawn their children after a few years because of two main problems. One was that you get the same teacher for 7 (?) years, and if your child doesn't get on with that teacher it's your hard luck, as there isn't a hierarchy of people you can complain to, and you are encouraged to sort it out directly with the teacher. The other big problem was bullying. Several families with this problem fell foul of the same attitude that the individuals involved should deal with this themselves, and the parents got no help or support at all. I was pretty staggered that this happened, but it was clearly happening as I heard it from several sources. I should emphasise again though that this may be specific to this school, not Steiner in general.

They like tetanus and polio as it enters the body through the "natural" route. I was surprised that the book I have here recommends MMR (even though only to kiddies age 9+). Anthroposophical medicine is a funny mix of alternative and conventional. I've read quite a bit on it as it fits pretty much with my beliefs. Of course individual schools may interpret this differently. When I visited the Steiner school in Totnes we had a chat about vaccinations. Some of the parents had given tetanus, many had given nothing (which is fine by me- after all we don't do vaccinations in this house) and the odd one or tw had given the whole lot.

At the Greenwich parent and toddler group there was a much wider mix- but the whole school there was very small and more welcoming really- the toddler group really did serve the local community- people even used their mobile phones in there.

Personally I found the Greenwich group welcoming to us and my very strange son- and accpeting in a way that most (all?) mainstream places were not at that time. People didn't just stare at him, and when I burst into tears because we were having such an awful time then (hardly knowing these people) they sat down and talked to me. Very different from other places where I had burst into tears (and was ignored). They accepted my son as worthwhile- again very different from the mainstream opinion I'm afraid. Now as it happens a Stenier school isn't suitable for all but the highest functioning of autistics - so no use for ds1 at all- although a Camphill community would be good and Steiner wrote a lot about educating SN.

I do get the impression that each school is quite different though. Despite the lack of academic testing if you look at the leavers achievements you find many go on to do quite high powered things. The Totnes webpage includes leavers who have gone onto Oxford and Cambridge for example.

I think there are problems with things like a lack of headteacher in the bigger schools (like Totnes) but it probably works fine in the smaller schools (like Greenwhich).
A ggod book about the early years education is "free to learn". It explains it all without going into too much philosophy.

Shrub- so is your secondary school Sands?

I knew there was one- had a chat about that at the Totnes school as well.

If you stay in Totnes you should be OK- most of the mainstream is pretty alternatve

BTW we visited the school after the administrator had started- still chaos! Didn't hear about the eurythmy fire--what happened?

I want to weigh in on this too. We are from the US and choose a very "alternative" school for our daughter there,it was state funded but it was one that is based on nuturing social and emotional health, no standardized tests, the teachers stayed with their class for two years, and the curriculum was based around themes. It was also very diverse in both ethnic makeup and socio economic. Anyways when we moved to London we decided to try the local Steiner Infant's school. And I have to say in all my experiences with schools(my daughter has been to 3 different schools before going to this one) I have never delt with a more unfriendly group of people(thought there were a few families that were nice to us). Basically you have to embrace the whole philosophy, and if you don't there isn't much room to belong. I totally agree about the bullying(there was a lot at this infant school)and there was no communication about this, and it was dealt with this attitude that as long a child was not physically hurting anyone they could basically do what ever they wanted And also I just found the parents to be very insular and almost classist in a way. It was mainly white and I found most people to be so militant in all of their views that I felt they are on the other end of the extreme and as bad as conservative people in their views IFSWIM. Also I point blank asked about the religious aspect, and was lied to(basically I said as a Buddhist who hasn't really figure out how to religiously educate my child, I didn't want christian ideal introduced to her and the teacher told me they weren't and that is not true, while Steiner embraced all religions it is a christian based system) We have switched to a statefunded school now, and while I do not like the over all push for standardized tests in this country, I find the school itself to be very welcoming on all levels. And while it actually has a reputation for being a "bad" school, I really find it closer to what I want for my child then the "beacon" school that is actually in our catchment area(but doesn't have a spot for my daughter!) I just don't understand why there aren't more "alternative" state funded schools in London, there seems to be a real need for them.

I agree with you about "bad" schools and "beacon" schools august. Our catchment school - where my son was offered a place- is top of the league, but very fixed in how they want children to be. The primary school my son goes to is much lower down in the league tables, but a very kind and caring school.

I guess Steiner is like any other school system though- you really do have to take each school individually. I guess the state schools follow the same ideology/NC etc but vary widely strengths and weaknesses.

Sophable in your position I would get along to the local parent and toddler group and see whether or not you like that particular school. You'll get a good idea of the school that way.

I agree about good and bad schools, the Steiner school in Islington is supposed to be much better. I just don't like the idea of excluding masses of people(because for example they let there kids watch TV), that is what makes it cult like to me and it is exactly what I don't want for my children. I want them to be able to get a long with a wide-range of people not just a small subculture ifyswim.

The Totnes school was a bit heavy on tv - but again not so much the Greenwich one ime. Also the Greenwich school was quite multicultural. They are hoping to get state funding- so of course would have to be mulitcultural then. The totnes one isn't multicultural - but then nor is totnes!

I do know what you mean about the subculture- and I think any movement that is separate from the mainstream has to watch out for that I guess. for me they were very much there in my hour of need though - and I liked them precisely because they were accepting of us (at the time I did very unsteiner things like vaccinate my children as well- and my son rather embarrasingly (from a steiner point of view as he was 2!) couldn't talk but could read. He used to spend most of the time freaking out about the door-and practicaly destroying all the drapes- but they accepted him.

Used to like the herbal tea they dished out as well. If we were still in London I would send ds2 to that particular school without hesitation.

I don't have direct experience of Steiner schools but my dh was burser of one for some years and his 4 children went there. Eldest daughter loved every moment and is one of the most immature people I have ever met (now 26). Son hated it as he fell out with his teacher and you are stuck with the same teacher all the way through. Middle daughter loved it. Is very bright and artistic. She wasn't taught to read until she was 7 which I thought was a pity as she is so bright but when she started she learnt in 2 weeks. So I suppose it's right that you learn best when you are ready. Youngest daughter wasn't there for long enough but enjoyed it. I don't understand about the vaccinations as Weleda was set up by the Steiner Medical Foundation and they make vaccinations. DH said the anthroposophy was kept well hidden in true cult fashion. He had a bad time with no head teacher as no-one ever took ultimate responsibility for anything. They kept taking it in turns...I think lots of art is good but it is all very similar and, I think, instantly recognisable as Steiner art. The best part of the education was that subjects were all mixed up together. History, geography, art, maths - all done together. For instance, what were the Elizabethans like, where did they live, when what did they wear, eat, paint etc.

god some aspects sound awful, exactly what i don't want (rigid, inflexible, non-accepting etc). and some sound wonderful...again more about the school i think than anything else. i talked to my sister tonigth and she very sensibly said that i should be lead by ds: he may be v v academic and thrive in an atmosphere of hothouse=ness (i sort of hope not weirdly) or may be more creative type or may just be down the line and i should judge the school based on his needs not my projected wishes for my child kind of thing. i just wish we didn't test children so young in this country and i wish learning was more child lead iyswim...

whoops- baby joined in and thought i'd lost post!

Shrub, I quite agree about the art. Eldest daughter did art A level at 6th form college - no A levels at her Steiner school - and could never get rid of what I always felt were rather soppy colours. Though she loves them! I feel very strongly that education should suit the child. Some are academic, some aren't. Let them all flourish! And I am sure all Steiner schools are as different from each other as state schools can be. My 4 are now at local comp. Excellent school. All very happy and appear to be doing well - time will tell. I did very badly at school due to immense laziness but had a rich mother (those were the days) who sent me to a crammer so I got As and went to university. I do not have a career, I do not have money, I have a rented house, too many children, a boring job and I am happy. My children are lovely and so is my DH!

ahh thats what i like to hear a happy mummy!! me too. my ds1 and ds2 have taught me so much about whats really important. before children i lived for my next pay cheque and would zigzag along the clothes and antique shops buying god knows what. then when my first was born he held up a mirror and sort of woke me up. i try and cherish every moment now - sleep permitting

jimjams -are you thinking of going for exeter? its amazing what we will do for our children -hence my poor dh and all the travelling. a friend has been travelling from chagford to dartington everday, though she has recently moved nearer. i heard of one family at the steiner in totnes who lived in okehampton who found travel too much so bought a campervan and lived in the steiner carpark during the week and went home at weekends!!!

oh no campervans are a dangerous place for me. No - there's no way we could do Exeter because of ds1's school (and there's no way he could do Steiner). If we lived in Exeter I would- but its just not possible with ds1.

Failed on safeguarding again. Rudolf Steiner school Kings Langley:
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/117631

nanettawoman
Did you really have to revive 5 very old Steiner threads to post this-why not just start one new thread of your own?

Have reported for spamming.

Annetta I notice you have resurrected numerous xombie threads on Steiner schools. I am interested to know why. Are you an ex teacher/pupil? At a school in direct competition with a Steiner school? It would be interesting to know.