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Original poster

So if your only choice was a strict Anglican school or Rudolph Steiner...

68 replies

MythicalChicken · 27/04/2017 06:49

... which would you choose?

Unfortunately we find ourselves in this ridiculous situation. On the one hand we are atheists so the Anglican school goes against our beliefs. On the other hand we are worried that the Steiner school will not be academic enough.

I need to know what my fellow MN'ers would do. It's for our DS who is just about to go into secondary. Thanks.

OP posts:
frums · 27/04/2017 06:53

I'd move!

BillywigSting · 27/04/2017 06:55

Steiner for me. I went to a strict Catholic secondary school and hated every oppressive second of it. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

What makes you think the steiner school won't be academic enough?
Do they offer gcse exams? Even if they don't offer a levels or equivalent your ds could go to college.

MongerTruffle · 27/04/2017 06:55

The Anglican school. They can't indoctrinate children. The only difference you may find is that they do a prayer in the morning. If your DS doesn't believe it doesn't mean anything to him, and all schools have to hold some form of broadly Christian worship daily. If you don't agree you have the right to send in a written request to withdraw him from religious acts of worship.

Original poster
MythicalChicken · 27/04/2017 06:57

I don't really know anything about Steiner. I had a look at the school's website and it looks a bit scary and hippyish.

OP posts:
sleepingdragons · 27/04/2017 06:57

The Steiner school is also based on a religion (Anthrosophy).

I've heard some pretty concerning stuff about Steiner and they are seen as a cult by some so with no other information to go on I'd choose the Anglican one - even as an athiest myself.

However in real life I'd make the decision based on actually visiting the schoolsand doing a lot of research locally.

I'd seriously consider moving tbh.

Original poster
MythicalChicken · 27/04/2017 06:58

DS can be a bit opinionated. I don't trust him not to mouth off about how it's all shit and then get himself expelled...

OP posts:
LotisBlue · 27/04/2017 06:58

I think you would have to visit both schools to get a feel for how much emphasis they put on the religious side.

sleepingdragons · 27/04/2017 06:59

MythicalChicken do a search for threads on Steiner on mumsnet. They will be eye opening!

ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 27/04/2017 06:59

Appeal to a third option on the grounds that your strict Pastafarianism makes your DS unable to attend the Anglican school. Well I'd be tempted anyway. But is the problem that you live in the middle of nowhere?

Anyway, of the two I'd go Anglican - it's not ideal but speaking as an atheist there are far worse things a school can be.

Original poster
MythicalChicken · 27/04/2017 06:59

For those suggesting we move, actually we ARE moving... to this place with just the two school options.

OP posts:
AuditAngel · 27/04/2017 07:01

We are Catholic but DS doesn't believe. He is almost 2 years into a very holy Catholic secondary. He has even been an altar server when asked. I think they enjoy discussions during RE to strengthen the beliefs of those who believe. He hasn't been threatened with expulsion (yet, parents' evening in 2 weeks)

Original poster
MythicalChicken · 27/04/2017 07:01

sleepingdragons, would you be so kind as to give me an overview of the Mumsnet opinion on Steiner schools? A couple of sentences would suffice.

Thanks Grin.

OP posts:
unlimiteddilutingjuice · 27/04/2017 07:01

Oh dear. A religous school doesnt appeal to me at all. But Steiner is such weird hippy bollocks. I'd rather send my kid to a Stirner school to learn how to be a ruthless individualist (joking: Max Stirner didn't do schools!)
I think you will just have to visit the schools and make your decision on other factors. E.g: what do the teachers seem like as individuals, what's the after school club like etc..
How did this situation come about though? Are there really no non denominational state schools in your area?

sleepingdragons · 27/04/2017 07:01

Why are you moving somewhere with such unsuitable options? Do you have no other choice? Is there time to reconsider?

There's no way I'd move to somewhere with such a poor school.choice unless we really had no other option.

imip · 27/04/2017 07:03

Not Steiner, horribly racist... read into the philosophy behind it / this is crucial. It also doesn't prepare a child for university, mainstream wducation will.

I'm an atheist also, but there is nothing wrong with learning about religion, I understand the apprehension.

Cantseethewoods · 27/04/2017 07:03

It cant be that strict Anglican if that's not an entry criteria can it?

Original poster
MythicalChicken · 27/04/2017 07:04

We are not in the UK.

OP posts:
ToffeeCaramel · 27/04/2017 07:09

Anglican but it depends what it's like. Strict as in good behaviour/ firm boundaries or something else?

sleepingdragons · 27/04/2017 07:12

MythicalChicken it's contentious, but those who are anti Steiner don't like that:

The education is based on a fundamental belief that we are reincarnated but that this is a gradual process. The job of the school is to help that process. I think it's when your adult teeth come through that you are fully reincarnated. They don't teach reading before then not becsuse they are following a Scandinavian model but because of a belief the kids are not fully reincarnated.

Steiner schools have been criticised for being woefully bad for special needs and behavioural issues, believing that your lot in this life is karma from the last and it's not their job to get involved.

People think they're creative but in fact they're weirdly prescriptive about art. The children's art all looks the same because there are a set of symbols they are encouraged to reproduce, a preferred palette, media and shapes (angles are bad, curves are good for some reason).

They believe in gnomes. They are anti-technology.

They are not up front about the religious aspect.

IIRC in Germany they are seen as a cult.

Others say not all the schools are like that and they don't all believe in anthrosophy any more.

sleepingdragons · 27/04/2017 07:14

If it's definitely your only choice then visiting and doing local resesrch is key.

DoItTooJulia · 27/04/2017 07:14

have you visited them?

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 27/04/2017 07:14

After just googling Steiner (and reading what I would hope would be an unbiased and balanced article on BBC.co.uk), I'd be choosing the Anglican school.

GwendolynMary · 27/04/2017 07:15

Based on a single visit to a Steiner school in a hippy hinterland town in Aus, I'd definitely go Anglican. There were 15yo children who hadn't really learned to read, as it wasn't 'their passion' and as a result, the children had never 'elected' to learn about it. Confused

You can de-brief about religious bullocks but you can't teach the entire secondary curriculum at home after school!

Original poster
MythicalChicken · 27/04/2017 07:16

have you visited them?

No, I'm too scared Grin.

OP posts:
GwendolynMary · 27/04/2017 07:16

*bollocks - my phone hates balls apparently Blush