Do you know Steiner Glasgow Primary School?

[BlueOrchid65]

Hi,I need all opinions about this school. Please tell me about.
Many thanks.

Can you give me more details why?

There are lots of reasons to be concerned about Steiner schools. Try here for a start.

Learn about the fundamentals of Steiner's philosophy Anthroposophy before you even consider sending your DC there.

do a quick search for steiner schools on mumnet for a start - one thing that has been rasied for some of them is not dealing with bullying very well

One quote from the link I provided:

But the Steiner dream ends for many families with the realisation that their child is academically far behind his or her peers. Susan Godsland, an independent reading intervention expert, has helped many ex-Steiner children learn to read at 8, 9 and 10. Though she acknowledges that some children can blossom in Steiner school, that a percentage will learn to read earlier in spite of the pedagogy, she believes it?s cruel to deny a child the chance to read until so late. In the last paragraphs of her Room 101 she explains why early reading isn?t encouraged. A child is ?blessed? with not being able to read and write, since Steiner says early reading will hinder the later spiritual development of children. She adds: ?this is simply mumbo-jumbo and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.?

When you talk to the school, they say "We just let them learn at their own pace, no need to push them to read" etc. Then you read Steiner and learn he said not to teach children anything intellectual (including reading/writing) until their adult teeth start coming in (age 6-7) because that is when reincarnation of their souls is complete You go back to school, ask them if this is why they don't teach kids to read sooner, and why they didn't tell you before, they say "You knew we are a Steiner school. It was up to you to research and find out what that means" in that creepy singsong voice

I feel a lot negatif opinions for this school. My child has an attention disorder and he need a school with a small class. That why I choose this school. So what to do?

Yes, He s already in a private school and I feel we are unwanted from other parents. We need helps but during one year we ve surfed on free style. I did on my best for helping my child but at last my DC didn t reached the level and a lot of stress with relationship. He s waiting for an assessement to find out what spectrum of autism. And it's too long for us to cope with a normal school life. I feel so sorry for my DC...

Many private schools as I understand it are not good with children with special needs - the state sector can often be better - I would look at the local mumsnet for suggestions on good schools
the special needs section on mumsnet could also offer some support

Thank you.

OP - I would run a mile from any Steiner school. But especially if I had a DC with SEN....because they often need specialist help to get the basics right. There needs to be a robust anti-bullying policy in place, great teaching of all the basics, awareness of possible socialisation etc. issues. NONE of which you would get in a Steiner school.

An academically average or above average child might just come out of Steiner education OK, but a child requiring any special help will likely leave at 16 with no qualifications and possibly serious academic issues, literact, numeracy etc.

I went to see a state school near my house and there are about 32 pupils in a class. Even with help from council, will my child be able to learn normally? will he reach the academic level? Ideal is to find a school with a small class and with therapy psychologic team help. How can I find a state school with a small class?

Lots of kids with ADHD do fine in a state school.

I would not assume he needs a small class, or that a smaller class would help him.

He'd be best off in a school that's experienced in ADHD - and most state schools are.

Which is not to say all state schools are equally good at handling it.

BlueOrchid65 please be aware that any discussion of Steiner Education on Mumsnet is jumped on and dominated by self-styled steiner-waldorf critics. They?re individuals who spend a great deal of time looking on internet discussion boards for posts about Steiner Education, in order to post negative and off-putting comments. They are individuals, some are calm and clear, others are rabid and manic, some are funny, some bitter, some wistful, some scornful. Some have had negative experiences at Steiner schools and often generalise these experiences to cover ?all? Steiner schools or Steiner education. Some actually have no experience of Steiner schools whatsoever, and really are more critical of anthroposophy than of Waldorf education. Unfortunately it makes it virtually impossible to have any meaningful or genuine discussion here, and for people like yourself who are trying to figure out what is right for your child means that Steiner Education can be ruled out based on internet platitudes alone. If you?re looking at Glasgow Steiner School, visit, spend time there (as you would at any school, right?), and meet your child?s future teachers. Talk to parents and students. Don?t let critics dissuade you, and don?t let Steiner aficiandos convince you. Gather information and make the decision based on your own experience and your own thinking. Good luck x
ssagarin.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/waldorf-criticsthe-faq-youve-been.html

Junoper - why do you say "don?t let Steiner aficiandos convince you" then link to a proponent of Steiner site?

I'm not pro or anti Steiner but an avid follower of the threads for however long they remain (this one will get removed eventually) because sooner or later one of the more rabid Steiner afficianados pops up and starts arguing in such a bizarre way that it makes your head hurt. Cheaper than taking mind altering drugs though.

Junoper - re "any discussion of Steiner Education on Mumsnet is jumped on and dominated by self-styled steiner-waldorf critics. They?re individuals who spend a great deal of time looking on internet discussion boards for posts about Steiner Education, in order to post negative and off-putting comments."

Quite the opposite, actually. Whenever there is a Steiner thread, Steiner cronies like YOU appear. You know, people who have never posted anything else on MN.

Those of us who have warned others about Steiner schools are long time members of MN.

Who are you?

"They?re individuals who spend a great deal of time looking on internet discussion boards for posts about Steiner Education, in order to post negative and off-putting comments"

That's weird because I recognise all the others who've posted as regular MNers. You, on the other hand, are a stranger to me. Cod? Nobdies? Nice ham? Thought not... And THAT is what puts me off Steiner

What's interesting to me about Steiner schools is that they are, to my knowledge, the only education programme / system / philosophy / call it what you will which, when googled, throws up "survivor" websites. That alone would set off alarm bells for me.

I am not mad about Montessori schools or Bedales-esque liberal schools, but they don't have "survicors" who are setting up support sites to help adults overcome the damage they experienced as children / young adults.

Steiner does.