Any experience in Steiner / alternative schools in london? Unhappy with current state school

[Chocochocolate]

My DC goes to an “excellent” state school that is much sought after. But I don’t think it suits him. He doesn’t like going and I think the volume of kids means he’s vanished a bit. And honestly, I feel a bit miserable for him that he’s on the treadmill (school, rote learning, exams, being judged on academic success, more exams, university). I would like another way! I’m starting to look into alternative schools, like Steiner etc.

Anyone send their kids to an alternative school? Or went to one? Would love to hear experiences!

And any schools you can recommend - ones that focus on being outdoors a lot, and DOING rather than rote learning, would love to hear about.

No experience of Steiner in London but I live in London and I think you should be able to find a school that fulfils your objectives without going completely the alternative way.

If you look up at the latest threads on Mumsnet re the Steiner maintained schools in the country, it should be a good sober up exercise too. I would try to find a balance between general education and learning the tools that will help you later in life, and having a happy and healthy experience.

Disclaimer I am not particularly impressed with Steiner and for all or any good intentions I think their methods are obscure and rather harmful too in the long term. Good luck with your decision.

rockylady - I’m just starting to look into it all now so it’s all new to me!

Do you mean a private school? Would love to hear of any that are really good at learning through play, getting kids outdoors, not exam focused, etc?

King Alfred’s in Golders Green?

I liked the idea of Steiner schools but when I looked into them more I found they had a very strange philosophy which put me off (anti-vax, strange ideas about disability, issues with bullying). Perhaps they no longer operate that way but I was disturbed. I do think you might be able to find a better middle ground. I was warned off "ofsted outstanding" schools as many are too pressured and exam focused.

It's not in London but my DC go to a prep school that has lots of time outside, forest school, school trips, lots of green space, allowing kids to take some risks,not too much pressure but good standards and a mix of abilities. I imagine there must be similar schools in London which mix learning and freedom.

Sunrise primary school in Tottenham.

Have you looked at St James in Olympia? Really lovely, happy school with a focus on wellbeing and brilliant arts department. If you are in South London and could bear the commute or move, then have a look at Frensham Heights in Farnham. If you’re in north London then maybe St Christopher’s or King Alfred. I don’t know much about Steiner Schools I’m afraid, but I did have a friend who went to one in New Zealand who was amazing at anything craft related- she could make little men out of Frerer Roche wrappers. Great dinner party trick!

Not in London but we have a Steiner school here which I did look into thinking it would be all enriching life experiences free from the shackles of mainstream education. What I found was a bunch of cultish anti-science (including as a pp said anti-vaxxing ) weirdos with no concern at all for safety, coherence, child development, knowledge or, crucially, care. It was diabolical. Kids are now deep in the jaws of the dreaded state and mostly very happy and thriving.

My kids are very happy, nurtured and thriving as well as doing well academically at a small 'requires improvement' state primary. They would utterly flounder in the environment you describe in your sons school. Look at the state options without looking at Ofsted. They are not all the same. Our school is working hard to improve the academics but by supporting the children as well as encouraging them and they have a really good programme of nuture groups to support children who are struggling socially.

What age is your son? What part of London? My kids state primary school is pretty laid back fair amount of play / pe / forest school / no ability groups etc. But it's still school and still routine / behaviour/ exams its large and under some financial pressure. I dont think there are any state secondaries like that around here though.

Sadly I don't know of any state schools but let's start a thread to lobby the government for some changes here!! My daughter goes to a democratic project in South London two days a week (We home ed). It's based on self directed education and humanistic principles - and runs in a nature reserve. It's tiny at the moment (11 children). I also know of another in South London called Wayfinders, Tipis wood near Chelmsford, and if you're willing to head out to Kent - there's the East Kent Sudbury Valley school. There's also an outdoor forest school/nursery that goes up to 9 years old (too young?) in Hampstead Heath called into the woods.