HelpPlease- yes- we are all absolutely delighted to have moved, and yes, it's still working out.
They love their schools- all of them, particularly the youngest. They have a hunger for learning and books. The eldest and the youngest love science particularly, the middle one reading. The eldest has done really well in art too, she's excited by the freedom to use different media and techniques - copying the wet on wet was quite restrictive for her.
I miss ther fact they're not outdoors as much- (the youngest is still at primary though, so they do go out quite a lot) and I miss the singing, although they all, including the secondary school, have compulsory music. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised about how great state school is actually! There's very little testing, they do amazing activities, many do languages now. Most primary schools are very creative and the children are stimulated and nurtured so well.
What size school will yours be going to? Are the head/teachers aware and sympathetic to your situation? Have they had other exsteiner children?
We've been extremely lucky, I'm very aware of it. I really hope you are too.
I would take on board what goblinchild said though, if the schools they are going to don't know about Steiner's teaching - maybe a Gilbert Childs book or something; trying to condense the whole belief system into an objective picture would be impossible!
I'm so sorry for your situation, in that you still want your dcs there but can't. It's not only the earning money when you're a parent there is it? It's having to be available in the afternoons until they're 10'ish, and the helpingwith cleaning, gardening and fundraising. I don't know how most people do it tbh, unless they have a private income, because it's crippling.
I understand how difficult it is.
Moving schools is a huge huge decision.
It would be disingenious of me not to say that we left because we don't believe in anthroposophee; also, at our school the teaching was dire, there was bullying not delt with, and when we read Steiner's work, and found out about anthroposophy, we were horrified and angry that we hadn't been told anything about it or how integral it is to the method and content of the schools. The lead up to our decision to leave was fraught with meetings where questions weren't answered, or teachers actually turning and disappearing as we tried to arrange a meeting to talk.
So we are looking at it from different view points as it were.
Also- we aren't actually allowed to discuss this on mumsnet- if you search the archives you'll see why.
You're welcome to cat me. I hope the transistion goes well.