Steiner Children?

Question

I would like to hear from people who have experienced a Steiner education...Primarily those who experienced Steiner from age 8 up...ex pupils, teachers, parents, good news or bad...

Answer 1

My 3 children went to a Steiner school and it was a disaster.

My daughter's experience was horrific. She was a very sensitive child and she was badly bullied. The teachers did nothing about it and I was once told that she 'asked for it'. I have since been told that Steiner teachers believe that children should 'work through their Karma' and don't believe in interfering.

All 3 of my children were dyslexic some extent and received very little specialist help. The school refused to refer my eldest son to an education psychologist as they don't believe in that either. He couldn't cope with college because he wasn't prepared and is in an unskilled job even though he has an IQ in the gifted range.

I have heard many people say how much they loved and benefited from Steiner education but they all either had a few years of state education first or had extra tuition outside school. Many children who go straight through Steiner school are very late readers. My daughter was not reading at 9 when we finally removed her. Having the same class teacher throughout can be good if you get on with the teacher. It is h**l if there is a difficult relationship.

I wouldn't recommend anyone sending a special needs child, especially a dyslexic one, as they won't get the help they need. I think a gifted or academically minded child would be bored. A sporty child like my eldest would hate the ban on football. A reasonably bright artistic child with no specific learning problems may well get on ok, might really enjoy it.

But please be careful, keep a close eye on what is going on and believe everything your child says about bullies or abuse. It will be denied by the teachers

Answer 2

I went to Rudolf Steiner school in Kings Langley from the age of 10 -16 (started in class 5). I am now almost 30,

I loved it and would recommend the education to anyone. My mum moved me to Steiner as she felt the private school I was at before was too pressured for me ( I'm not very academic).

My younger brother was also moved from his boarding school when he was 11 and was there until he was 16 too. We both completed our GCSE's there but both left to go to college before our  A Levels.

For a child of 8 I think its great, very arty and creative, lots of singing. I wish I had started at the beginning! I had wonderful experience with all the teachers and many are still there 14 years down the line. From class 1-8 (ages 6-14) you have the same teacher for most of your lessons and its not until class 9 (the upper school that you have specialist teachers). This is great if you get on with the teacher of your year but can be a bit of a problem if you don't.

The only negatives I can think of is there is a limited choice for your GCSE and A levels (but this could have changed).

When I have children I will be sending them to Steiner but my best friend has decided not to.

I don't know if this is helpful to you and I'm rambling a bit. But I think its a great school, very friendly and teachers, parents and pupils develop good relationships.