Free school in South London - Steiner

[heber jumble queen]

If you don't agree with the proposed school there's really no way of expressing this in your survey - which actually reads more like a petition of support. If this is the survey that you are using to demonstrate local support then I'm afraid it's flawed.

[Curmudgeon]

I just said NO to a lot of stuff and left the rest blank

I'll sign the petition against Steiner and attend any relevant meetings to object

[njc97]

Prickle, from the ofsted report for Hereford schools:

"The academy met the government?s floor targets for academic performance in the last year, when it first introduced the equivalent of five GCSE examinations. The examinations include GCSEs in English language, English literature and mathematics, and a BTEC in ecology studies which is equivalent to two GCSE examinations."

Re reading:

"Children [in the kindergarten] are immersed in the rhythm and rhyme of language, including verse, song, and stories, and this provides a firm foundation for learning to read. While their attainment in reading by the age of six years is well below the national expectation, as it is by age 11, pupils? attainment in GCSE English is above average."

The summary seems to be that Kindgarten there is very good, "proper" schooling about 50% good and 50% satisfactory. Of course that might just be one particular schoool rather than Steiner philosophy as a whole

[cam_beauty]

There are various Steiner schools around the country who do A-level and GCSE's while still following a Waldorf curriculum for other subjects. Do take a look at Michael Hall in Forest Row, just south of East Grinstead http://www.michaelhall.co.uk/a-childs-journey/upper-school/default.aspx and Canterbury Steiner School http://www.canterburysteinerschool.co.uk/upper-school.html

In the UK and Europe there is a move within Upper School to introduce a Waldorf Upper School qualification which will support Steiner students and give parents/students a different route than A-levels/GCSE's (or IB) see http://www.ecswe.org/europeanportfoliocertificate.php a similar route has been taken and accepted in Australia and NZ.

[Saffron]

The GCSEs/A-level system isn't necessarily the best one for all students anyway. Highly academically inclined students would do better in the International Baccalaureate system perhaps. http://www.humphrys-education.com/index.php/education/british-system-vs-ib

I'm curious how the proposed European Portfolio Certificate for Waldorf-Steiner will compare to the IB system?

[cam_beauty]

Dear all,

A need for a new school in the East Dulwich area is so needed for both primary and secondary children. A Steiner influenced school in the area could potentially solve some of the problems of lack of school places for the area and provide an alternative to what is available at present in ED while actively supporting local community projects and working closely with other local schools. The aim would be eventually to have a Free School supporting children from the age of 4 to 18. We are looking to build a group of interested people locally to take this project forward. If you are interested do pm me.

Saffron: the EPC is being piloted now along with the European Waldorf Diploma-do pm and I can send you more information.

[Curmudgeon]

Many of us do not want Steiner philosophy anywhere near our children so actually I think it would cause far more problems for the area!

[cam_beauty]

There is an opportunity in ED to support our children in Southwark - please do read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/dec/01/steiner-schools-cambridge-review for more information as to why this type of schooling might suit our children.

[Curmudgeon]

Also read any of the myriad 'Steiner survivor support forums'; read up on Anthroposophy and decide for yourself whether this is what you want - but please look beyond the initial liberal and extremely appealing 'ideals' that do fit well with ED bunting-cupcakery and truly investigate this approach to education.

[cam_beauty]

Yes Curmudgeon- it is great you are asking parents to be informed-the best place to start is here: http://www.steinerwaldorf.org/faqs.html this is the Steiner Fellowship page which supports schools across the UK.

It is also useful to get first hand experience by attending Open Days-there is one for the Waldorf School of SW London every Friday during term time: http://waldorflondon.co.uk/ all are welcome.

[cam_beauty]

Check out the Steiner Academy in Herefordshire: http://positivenews.org.uk/2011/community/education/5763/whole-child-educational-approach-mainstream/

[sal239]

hello,

I was wondering if your application for free school status has been successful and if you are setting up a Primary school in the East Dulwich area?

[Saffron]

I also enquired about this some time ago, no reply. From their webpage, they have a new permanent location (not ED) and are still a fee-paying school.

[dontpanic]

That's correct yes - they are based in Balham now and have permanent premises