Your school is sometimes described as ‘alternative’ or ‘progressive’. How different is it?

This is a matter of opinion, and perspective. There are significant differences in aspects such as timetabling—with the broad-based Main Lesson programme continuing all the way through to Class 12. And there are subjects taught at our school which aren’t taught elsewhere, such as eurythmy and stained glass-making. However, our mission is no different to any other School: through education, we support young people to become happy, healthy and resilient; equipped to meet the world as confident, responsible individuals.

However, our school is noticeably different in the way we emphasise age-appropriate learning; in the continuity of our pastoral care structure, and in our stipulation of clear rhythms. This distinctiveness is partly a function of our ethos, which recognises and elevates the spiritual dimension of the human being. Some people would call this ‘progressive’ or ‘alterative’—largely because it isn’t recognised as ‘mainstream,’ but for Steiner/Waldorf teachers, it’s simply ‘education.’