Welcome to the UK’s first Academy offering Steiner education

We provide a co-educational school for children from early childhood right through to school leaving age (3 to 16). The Steiner Waldorf approach is based on the simple but profound insight that children learn in different ways at different stages of their development. Pupils learn traditional subjects through distinctive and time-tested teaching methods that serve the children’s intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual development in ways that are suited to their age.

Why Waldorf?

‘Waldorf’ is an unfamiliar term in the English-speaking world. The first school to actively work with Steiner’s ideas and principles opened in Stuttgart, in 1919. The school was an educational initiative for the children of the workers of the Waldorf Astoria cigarette company. Today, Steiner schools the world over share a curriculum outline, or framework that is commonly referred to as the Waldorf curriculum.

Steiner Education

The principles of Steiner educationa are inspired by a body of work and ideas known as ‘anthroposophy’ – a thorough and comprehensive study of the nature of the human being and the world, go to Teacher > Experience for more information.

We observe that children move through three broad phases of development of roughly seven years each. These phases have a general character while each child manifests their development and growth in a unique way.

In the first seven years of life a young child grows and develops from a tiny infant – physically dependent and in need of continual care and help – to a child who can stand upright, run, climb, make things, listen and talk, express wishes, play imaginatively, and understand stories and instructions. This is a time to nurture the growing body of the child in a warm and supportive atmosphere in which learning is by imitation and by doing.

The second seven years sees the child ready to take on a new style of learning having built the foundations of the physical body. Children are now ready to learn through love and respect and to engage through their feelings. We find that when children’s feelings of wonder and enthusiasm are awakened through imagination and beauty, they will relate both to the subject and to the teacher who brings it, and this learning becomes strong and securely rooted. The class teacher gets to know each child deeply and so can bring the curriculum in the best way for each child and the class as a whole.

The third period of seven years, though not completed at school, is marked by the exploration of concepts and ideals, and the journey towards clear and independent thinking. Here the curriculum aims to encourage the young person to observe the world, to question how things work, to look at ethics and philosophy, to try and perceive truth and to learn about themselves and their personal gifts in a safe and a supportive environment. The young person should face questions such as: ‘Who am I? What have I to offer the world?’

The structure of the Steiner Academy reflects these stages:

• Early years: Kindergarten (ages 3 to 6+)
• Lower School (ages 6 to 14)
• The Upper School (ages 14 to 16)

There is also an associated Parent and Child group based in Llanwarne Village Hall. It provides several sessions per week, and is open to any parent or carer of a baby or young child (from birth to starting school).

Academy

Academies are all-ability, state-funded schools established and managed by sponsors; our sponsor is the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship (steinerwaldorf.org.uk). Our educational approach is innovative, fresh and distinctive; we also have a specialism. Surrounded as we are by some of the country’s most beautiful landscape, our specialism is The Natural Environment.

The Steiner Academy Hereford may be a new Academy, but we have 25 years of history as the Hereford Waldorf School.

On the one hand, we are fortunate to be part of the village and community of Much Dewchurch with its own culture and history and we are also members of an international network of over 1,000 Steiner schools that are spread all over the world.

For more information about School Governors go to Parent > Organisation.