What Our Families Say…

I recently moved my two children from a mainstream preparatory school focusing on 11 plus to The St Michael Steiner School because I feel the current mainstream education system is pushing our children very much down a ‘one size fits all’ academic education with the priority on passing exams and getting results. My son had started to develop signs of stress, (including a facial tic), with the amount of pressure he was under and homework assigned in order to meet the current standard in education required to pass the 11 plus. My children were not enjoying learning, not enjoying the pressures, not enjoying the homework and generally not enjoying school. In addition to this, anecdotal discussions with other employers, like me, is that children graduating from mainstream education currently have had so many years of being drilled on how to pass exams that their creative and lateral thinking skills are sorely diminished – many not knowing how to cope if they are not told what to do. I chose to move them to a Steiner school because I strongly believe that children at the school are allowed to grow and learn at a pace that is more suited to the natural development of children. My children are now finding learning fun, which is the way it should be. Learning is a life skill that, if encouraged, will benefit them for the rest of their life. They are now enjoying school and are genuinely upset if they have to miss school when ill. They are learning from a very diverse curricula, including hands on learning, which is also giving them valuable life skills. I chose a Steiner education for them as I wish my children to be able to grow into adults that are creative and can cope with the challenges of life that inevitably require creative solutions. Discussions with the staff and older children at the Steiner school together with the evidence of the obvious happiness of my children with their new school keeps me firmly convinced that the Steiner approach to education, where the formal learning takes place at a later stage of their development and learning is encouraged in a wide number of subjects with common interlinking themes, will give my children the best opportunity to become adults capable of being happy and employable in the modern world.

Marc C. (Lower School Parent)

Our son went to a wonderful, small church state Primary from the age of 3-10 but despite being nurtured there he didn’t thrive educationally, he wasn’t learning in the way he needed to be taught. Having endured the constant evidence-based, ‘box ticking’ processes of navigating through Mainstream, we realised that he needed much more time and creativity to allow his education to take root. Learning to test and being young in his year would have led him down a very difficult route through education and done nothing for his self-esteem. Our options were very unsatisfactory despite several outstanding Ofsted schools being local, they were not going to be the answer.

We wish we had found St Michael’s sooner for our son…. it has extended his childhood and given him the opportunity to initiate, debate, express and execute a whole range of subjects he may never have had the opportunity to try. Rather than being weighed down by testing, the students focus on where they are now, daily developing courage and confidence working closely with each other and their mentors. The teachers, who we cannot fault in their commitment and skills, are instilling a love of learning, and a pride in their work and presentation.

Now, in the High School, there is a wonderful energy in Class 9, a curiosity to learn and a feeling of responsibility present. some astonishing talents emerge through a broad and inspiring curriculum which, rather than limiting choices at this age (pre-GCSE), is opening their horizons and interests at a time when they need it most.

The school is a safe and welcoming base with a huge sense of being part of a community, working together and connecting with all age groups.. something that everyone needs in life whatever else they achieve. 
Please applaud the different approach this school has to offer, it is a refreshing and healthy, heart-warming oasis in which many children can be who they are and flourish. They should be proud of their education when they step into the world.

Sophie W. (High School Parent)

It was such an unbelievable relief to find this haven, where they prioritise our children’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing above all. Where we trust the teachers to really see our children.  Where we as parents also benefit from the insights of experienced teachers who are rooted in love and compassion.

What a contrast from what we had seen before, though we had travelled far and wide, to both mainstream and well-intentioned alternative schools. This kindi has an atmosphere of peace and safety; straightaway, it felt like home. We came from nearly 8 years, since our eldest was born, of anxiety that we would find no school or community where our children could be safe and free to grow into themselves. This kindi has made bringing children into the world exciting and joyful again.

Mum to Kindergarten student and Class 2 student.

After visiting St Michael's for their open day, we fell in love with it and couldn't imagine our 5-year-old son anywhere else. We moved house last summer to be nearer to the school, and he started Kindergarten in September. The seamless way he settled in speaks volumes - the environment is warm, welcoming, and truly feels like a home-away-from-home for the children.

From a parent's perspective, you become part of a wonderful community and can truly relax, knowing that the children are being cared for by their teachers with the utmost compassion and attention.

We couldn't be happier with our decision to join the school and look forward to our youngest son joining kindergarten at the end of this year.

Mum to Kindergartent student.

We are so incredibly grateful to this wonderful school. Our 5 and 10 year old children are thriving here and have enjoyed every minute of the past 18 months since they joined. Our 5 year old comes home every day full to the brim with joy and stories of outdoor adventures with friends, shared meals, and all he has learned and enjoyed during the day. His favourite things are eurythmy and playing outdoors. He feels safe and contained by the regular rhythm and knows each day's menu and activities. We had a bit of a stressful period before we arrived in the area and Maria has encouraged him gently to feel calm and  confident in his abilities and to relax into the magical world of a 5 year old. Our 10 year old is loving class 4. He has a real thirst for knowledge and is energised by all he is learning and the way he is learning. They are often out on adventures relating to their learning block to museums, farms, weaving studios, local markets, walking the length of the Thames and learning about the history of the local area.  For me as a parent I love the school festivals, the yearly rhythm really helps us all to connect to nature and the seasons in a really beautiful way. The dedication and love of the teachers and the passion for what they do and for supporting the children to fulfil their individual potential is so inspiring. It's such a beautiful place to be.

Mum to Kindergarten student and Class 4 student.

We’ve had our daughter in this school for almost 3 years now and, from day 1, there wasn’t a single school morning when we didn’t see her enthusiasm about the day she had ahead. Not only do we see an extremely well-balanced child flourishing but, right from the start, we could clearly see excellent teaching standards revealed in her self-made text, maths and arts books and projects. This school is certainly having a big influence on her passion for reading, promising mathematical thinking and deep notion and daily practice of good human values. Her teacher holds the class firmly but lovingly, allowing each child to express their individuality the best way possible while keeping the group cohesive in a constant practice of respect for each other and mutual help. Our son is now in Class 1. He joined the school for a wonderful last year in the kindergarten where the teachers made an outstanding work in getting him ready for formal learning with a weekly practice of thoughtful and dedicated projects. Now in his first grade, he’s showing an increasing interest in practicing his newly learned academic skills even at home (“self-homework”), a very good capacity to stay focused and general high enthusiasm for learning. Feeling safe, respected and appropriately stimulated at school as he does, in a classroom led by a natural-born and professionally skilled teacher, are certainly a sound basis to allow him to achieve the best academic standards possible and to become a valued and valuable citizen to the world.

Joana M. (Kindergarten and Lower School Parent)

St Michael Steiner School has a beautiful atmosphere for children to grow and develop holistically. The teachers and parents create a well-knit community focused on providing the Steiner-Waldorf philosophy in the best way possible to prepare the kids for all aspects of life.  It’s very encouraging to see how all this becomes evident in the children as they gradually embody qualities and skills in the most natural and organic manner.

Kindergarten student and Class 2 Dad

Our daughter has been in the school since kindergarten. She is now graduating from Class 12 and is choosing which University offer to accept for her next step. The assessment-based approach to her learning has been brilliant. She knows how to research, how to learn and also we see the roots of kindergarten stretching right up into the bright, creative young woman she has become today. There is a golden thread that stays with the children throughout their journey in the school - one that allows them to stay true to themselves and in contact with their passion and their authenticity. Fifteen years in this education system has really shown us that there is another possibility for the way children are educated, held and prepared for the wider world.

Hollie Holden (Class 12 Parent)

My daughter is in kindergarten. She feels very happy and safe in the school. She loves the school immensely. Over the time she has developed strong communication and social skills. Her fine motor skills are very strong. She is able to make lots of lovely craft with her little fingers. I feel the school has provided an excellent environment for my daughter’s well-rounded physical, emotional, cognitive and social development. She is really thriving fully in the school’s early years education framework.

Nisa S. (Kindergarten Parent)

Steiner schools are an institute of the education sector that prides itself on nurturing the human being as a whole, looking after its intellectual, physical, mental, emotional and social needs. It is an education that is organic, it bends, stretches contracts, lives and breathes. The focus is on the little humans, allowing them to grow and blossom into the beauty that they long to be. The curriculum as an overview, although very similar in content in most subjects to mainstream, is still allowed versatility to adapt to the needs of the moment it lives in. This week again was a fine example of the versatility of Steiner Education. My Son’s classmate had been working on an interesting handwork project which required the art of weaving reeds into baskets, so he took initiative and learnt how to do it from YouTube, made his project and thought of bringing to share it with the class, but he didn’t bring in his finished project to share, no not yet, he brought in the experience! He collected all the leftover reeds and brought them to share with his class and teach them how to weave. The entire class spent their extra main lesson learning how to weave led by this young boy, the teacher included! My son then brought home his exquisitely woven plate and gave it as a present to his grandmother! This, this is what Steiner education is really about! The learning, learning to learn! It’s not important what the content is; there is more focus on the learning, the art of teaching, transferring knowledge from one to another in a way that is most suited for the age, the class and the individual!

Meher E. (Kindergarten, Lower and Middle School Parent)

I feel very lucky my wife found the kindergarten at the start of my sons schooling. We have been with St Michael’s from class one and he is in class eight now. At every stage the school has shown intelligence and compassion which has nurtured and stretched my son’s learning. As a parent I am constantly inspired by the way the school teaches: his interest in going to the school is real and his enjoyment of learning in itself is being kindled. In some ways it’s like being with a butterfly in the chrysalis. You have to trust that there is the most powerful and beautiful creature in there. Being patient, watching one’s own impulse to fearfully want your child to be somewhere they are not, it becomes possible to really appreciate childhood and the gifts of it for children and adults alike. I think that is an important thing to support and protect without letting oppressive, self-serving protocol and curricula burden the process. And what is so lovely is we are getting a few peeks at the edges of his teen wings that are developing magnificently as he nudges into the high school. The schools’ working with nourishing and supporting these butterflies really is extraordinary and skilful. The way they work with the age-appropriate learning the stages of child development, I have found utterly inspiring: It makes so much sense. When I found, our child, suddenly, one day taking reading bites out of whole bookshelves I started to realise how grateful I was he hadn’t been forced to read when it was better to be allowed to be in an earlier stage, of imitation. This school and the college are a complete godsend for me, I now know it’s possible for education to be truly useful and supportive of the truth about people, bringing out an education that respects who my son actually is and is becoming.

Elmer P. (Middle School Parent)

My three children have been at the St Michael Steiner school since 2003. We initially began in the mother/baby group as my first child seemed to entirely relax there. It felt natural to continue, and thus we stayed, with all three all having attended kindergarten, and lower school and the elder two more recently, in the Upper School. As the method of education differs from our own experience, as well as the mainstream curriculum generally, we have had to learn with them. And what a joy that has been. On occasion there were doubts, sometimes questions but each time these were resolved by simply looking at our children, who have flourished and developed in a way we could never have imagined. It has been satisfying, learning to be patient, having trust, developing an understanding of age-appropriate teaching and its immense benefits – intensely so now as they move through the upper school, and we see how so clearly the layers of learning integrate. Our eldest daughter is confident, clear-thinking, knowledgable and very adept practically (she taught herself the accordion for a school project and has created an income making workwear clothing and selling online). She will be making her university application at the end of this year. My second daughter studied the history of film, made a Super 8 movie and more recently returned from a month-long German language exchange. And my son returns from school every afternoon, makes us both a cup of tea and gives me a detailed run-down of the things he has learned that day. It really is his little ritual, because he’s happy and engaged.

Natalie M. (Middle and High School Parent)

As a family new to Steiner Education in September 2018, we were initially a little sceptical about the validity of Eurythmy classes.  On reflection, however, and with engaged feedback from our children, we find it has been a very educational and positive experience for them.  I now think that Eurythmy is opening up their special and emotional awareness of those around them, and this overflows out of the class into other parts of their lives.  As teenagers, they have (naturally) become more introspective and self-absorbed. Eurythmy seems to request that they actively look out for others in the group, making space for all the individuals involved and accepting them and their contributions with open minds.  I can also now appreciate that the intentional and thought-out movements involving large muscles groups of the body positively influence and strengthen smaller muscle group movements, enabling more confident hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.  The interpretation of sounds and words encourage listening skills that will improve their communication.

We are really pleased that our children are given this opportunity to experience such a creative and effective activity in their education.

Ingrid M. (Middle and High School Parent)

The High School at St Michael’s is a unique culmination of the Waldorf students progression through the years of Kindergarten and the lower school. My daughter has developed through the school from class 1 to class 9 High school. This year she has demonstrated the ability to complete eloquent and well-structured essays in English and Humanities. She has completed independent projects, recitations and presentations. I have been impressed by her documentation of experiments in Science and the solving of complex algebraic problems. She uses IT appropriately to support and complete assignments. She is developing her interest in music composition in the current music block and is playing both the piano and clarinet. She is motivated and committed to completing her CSE at St Michaels.  We live and socialize in a mixed community of families, who attend state mainstream, private schools and Steiner schools. My daughter tells me she is happy with her education at St Michael Steiner School and she has ambitions to continue in further education. I am delighted with the progress she has made in her work in class 9 and the young adult she is becoming.

Eleanor D. (High School Parent)

My daughter has started this year in class 9. She was in mainstream education (at a very good primary school where I was and remain a school governor), until the end of her year 5 when we moved her to St Paul’s Steiner School in Islington.

We have made a decision to keep her in Steiner education even though it is very difficult, expensive and inconvenient as we live on the opposite side of London and her journey time to school is up to two hours each day.

We have no regrets about our decision (and neither does our daughter) since the quality of the education she receives is excellent. In my capacity as school governor in her previous school, I spend a lot of time sifting through data pertaining to progress and achievement. I and the teaching staff know that this data does not represent the ‘real’ progress and attainment of the children save in the very narrow boundaries that Ofsted are (or were until recently) interested in. We also know that the collection of the data is contrary to the needs of the children. At St Michael school I have no such concerns. I am aware daily of her progress, her critical thinking has been sharpened beyond measure. (I am a university lecturer and I wish that my students had critical abilities even close to those of the current class 9). Her knowledge of subjects is wide, varied and increasingly comprehensive and this is the result of the content and delivery of the wide and creative curriculum (so lacking in mainstreams schools). Her knowledge of gardening finds a place with her literacy, her history and her mathematics. The subjects combine and integrate as they should. She has developed a resilience that she never would have developed in her mainstream school along with a thirst to learn things for their own sake rather than to pass tests created for the agendas of others.

She feels very safe at the school because she is safe there. Hence she is happy and willing to get out of bed each day at 6am and take a long and tedious commute on a packed train from one side of London to the other, change trains and then finally cycle the last two miles to the school. I would commend the school and its curriculum and philosophy to anybody.

Gordon M. (High School Parent)

Description goes "Our daughter attended kindergarten at St Michael Steiner School, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. We began with the Parent and Child sessions, which provided a beautiful environment for children under five and their parents to connect. It offered us a wonderful introduction to the Steiner approach. Since starting kindergarten, our daughter has truly blossomed in this nurturing and kind atmosphere. The teachers are remarkable individuals who genuinely care for each child. The curriculum beautifully integrates the seasons and cultural festivals, creating a rich tapestry of themes throughout the year. The rhythm and flow of daily activities are incredibly creative, fostering playful wonder and learning. Joining St Michael's means becoming part of a vibrant community—a family that supports one another on this educational journey."

Julian M, Class 1 Parent