Waldorf schools are different to main stream education in that they seek to educate head, heart and hands.

We believe in taking the whole human being into account and practice a developmental approach to the teaching. The subject material, the curriculum, must match the child’s level of consciousness as well as its technical ability.

This rhythm of immersion in a theme, say geography or history, then allowing it to settle, or sink into the background, is a key feature of Waldorf education.

The teacher prepares each lesson anew, taking into account the particular class, age and integration possibilities with other subjects. The material has to be adapted to suit different classes. This is one of the reasons that Waldorf schools do not teach from text books as they do not allow that degree of flexibility.

The children, however, are asked to make their own text books. The main lesson books thus created are a testimonial to and a reflection of what the children have learnt.

Children are taught in age groups with their peers. This means there is always a wide range of ability in any class. Being in mixed ability groups has the obvious social value of learning to appreciate the other person'’ gifts and to support them in their weaknesses.

We believe  competition is only healthy when it is self directed. The children are encouraged to think, “Can I do better than I did last time?” rat her than, “Can I do better than them?”

The class teacher stays with his/her class for the duration of the primary school years if at all possible. This fosters a very close bond between the children themselves and the children and teachers. The teacher is role model, authority, facilitator, referee, confessor and when the children are young, their conscience.

The learners in a Waldorf class often have a relationship akin to members of a family. Children learn from and through each other. Learning to deal with each other's gifts as well weaknesses and emerging personalities is an education in itself. This is thoroughly good preparation for the trials and tribulations of adult personal relationships.