Class one
From the age of six and a half years the children enter Class One. They will stay with the same teacher throughout the middle school years. This continuity allows a strong bond to develop between teacher and pupil, backed by close communication between teacher and parent. This long-term relationship can be a journey of growth for both pupil and teacher and is in itself a lesson in human relationships. Teaching is also supported by subject specialists. Small classes may be combined to create a stronger learning group and a healthy social environment.
| In the (Steiner) Waldorf schools, we believe that everything that children learn must go through the heart. Out of the heart comes the impulse for doing. And out of willing and doing come understanding. So the whole of the child is touched by what we teach them - in thinking, feeling, willing and discovering little by little, in trying to answer gradually those tremendous riddles: Who am I? What is my relationship to other human beings?”, and “What is the meaning of existence? Rene M. Querido, Creativity in Education - The Waldorf Approach, 1982 |  |
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Children are encouraged to work with one another in an atmosphere of collaboration rather than competition. Emphasis is placed upon the challenge of completing work to each child’s own best standard, rather than on speed and quantity of work. The teacher uses close observation to understand each child’s needs and talents. Assessment is supported by visiting colleagues from other Steiner schools. There is no national testing. |
During the Class Teacher years, the curriculum unfolds to meet the pupils’ changing developmental needs. The teacher’s work is to engage the children’s moral and spiritual feelings in the content of the curriculum which is brought to life through stories and artistic exploration. In this way the children’s imagination is stimulated so that what is learnt becomes meaningful and memorable. |
