Our UpperSchool offers a substantial Waldorf Curriculum to pupils of all ability levels. Students are taught Main Lessons each day by specialists in the sciences, arts (including: singing, Eurythmy, painting, pottery, metalwork and photography) the humanities, religion and gym. This daily study forms the backbone of our work with the pupils, giving each a broad, experiential education right up to Class 12 (18 years of age).
GCSEs and A LEVELS
Whilst competitive examinations play no part in the internal assessment in the school, each child is encouraged to attain their full potential, and therefore a complement of GCSEs and GCE ‘A’ levels are offered from Class 10 to Class 13. The importance of balancing these academic studies with the practical and aesthetic side of the Steiner Waldorf curriculum means that examinations are taken one year later than in most other schools. Year on year, our pupils consistently produce results well above the national average.
ART: Ceramics
The ceramics course in Class 9 aims to develop a self-motivated pupil with an increasing ability to observe, understand and apply knowledge to the making of artefacts with a practical use. The pupils gain a fuller understanding of the savouring of raw materials to the completion and firing of work, through experiencing the main making processes and glazing techniques; thus allowing the pupils a concrete vehicle to express their feelings and relationship to the world.
In Classes 10 & 11 an understanding of the visual world is developed through extending the pupils’ skills, experience and imagination during project work in 4 different areas of art. Pupils are encouraged to investigate through direct observation and researching the work of other artists, as well as using their own imagination. Through experimenting with different media and taking risks, they learn how to select and control a wide range of materials, whilst learning to demonstrate visually the thought process from a starting point to their final art work for GCSE.
The A level course provides an opportunity to work in a way that is both broader and deeper than anything approached at GCSE.
In Class 12 (AS level), personal expression is encouraged and developed in individual projects; these draw on an investigative, experimental, and analytical approach.
This is further developed in Class 13 (A2) where the pupils are encouraged to develop visual meaning through an expressive response to a personal context or social issue.
ART: Painting and Drawing
In Class 8, by looking at still life through light and shade, texture, form and space, the students become aware of the multitude of possible ways of representing reality. In Class 9, the drama of light and darkness provides the basis for artistic experience and a vehicle for expressing our feelings in relation to the environment. An introduction to printing techniques relates well to the harsh realities of our impact on it, whilst self-portrait work focusing on tone reminds us of both our humanity and vulnerability.
In Class 10 and 11, we deepen our understanding of the visual world by developing our technical skills. Students are encouraged to work from direct observation and imagination, to take risks and explore a wide variety of media, in preparation for their final pieces for GCSE.
In Class 12, the Art and Design course (AS level) offers opportunities for personal expression through the development of individual projects, drawing on investigative, analytical and experimental approaches. This is further developed in Class 13 (A2), where students are encouraged to create visual meaning through an expressive response to a personal context or social issues.
ART: Photography
In Class 10 and 11, students learn to master the basic skills of photography. They learn to understand an SLR camera, develop films, print and do experiments in the darkroom. Pupils are encouraged to research and analyse the work of other photographers.
They emulate their images, paying attention to composition, light, texture and mood, whilst developing their own ideas to produce final pieces for GCSEs.
In Class 12 (AS), students have the opportunity to improve technical skills and to express their thoughts and feelings through the development of a personal project. More depth in their investigations and experiments,†are required to produce a coursework portfolio.
In Class 13 (A2), this†is developed even further with more experiments, digital imaging and refined printing skills. By this stage, students will,†hopefully, have developed†a greater†sensitivity to the world around them, not only looking but seeing more intensely, inspiring them to create a body of work expressing a response to a personal idea, or social issue, with a visual meaning.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
The aim of foreign language teaching in Steiner Waldorf schools is to encourage a positive attitude towards people of other cultures and languages. Learning a foreign language offers the children other perspectives on their own language, culture, attitudes and mentality, thus helping them see the world in a more differentiated way.
In our school, the children learn both French and German from Class 1 onwards. During the first 3 years the children are immersed in the spoken language, as the lessons are conducted almost entirely in the foreign language. In Class 4, reading and writing are introduced and during the Middle school years, language leaning gradually becomes more conscious and analytical.
In the Upper school, pupils take their GCSE’s and have the opportunity to continue with A-level studies in both French and German.
BEYOND THE CURRICULUM
Upper School pupils also gain invaluable experience through community work and by contributing regularly to school festivals, musical performances and dramatic productions. Upper School pupils may find themselves helping at nurseries or homes for the elderly, engaging in local environmental work, or assisting in schools for those with special learning needs; or they may perhaps be taking part in a class trip at home or abroad, be on a visit to the theatre, or to an art gallery, or museum.
The School has a Careers Coordinator who provides Upper School pupils with the help and advice they need to make informed decisions about their future. Our pupils go on to study and work in a wide variety of fields, including: architecture, medical science, drama and the performing arts, the social sector, law and business.
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"As a Steiner School pupil it’s not that I feel more qualified or more able than other people of my own age, it’s just that when I sit down to talk with them I realise that I’m often better informed about life and my place in it all." Emma Maris, UpperSchool Graduate
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