Steiner-Waldorf:
Radical education?
” I was invited recently to be a panellist for a conversation hosted by Wellbeing Economy Cymru entitled ‘Rethinking Education for the Wellbeing Economy’. The Wellbeing Economy is the idea of putting the wellbeing of people and our planet before what might be considered traditional economic goals such as profit. Nant-y-Cwm was the only primary school invited, and only one of two secondary schools.
We discussed the question ‘How can our education system be improved to prioritise the well-being of the children and young people of Wales?’
Many of the ‘radical’ ideas being discussed were similar to the ideas and educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, and a way of teaching that we embody at Nant-y-Cwm.
I used to think that we shouldn’t call Steiner education radical education; in one sense it’s simply education. It’s only radical in as much as it sits within a context where it is not the norm. Yet, perhaps we need to call it radical;
- It’s radical in its profound scope to offer a form of education which places the deepest being of children at the centre of its attention.
- It’s radical because it recognises that children are more than just academic units to be fed information; they are a wonderful weaving of head, heart and hands; of thinking, feeling and willing.
- And it’s radical for offering education the idea – bizarre to many – that children deeply love to learn and can relish going to school.
So, I suppose I think that Steiner education has much to offer a Wellbeing Economy in Wales. It quite frankly doesn’t matter if we call it Steiner or Waldorf, or neither of those.
I wonder, is the current education system ready or willing to hear the Steiner-Waldorf experience in centering the well-being of the child?
And how can we be more skilful in sharing our knowledge and experience beyond the walls of our small gem of a school so that others can benefit? In truth, the real onus is on us, to find a way.”
– Tom Blackwell, Nant-y-Cwm school management team and former teacher.