A welcome from our headteacher

Choosing and joining a school can be an exciting and also a daunting and overwhelming experience. We know that Waldorf education offers something different and are really proud to provide this alternative. But how can you be sure we are right for your child? 

During this time, we sadly have to limit visits to our site, so have offered this Virtual Open Day as a first step in the admissions process. Those of you who then feel more certain that this is the education of choice for your family, can take the next step and book a visit to the school. 

Waldorf education enables children to flourish in a holistic learning environment that is oriented towards moral growth, social consciousness and citizenship. Through offering a balance of academic, artistic, and practical activities which engage the head, heart and hands, our education supports children's intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development, and encourages their innate curiosity and love of learning. Our approach to learning empowers each student with the knowledge that he or she matters as an individual, so that when they leave, they have a sense of their purpose in life and the confidence to go out into the world and fulfil their unique potential.  

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We live in a time of rapid change. What is innovative today will be obsolete tomorrow. Progress calls for new ideas, fresh perspectives and an abundance of creativity. Through inspiring learning, courage and joy in the children of today, New School, Canterbury nurtures the character and creative intellect of tomorrow’s leaders.

When families visit our school they often comment on a 'certain magic in the air' that may come from the beauty of the site itself, the care and love that is poured into the education we offer or the strong relationships that grow from our values of kindness, mutual respect and commitment to truly listening to one another and respecting each person's unique qualities. 

Whilst we can't truly replicate the experience of visiting our school through this virtual experience, we hope that this collection of films and talks and the opportunity to ask questions through booked one to one conversations, will give you a strong insight into Waldorf education and our school. 

Do take your pick from the films below and enjoy as many as you have time for or think are relevant to your family and the questions you have about this education. If you have already booked a conversation with a class teacher or myself, we look forward to meeting you then. If you haven't yet booked a chat and wish to do so, you can do that by emailing on the enquiries address below.

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If you would like to book a visit to the school, please do email enquiries@newschoolcanterbury.co.uk and we will arrange this as soon as we can. When you email, please do let us know the age of your child. 

I hope you enjoy our Virtual Open Day! 

Beth 

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Talks and Films

We want to say a very big thank you to Siren Films, Sarah Rees and Martyn Rawson for supporting this Virtual Open Day.

Below is a short summary of the films to help you decide which are most relevant to your family. They all offer something different and interesting, so if you have made the time, why not also make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and watch them all!
 

Waldorf 100 Films

Today there are over 1,100 Waldorf schools and almost 2,000 Waldorf kindergartens in some 80 countries around the globe. In 2019 we celebrated 100 years since the first school opened its doors. The three Waldorf100 films below were made in celebration and to mark our commitment to further developing Waldorf education for contemporary times, focusing more consciously on its global dimensions. The film 'Becoming' focuses more specifically on the first seven years of childhood.

The Waldorf Early Year Environment
'The Waldorf Early Years environment and materials we choose', 'Building a Dragon's Den' and 'A Steiner Waldorf Approach to Play' are all films that will give you and sense of the early years environment. 'Through the Lens of Love' was made in our May Tree Kindergarten. 

Looking Through the Lens of Neuroscience

Sarah Rees is an Educational Researcher specialising in Early Childhood Development. Here she shares her own experience of Waldorf education and the benefits of a Waldorf approach.

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The Seven Steps of Learning

Martyn Rawson has worked as a class teacher, upper school teacher, foreign language teacher and currently teaches in Hamburg. He has worked for Greenwich University, Plymouth University, Freie Hochschule Stuttgart, Waldorf Seminar Kiel, active in China and India as well as Europe. His wide range of publications are available in English, German, Mandarin and Japanese.

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An Education for the Future 

In this film you hear from alumni and parents of Waldorf education who share their views about how this education has been important to them.

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Inspiring Hope Through Growing Trees

This film gives you an insight into one of the partnerships we are building to ensure that we are embedding positive habits within our community so that we all take important steps towards caring for the world around us. 

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Preparing for Life

Entrepreneurs, Stanford researchers, investment bankers, and parents who run some of the largest hi-tech companies in the world, weigh-in on what children need to navigate the challenges of the 21st Century in order to find success, purpose, and joy in their lives.

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