RINGWOOD Waldorf is a school with a difference.

Established in 1974 in a row of labourers’ cottages in Folly Farm Lane, it opened with just six pupils.

Today it has more than 240 and is a Steiner school, following the principles of Rudolf Steiner.

The idea is to guide and support children through the natural phases of development with the aim of them growing into resourceful, practical adults.

It welcomes children from ages three in Kindergarten to 18 and many stay with the school throughout that time.

School administrator Nigel Revill, said: “One of the big differences we have to the state schools is we don’t follow the state curriculum.

“We don’t test children with SATS and so on.

“It’s centred around the child. We look at what gifts the child has and try to pull those out. The emphasis is not all academic. In this school you will see lots of painting, artwork and drama, but it’s all tied in with the curriculum.

“As an independent school we’re one of the bigger collections. There are about 36 in the UK.

“We have come away from GCSEs and A-levels because we want to offer a Steiner curriculum up to the age of 18. I think people are becoming a little jaded (with the state system).

“We want children to leave here as well-rounded young adults.”

The school’s catchment is Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire and children travel from as far as Southampton, Salisbury and Dorchester to attend.

It has 10 classrooms, four kindergartens, a spacious hall and dedicated rooms for special activities such as art, music, handwork, science, woodwork and Eurythmy - an expressive movement art originated by Rudolf Steiner.

Nigel added: “People need a real commitment to come to the school not just purely for the education, but because there is a fabulous community at the school.

Ringwood Waldorf School: why we love our school

Factfile

  • Ringwood Waldorf School, Folly Farm Lane, Ashley, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 2NN
  • 01425 472664
  • mail@ringwoodwaldorfschool.org.uk
  • Students on roll: 244
  • Age range: 3-18
  • Ringwood Waldorf School administrator: Nigel Revill