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Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Education
has been practised since 1919, the first Rudolf Steiner Waldorf School being founded in Stuttgart through the initiative of Emil Molt, Director of the Waldorf Astoria Cigarette Factory. As a result of questions which came from the workers in the factory, he appealed to Rudolf Steiner to establish a school for their children where a form of education could be developed to meet contemporary social needs. After preparing those who were to become teachers in the school by giving educational lectures and seminars, Rudolf Steiner continued to work with them during the pioneer years.
This originals school is now one of some 780 Rudolf Steiner Waldorf schools and 1500 Kindergartens all over the world. All
of them are co-educational and unstreamed.
There are four main teaching areas:
1. Playgroup and Kindergarten (up to 6 years);
2. Class Teaching in the Lower School (from 6 to 14 years);
3. Upper School (to school leaving / University entrance);
4. Specialist teaching (all ages).
One of the distinctive features in Rudolf Steiner Waldorf schools is the
'main-lesson'. It is approximately two hours long, taking place at the beginning of each day. In the Lower School the main-lesson covers a wide range of subjects and is taught by the class teacher. In the Upper
School, main-lessons are taught to an appropriately advanced level by specialists in each field. After main-lesson, other subjects are taught, including modern languages, arts and crafts, music and movement.
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