Admissions
We give young people a fantastic start in life.
Our school educates children from 3 years all the way up to becoming senior pupils aged 18, creating balanced young adults and leaders of tomorrow’s world, able to take their place at university and beyond.
Our contemporary Waldorf education is for children within a mainstream academic ability.
To find out more, book a school tour and come see us in action.
Our Class Age
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PreSchool Kindergarten Age 3-4
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PreSchool Kindergarten Age 4-5
Application Process
We’re delighted that you would like your child to join our Waldorf School.
To apply for a place please submit the Application Form and Fee.
Once you have applied the school team will arrange a friendly interview with you and your child. This helps us get to know you and your child and to ensure we can do the best for every pupil and determine that we meet the needs of your child.
The school actively promotes the early identification of SEND - including as part of our admissions process. If a child’s needs are deemed to be beyond that which the school can reasonably provide we will not be able to offer a place.
Entry Points
Our school goes from 3-18 years and applications are welcome from all pupils of all ages, whatever year they are in their education, and you can secure your child’s place in our 3-18 years Waldorf school from birth onwards..
Our main point of entry for Class 1-12 is the start of the academic year in September, however entry can be at any point subject to availability.
Children can start Kindergarten at any time after their third birthday and remain in Kindergarten up to and including the year of their sixth birthday.
All Kindergarten and Class 1-12 places are subject to interview. Children aged 5-6 in their final year of our Kindergarten are automatically given priority application for a place in Class 1.
Children do not need to have previously been in Waldorf education to thrive in our school - we have many pupils with us who have joined from state and private settings.
Yr 7 Secondary School Age 11-12
Our Secondary School entry point is extremely popular and is often oversubscribed with a waiting list for new starters.
For this reason we strongly recommend that children wanting the guarantee of a 2025 Class 6 place (11-12 years) join us a year ahead in our Class 5 (age 10-11) this year in September 2024. This enables your child to enjoy and experience the Waldorf curriculum and trips of Class 5 and be fully established in the school as they enter their early teenage years.
Joining Mid-Year
Although many children start at our school in Kindergarten or Class 1, entry is also warmly welcomed directly into our older classes in Lower, Middle and Upper School at all times of the school year, subject to place availability.
Family & Child Interview Meeting
We want to ensure that your child will be able to thrive with us.
This is a chance for us to get to know you and your child, and an opportunity for you as parents to find out more about the school and gain an understanding of our values and holistic approach to education and academic excellence.
We cater for children and students within a mainstream academic ability which allows them to enjoy and benefit from our rigorous and broad curriculum and progress from Kindergarten through to our upper school classes and the NZCSE qualification.
We do not carry out selective testing and aren’t looking for your child to prove anything specific at interview but parents and caregivers must disclose any circumstances relating to their child’s health, allergies, development or disability.
Class 1-12 interview
Parents and their child meet with the Class Teacher and our SENCO and visit our beautiful classrooms.
Children have a relaxed, low key interview assessment involving conversation, drawing, movement and informal age appropriate exercises to establish their ability in reading, writing and maths.
Children may also be invited to a free taster day in class and parents may be invited to meet with members of the Senior Leadership team.
On occasion further information or assessment, including previous school reports, may be required to ensure an informed decision before an offer is made.
Kindergarten interview
Parents and their child meet with our Early Years Manager and Kindergarten teachers, most often in the term before the child is due to start. The meeting usually lasts about an hour and takes place in one of our beautiful and cosy Kindergarten settings, giving you and your child the chance to see our ’home from home’ setting. Both parents are encouraged to come in person and teachers will spend time gaining an in depth understanding of your child as well as answering any questions you may have.
Offer Of A Place
Pupils that are offered a place need to complete the Admissions Pack and pay a £1500 deposit within 14 days to secure the place to start school.
Deposits are returned upon final settlement of the pupil's account when they leave the school.
When To Apply
We take applications across the year for class places beginning the next academic year.
We also take applications during the school year for those looking for an immediate class place and hold a waiting list for places that occasionally become available if a family moves location.
Applications From Overseas
We welcome international applicants. All applicants must be able to speak and write English fluently at a level appropriate to their age group.
School Fees
24/25 Academic Year
Registration Fee £50 (non-refundable)
Deposit - £1500 (set against final term invoice*)
Kindergarten Class £9,000 per annum
Lower/Middle/Upper School Class 1-12 £12,000 pa
*One full term notice required in advance of a term commencing
20% Discount for Sibling Place
2% Discount for full payment in advance of academic year
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School Fee payment options are as follows:
Annually in advance (2% discount offered) payable by 31st August.
By 3 equal installments termly in advance payable by the first day of each term by Bank Transfer/Standing Order
By 12 equal installments from August to July payable by the 15th of each month either by Direct Debit or Bank Transfer/Standing Order
For children under the mandatory school age (term after they turn 5 years old) the school can accept childcare vouchers as partial or full payment of fees. The same applies to the new government tax free childcare scheme. Once children are over 5 the school fees cannot be paid using these.
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£6 for per morning.
Includes servings of porridge with honey raisins and seeds.
7.30 - 8.50am for Kindergarten children
7.30 - 8.30am for Lower School children
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Afternoon Care
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Afternoon Care is offered to Fees are £12 per session for Kindergarten children and class 1 & 2 children with short days. From 1.00 to 3.30pm.
Afternoon care must be booked online in advance with the school.
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Individual music tuition for violin/viola/cello begins in Class 3. Fees are approx £60 per term.
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Swimming lessons take place in Class 3. Cost is £XX per term.
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Additional Fees apply for school trips. Our residential and non-residential trips vary depending on year, location availability and each class needs. Fees range from eg/£10 for a local day trip to up to approximately £700 all-inclusive for our Class 8* week-long international trip (*2023 Berlin trip fee).
FAQs
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We offer school tours so you can come and see us in action.
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Yes. We take applications for both Kindergarten and School classes throughout the year. Our classes are all small in size with up to 23 school children or 16 Kindergarten children. Although most classes currently have a waiting list for places, if we do have availability we are happy to take successful applicants mid-year.
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Yes we hold waiting lists for all year groups.
Our main school intake is September, however occasionally we have places mid year if a family moves out of the area. If you are looking for a place mid-year please do get in touch with our admissions team.
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Yes! Our pupils study the NZCSE international qualification which is recognised and accepted by UCAS and UK universities, as well as universities overseas. The 3-year qualification has a broad curriculum and is based on continuous assessment. It is taken across Class 10-12 when pupils are aged 15-18 years and is the equivalent of A-Levels or International Baccalaureate.
In addition our students also take GCSE Maths and English which enables them to qualify for the UK Government Student Loan Scheme.
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Yes. We offer the international NZCSE and GCSEs in Maths and English.
Our pupils begin the NZCSE qualification in their final three years - across Class 10/11/12. The qualification is recognised by UCAS and is the equivalent of A-Levels and International Baccalaureate.
For more information <CLICK LINK>
Alongside our contemporary Waldorf curriculum pupils also sit GCSE Maths and English qualifications which enables them to meet current Government criteria for student loan applications.
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Whilst many of our children join the school in Kindergarten or Class 1, we also accept admissions into classes within the school should places be available. A common application point is Class 6 (aged 11-12) and Class 9 (aged 14-15).
The NZCSE formal qualification is studied across Class 10-12 and so admission after Class 10 is only possible for students who have already begun studying this and are moving to the area from another Waldorf setting.
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Kindergarten (Age 3-6 years)
We have 4 kindergarten classes with up to 15 children in each class.
Our Kindergarten is mixed in age - from 3-6 years, and we aim for an equal mix in age groups across all 4 classes.
We have two main intakes for Kindergarten - September and January.
School: Class 1-Class 12 (Age 6-18 years)
Our School is a single class intake in September of up to 24 children at Class 1 (aged 6).
Places in older classes occasionally become available if a family moves outside the area.
We do accept admissions mid-year if a place becomes available.
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Pupils and parents are invited to interview.
Our school is non-selective. Places are offered based on the school’s assessment of our ability to educate and develop both the individual pupil to the best of their potential and that of other pupils in their prospective class.
Please note:
We cater for students within a mainstream academic ability.
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We frequently accept applications from pupils that have been in a variety of different academic settings - coming to use from both State, Public and HE. We accept pupils all ages and at any point in their education. We have many pupils who have joined from other schools at Class 1, Class 6 and Class 9 who are quickly integrated into the class community and embrace Waldorf education.
Starting at our school
What to expect across the school year
Meeting with your child’s teacher
Termly Whole Class Parents Evenings
Twice-yearly Progress and Attainment Reports
Twice-yearly subject teacher meetings
School coffee-mornings to get to know us and to find out how to get involved in our school community
Festivals, Fairs and Fundraising events
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You will be sent a full list of required items ahead of your child starting. It will vary depending on their age but for Kindergarten and Class 1-8 will generally include:
Full set of waterproofs to be kept at school
Change of clothing to be kept in school
Wellingtons to be kept in school
Sun Hat / Warm Hat
Waldorf specific crayons/pencils/pen - this is age specific so please check with school before purchasing.
Waldorf Crayon/Pencil Case - (Age dependent) Pupils make their own crayon case in Class 1 - for new starters in older classes please speak with the school to get the sewing pattern for this or advice on sourcing
Apron/Old Shirt for Art lessons
Class 2 upwards- ‘Moeck Flauto1Plus’ Descant Recorder
Class 3 upwards: instrument as directed by the school (this will be violin/viola/cello and will depend on which the school suggests for each child).
Class 3 upwards:
Good set of colour pencils for drawing eg/Caran D’Ache
Lead pencils for writing and sketching
Class 3 upwards: Gym kit (trainers/t-shirt/shorts/joggers) for games and sport.
Class 6 upwards - Fountain Pen (we suggest the brand Lamy)
Class 6 upwards - Geometry set
Class 9 upwards - Laptop
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All clothing for school must be suitable and practical for being comfortable to learn in.
Pupils are required to wear appropriate clothing for the activities they undertake - for example having a change of sports clothes for games and sports (shorts/trainers/t-shirt); waterproofs in school to be able to enjoy playing outside in rainy weather.
Pupils are required to have a pair of soft ‘indoor’ shoes or slippers with a full hard sole that remain in school and are always wore indoors.
Highly ‘branded’ or clothing with glitter or large commercial/cartoon characters is not permitted. This is due to the fact that the items can cause a distraction to learning for children, particularly in the Kindergarten, Lower School age groups.
Clothing must always be clean and in fair condition and appropriate to the weather.
We don’t have a school uniform.
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The school day start time for your child will depend on their age and Class.
Our classes have a set structure and rhythm - beginning each day with a class welcome, verse and often singing.
Please ensure your child arrives promptly ahead of the start of the class day. Late arrival is extremely unsettling for the individual child and disruptive for the whole class.
Arrival times are:
08.20am - Class 6-12
08.30am - Class 1-5
09.00am - Kindergarten
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From Class 1 onwards all children need to bring a mid-morning snack and a packed lunch daily.
Children eat together as a community in the class each day - and occasionally picnic together as a class in our outside space.
Chocolate, sweets and sugary drinks are not permitted in packed lunches.
Kindergarten children who are enjoying Extended Curriculum and later Afternoon Care require a packed lunch and a tea-time snack.
Our Upper School pupils in Class 9-12 can purchase lunch on site from Charlton House cafe in place of a packed lunch.
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Parents/Carers are required to be at the gate/collection point for a prompt pick-up at the end of your child’s day.
If you would like someone else to collect your child on your behalf you must notify the office in writing (email) in advance of the pickup time.
Children aged 11 and above can travel home unaccompanied however a parental consent form is required.
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School Life and the rhythm of our year is marked with festivals that celebrate the natural world and seasons along with different cultures and nationalities.
For more details on Festivals see our School Life page - the school will let you know in advance of any specific clothing or items needed to support the occasion - eg flowers for your child to make a May Crown or red clothing to celebrate the fire in our St John’s Festival.
Birthdays
We have a simple celebration of each child’s birthday in their class.
Parents are asked to send their child in with a simple, healthy home baked cake for the occasion either on the day itself or on the day following their birthday if it falls on a weekend.
Please be aware of allergies in your class or list the ingredients when sending in the cake.
Get in touch.
If you have a question relating to the admissions process please submit the form below or call: 020 8858 4404
Visit Us
Main Office:
Greenwich Steiner School
Woodlands, 90 Mycenae Road
Blackheath, London, SE3 7SE
Hours
Monday–Friday
8am–4pm
Phone
020 8858 4404