Edinburgh Steiner School

Class Four are currently completing their first cross stitch projects.

Handwork has been an integral part of the Steiner Waldorf Curriculum since its foundation, developing a child’s fine motor skills, nurturing their creative soul, and consciously growing their will.

Read more about our Handwork curriculum at ESS and cross stitch more specifically by following the link below :

https://www.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk/2023/02/07/handwork-working-a-cross-stitch-in-class-5-tuesday-notice/

At Edinburgh Steiner School, teachers teach to the whole child – and each lesson is revealed in a three-fold manner: through the intellectual capacities (thinking), artistic and emotional capacities (feeling), and practical skill-building capacities (willing).

From Kindergarten to the final year (Class 12) subject matter is linked to a child’s developmental stage, which both inspires and motivates the pupils.

All subjects are linked, and each lesson integrates academic work with fine arts and practical arts so that a child is not only intellectually engaged but emotionally and aesthetically invested in their learning.

Painting by David Newbatt

Prospective pupils and parents can visit our campus, experience lessons ‘in action’, and meet pupils during our next Open Tour on Friday 6th June, from 9am to 11am.

To enquire or book a place, please email [email protected]

For more information, see our website - https://www.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk/admissions/book-school-tour/

Ascension, to Christians, marks 40 days after Easter’s resurrection and the rise of Jesus to heaven.

To our school, it marks the day when we feel like a whole unit. We play, sing, eat, and ascend Craiglockhart Hill together in the morning at a time when summer is beckoning.
 
It is a time when we can experience a reunion of the earth with the cosmos, a time when we can recognise signs of heavenly forces here on the earth and as the earth breathes out into summer, so our consciousness can begin to expand. It is a time when we can receive the revelation that the earth’s living forces have been renewed for the benefit of the whole of humanity. 🌸🌱

Richard Rankin visited our campus on Thursday under (willing!) duress by his fiancée, Sammie Russell, who is on placement in the school.

He candidly talked to the upper school pupils about failing Higher Drama at school, Rebus, how to equip yourself as an actor in an oversaturated business and his side passion as a photographer.

Rankin is also recognised for his role in the internationally successful series Outlander as Roger MacKenzie, the son-in-law of lead character Jamie Fraser, played by ESS alumnus Sam Heughan.

Thank you, Richard, for spending your afternoon inspiring the budding actors here at ESS!

This course is open to anyone with an interest in Steiner Waldorf education and self-development, subject to an entry interview. Then, for those qualified to teach in Scotland, you may continue into the second year.

Year 1: Transformation and Metamorphosis

A year of nine thematic weekends and two full weeks exploring a wide range of practical and creative applications of Rudolf Steiner’s approach to human development.

Year 2: Becoming a teacher in a Steiner Waldorf school*

A year of intensive classroom observations and practice, supported by a mentor and further classes (subject to viable numbers of students) to further develop your connection with curriculum, method and anthroposophy.

*For GTCS registered teachers only

For more information follow -
https://edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk/teacher-development/

Or email - [email protected]

Welcome to The Dance Weaves Under the Fire-Thorn: Elemental Realms and Human Destiny!

A performance by Graduates of Peredur Eurythmy, East Grinstead, England.

Join us on Sun, May 25, 2025 at 16:30 PM at the beautiful Edinburgh Steiner School for a magical event exploring the connection between the elemental realms and human destiny.

Immerse yourself in a night of eurythmy, music, and storytelling as we delve into the mysteries of nature and the role it plays in shaping our lives. Let the fire-thorn guide you through a journey of self-discovery and connection to the world around you.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-dance-weaves-under-the-fire-thorn-elemental-realms-and-human-destiny-tickets-1362305706039

"The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility – these three forces are the very nerve of education" - Rudolf Steiner

Our basketball team won against on Friday.
A great send off for the season, and first game with the new Team Captain, Noah. Well done boys! And many thanks to Coach Sheen. 🏅

Advanced Higher Art Exhibition: 14th & 15th May

Class 8 will head to Coburg tomorrow for the annual international exchange. We will in turn welcome Class 8 from Coburg to ESS for the next four weeks.

The Class 8 Exchange is arguably the culminating event of Lower School. Other than a few years during COVID, this school has been exchanging Class 8 pupils for many decades. The exchange can be to any French or German speaking country and allows the pupils to immerse in a language they have been learning for eight years.

Die Mittelstufenzeit kulminiert im 8. Schuljahr in drei besonderen Ereignissen: Die Klasse erarbeitet ein großes Theaterstück, jede Schülerin und jeder Schüler liefert eine individuelle „Jahresarbeit“ ab und stellt sie einem großem Publikum vor, und schließlich unternimmt die Klasse eine längere Klassenfahrt, die oft zugleich den Abschluss ihrer Klassenlehrer*innenzeit markiert, notes the Waldorf schule in Berlin.

Despite the challenging university admissions landscape, ESS pupils hold offers from a host of universities, including a number of prestigious Russell group academic institutions, and so our pupils have the joy of choosing between offers from The University of St Andrews; The University of Edinburgh; The University of Glasgow; Durham University; University of Exeter; Heriot-Watt University; University of Strathclyde; University of York; University of Dundee; University of Stirling; Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.