Elmfield Rudolf Steiner School

Class 4 continue their exploration into the animal kingdom, they painted a beaver and her kit.
The painting technique is called ‘wet on wet’ or ‘wet in wet’ and it is of great importance in our curriculum. It requires patience, which in turn develops the skill of the child in working with the medium. Our ambition here isn’t to create marvellous works of art; we aren’t looking for ‘good’ or ‘brilliant-that looks amazing’ paintings.
We don’t mind how they end up (although they are always aesthetically pleasing as the child grows) , what we want to do is develop our patience and a ‘breathing in, breathing out rhythm’. We are experiencing the colours: the movement and flow of the water, the interaction of colours, together on the paper.
After we have finished, our paintings are put to dry in the drying rack and left to sit in the classroom over night. Morning comes and as part of our circle time (verse, songs, flutes and candle) we will review our work. There are no names on the paintings and children walk round desks looking at the anonymous works.
‘How happy this feels’, ‘how golden is this yellow’, ‘look at the beautiful colours and how they’ve moved together’, ‘I can see this person worked so hard on this form’. Children hear other children saying good and useful things about their work, it’s special seeing the impact that has on the children.
Paintings are hung on the wall, as an unspoken reminder, to each individual child that they can create beautiful things and they can paint their space; make the walls (classroom, school) beautiful. Children are reminded about how they were patient with the colour and even patient with themselves. Children recall and they see that they have the ability to turn paint and colour into something that makes sense, and has form, and speaks to others around them. Children learn that they have a good and meaningful contribution to make to the world around them, even in the smallest of brushstrokes.

From mountains to beaches! Class 5 have been discussing the types of jobs and activities people might do in hilly or mountainous parts of the land in contrast to areas by the sea, and the changes in human activity there over time. We also described the landscape and different types of beach. We all agreed that we love to go to the sea, and with such a wonderful stretch of coastland to choose from, we had plenty to talk about. The children then wrote a paragraph about their favourite things about being by the sea. Here are some examples.

Being by the Sea

“I love being by the sea. I love the sand on my bare feet, the smell of seaweed. It reminds me of the day that I was a little girl, and when my Nanny would say “No! Don’t go in the sea , you will make your clothes wet!” And you know what I did? I ran into the sea as fast as I could! Honestly! I think I’m connected to the sea. And one of my favourite things about a beach is the cold air.”

“When I go beside the sea, I love to feel the wind, especially in Cornwall. I love the way it flows through my hair. With fish and chips, it makes the perfect day out. Throughout my life of loving beaches, I’ve discovered that the beach is probably suitable for everybody - boys, girls, families - it couldn’t get better. It’s just the best. I like climbing the massive cliffs and risking my sweet little life just to accomplish placing a flag with my Dad. Truly, the best memories come from the beach. Collecting rocks, sea glass, and even crystals.”

“When I look at the sea it feels like it goes on forever. It makes me feel like I can do anything. I run across the pebbles and then I get to the sea. I go in a bit and I can feel it splashing on my feet. I go in a bit more and it is up to my knees. I go in a bit more, now it is up to my waist and I start to swim a bit. When I swim in a bit more I stop and I try to touch the floor of the sea. I can’t. I love that feeling. It makes me a bit scared but I also feel adventurous. I swim back and I can touch the floor of the sea again.”

“The beach and the sea is the best place. It is a nice place to be. There are a lot of things to do and that’s why I love Bournemouth beach. It is fun to go into the sea. It is a lovely feeling. I love a nice tan because you look like a different person.”

“I love Porthcurno because the cliffs surround you and on top of them you just feel so uncivilised. Down by the sea, it’s clear as crystal and bright turquoise. But on a bad day, it’s scary. Massive waves crash and thunder all around you. You can feel the spray on your check and the wind seems to call you, singing a melancholy song. It’s a truly wild and amazing beach and I love it!”

Class 4 painted these beautiful octopuses this afternoon. We made the classroom very cosy, with candles and fairy lights, and we painted as the rain splashed in puddles outside. The sky was so grey, but the children’s pallets were so vivid and alive with colour!
( the teacher especially loved how one octopus seemed to have a bejewelled Odin’s eye)

Do you remember the amazing seasonal stalls, the feeling of the hall transformed into a winter wonderland, or a favorite moment with friends? Share your most cherished Advent Fayre memories in the comments—we love reminiscing with our community!

Class 5 have immersed themselves in a study of the highlands and lowlands of the British Isles, today. Beautiful work, class 5!

Elmfield's most magical Advent Fayre is back! This year the school will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Join us for a day filled with festive cheer with seasonal gift stalls, live music, delicious food and drinks, and much more.

📆 Date: Saturday 29th November
🕰 Time: 11am - 4pm

Everyone is welcome! It’s the perfect festive social to gather family and friends, discover unique seasonal treasures, and share in the magical start of the holiday season.

Children in class 4 have learnt all about the Lascaux caves that were revealed in the 1940s by a boy who had thrown a ball for his dog. The ball had disappeared into a hole and the dog scrambled after it as it vanished into the black crevice, that had been revealed by an uprooted tree.
Children felt deeply drawn into this retelling as they could easily imagine themselves following after their dog into an undiscovered cave. They were so excited as the teacher led them through the forest in their mind’s eye; all the way down the shaft and into the grotto of incredible drawings.
The children were settled onto their own little caves under their desks, comfy on pillows and the classroom fully of candle glow and fairy lights. Each little hand grasped charcoal as they sketched their own cave drawings on the paper that had been pinned to the underside of their desk.
The room was silent as they pressed into the paper and created their own cave sketches. From their imagination, made physical and now hanging on the wall. What do you think of their beautiful art?

Elmfield is seeking an inspiring and experienced Science Teacher to lead our Upper School provision. We are looking for an individual who is passionate about both high-level academic achievement (AQA GCSE) and the holistic, phenomenon-based approach that defines a Waldorf education.

This is a unique chance to shape scientific inquiry at a school dedicated to educating the whole child—fostering not just intellectual understanding, but also a deep reverence for the natural world.

If you are a science teacher who seeks to foster wonder, develop sound judgment, and awaken the imagination through the study of the natural world, we encourage you to apply.
https://elmfield.schoolrecruiter.com/

Wow! We had a truly incredible weekend as we celebrated our school and welcomed our visitors indoors. It was a pleasure to show you all who we are, what we do and why we do it.

We do it for the children, all of us who work here, do it for the children.
Thank you to our teachers, learning mentors and admin team for being here on Saturday. Thank you to our families for supporting us and thank you especially to the children who came on their weekend to share their lovely school with you.

(Special thanks to our school shop Elmfield Courtyard Cafe team for looking after all who needed tea and cake!)

Come and feel the Elmfield difference for yourself at our open day this Saturday from 10:30am - 1:00pm. Register via the website/the link in our bio.

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