As Waldorf Teachers we strive to recognise and nourish the individual that lives within each child. A consciously developed teacher-child relationship and the creation of a harmonious social organism within the class allows the rich Waldorf curriculum to meet and stimulate the children as they grow through each particular stage of development.

An artistic and imaginative approach to learning awakens interest and enthusiasm in the children, breathing life into what otherwise might become dry academic subjects, and encouraging the children to express themselves in a creative and harmonious way. Teaching builds from first principles in main blocks and involves the development of the 3 “Rs” (see The School Classes for more details on the curriculum).

The Class Teacher
Class teaching is a big responsibility. The class teacher welcomes their pupils at Class 1 and remains with those children until Class 8. The demands it makes upon the teachers are very particular but rewarding in helping the growing children in their care. As Waldorf teachers we also endeavour to nourish the sense of wonder and reverence that children bring with them into life, gifts so often undermined by the pace and pressures of modern life.
Teachers strive for high standards of work and behaviour. They also recognise that alongside an all-round ability and the self-confidence to participate fully in life, children should also take from their school a moral sense of gratitude and responsibility for the earth and for their fellow human beings.
The teachers work with the whole school as a community through a number of other channels, particularly as members of the College of Teachers. They also provide extra-curricular activity and support: school trips, outings (e.g. Thames Festival), and wider Steiner School exchanges and events (e.g. The School Olympics)

Specialist Teachers
Teaching in Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Gardening, Drama and Art/Craft is supported by Teachers who have particular training and/or specialism. The teaching of these subjects is seen as crucial and integral part of the overall development of the child.

Teachers Stories:

Anne-Catherine Le Deunff – French Teacher
Seven Years ago when my son Emile was starting kindergarden, (Greenwich Steiner School) I was asked to teach French to the only class in this new school. I have been teaching French, first at Greenwich and now at South West London School for most of those seven years and attended many wonderful and inspiring training events organized by the Steiner Fellowship.
I am an artist, who studied Fine Art in Paris (Beaux Arts), and worked as an artist-printmaker and graphic designer. When I moved to London for my work I studied a Masters at Camberwell College of Art. I then taught drawing and graphic skills, for a number of years at London College of Printing.
I use my art skills in the French lessons as well as my experience as a mother. All those childhood songs and stories I learnt growing up in Brittany. I try to work closely with the Class Teachers to work in the French Lessons on topics that the children are following in their Main Lesson. I believe Waldorf Schools are wonderful places to nurture childrens’ confidence to speak foreign languages.

Helen Kinsey – Class 1 teacher
I first experienced Waldorf education even before I was a parent (or teacher) when I visited our school present site at Woodfields for a Summer Fair. I can still remember walking down the path – I could hardly believe I was in London, an open green space, so many wild flowers, and no traffic noise! Later I brought my eldest daughter Nathalia to toddler group, I struggled to find the funds to send her on to kindergarten here. I spoke with many parents and realised that “where there’s a will there’s a way” and the money came.

Following my degree in Biological Sciences at Warwick University I felt that I would like to teach but I hadn’t found the right setting – I found “something missing” in mainstream education and at the time was unaware of Waldorf Education. Later I began the Steiner Waldorf Teacher Training Seminar in London when Nathalia was in Class 1 and began teaching mathematics to Class 7 & 8 the following year. I then waited for my youngest daughter Jodie to reach Class 2 before becoming a class teacher. Now I feel privileged to be working in such a nourishing educational environment and feel truly blessed with my class.

Michael Williams – teacher of German ,Religion ,Olympic training
My connection with the school goes back to 1990,when I was a class teacher here at `Woodfields` for two years. I returned in January 2001 to take on a class 2 and took it through to class 8 in 2007.  Since then I have been teaching part time ,as well as mentoring colleagues and chairing business, faculty and college meetings. The school is close to my heart as it is the best school I have ever taught in and I am currently doing the Upper School Development Course at Steiner House ,as it is my aim to help establish a fully fledged school in London educating children up to age 18.