History of Raheen Wood School

Raheen Wood School was the founding Steiner Waldorf School in Ireland, established in 1986. Years later, our school received state recognition as a co-educational, multi-denominational primary national school.

For almost four decades we have provided a unique and nourishing Steiner education in East Clare.

Now, as a Steiner Community National School offering the national curriculum, we provide a distinctive education, offering an inspirational, rigorous and nourishing educational experience for children from Junior Infants, right through to Class 6.

1. Creativity
The use of drawing, painting, music, movement, poetry, modelling and drama enhances the learning experience in all subjects. A high value is placed on play in the early years, imagination in the middle school and creative thinking at secondary level. This encourages a strong sense for the artistic and cultural life and is supported by an aesthetic teaching environment.

2. Continuity
In many Steiner schools the children are with the same class teacher from first to sixth class, supported by a range of subject teachers. Key subjects are taught in `Main lessons`: blocks of up to four weeks of the same topic, usually for two hours every morning, allowing for depth, integration and focus. The rhythms of the day, week, month and year give a context that is enhanced by seasonal celebration.

3. Activity
There is a central place for structured movement, the out-door environment and learning through doing across the entire age-range. The school timetable may include traditional games, sports, eurythmy, gymnastics, drama productions and an extensive programme of hand crafts and the development of manual skills.

4. The Individual and Society
Social and emotional skills are fostered in a variety of ways: by the recognition of childhood as a time of wonder, by the family-like environment of the extended Early Years, by the provision of clear adult authority and guidance and by the exploration of global and social perspectives at secondary level.

5. Inclusion and Differentiation
Whole class teaching is combined with individualised and differentiated learning. Imaginative engagement with the lesson material allows all learners, regardless of strengths, weaknesses and learning styles, to work at different levels within their class group.

6. The Spoken Word
The oral and narrative tradition is brought to life through recitation, drama and an extensive use of poetry, stories, myths and legends from all cultures, often told rather than read. Modern languages are taught, ideally two, from age six.

7. Age-appropriate
Not too soon, not too late. The lesson content and its method of presentation are linked to the children’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual development. Formal education, which begins at age six, is introduced in a way and at a pace that respects the child’s developmental journey.

8. Assessment
The unique qualities of each child can be observed and described, but not always measured. The development of every pupil is closely monitored, mainly through ongoing formative assessment and in-depth study.

9. Excellence
Every pupil is expected to give of their best across all disciplines, thus avoiding one-sidedness and early specialisation. Hard-work, determination and good teaching can always build on innate ability.

10. Context
Steiner schools form the largest group of independent, non-denominational schools in the world. Many are state funded. The first school was opened in Germany in 1919. There are currently over 1,000 Steiner schools worldwide. There are over 2,000 Early Years settings in a total of 64 different countries.