Application Information

Pupils are accepted on the basis of an interview at which we try to gain an all round picture of each child and to gauge whether he or she will fit comfortably into the social fabric of the class. There is no entrance examination. All successful applicants are accepted on a three month trial basis.

ADMISSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Rudolf Steiner School of Edinburgh is a non-denominationalal, comprehensive school for children from Kindergarten to Class 12 (age 3 to 18). After kindergarten there is one class for each age group. Classes vary in size but generally average 20 pupils.

In the kindergarten a kindergarten teacher is usually responsible for the same group during their time in kindergarten.

In the Lower School there is a class teacher, who accompanies the group for the 8 years of lower school, and subsequent teachers.

The Upper School. Although admission to the school at the beginning of a term is preferable, this is not a fixed policy. The class teacher/guardian and another teacher interview the prospective pupil and the parents. This interview determines the suitability of the school for each pupil. Often a preliminary talk with the parents aloe is helpful to build up a picture of the school and the form of education.

Appointments for interviews are made through the School Office.

Although children who are not doing well in other schools may blossom in our school setting, severe learning and disciplinary difficulties are beyond our scope.

Children are accepted on a term’s trial basis. If there is any need to reconsider a child’s place in the school the parents will be contacted before the end of the term. Parents of children who have successfully completed their term’s trial will receive a letter at the end of their first term to confirm this.

Admission to the kindergarten is by interview with parents, child and kindergarten teachers. This lasts approximately one hour and is divided into two parts. In the first part the teacher gives a picture of Waldorf Education and how this is implemented in the kindergarten. There is an opportunity for the parents to ask questions or express any concerns they may have. The second part concerns the child’s development and a sharing of any relevant medical details. During this time the child is with another Kindergarten Teacher, who is able to observe the child.
The proposed admission is brought before the Kindergarten Teachers who then choose whether to recommend the child before the College of Teachers.
A letter is then sent informing parents of the College’s decision.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Application for admission is made through the School Office by completing the form received with the School Prospectus.
2. An interview takes place between the class teacher or class guardian, one other teacher, the prospective pupil and the parents.
3. The Proposed admission is brought before the College of Teachers.
4. A letter is sent to the parents informing them of the College’s decision. An acceptance letter will include confirmation of the parents’ financial commitment and will be accompanied by an enrolment form.
5. The completed enrolment form is returned to the school secretary together with the registration fee.
6. The teacher will then contact the parent to say which kindergarten group their child has been accepted into.
7. It is not automatic that a child will be accepted into the same group as their sibling.

TRIAL PERIOD POLICES

At the interview stage it is clearly stated that every child is on a terms trial. It is also made clear that communication between the parents and teacher is vital.

1. When a child has been interviewed and it is clear, prior or during the interview, that the child has obvious social, emotional, physical or educational problems, the parents are told that they will receive a letter outlining our conditions of acceptance. When necessary, it is stated that the child will be under continual review and may be asked to leave before the trial period has ended.

2. Admissions to class 1 from kindergarten, will not be automatic.

3. In the instance of problems arising during (and after) the trial period:

• The child is brought to the kindergarten meeting as a child study.
• Concerns about the child an how the parents can best support the Teacher are shared with the parents.
• When little or no support from the parent is given, or it is felt that we cannot meet the child’s difficulties, the College of Teachers will be informed.
• The final step is a meeting between parents, teacher and a college member in which the steps to be taken are agreed between parents and teacher. These steps must be taken if the parents wish their child to continue in the kindergarten. The College of Teachers will be informed of the outcome of this meeting.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS

Among the special aspects of a Steiner School is the need for a strong social environment that is provided by parents working together to support the educational work.
If teacher and parents are punctual the children will learn reliability and respect for others, habits that will last into later life. It is therefore expected that parents will help provide uninterrupted and punctual attendance at school. The rhythm of daily, weekly and seasonal cycles is important to the wellbeing of the child. If there is an important need for absence for other than medical reasons, early consultation with the class Kindergarten Teacher is essential, and permission must be sought well in advance from the College of Teachers. Parents are asked to arrange their holidays to coincide with the school holidays and avoid interruptions to their children’s education whenever possible. Parents should inform the teacher of any changes in home life that may affect the child’s behaviour – parents’ absences, serious illness in the family, the need for medication, or other such information.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

If your child needs to miss a day or part of a day of school for some event which cannot be arranged outside school hours, a written note should be sent in advance to the teacher and the school office.
If your child needs to be of school for more than a day for any reason other than health or bereavement, Leave of Absence must be obtained in writing from the College of Teachers at least two weeks prior to the date foe which it is requested.

LEAVING NOTICE

It is required that notice should be given one term before a child(ren) leave(s) the kindergarten. The notice should be addressed to the school Bursar. If such notice is not given the school will unfortunately need to charge fees for the whole term.

COMMUNICATIONS

At the beginning of each term an Events Sheet listing what has been planned for the term is sent to all parents. This includes dates for class parents’ evenings. Notices to parents giving details of coming events and other news are distributed via the pupils on Tuesdays during term time. Wherever possible notices to parents are sent out on a Tuesday via the Youngest child of the family at the school. There may not be a notice each week but parents are advised to ask their child every Tuesday whether one has been distributed. The school office should be contacted in good time about the submission of items to place in the Tuesday Notice. Copy deadline is10.30am on the previous Fridays. Communication form the Parents Association are also sent out with the Tuesday Notice. Letters sent via pupils on any other day will include a return slip to ensure receipt.
The main focus of communication for parents will be with their child’s Kindergarten Teacher or Kindergarten Convenor. Should you wish to arrange a meeting or wish to speak on the phone, please se the teacher to arrange a suitable time.

If your concern goes beyond the realm of the kindergarten Teacher/Convenor or if, for some reason, you are not able to raise the matter with him or her, you should then contact a member of the School’s Management Group. You may do this by leaving a letter in the groups tray in the school office or by contacting them directly. Alternatively you may wish request a College Surgery at which two college members are usually present.
The School Administrator should be contacted about financial matters. If you are uncertain whom to contact, the office staff will be pleased to advise you. The school office is open 8.30am to 4.30pm on school days.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please ensure that the office has up to date information on how to contact both parents or others responsible for a child, both at hoe or at work, as well as emergency phone numbers.

CHILD PROTECTION

The school’s policies on child protection follows the guidelines issued by Edinburgh City Council and those published by SCIS (Scottish Council for Independent Schools) These guidelines are available and may be viewed in the school office.

The school has a child-protection co-ordinator and deputy and they advise staff and those with concerns as to the appropriate course of action. (At present Klaus Freeden covers this role.)

All allegations brought to the school’s attention are taken seriously and dealt with confidentially in as far as they can within the criteria outlined in the confidentiality policy (see confidentiality policy section).

Any parent with a concern for the welfare of any pupil can contact any member of staff about the concern. It is best if an appointment to meet about the issues can be arranged, rather than trying to discuss the matter on the phone. It is helpful if as much detail as possible can be provided of any evidence on which a concern is based.

CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

The policy of the school is to work in partnership with parents in order to promote the welfare of children. The school also aims to build up relationships of trust with children. Children and parents should feel able to raise with the school concerns about safety and welfare in the knowledge that these will be dealt with sensitively.

Because of the sensitivity of these issues, the school will operate on the presumption that anything imparted in confidence will be treated in confidence. This is subject to three qualifications:

1. Anything imparted “in confidence” to one member of staff or person approached as an associate of the school, may be shared with a restricted number of colleagues if that person feels in need of support and guidance from them.
2. If serious concerns are raised about the safety or welfare of a child the person approached may be obliged, in terms of the schools Child Protection Co-ordinator for consideration as to whether it should be shared with the appropriate authorities. In these circumstances, the person approached would not, except in an emergency, breach the confidence without letting the person assistance know that he/she intended doing so.
3. The school must, of course, pass on information when legally obliged to do so, for example, by court of law. Children must also feel able to share concerns with staff. Problems may arise when a child consults a member of staff about a problem and does not want that information to be shared with parents. Whilst staff will try to encourage children to share the information with parents where it is appropriate, there may be circumstances in which any pressure to pass the information on could result in the child keeping the problem to him or herself or not sharing concerns in the future.

Edinburgh Rudolf Steiner School

E-mail Admissions: admissions@steinerweb.org.uk

Phone: 0131 337 3410