Waldorf teaching is different. With the relationship between the teacher and the child or young person at the heart of everything we do, we go beyond the delivery of a set curriculum. Waldorf teachers are creative, and our schools create the space and opportunity for that creativity to flourish.

Waldorf teaching is an art, a craft and a science

Teaching as an art involves learning to understand the needs and voices of children and young people. It means choosing and preparing just the right material at the right time so that pupils’ imagination is sparked and they are able to dive into the subject with joy.

Teaching as a craft is about deep knowledge of and enthusiasm for a subject, and using this alongside pedagogical understanding and professional intuition (knowing-in-practice) to enable healthy and effective learning within a broad curriculum framework.

Teaching as a science means using the pedagogical anthropology (understanding of the developing human being) that underpins Waldorf education to inform your teaching. It involves engaging with relevant and contemporary educational theory and research in a process of ongoing professional development.

Waldorf teaching is not an ‘easy’ option – it demands commitment, passion, research and creativity. There are no ‘off the shelf’ curricula, no commercial schemes and programmes, and no ready-made powerpoint presentations (in fact no interactive whiteboards at all in the lower school!). Within a broad framework, you will become a curriculum designer for your class or subject. You will need to learn new skills – singing, movement games, storytelling and maybe even playing the recorder. But Waldorf teaching also affords the opportunity to develop as a person and as a professional within a collaborative organisation: to play a vital role in an education that truly has children and young people at its centre.

Teaching different ages and stages:

Early Childhood Practitioners focus on work with children aged 0-5. They work in a variety of settings, from childminding to ‘playgroup’ provision for 2-4 year olds in schools.

Kindergarten Teachers and assistants work with children aged from 3 to 6 in mixed age groups. There are independent kindergartens, and also kindergarten classes within schools. There is no formal, academic teaching in kindergarten – children learn through practical activities and play.

Class Teachers usually work with the same group of children for up to eight years. They will often start in Class 1, when children aged 6-7 begin their formal learning journey, and cycle back round after Class 5 or Class 8. Some class teachers specialise in the Class 6-8 age range. Similar to a primary school teacher, class teachers will teach most subjects across the curriculum, but much of the teaching is done through cross-curricular ‘blocks’ lasting 3-4 weeks.

Subject Teachers teach across a range of classes, offering specialist teaching in world languages, crafts, handwork, games and movement, eurythmy, music, drama and outdoor learning.

Upper School Teachers teach young people aged 14 – 19. They will usually have a subject specialism, but this might be broader than in other education systems (e.g. humanities, science etc). Waldorf schools offer a range of secondary qualifications, from standard GCSEs, A-Levels and Scottish Highers to independent portfolio qualifications and innovative programmes like the Integrative Education Diploma and the Certificate of Steiner Education.

If you're searching for your next education job, please get in touch. You'll be working for a great employer and be part of a friendly, helpful team. We're always interested to hear from enthusiastic, committed education professionals - send us your CV now via our Talent Pool and detail what sort of role you're looking for. By joining our Talent Pool we'll know you're interested in working here when the right vacancy comes up.

Waldorf UK Schools

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Bristol Steiner School

Bristol, BS6 6UX

Cambridge Steiner School

Cambridge, CB21 5DZ

Cardiff Steiner School

Cardiff, CF14 2FL

Drumduan School

Forres, IV36 2RD

Elmfield Rudolf Steiner School

Stourbridge, DY8 2EA

Greenwich Waldorf School

London, SE7 8RE

Michael Hall School

Forest Row, RH18 5JA

Nant-y-Cwm Steiner School

Nr Clynderwen, SA66 7QJ

Ringwood Waldorf School

Ringwood, BH24 2NNL

South Devon Steiner School

Dartington, TQ9 6AB

St Paul's Steiner School

London, N1 2QH

The Steiner Academy Hereford

Hereford, HR2 8DL

Edinburgh Steiner School

Edinburgh, EH10 5BR

York Steiner School

York, YO10 4PB

The St Michael Steiner School

Hanworth Park, TW13 6PN

Holywood Steiner School

County Down, BT18 0PR

LISAL School

Lancaster, LA1 5QU

Norwich Steiner School

Norwich, NR1 2HW

Waldorf International Schools

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Garden House

Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Kilkenny Steiner School

Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

Getting in to Waldorf Teaching

There are many pathways into teaching in the Waldorf Education movement in the UK

The Waldorf Teachers' Standards (previously the National Steiner Waldorf Teacher Standards) were originally created in 2020 as part of a collaborative process to set out the clear benchmarks required for all teachers in Steiner Schools.