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Wynstones offers a Steiner education
in a beautiful setting
The school is set well back from the road in 11 acres of grounds, next to Whaddon church, with views across Gloucestershire's fields and hills to all sides. Our 100 year old main building is a reassuring central space, and each of our newer classroom blocks has been placed sensitively nearby to create a 'village centre' feel - helping us engender a real community of pupils, parents, teachers and staff within the school.
The school works within the Steiner Waldorf ethos which is to enable each child to develop and balance their spiritual, intellectual, emotional and practical qualities from Kindergarten onwards.
The school has a non-selective approach to education and believes in achieving high standards in all years without undue stress or a competitive system.
Our recent inspection report states:
"The overall quality of the education provided by Wynstones School is excellent. In particular the curriculum and other activities are of high quality. The pupils are well cared for and appreciate the support that they receive from their teachers with respect for both their personal and academic development. The pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding as is their behaviour and their realtionships with each other and the staff. Pupils of all ages and abilities make good progress in their learning and the overall welfare, health and safety of pupils is also good."
"What the school does well:
- it promotes the personal development of the pupils both as individuals and in their groups very effectively;
- it provides outstanding opportunities for artistic and creative development;
- it provides high quality and often outstanding teaching; and
- it provides outstanding breadth and quality of curriculum"
SIS - Schools Inspection Service - November 2009
Full Report available as a PDF - please click here
A New Hall has just been completed to provide pupils with extra space for games, concerts and plays. Please go to New Hall for more information. The hall will also be available for hire to the local community.
Overview of our education
From age 6, the main lesson of the day runs uninterrupted for about two hours, giving the children time to engage more deeply with the topic in hand. A single theme is studied for around 4 weeks in a row weaving in all aspects of social and academic life. For example a study of Egypt might connect language, art, history, geography, culture, mathematics, sciences, movement, dance and song. Children reach far greater depths of understanding when they can study like this.
There is no 'streaming' within classes and the equality extends further: all pupils study all subjects, so girls do metalwork, just as boys do movement classes and knitting.
From age 6 until 14, children have the same class teacher, which gives a real sense of security to the pupils. From the age of 14 onwards, students are supported by the pastoral care of a personal tutor. Such long term pupil-teacher-parent relationships provide the stability and continuity that are fundamental to a successful growing and learning environment.
Pupils receive continuous formative assessment to check their growth in human, social and academic spheres. This leave school-life free to be an enjoyable time for learning with enthusiasm and growing self-confidence.
Pupils have a range of choice of GCSEs. Many then take AS and A2 courses. The pass rate at GCSE and A levels is generally well above the national average.
Our pupils are positively welcomed by Universities, colleges and in the work place.
Note: all material on this website belongs to Wynstones school and cannot be copied or printed without the school's permission.
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