The Upper School
Class 8 - Class 11 (Years 10-13) — ages 13-17
At Holywood Steiner School, we seek to develop the child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual nature, and we value teaching methods that serve the child’s practical, artistic, social, and intellectual needs equally.
During adolescence, young people awaken to a sense of their own individuality, in what can be a painful process. At the same time the teaching approach and the curriculum seek to strengthen the thinking and the individual’s ability to manage the changes experienced at this time. Upper School teachers understand these experiences and can help guide and support students through them, towards balance and maturity. Independent working and skills are strongly encouraged, giving the young person a true inner confidence.
We work hard to offer pupils a harmonious and flexible curriculum. This means balancing science and humanities subjects, practical activities, cultural
pursuits, and exam preparation. Students benefit from an exchange programme in Class 9 when they visit a family in Bochum, Germany and attend school for between three and six weeks. Local grammar schools welcome Steiner educated pupils and recognise and appreciate the independent approach our pupils have to the world and their work.
To enquire about enrolment, please contact the school office on 028 9042 8029 or info@holywood-steiner.co.uk.
Alternatively if you are ready to apply, you can download an application form here.
Examination Results
Our mission is to inspire students through unique methods of learning. We recognise children interact with the world and learn in distinctly different ways at different ages. The Waldorf curriculum teaches subjects in ways that correspond to the developmental stage of the child. The Steiner approach follows 95% of countries around the world in delaying formal learning until the age of seven, and by the age of eleven, students are often academically ahead of their peers.
The use of drawing, painting, music, movement, poetry, modelling, and drama enhances the learning experience in all subjects. This encourages a strong sense for the artistic and cultural life and is supported by an aesthetic teaching environment.
Children joining Steiner Schools embark on a journey of learning and discovery. Class teachers are trained Waldorf teachers who lead students through the challenges of growing up, developing creative and responsible citizens able to bring purpose and direction to their lives.
The number of Steiner students attending Oxford and Cambridge is well above the national average. Universities favour Steiner school pupils because they are great all-round thinkers and exceedingly good at their own research. Steiner students have gone on to thrive in all areas of science, theatre, journalism, sport, music, and academia.
The Steiner approach is tried and tested and is part of state funded, mainstream provision in most European countries. We measure our success in terms of how each pupil improves and progresses on their own individual academic journey. Pupil’s performance is measured against their potential and not against their peers. We are proud of the fact that our Upper school is not academically selective, and we embrace a broad intake of pupils.
Results
GCSE Results 2019*
*There was no GCSE class in 2019.
| Grammar School /Sixth Form College |
Further Education | Employment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2020 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Class of 2019* | - | - | - |
| Class of 2018 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Class of 2017 | 2 | 3 | 2 |