About the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship®
The SWSF is the representative body of Steiner Waldorf schools in the UK and responsible for accrediting schools.
The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship®:-
- Runs workshops and conferences for Steiner schools and Early Years Centres.
- Co-ordinates Steiner curriculum research and development.
- Supports the development of teacher training programmes (full time and in-service).
- Provides advisory and support services across teaching and governance to Steiner schools and Early Years Centres.
- Represents Steiner education to the media, academics, governmental agencies, and educationalists in general.
- Provides consultancy services on a range of educational issues.
- Provides information resources.
The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship® Executive Group
Fran Russell – Executive Director
Fran is a former solicitor and experienced senior charity executive. She played a pivotal role in the development of Greenwich Steiner School from its early days as a new initiative to become a fully established school. After leaving Greenwich she was an inspector with HM Inspectorate of Prisons where her work included inspecting secure facilities holding children.
As a solicitor Fran advocated for children in the prison and care systems and was the founding Director of the Howard League for Penal Reform’s children’s law department which takes test cases to improve the care and education of children in prison. This work led to the creation of a specialised juvenile estate and improved safeguarding and child protection links between prisons and local children’s services. She was previously a member of the School’s Group at the Greenwich Children’s Safeguarding Board (now Partnership) and was Vice-Chair of Governors at a London comprehensive from 2015 to 2019. She has twin girls who were educated at Greenwich Steiner School.
Kath Bransby – Education Co-ordinator
Kath Bransby – Education Coordinator.
An English graduate, Kath was a teacher and senior leader in the mainstream for 15 years. Through the introduction of aspects of Steiner Waldorf principles and practice, she was able to transform schools and settings, with this work being recognised very positively by colleagues, children, parents and Ofsted.
Kath also works part-time as a lecturer and tutor in teacher education at Sheffield Hallam University, and delivers training in storytelling, outdoor learning and crafting with children for Sheffield City Council.
Email: kath@steinerwaldorf.org
Janni Nicol – Early Childhood Coordinator
Janni attended the first Steiner school in Cape Town, South Africa and qualified as a kindergarten teacher. After teaching in the Cape Town Waldorf School, she moved to the UK where she gained further qualifications. In 1989 she started a parent and child group which grew into the present Cambridge Steiner School where she was the founder Kindergarten teacher. She was instrumental in starting the SW Foundation Degree in EC Studies, and teaches on the SW early years training courses.
Janni has worked for the SWSF for over 20 years, lectures widely and has written a number of books on Steiner Waldorf early childhood education and care. She is the editor and publisher of KINDLING, Journal for Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood. She is on the Board of IASWECE, (The international kindergarten association).
Email: jnicol@steinerwaldorf.org
Sam Greshoff – Early Childhood / Conference Coordinator
Sam studied Renaissance History at Warwick University between 1985-1988 and then went on to a career in the organisation of Medical Conferences working for the Royal Society of Medicine and Royal College of Physicians. For the last twenty years she has worked as a Parent and Child Group Leader and Kindergarten Teacher and has co-ordinated training and continuing professional development for educators working with children from birth to three.
Sam is also a tutor on the innovative Holistic Baby and Childcare Course and the NESWEC Kindergarten training.
Email: sam@steinerwaldorf.org
