Teacher Education Programmes

Updated 11.02.2021

There are many pathways to becoming a teacher in the Waldorf education movement in the UK. There is no minimum qualification requirement for teachers in non-maintained schools (i.e. independent schools and academies), and courses vary greatly in their entrance requirements, methods of delivery and final awards.

Most Steiner Waldorf schools will expect that teachers have completed a specialist Waldorf teacher education course, such as those listed below. Other teaching experience and qualifications, such as a PGCE, are also valued. Teachers in the kindergarten must have an accredited ‘full and relevant’ qualification recognised by the Department for Education (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-qualifications-finder) such as that provided by the kindergarten trainings listed below. It is important for overseas students to check that completion of the course of their choice provides a qualification that is applicable in their home country.

Continuing professional development for teachers is offered within schools, by the SWSF and by the teacher education courses and their tutors. Please see the current SWSF CPD offer and CPD bulletin for details.

SWSF works together with the Association of Steiner Waldorf Teacher Educators (ASWTE) to co-ordinate a national strategy for teacher education in the UK and Ireland. ASWTE member courses are listed below. All courses run independently of SWSF and SWSF has no role in quality assurance of any teacher education course. Please contact the courses directly for information.

ASWTE member Teacher Education Courses:

ASWTE is the member organisation for Steiner Waldorf Teacher Education courses in the UK. Representatives of the courses meet regularly to provide peer support and mentoring, and to co-ordinate a national strategy for Steiner Waldorf teacher education alongside SWSF.

ASWTE members providing accredited training courses:

Baby and Childcare:

CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Baby and Child Care (Early Years Educator)

This training integrates Steiner early childhood studies and the Pikler approach whilst meeting Level 3 Early Years Educator criteria. With a unique birth to three emphasis it is an ideal qualification for those wishing to care for children as childminders, and parent and child group and parent support group leaders. In mainstream care settings the Holistic Baby and Child Care qualification is suitable for those wishing to care for children from birth to five. Successful completion of the course and all assignments will lead to the CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Baby and Child Care (Early Years Educator ) (VRQ) (601/5636/3) qualification certified jointly by Crossfields Institute and CACHE. The course, which is part time over one year, is offered by Emerson College. The monthly course days and weekends will be held at Rudolf Steiner House, London, residentials will be held at Emerson College, East Sussex.
email: registrar@emerson.org.uk.
Website: www.emerson.org.uk/holistic-baby-and-child-care
Tel:  01342 827771

Early Years:

CACHE Level 4 Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies (Early Years Educator) (VRQ) – 601/5130/4

Delivered by the London Steiner Kindergarten Training Company, this training leads to a level 4 Ofqual accredited qualification which meets the Early Years Educator level 3 criteria. In collaboration with CACHE, Crossfields Institute is responsible for approval, ongoing delivery, and centre quality assurance of this qualification. This qualification is delivered on a part time basis over two years. It is followed by a one year full time work placement in a Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten which may lead to a Level 5 early years qualification. The course is based at Rudolf Steiner House, Regents Park, London, with residentials in Gloucestershire. The course begins annually towards the end of August
Email: Suzanne.Leek@ntlworld.com

CACHE Level 4 Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies (Early Years Educator) (VRQ) – 601/5130/4

Delivered by NESWEC, (North of England Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood), this training leads to a level 4 Ofqual accredited qualification which meets the Early Years Educator level 3 criteria. In collaboration with CACHE, Crossfields Institute is responsible for approval, ongoing delivery, and centre quality assurance of this qualification. This qualification is delivered on a part time basis over two years. It is followed by a one year full time work placement in a Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten which may lead to a Level 5 early years qualification which is recognised by IASWECE as an international Steiner Waldorf early childhood qualification.
Email: jill@neswec.org.uk
Website: www.neswec.org.uk
Tel: 01782 504567

Lower, Middle and Upper School:

Edinburgh Steiner Teacher Education Course

Three year part time course running all day Saturdays 8.45 – 6.30 during term time.

The course has been third-party credit-rated by the University of Edinburgh. It carries an SCQF Level 10 rating, commensurate with other Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes and will be subject to annual review via Quality Assurance processes overseen by the University of Edinburgh. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a teacher with the General Teaching Council of Scotland for an individual school in Scotland (Named School Only Registration). Teachers completing the Edinburgh course can also teach in schools in other parts of the UK. The equivalent qualification rating is available on the following link https://eal.org.uk/support/document-library/7-uk-qualifications-comparison-table/file

Address: 60 Spylaw Road Edinburgh EH10 5BR
Email: teachertraining@edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk 
Website: www.edinburghsteinerschool.org.uk
Tel: 0131 3373410
Fax: 0131 5386066

ASWTE members providing non-accredited teacher education courses:

London Waldorf Teacher Training Seminar

Two years part time, Saturdays, including summer intensive plus occasional one day and weekend conferences and workshops held at Steiner House, near Baker Street underground, London.
Email: info@waldorftraining.org.uk
Website: www.waldorftraining.org.uk

North of England Steiner Teacher Training (NESTT)

A two year Part time course taught primarily at the York Steiner School. For more information, please contact the course Administrator, Judy Gray.
Address: c/o 15 School Lane, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2RE
Email: nestt@btinternet.com

West Of England Steiner Teacher Training (WESTT)

‘Art of Education Course’, Two years part time, based at Wynstones School, Gloucestershire.
Email: info@westt.org.uk
Website: www.westt.org.uk

Non-ASWTE training courses

Other specialist courses (non-accredited):

Align For Learning

Align for Learning is a training seminar designed specifically to assist teachers in identifying and assessing learning differences as well as to design and implement effective classroom differentiation interventions. The foundations of the course are based on the pedagogical insights of Rudolf Steiner however it will also use tools from current psychological and neuroscientific research and educational theory and practice as well as the legal context of SEND today. The course  is designed for anyone working within early years, primary and/or secondary settings and will prepare students to be able to undertake the tasks relevant to Special Education with confidence and professionalism.
Email: info@swasend.com
Website: www.swasend.co.uk/align-for-learning/

Bothmer Movement Training

Bothmer Movement has been taught and practiced all over the world for 100 years.

Specific movements, hands-on techniques and practices are used to strengthen our relationship to our body and the space and people around us. Movement and space can be engaged with in many simple, profound ways: singing, playing games, connection to nature, laughter – we instinctively know the benefit.

Workshops and short courses are designed to support Steiner Waldorf gymnastics and games teachers in their profession. The courses are also applicable to all Waldorf teachers and parents to gain insights into pedagogical approaches to play and games. 

Bothmer Movement offers an experiences of the exercises themselves, an embodied understanding of child development, a deepening of our imagination, realignment of the body that works towards healthier physical movements and of course games, play, social activities and much more.

Most training takes place at Michael Hall School, Forest Row, Sussex.

Contact address: 21 Verbania Way, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3UP
Website: www.theschoolofhumanmovement.org
Email: susan@bothmermovement.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7738 855 997

Steiner Education Diploma

A Creative Research Approach to Teacher Training by Robert Rose

The idea of “The Teacher as a Creative Researcher” might conjure up the image of the lonely researcher exploring dry old text books in a library. The idea in the context of this Diploma is very different. Research is meant here as a creative activity which can happen in any kind of media, such as in practicing arts, music, designing curricula or in philosophical ideas, moral virtues, meditation and personal transformation. The aim of this Diploma is to engage participants in this diversity of media and expand the notion of research particularly in the context of Steiner Education.

Sixteen weekend seminars over two years, eight modules, based in South Devon Steiner School.
Distance and flexible learning options.

For further details, please view the course outline PDF or email robertrose9@hotmail.com

Nurturing a Young Family in Challenging Times – A Waldorf Approach

An online course for parents new to Waldorf early years education.

Six Saturday mornings, fortnightly starting October 3rd, 2020.

Contact Joy for further details :joydeberker@msn.com or (+44 UK) 01225 891730 or 07766326282

UK Waldorf Handwork Training Course

Held at Wynstones School, Gloucester. Maximum 20 students.

This is aimed at existing Handwork teachers, assistants, kindergarten/class teachers, parents and anybody who has a passion for using their hands creatively. The purpose of this course is to develop strength, knowledge, and expertise within the Waldorf Handwork Curriculum. Held on one weekend each month from September to June (10 weekends). Our course will journey through the Handwork Curriculum from Class One to Eight. Starting at the transition from Kindergarten to Class One, each weekend will be dedicated to a specific developmental stage, addressing the appropriate crafts and Waldorf pedagogical background of the child at this age. Each weekend will be full of innovative practice within the Handwork curriculum, lead by experienced Handwork teachers who will guide participants’ understanding and development of practical skills.

Participants will learn new skills, deepen existing areas of expertise and develop ways of sharing these skills with others. The course will include Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Felting, Doll making, Natural dyeing, Cross Stitch and More. Each student will be expected to make a portfolio of work recording their journey on this course.

For further details contact: hwtcourse@gmail.com

Relevant post-graduate education:

Accredited courses:

Crossfields Institute Level 7 Diploma in Philosophy and Practice of Integrative Education

Now in its fourth year, this part time, post-graduate level programme provides a unique opportunity for Waldorf inspired educators working in a variety of contexts. With modules dedicated to Waldorf education, to integrative education and to personal and professional development, students are enabled to work on an aspect of their own practice whilst also engaging in deep, underlying questions about the human being and about human learning and development. The programme runs over 12 months and combines short residential intensives with online learning. It is suitable for those in full-time work.

PPIE now includes a leadership pathway for those holding, or aspiring to hold, leadership roles in schools. In this pathway students are supported to understand fundamental leadership and self-leadership principles that enhance transparency, responsiveness and competence.

The programme aims to inspire openness, innovation, creative thinking and personal transformation as a basis for successful teaching, learning and leading.

For more information about the programme, download the leaflet here, visit the Crossfields Institute website (www.crossfieldsinstitute.com) or email fergus@crossfieldsinstitute.com.

Ruskin Mill Trust and University College Lillehammer:
Master in Special Education: Practical Skills Transformative Learning

Through practice enhanced research and research enhanced practice, this masters explores alternative approaches to special education pioneered by Ruskin Mill Trust. It seeks to explore the pedagogic potential of craft, ecology, biodynamic ecology and movement.

The programme provides a unique opportunity for teachers using practical skills to reflect upon, evaluate, research and develop their practice in relation to teaching people with special needs.

It is an innovative partnership between Ruskin Mill Trust and University College Lillehammer that crosses borders, disciplines and professions to create a transfomative dialogue between research and practice.

Email: enquiries@rmt.org
Website: www.rmt.org/master-in-special-education