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Upper School for Students 14 - 19 years

Our Upper School goes from Class 9 to Class 12 (Year 10 to year 13 in mainstream).

Our programme is different from most other educational settings because we offer an inspiring, creative and intelligent curriculum (Steiner Waldorf) and a genuine alternative qualification; the Certificate of Steiner Education (NZCSE).

We believe that the NZCSE is literally the ‘best kept secret’ in education. It shouldn’t be, but it is. Our 18 year old students are now able to reap the benefit of the Steiner Waldorf curriculum and concurrently attain a Level 3 qualification (comparable to A-Levels, IB, Abitur etc) that allows them to step into the world, be it university, work or a gap year. Our committed team of Upper School teachers is continually working on the ‘good practice’ that is needed to underpin our qualification.

Our programme allows students to explore subjects independently and in depth, becoming increasingly specialised as they mature and enter Classes 11 and 12, with extension areas in their preferred subjects. (Details of our curriculum subjects can be found by selecting 'Education' from the main menu, then 'Curriculum Overview'. Please select the subjects from the drop down menu).
 
We would like to invite you to join with us on this exciting journey towards a meaningful education, that seeks to prepare students for a future filled with confidence and interest in the world.

Why Steiner School?

Quite right! Why would you transfer into Steiner education or to a new school when all your friends are about to embark on their GCSE or A Level courses? 

For us, it is a question of what you want from your education.

Do you want to be inspired to learn and continue learning, long after the lesson has ended?
Do you want to learn how to ask questions and research answers?
Do you enjoy experiential lessons as well as rigorous academic learning?
Do you want to combine your creativity with your academic progress?
Do you like the idea of going on numerous educational visits throughout every school year to really cement your classroom experience?
Would you like to avoid the pressure of examinations and instead work consistently hard throughout the course to achieve the points necessary for each qualification level?

​If you have answered 'yes' to any of these questions, come and meet us. We may just be the school you are looking for!

Never Heard of Steiner School?

While tours of the school are currently on hold due to the pandemic, you could request a trial day to see whether what we do speaks to you.  

Whilst some of what we do might feel unfamiliar at first, especially if you have attended a mainstream school to date, our Upper School faculty and friendly students are always happy to help you transition successfully to a Steiner Waldorf education and our Upper School programme.

​Our Education Manager and Upper School teachers are available to chat through how you might transfer into our programme and transform your educational experience. Call 01803-897377 to make an appointment or contact the Admissions Team.

Transferring from other Steiner Waldorf Settings

Students from UK Steiner schools as well as international students from Waldorf settings around the world may apply to our programme. Our Upper School is immensely culturally diverse, especially considering it is relatively small in size and we welcome applications from students from around the globe, subject to their meeting our criteria and UK border controls.

If you are a UK based Steiner student who would like to apply to our Upper School programme, you are welcome to join our programme at any stage along the four year course. For some, this might be at the beginning of class 9 and for others, completing class 10 and then transferring to South Devon Steiner School might be what works. To discuss your requirements, please make contact with the Admissions Team.

Wherever you are currently studying, we are happy to help you make a successful transition to South Devon Steiner Upper School.

Stand Out with a Steiner Education

"The Steiner system really benefitted me when I applied to University. It made me stand out in a group of students who came from the same system.

The most obvious benefit of the Steiner system is the way you are treated by Professors and tutors; they can very quickly identify a Steiner student and are much more open and willing to help.

There is a stigma that being a Steiner student will lower your chances of being accepted to University but this simply isn't true. I've come across many Steiner students from all over the world who all say the same thing: We feel different to other students and more confident in our ability. We are faster to grasp the higher academic level at University and feel at home in self-motivation based work."

Christopher Drewell, SDSS Alumni

Our International Qualification

​Students study the Steiner Waldorf curriculum and are assessed using the NZCSE framework, which sits on the NZQA. At Level 3, the NZCSE has verified parity (via NARIC) with any other UK Level 3 qualification, such as A Level / International Baccalaureate. It is an internationally recognised qualification.

The programme is a single exit qualification, and graduating students are able to apply for university places via the usual UCAS pathway. 

Students can join the Upper School throughout the four year programme. Students from mainstream settings as well as from other independent and Steiner Waldorf schools may also apply for the Upper School. 

There may be some financial assistance available to applicants to the Upper School as long as they meet our set criteria.

For more information please see the links and references below, or contact Jeff van Zyl, School Education Manager.

Links & Downloads