Latest News
The Great Big Michael Hall Ink Spill Winners
Whole School Literacy
Nature’s Path – Alice Friedman-Carones, Class 10, Winner of the Liz Attwell Original Young Writer Award The Boy and The Bug – Sarah Muir, Class 8A, Runner Up of the Liz Attwell Original Young Writer Award The Sphere Of Light – Kayden Payne, Class 10, Science Fiction Winner. Kayden is a proud advocate for dyslexics-spelling […]
Michael Hall Parent’s Voice Survey
Michael Hall Parents
What you Shared with Us in April 2021 Thank you very much to those of you who kindly completed the spring parents voice survey. Your experiences and suggestions provide invaluable information in helping the School further develop and understand the needs of the community. Below is a summary that offers a reflection back of the […]
MHP Speaker Series — Rites of Passage
Kim McCabe and Chris Packe
For our final session of the school year, we were very pleased to welcome Kim McCabe and Chris Packe to share their experience in working with preteen and teen girls and boys, guiding them through times of transition, in addition to also being parents themselves. Kim McCabe, founder of Rites for Girls, author of ‘From Daughter to Woman’ and […]
MHP Speaker Series — 12 year Change
Class Teacher - David Smith
This is the recording from the Speaker Series session with Class 6 teacher David Smith — May 27th, 2021 The event details can be found here: https://michaelhall.co.uk/event/mhp-speaker-series-12yr-change/ In addition, this is a lovely article on the 12 year change, which might also be of interest. by Brian Jacques
Writing Competition
Catherine Fenton
At Michael Hall, we always try to make literacy exciting and fun, so we’ve started an annual writing competition! There are two categories, Class 6-8 and Class 9-12, and you can write about anything you choose; whatever you find rich, interesting and challenging. You could craft a short story, a poem, a factual piece, an […]
Artwork
Class 9
Class 9 Art have been working on exploring still life and landscape genre, experimenting with different techniques. Each student has been approaching a personal theme that they can explore visually: war landscapes, books and alternate realities, trees and the cycle of life, dragons, lipsticks, ocean pollution, shark fishing, flowers, rocks and sea, life and death, […]
Market Garden Main Lesson
Class 9
Class 9 spent two weeks outside for a continuation of the FOOD Main Lesson – this instalment was the beginning of the new season with sowing, preparing beds, planting, some harvesting and packing. They experienced the complete cycle of production, from laying black plastic to create a new 50m growing strip, planting out hundreds of […]
Response to ‘Everyone’s Invited’
Emmeline Hawker - Acting Principal
The educational world has been extremely shaken, a vast number of testimonies have been written highlighting the rape culture which has been uncovered at a number of schools. An initiative called “Everyone’s Invited” has been set up to enable people to share their story www.everyonesinvited.uk Michael Hall School would like to state that we have a […]
MHP Speaker Series — Rubicon
MHP - Daniel Jones
This is the recording from the Speaker Series session with Class 4 teacher Daniel Jones — April 29th, 2021 The event details can be found here: https://michaelhall.co.uk/event/mhp-speaker-series-crossing-the-rubicon/
MHP Speaker Series – Spirit of the school
MHP - Jacob Forward & William Forward
This is a transcript of the talk that was held on March 25th, 2021 via zoom to the community. Please also find the Spirt of the school document to read alongside this discussion. And now the audio is also available Jacob Forward Having attended since I was three years old. I have a very, very […]
“Rewilding” article
Maddy Isaacs
Article by Class 10 student Maddy Isaacs What is rewilding? Rewilding is a progressive and relatively new approach to conservation. It is done by allowing a patch of land to take care of itself with minimum human intervention. The idea is that nature is best at healing itself and naturally regenerates when left alone. To […]
“Page Turners” in celebration of World Book Day
Class 10
Book Review Collection by Class 10 Class 10 read an article of their own choice over the half-term holidays and this week they wrote original and thoughtful reviews of their chosen book, exploring how they relate to 21stC issues. We publish them here as a celebration of World Book Day 2021 – and to encourage […]
Screen-free learning
The Steiner Waldorf schools – individual-oriented and screen-free learning – are currently the rage among hi-tech parents in California’s Silicon Valley. Read full report here
Class 9 Have Published a Short Story Collection!
Presenting The Lockdown Shorts by Class 9!A collection of short stories planned, written and edited in our Narrative Main Lesson.We ask that when you download this e-book, you make a small contribution to Kangaroos, a charity for disabled children: ‘Kangaroos is a registered disability charity based in Mid Sussex providing a range of fun, inclusive […]
Class 7b have been making cakes
Gym workouts with Mr Room and Miss Selter
Skipping with Mr Room is for Classes 3 – 8
School Opening Information
Information as at Monday 4th January 2021 20:45 Children will learn remotely until February half term. Our Kindergartens are currently partially open, to children of non statutory school age and to Kindergarten children of parents with key worker status. Children of statutory school age will receive remote learning packs We are still able to provide […]
Advent Festival of Music
Dear Everyone,On the last Friday of term, we treated ourselves to an Advent Festival of Music. Whilst we really missed singing and playing for our community, we made the most of this opportunity to make music together and I am delighted that we can share some of it with you as we approach Christmas. When listening […]
Seasonal Medley – Old Scholar
Here is a seasonal medley that will have you tapping your toes, humming along and grinning from ear to ear. Philharmonia cellist and Waldorf alumni, Alex Rolton has put together a string of well-known tunes in a big-band style that suggests more instruments being involved than just a single cello. Do share and spread the […]
The Mansion is looking very festive this morning.
Old Scholar – HEALY BUCKS THE TREND TO STAR AT BELFIELD
Read the whole interview here. Congratulations Lorcan!
Silicon Valley
Please take the time to watch this wonderful film from Silicon Valley. We have shared this before, but it’s a healthy reminder that Waldorf education is necessary now more than ever.
Michaelmas Festival
Such fun was had by all students and staff on Friday last week. The dragon visited the different classes on the Valley Field, led by Class 11 and Class 3 were the fire. The grounds look amazing, Rhododendrons were cut back, fires were made, seeds collected, vegetables picked, washed and made into soup, a huge […]
Evolved Parents Group
Michael Hall Parents group
We are excited to announcement the launch of Michael Hall Parents (working title!) which is an evolution of the Parents Working Group and likely groups of the past! Please do read the further details on the page, in short we exist to “Support and dialogue with parents for Waldorf Education at Michael Hall School”. This […]
Sitting Exams in November
Nikki Whale
All students that were entered for exams in Summer 2020 have the opportunity to sit their exams in the November 2020 series.The entry deadlines are as follows: AS/A Levels entry deadline is 4th September 2020 GCSE English and Maths entry deadline is 4th October 2020 All other GCSE subjects the deadline is 18th September 2020 If […]
Celebrating outstanding GCSE results
Richard Siddons
Our students at Michael Hall School are celebrating outstanding GCSE examination results (now including BTEC Awards). Half of the results awarded to Class 10 (Year 11) students were graded 9 to 7, which is comparable to A* and A for GCSE. This demonstrates an astounding effort from our students throughout their two-year course. It is great to see […]
Amazing A-level results at Michael Hall
Richard Siddons and Michaela Devaris
It gives us great pleasure to announce that Class 12 Sixth Form are celebrating a fantastic set of results. It’s absolutely great and amazing that all students have managed to do so well in their exams in these challenging times. Their success in adversity is a true test of their characters and demonstrates they are […]
Exam Results Information
Nikki Whale
Student Guide to Appeals GCSE and A level students to receive centre assessment grades Statement from Roger Taylor, Chair, Ofqual ‘Ofqual have produced a fact booklet explaining how the Summer 2020 Exam Results have been calculated, along with advice about what to do if your results don’t match expectations’ Nikki Whale, Exams Officer
NOTICE OF MICHAEL HALL SCHOOL LIMITED ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020
The Michael Hall School AGM will be take place as follows: Date: 27th June 2020 – Time 10.00 to 13.00 – Venue: Online meeting via Zoom Agenda and Council Report In observance of the national lockdown regulations for the Covid19 pandemic the meeting will be held online. Members of the Michael Hall Association will receive […]
Admissions Summer 2020
Paul Farr
Dear Parents, Welcome to Michael Hall and our temporary “outdoor classroom.” As our children slowly return onsite, we want to make their experience as safe, fun and happy as possible. Our programme of “education outside” allows pupils to continue their rich learning experience whilst being equipped with all the provisions necessary to maintain safety during […]
We’re all Alone, Together
Class 8b
Class 8b were set an English practise piece to try to write a poem or song lyrics about their experiences so far in lockdown. These are the lyrics to Emilies song and in can be heard here. Verse 1 Alone Together Lyrics We’re in a time,Where home is our world. Sitting ‘round all day, Trying to […]
Let There Be Peace
Brighton Festival Youth Choir
Class 9 student Kayden, a member of Brighton Festival Youth Choir has had to transition from a soprano to a tenor during lockdown. He has also learnt how to record in order that this could be performed. Written by Lemn Sissay and Juliette Pochin and performed by The Brighton Festival Youth Choir, do listen to […]
World bee day yesterday
Another swarm at Michael Hall, they seem to like it here. Mrs Fuller collected the swarm into an empty hive with some help from Kirsty, Ian and family yesterday. They will check on them later today to see if they have settled. The smaller swarm collected last week are doing well. Thank you for the […]
Coronavirus shows us it’s time to rethink everything. Let’s start with education
George Monbiot
George Monbiot is a Guardian columnist and writes on the pandemic and how it is a tough lesson in the workings of the natural world – and proves how vital a knowledge of ecology really is. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/12/coronavirus-education-pandemic-natural-world-ecology
All That Jazz
Emilies Big Band Arrangement
Please do listen to Emilies Big Band Arrangement – All That Jazz on the news post on our website, it is truly remarkable. Mr Rolton, Music Teacher Class 8 project was to learn about jazz Big Bands, and to write (and then perform) a Big Band arrangement of “ And All That Jazz” from the musical […]
A new swarm of bees at Michael Hall
Yesterday Mrs Fuller and Mrs Courtenay, found a swarm of bees. They had flown out of a hive in Mrs Fuller’s garden and into a hedge in her next door neighbours garden. Mrs Fuller and Mrs Courtenay carefully collected the swarm in a skep, covered it gently in a sheet and drove it to Michael […]
Story – The Town Musicians of Bremen – all ages
Julian Rolton
Here is the light-hearted story of The Town Musicians of Bremen full of music, fun and magic. The story has been adapted by our wonderful Violin Teacher, Nicoline Kraamwinkel who also asked friends and family from the London Mozart Players to contribute musical characters to the telling. The story-teller is a wonderful young actor called Robert Kirby […]
Jaxson is growing and learning new tricks every day – enjoy the latest video
Jaxson – the story so far
Exams – Ofqual – A short Video for students
The latest information from Ofqual be can be found below.
Meet Jaxson – Our School Dog (puppy)
Canine Assisted Intervention We are very excited to introduce you to a new member of staff who we will be welcoming to Michael Hall School. Jaxson is a Golden Retriever who will soon be training to become a school dog and is set to become an integral part of our school community. When all our […]
How GCSEs, AS & A levels will be awarded in summer 2020
Since the Secretary of State for Education announced that the 2020 exam series in England would be cancelled to help fight the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have worked at speed to develop a process which fairly recognises students’ work and makes sure they get their grades in time to progress. We have today, Friday […]
Support for Young People
Listed below are some helplines and websites where young people can get information, advice and support. Brook Young People’s Information Service: Information, support and signposting service for young people under 25 on sexual health. Also run a confidential enquiry service via the Brook website. Details of local services available via text message (see website for […]
Latest Exam News (26th March)
Nicola Whale
Please see this link for the latest news from ofqual regarding Exams this summer.
Exams news (20th March)
Julie Ruse
This link takes you to a page on gov.uk that explains the current thinking about exam qualifications. Whilst it very clearly states that all exams are cancelled this summer both academic and vocational, it does suggest that completed course work (or even course work that can be completed) will be valid in assessing attainment. It also […]
How to handle the current viral outbreak with young children
Mark Fielding
If you handle it right, what your children will remember about the virus is not the fear living in our environment, but it could be what you do with them at home. That is, the time you spend with them – keeping things as normal as possible, playing games, reading, going for walks, doing housework […]
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Mitchell)
Class 12
“THERE COULD BE OTHER WORLDS” Class 12 play will have a run of three shows, Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday matinee. Tickets are on sale in reception and we look forward to welcoming the Michael Hall community with warmth and anticipation.
Lower School curriculum themes and narrative
Lower School Faculty
To the left of the picture we see that the narrative theme of Class 1 is based on traditional fairy tales and the rich language of archetypes that is to be found within them. Moving counter-clockwise to the right, we see the Class 2 narrative themes which come from traditional animal fables that highlight possible […]
Recommended Reading List
Michael Hall School
We are often asked to recommend books on the pedagogy and the roots of the education. Here are some of the ones we recommend most often. Many of these books are available in Forest Row either at ‘Al Fine’ or at ‘Emerson College’, also available from ‘Steiner Press’. In addition, books published by the SWSF […]
Waldorf 100 film
Video
The film “Learn to Change the World” shows people from around the world who work on the big pedagogical tasks of our time based on Waldorf/Steiner pedagogy. It is the first of more to come which aim to show concrete approaches to these tasks.
What Rudolf Steiner Told the First Waldorf Teachers
Martin Schmandt
After fifteen years working mainly as a class teacher, my focus this year has been on educating teachers. This has included working with both Michael Hall’s teacher trainees and a group of teachers new to Michael Hall having no previous Waldorf experience. I have also made several trips to China to support the burgeoning Waldorf […]
How Many Brains Have You Got?
Henry Howlett
Rather than being an expression of neurological one-upmanship, the above question is one that contemporary researchers suggest should be taken very seriously. The answer that is coming to light has significant implications, not only for medical science, but also because it clearly validates a core principle on which Steiner Waldorf education is founded. Over the […]
Steiner Education: Educating Both Sides of the Brain
Emmeline Hawker
Henry (Howlett) and I both have a psychology background. I have a degree in Psychology and Counselling and teach psychology A-level whilst Henry worked in research psychology at Cambridge. Both of us have come to Waldorf education because after studying psychology and then reading the lectures of Rudolf Steiner, we came to the conclusion that […]
Is Eurythmy Essential to Steiner Waldorf Education?
Maurice Manning
I retired from teaching in the spring of 2018 after a prolonged period of illness but happily was invited back to say goodbye to the children (for whom I had simply disappeared for a long time!) as part of the end of term assembly just before Easter last year. Some of the children and young […]
Brighton Waldorf School
Video
An inspiring video capturing the Waldorf School in Brighton
A Case For Waldorf Education
Robert C Oelhaf
The case for Waldorf Education is clear for anyone familiar with pedagogical and physiological research of the last few decades. Although Waldorf schools have been working and teaching in much the same manner as the original school established by Rudolf Steiner in Stuttgart, only recently have independent research programs confirmed the soundness of Steiner’s pedagogy. […]
The Tricky Triangle
Dorit Winter
Children, Parents, and Teachers Any school community has three distinct populations. But, in Waldorf schools at least, after 78 years, the relationship among them has changed. There are the children. There are the children’s parents. There are the children’s teachers. Children—parents—teachers. Why are these relationships so tricky? (note 1) Inherent in the blood relationship of […]
The Kindergarten Child
Peter Lang
Editor’s Note: Last year the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development announced the results of its Program for International Student Assessment, known as PISA. One of the results of PISA has been a demand on the part of politicians to call for the increased teaching of academic subjects and imposition of standardized testing at […]
Exam information for candidates
Important notice to candidates regarding exam conduct All students must read the following exam conduct notices. These are also displayed on the exam notice board in the Great Hall in the Mansion. Guidance for Students, Parents & Guardians Warning to Candidates Information for candidates – Privacy Notice Information for candidates – written exams Information for […]
Age-Appropriate Working with the Will
William Forward
In a child-centred approach to education there are many lenses through which one can look to gain a deeper understanding of the child. One such is the thinking, feeling and willing nature of the human being. The thinking is centred in the head and the brain, the feeling in the chest and heart and lung […]
Rhyme, Rhythm and Ritual, the Three Rʼs of Childhood
Stephen Sheen
In Sept 2014, the following open letter appeared in the UK Daily Telegraph, signed by over 200 specialists in various fields of Education: Sir- “The erosion of childhood” is becoming a theme of concern to citizens across the political spectrum.The latest salvo in this “paradigm war” for the heart of childhood has been discharged by […]