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£1m raised to save school from closure
It is thanks to a global effort from parents and alumni who have together raised £1m that Bristol Steiner School and Kindergarten will remain open.
The private school on Redland Hill was on the brink of shutting down but has celebrated its 50th birthday after it was “saved” from closure.
Bristol Steiner School recently held a summer fair “to celebrate both the school’s rich history and its bright future”.
is needed now More than ever
In December, it announced plans to shut its doors at the end of the academic year due to a “recent decline in current student numbers” leading to an “untenable” financial situation.
It is now one of two official Steiner schools left in the South West. Fishponds state school Bristol Steiner Academy closed in 2019 after it was thrown into special measures following a damning Ofsted report.
Bristol Steiner School and Kindergarten has been “saved” from closure – photo: Betty Woolerton
Lindsay Berresford, chair of the Parent Teachers Friends Association, said: “This school has been a cornerstone of our community for 50 years.
“To see it thrive once again, thanks to the collective efforts of so many dedicated individuals, is truly heartwarming.”
New trustee Siobhan Allison said: “Bristol Steiner School has always been more than just a place of learning; for our students, it is somewhere they can be themselves and truly thrive.
“Our new trustees are committed to preserving this legacy while driving forward with a sustainable vision for the future.”
Rilke Hayne added: “As the granddaughter of the founder, it’s incredibly moving to see the spirit of the school reignited by the very community it serves.
“My children are now part of this legacy, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
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Steiner schools provide a “holistic” education, balancing academic learning with artistic and practical subjects such as music, woodwork and gardening.
The curriculum was designed by Rudolph Steiner between 1861 and 1925.
Main photo: Bristol Steiner School and Kindergarten
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