Alder Bridge School
- Alder Bridge School
Bridge House
Mill Lane
Padworth
Reading
Berkshire
RG7 4JU - Head: College of Teachers
- T 0118 971 4471
- F 0709 204 2631
- E admissions@alderbridge.org.uk
- W www.alderbridge.org.uk
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 3 to 12.
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: West Berkshire
- Pupils: 60
- Religion: None
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
What the school says...
As a Steiner-Waldorf school, we are proud to provide an education which works with every aspect of the child intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual - allowing them to grow into confident, creative and free-thinking adults. While nurturing a childs imaginative and cognitive capacities we are also enabling them to become socially and economically responsible citizens.
Kindergarten (ages 3 - 6) provides a 'home-from-home' where a child can explore their relationship with the world through imaginative play, and develop key skills through meaningful work such as baking, gardening and seasonal crafts.
Upon entering the Lower School at age 6, a child begins their formal education with a curriculum that is rich, broad and balanced. Key subjects are taught in thematic blocks of 3 - 4 weeks, allowing time for a deep understanding to develop and a love of learning to be nurtured.
As the only Steiner-Waldorf school in the Thames Valley, we enjoy a semi-rural setting with easy links to London. Our extensive grounds, including woodland, provide an array of outdoor experiences that are part of the wonder of childhood. ...Read more
What the parents say...
Alder Bridge is a Steiner Waldorf school which claims to offer an alternative and creative style to education. What parents are not told is that a religion called 'anthroposophy' (invented by Rudolph Steiner over 100 years ago) underpins everything that is said and done here. Some people may not be comfortable with this. It is my suggestion any prospective parents must research this subject thoroughly, by looking at websites, such as Waldorf Watch and Quackometer, written and contributed to by people with first-hand knowledge of these schools. I only wish I had found this out before deciding to send my child to this school as it was not a good or positive experience. Having realised this, it cost over £1,500 to pay for intensive private tutoring to get my child up to a reasonable educational standard in order to return her to mainstream school - even then she was placed a year below her peers as she was so far behind academically. Overall my child hated the experience of going there. However, this style of school may suit some children. In my opinion, this school is not in a good state of repair, with most of the maintenance to the buildings and grounds carried out by parents in their spare time.
Commented on 20th Jan 2013
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Alderbridge is a unique, special little school with great teachers, wonderful natural grounds and woodlands and a special community of which parents are closely connected. My son loves school from the day he started class 1. He comes home and spends the afternoon singing (including in French and German), practising letters, doing drawing, wax or making something; he is so excited to be starting recorder. Even though there is no homework until much later on he does it without realising! He especially loves handwork (making things with wool like knitting, weaving ect). In class 1 there is only one afternoon which is obligatory in which they go for forest school in the schools woodlands being outside which he loves. The fact that he does not have to do full days every day means he does not get overtired and has time to process everything that he is learning at school or has time to do other activities. They learn through play and games, stories, movement and art which seems to be fitting with him well. There is no testing and exams, so the children can learn without those stresses. Since starting class 1 he ability to focus and concentrate has dramatically improved and is much more artistic, both in appreciation and practise. He has pride in his achievements at school. Being a small school means that all age groups are often doing things together which socially is good too. The numerous festivals, which parents help out on often, help build a sense of community.
Commented on 24th Mar 2017