These schools follow the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, who placed great emphasis on the development of the individual and believed that spiritual truth was human rather than in some way divine. The first school, The Waldorf School, opened in Germany in 1919; Steiner schools were closed by the Nazis in 1938.

Currently there are over 1000 Steiner schools worldwide and 2000 early-years settings in over 60 countries. Those in UK and Ireland are members of the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship (SWSF). 35 of the schools are in the UK, many are prep schools and only a few teach up to A-level. For further details check the website, www.steinerwaldorf.org.uk.