ISCHE Conference 34

1. What was thenature of
theinternationalconnectionsbetweenthe
Waldorf School and the New
EducationMovement?
P AT R I C I A Q U I R O G A U C E D A
UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID
( S PA I N )
EMAIL: PQUIROGA@EDU.UCM.ES

2. 1. Introduction
Aim: explore the connections between two
movements: The New Education Fellowship (NEF)
and Anthroposophy
Two sources:
 The Journal The New Era
 Rudolf Steiner’s educational conferences 1907-
1925

3. 2. Context
 Late nineteenth century, interest on the occult,
esoterism and spirituality.
 In 1875: creation of the Theosophical Society in
New York.
 1902 Rudolf Steiner became the Secretary of the
German Section of the Theosophical Society.
 Split in 1912. Rudolf Steiner creates the
Anthroposophical Society.

4. 3.New Education and Anthroposophy:
theorigin of theirinterest in education
 (NEF): promotion of international education and
provide an international record of “experimental
work”, through their journal The New Era.
 Steiner lectured in Central Europe promoting
Anthroposophy. A collaborator of Steiner, Emil Molt
suggested the creation of a school. It happened in
1919 in Stuttgart (Germany).

5. From 0-7: Kindergarten
Source: http://blog.bellalunatoys.com/2011/waldorf-kindergarten.html

6. From 7-14
Source: http://virlanda.blogspot.com.es/2012/06/waldorf.html

7. From 14-21
Source: http://www.emersonwaldorf.org/high-school/student-artwork/

8. 4. Sources and possibleconnections
a) The journal The New Era
- No articles or references developing Waldorf
Education.
- Two allusions: King’s Langley Priory School and
The New School.

9. King’sLangleyPriorySchool
Year Name of Address Principal Date of Number of Ages Special activities Fees
of the school foundation pupils per
issue Boys Girls annu
m
1922 King’s King’s Miss 1900 15 20 6-18 Éducation base £90-
Langley Langley Clark and sur l’expérience de £100.
Priory (Herts) Miss la vie domestique
School (B) Cross. et rurale.
1925 King’s King’s Miss 1900 18 18 6-18 School is putting From
Langley Langley Cross. into practice Dr. £90.
Priory (Herts) Steiner’s
School (B) educational
principles as
embodied in the
“Waldorf School
Method”

10. The New School
Year of Name of Address Principa Date of Number of Ages Special Fees
publicati school l foundatio pupils activities per
on in the n annu
New Era m
Boy Girls
Journal
s
1925 The New 40, 1925 Teaching in
School Leigham accordance with
(D) Court Rd., the principles of
Streatha Dr. Steiner.
m Hill, Eurhythmy.
S.W.

11. b) Rudolf Steiner’s educational
conferences
- He knew the existence of the “new schools”, but
there are very few references.
- Froebel. The difference lies in the image of the
human being.

12. 5. Conclusions
 Both movements shared some theoretical aspects.
 Occasional meetings but no evidences of
connections.
 Strong differences in education:
- NEF: heterogeneous, open to all initiatives.
- Anthroposophy: based in Steiner indications,
uniqueness of their proposal, more exclusive.