Steiner schools seizing the momentum

Steiner education in Australia moved from niche to mainstream after David Gonski’s Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools started the shift from academic attainment to a focus on a student’s growth and the valuable role of creativity and imagination.  The question for the peak body representing more than 50 Steiner schools across the country, Steiner Education Australia (SEA), was how to pivot itself and its schools to capture the newfound momentum.

In 2018, H/Advisors APA was engaged to undertake the group’s largest ever research exercise of parents, students, school leaders, teachers and alumni.  The project commenced with nearly 20 focus groups across a range of schools, followed by an online survey of over 3,000 stakeholders.

The research was analysed nationally, by State and by individual schools.  It demonstrated extremely high levels of engagement and satisfaction by stakeholders, but also highlighted the need for educational research to underpin Steiner philosophy, opportunities for the professional development of teachers and school leaders, and the need for greater community awareness to correct misinformation about Steiner pedagogy.

Significant action by SEA over the subsequent few years has resulted in joint academic research projects with a number of universities on a wide range of topics including what underpins a successful Steiner school and also graduate destinations.  An increase in professional development has enhanced today’s leaders and those of the future as well as providing teachers and schools with stronger support through the endorsement of national core principles for Steiner education. The awareness campaign has resulted in a more accurate public and community commentary.

Virginia Moller, the CEO of SEA, noted “As one example of many collaborative projects undertaken between H/Advisors APA and SEA, the H/Advisors APA 2018 national market research survey represented real value from our investment. It continues to resonate with lasting outcomes for Steiner education in Australia.”