Governance
How is the School run?
Cardiff Steiner School is a self-administered, collaboratively led institution. Its leadership is divided across three groups, each of which is responsible for a specific ‘realm’ of decision making. These groups are the College of Teachers, the Board of Trustees, and the School Management Team. The groups strive for thoughtful independence. Each upholds its own work, recognises where responsibilities overlap, understands when an issue falls to another group, and works with the other groups with honesty and integrity.
The Board of Trustees are responsible for overall governance, and carry responsibility for the legal good-standing, financial well-being and quality assurance of the School.
The Teachers are responsible for pedagogical governance – for matters that directly relate to the classroom and the teaching of the children.
The School Management Team allocates and manages resources and includes responsibility for business/administrative operations, regulatory compliance, managing contact with outside individuals and agencies, marketing, communications, admissions, facilities and development.
Other delegated committees and individuals (Mandate Groups, Finance Committee etc.) have responsibility for specific activities and areas of the school.
The School does not have a Head Teacher. Safeguarding/Leadership Enquiries – Miranda Knight
Cardiff Steiner School is a Waldorf UK full member school and a member of the Welsh Indpendent Schools Council
Ethos
“Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.” ~ Rudolf Steiner
Cardiff Steiner School is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 3 to 18, within the capital city of Wales.
We aim to provide an education that will equip our children with the knowledge, skills and capacities they will need to flourish in a complex and changing world.
Our curriculum is inspired by the pedagogical principles of Rudolf Steiner. These guidelines place the developing child at the centre of all educational activities. Teaching is considered to be an art, in which a teacher observes the needs of each individual and has the freedom to respond creatively. We provide a balanced, holistic experience of learning, into which academic, artistic and practical subjects are woven. In this way we aim to meet the needs of the whole child in thinking, feeling and doing, cultivating physical wellbeing, a rich inner life, flexibility in thinking and a love of learning.
The consistent rhythms of the school day support learning and well-being and we mark the cycle of the year with seasonal festivals to help the children to experience their place in the world.
As a Steiner School within the capital city of Wales, we affirm and value our Welsh context and heritage and aim to ensure our curriculum and festivals reflect this.
We aim to create a learning community that encourages children and adults to unfold their potential in a safe, creative and inspiring environment. Our commitment to employing the practices of Restorative Approaches lies at the heart of this, helping us to be proactive in building and maintaining relationships, and giving us effective tools to resolve conflict if necessary.
We work out of respect for the dignity of each human being and strive to maintain a community where diversity and collaboration are promoted and celebrated. We strive to be a truly inclusive school where everyone is celebrated regardless of gender, race or background. You can read the most recent Waldorf UK statement on anti-racism here.
Trustees
| Trustee | Role/Remit |
| Brigid Bowen | Chair / Public Relations contact FAO Brigid Bowen ask@cardiffsteiner.org.uk |
| Dr Kate Attfield | Child Protection / Human Resources / Bursary Commitee |
| Huw Evans | Human Resources / Finance |
| Richard Knight | Additional Learning Needs |
| Michael Flynn | Equality & Diversity and Bursary Commitee |
| Fran Whiteside | |
Proprietor
Cardiff Steiner School is constituted as both a registered charity and as a company limited by guarantee – as the charitable company called ‘Cardiff Steiner Early Years Centre Ltd.’ (charity number 1149061, company number 07998357). The proprietors are the Trustees of the Charity who are also the Directors of the Company.
Registered Office:
Cardiff Steiner School
Hawthorn Road West
Llandaff North
Cardiff CF14 2FL
029 2056 7986
The stated objectives of the charitable company are “To advance the education of children and young people, and support families and individuals in accordance with the educational principles of Rudolf Steiner.”
Our mission state is: “We provide an inspiring and nurturing education based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner that respects each child’s individual development. We serve the city of Cardiff and surrounding areas, and welcome children and families from all cultural and religious backgrounds. We seek to fully interact with the wider community through projects and events. We offer a comprehensive child-centred education through parent and child groups, kindergartens and a vibrant school offering a living Steiner curriculum. Everything we undertake we strive to do ethically, consciously and with integrity.”
Inspection Report
The School is Registered with the Welsh Government as an Independent School No. 681-6096 and inspected by ESTYN. The last inspection report was in 2024 and is included below:
Inspection report Cardiff Steiner School 2024
Wraparound Care is registered and inspected by the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
