Dear Parents,

“There is no school like St Paul’s Waldorf School.”

Last week we welcomed the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) for our routine inspection, alongside a material change inspection. These visits ensure that the school continues to meet the required standards in education, welfare and safety.

A very high number of parents and staff completed the surveys, with overwhelmingly positive responses. Thank you for taking the time both to express your support and to share where we can continue to improve. Pupils in the upper classes were also invited to share their views through surveys and in small group discussions, and they represented the school with great thoughtfulness and confidence.

Over three intensive days, inspectors reviewed most aspects of school life. They observed lessons and break times across the Kindergartens and Classes, and held meetings with pupils from Classes IV-VIII, as well as with teachers, the educational leadership, our Early Childhood Manager, Designated Safeguarding Leads, Facilities Manager and our trustees. Throughout the process, our intention was for the rhythm of the school day to remain as normal as possible for the children. The atmosphere in the school remained calm and light, and I hope this was felt by all.

The report is unlikely to be published until after the summer holidays. Once it is available, we will share it with you and use it as a starting point for wider conversations about the school’s next three years, including at an All School Meeting.

I would like to take this opportunity to say how incredibly proud I am of St Paul’s Waldorf School. While I have the honour of representing the school on such occasions, what truly makes St Paul’s unique is the daily work and care of our teachers and support staff, all building on the foundations laid by previous generations. What we offer is not only a strong independent education, but a living home for Waldorf education to flourish and evolve.

To come into school on Saturday for the Pea Fayre, and to see children and families gathered together at this time of year, with the jasmine and roses in bloom, offered another beautiful picture of what makes this community so special. Our parent body plays a vital role in creating this sense of belonging, always centred on what matters most — the children of St Paul’s.

With many thanks to you all, for every part you are playing,

Ms. Anna Retsler

Head teacher

As St Paul’s Waldorf School approaches its 30th anniversary and our historic building marks 200 years, we are continuing a journey of renewal and thoughtful development. Guided by the principles of Waldorf education, our facilities improvements aims to strengthen the connection between learning, nature, and community. Many of those made over the past 30 years benefit today’s pupils, and the work we are doing now will continue to shape the experience of children in the years ahead.

In recent years, and in line with our strategic aim to increase outdoor learning opportunities for Kindergarten and the Lower School, we have invested in developing our outdoor spaces. This has included a timber boundary wall, a redesigned Kindergarten entrance arch, a balance structure in the Middle School play area, new planting beds at the hall entrance, and a tree management programme supporting biodiversity and regeneration.

The next phase of the Kindergarten playground regeneration will be delivered in stages as funding allows. Planned improvements include better drainage and shelter, natural play and learning areas, biodiversity planting, and new climbing frames, all designed to support improved year-round outdoor learning and richer opportunities for exploration and movement.

We are pleased to share that funds raised through recent SPCG events, including the Advent Fair and Jumble Sales, have contributed towards the new climbing frames. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, donated, attended, and supported these events.

As we move into this next phase, we warmly welcome further support. We will be holding parent work days on 11th, 12th, and 13th July to prepare the site for installation of the climbing frames. Whether through volunteering, supporting fundraising events, or making a donation via our Donate page, every contribution helps us continue to grow and strengthen our school.

While the Kindergarten playground development is the immediate focus, it sits within a wider programme of thoughtful, sustainable growth that includes planned new Woodwork and Science studios, the careful restoration of our historic building, and ongoing improvements to school facilities, all supported through future phases of development and associated fundraising initiatives. We look forward to sharing further updates and opportunities to be involved.

Camilla 

School Development

Check out Bright Start for support services and advice for families with children up to the age of 5 years of age. 

Useful links for Islington services for families

https://www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/bright-start-islington-start-for-life-and-family-hubs

https://findyour.islington.gov.uk/kb5/islington/directory/advice.page?id=QSjf0l-9CKo