Description
New School Canterbury is Independent Primary school in Kent for kids aged 3 to 11 (Gender - Mixed )
They are located on an idyllic site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by a bio-dynamic farm, 10 minutes south of Canterbury. New School provides a rigorous, pioneering education inspired by the internationally recognised Waldorf curriculum. The education is built on a foundation of creativity and is guided by an understanding of the developing human being; balancing imagination, critical thinking and academic excellence. The approach to learning empowers each student with the knowledge that he or she matters as an individual, so that when they leave, they have a sense of their purpose in life and the confidence to go out into the world and fulfil each of their unique potential.
Facilities
Brambles
The sessions are designed around the three main educational principles of “rhythm”, “repetition” and “imitation”. The consistent form of the sessions and the repetition of songs, verses and stories help the children to feel secure and at home - enabling them relax into the flow of the sessions.Children at this age are great imitators. It is their main instrument of learning. We make use of this fact by being good examples in word, action and deed. Equipment and the contents of the sessions are inspired by nature, offering children the opportunity for multi-sensory exploration. This also allows space for the child’s own developing imagination, enables social interaction with other children and deepens their inherent connection to nature.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten programme provides a warm, nurturing foundation for young children, and allows unhurried time for their growth. Cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills are equally valued and the teachers create an inviting, carefully structured environment with a strong daily rhythm that engages each child. The curriculum is designed to foster both personal and social growth, as well as meet the changing needs of the child as she or he matures. Storytelling, poetry, and recitation provide strong foundations for emerging literacy, as these activities expose the children to the building blocks of reading.
Lower School
When formal school begins, in the child’s sixth year, a whole new development takes place in the child’s physical, emotional and intellectual capacities. They step out of the dreamy bubble of early childhood and begin to forge deep social connections with their peers. They take greater control of their bodies, their limbs and their sense of balance. They begin to delight in exercising their physical coordination. They also begin to enjoy exploring their memories and thinking imaginatively in images. They begin to feel passionately about right and wrong! Feelings now become the window of their learning.At a Waldorf school the child’s new capacities are nourished by rich imaginative, story based lessons that inspire the feelings. Children at this age need to be helped to feel the joy and sadness of life each day. The educational focus at this age is to give the child a deep sense of harmony in their feeling and intellectual life.
Features
Things to note
Michaelmas
The first festival of the year is the festival of Michaelmas at the end of September. It is a festival of “strong courageous will”. Kindergarten will also have their own Michaelmas celebration. At this time of the year we find ourselves gathering in the harvest. All children will be encouraged to bring offerings of garden produce and home baking which will be placed together in a display. These are later donated to local charities. After the celebration the children and teachers will go for a walk in the woods.
The Advent Fair
The Advent Fair is held on the weekend before the beginning of Advent. It welcomes the approach of Christmas with its beautiful goods and carefully decorated stalls. It is the major fund raising event of the year. All parents and friends are encouraged to work together in a variety of ways to make the day a success.
Candlemas
The Candlemas Festival festival began in ancient times as a Celebration of Light. It is the time when the little candles of the earth, the snowdrops, first appear and animals first begin to come out of hibernation. This is also a traditional time of preparation of the fields for planting in March and this will be reflected in the children's Landwork class this week. On Candlemas itself the children make an 'earth candle' and at pick up time enjoy a warm drink around a fire.
Sports Day
Sports Day takes place in the afternoon of the last day of the Summer Term. Children, parents, and teachers take part in some fun races with cherries given to everyone who takes part.The children make cards and gifts for their teachers. The prevailing mood is an outward one, looking forward to the breathing out of the summer ahead.
Extra Curricular
Please check the school website link for details.
1.80 miles
