Clare schools seek official standing

Two Co Clare-based Steiner schools are seeking to become the first such schools in the country to secure official recognition from the Department of Education.

The schools have lodged the applications for recognition through their patron, the Co Clare Vocational Educational Committee. Its chief executive, George O'Callaghan, said yesterday: "We are optimistic that the schools will receive recognition and we don't see any barriers to the New Schools Advisory Committee giving recognition."

He added: "The schools have furnished all the information required and complied with all the regulations, and I am satisfied that they have met all the requirements."

Teaching at the schools is based on the method pioneered by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Steiner schools are the fastest-growing alternative education system in the world with more than 900 in 60 countries.

The Steiner approach places emphasis on the child, including a child's spiritual, physical and moral wellbeing as well as academic progress. Learning is done in a creative and artistic environment and Steiner schools strive for a balance of practical activities, arts and academic work.

The emphasis shifts from the practical, especially in early childhood, to the academic over the course of the education, and the schools are also non-denominational. In most cases, the children receive no homework.

The two schools concerned are the Raheen Wood in Tuamgraney in east Clare, established in 1986, and Mol an Óige in the north Clare town of Ennistymon, founded last year.

A previous application by Raheen Wood for recognition failed in 1995, prompting the school to take a High Court case against the Department of Education to secure recognition in 1999. However they failed and the school continues to be funded through parents' contributions and fundraising.

Mol an Óige started off with 11 pupils in September 2005, increasing to 32.

Spokesman for Raheen Wood Pierse O'Sheil said yesterday: "The school, over a 20-year period, has demonstrated itself as an effective school with in excess of 200 students going through the school and many going on to to third level and out active into the world."

He said the school has absolutely no difficulty in complying with the aims and objectives of the department's primary school curriculum.

"It is time for both ourselves and the department to start working together."

Mr O'Sheil said recognition will result in the department providing funding for administrative support, paying teachers' salaries along with providing school buildings.

Raheen Wood school was built by parents largely through fundraising, while parents pay a contribution in the region of €60 per week for their child to attend.

"Raheen Wood deserves to be recognised. It is the right thing to do. We have worked very hard not to exclude anyone. We want not to charge and we are a private school that doesn't want to be a private school. This school is here 20 years and is not going to go away," Mr O'Sheil said.

A decision is due on the applications in April 2008.