Much-loved primary school saved from crisis after raising nearly £1m

A Bristol school that was at risk of closure has celebrated its survival after raising nearly £1million. The school in Redland Hill faced closure after being put into administration in December.

But parents, alumni, and the community banded together and raised nearly £1million in order to rescue the independent school from being shut down for good. The board of trustees at the school crafted a new business plan, introduced cost-saving measures and put a plan in place to introduce a pipeline of new students.

The school said it has also accounted for potential changes to VAT and the board has said they have accounted for this in financial forecasts and that they aim to make Waldorf education as accessible as possible.

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The 70 pupils at the school and kindergarten, which teaches kids between the ages of three to 12, do not wear uniform, have no examinations or tests and take part in a range of subjects including art, music, dance, movement, woodwork, knitting and sewing, craft, forest school, gardening and Spanish.

Classes are restricted to a maximum of 20 and there are no interactive whiteboards, laptops, computers or tablets, which is completely screen-free. Pupils, staff and the wider school community celebrated the school's rescue - as well as it's 50th anniversary - with a summer fayre.

Lindsay Berresford, chair of the PTFA said: “This school has been a cornerstone of our community for 50 years. To see it thrive once again, thanks to the collective efforts of so many dedicated individuals, is truly heartwarming.”

Siobhan Allison, one of the new trustees, said: “Bristol Steiner School has always been more than just a place of learning; for our students it is somewhere they can be themselves and truly thrive. Our new trustees are committed to preserving this legacy while driving forward with a sustainable vision for the future.”

Rilke Hayne, the granddaughter of the school’s founded added: “It's incredibly moving to see the spirit of the school reignited by the very community it serves. My children are now part of this legacy, and I couldn't be prouder.”