Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Anonymous donor saves school
Exclusive
A cash-strapped private school on the outskirts of Canterbury has been saved from closure by a mystery investor.
The future of the Steiner School, in Chartham, was thrown into doubt amid a funding crisis, with pupil numbers tumbling at the £2,800-a-term school.
But an anonymous backer has stepped in with significant investment to keep it going and enhance provision, including an upper school to attract international students.
Trustees say the forthcoming changes form part of an innovative bid to “shape a school fit for the 21st century” and make it one of the most forward-thinking independents in Kent. It also plans to offer valuable bursaries to new pupils starting in September, aiming to make it the most affordable private education in the county.
Chairman of the trustees, Judith Hawarden, said: “We are delighted to have safeguarded the future of the school.
“There has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes and the new long-term funding will provide stability and improvement throughout the school and help establish a more international outlook.
“We are seeing globally that parents are turning to a Steiner-based education as an answer to producing pupils who are engaged, confident, creative and resilient.”
The school was founded by farmer Alan Brockman in 1977, who was a friend of the in-laws of the philosopher Dr Rudolf Steiner. Dr Steiner’s approach to education was to inspire imagination, involvement and discovery in children. The Steiner curriculum professes to encourage “a lifelong love of learning and an enduring curiosity about a fastmoving world”.
Ac t ing s chool l eade r Tessa Carias said: “We are delighted to be in a position to support parents looking for an independent education for their children.
“There can be many myths and misconceptions about a Steiner education but I would implore parents to come and visit our beautiful school and see for themselves what it could contribute to their child’s future.