Teacher training and education
Discover the many and varied ways of becoming a Waldorf teacher, whether your interest lies in Early Childhood training or in becoming a subject specialist or something else in between!
For more details on teaching different ages and stages in Waldorf settings, please see the careers page. Current opportunities in our member schools are also listed there.
I am interested in Early Childhood and/or Kindergarten teaching
If you do not yet have any Early Years qualifications, the Early Childhood training programmes are as follows:
Crossfields Institute Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Baby and Child Care (Early Years Educator): https://emerson.org.uk/course/level-3-diploma-in-holistic-baby-and-child-care-early-years-educator/ (specialising in working with children from birth to five).
Crossfields Institute Level 4 Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies (Early Years Educator): https://loswec.co.uk/ (London) or https://neswec.org.uk/ (York and Stourbridge) (specialising in kindergarten – age 3-6)
Interest-free loans are available for the course fees for these courses. They are all part-time courses and can be completed alongside a full- or part-time role.
If you already have an early years qualification, the above courses all offer a ‘quality mark’ pathway, where the course content is the same, but the assessment burden is significantly reduced.
I am interested in becoming a Class Teacher
If you already have a PGCE / PGDE or other recognised teaching qualification: You may be able to apply for a teaching role at a Waldorf school. However, you will be expected to complete a further part-time post-graduate qualification – the Post-Graduate Diploma in Waldorf Education and Creative Pedagogies:https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/courses/pg-waldorf-education-and-creative-pedagogies/ This course can also be completed whilst teaching in a state or other independent school.
Interest-free loans and some bursaries are available for the course fees for this course.
If you do not yet have a teaching qualification, but you do have a degree, you can apply for a role as a teaching assistant, a classroom assistant, a learning support assistant, a cover teacher or a training teacher. You can then complete the Post-Graduate Diploma in Waldorf Education with PGCE and QTS:https://emerson.org.uk/course/postgraduate-diploma-in-waldorf-education/
Interest-free loans and apprenticeship funding are available for the course fees for this course. You will need English, Maths and Science GCSE equivalents, as well as a degree in any subject.
I am interested in becoming a Subject Teacher
If you already have a PGCE / PGDE or other recognised teaching qualification: You may be able to apply for a teaching role at a Waldorf school. However, you will be expected to complete a further part-time post-graduate qualification – the Post-Graduate Diploma in Waldorf Education and Creative Pedagogies:https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/courses/pg-waldorf-education-and-creative-pedagogies/ This course can also be completed whilst teaching in a state or other independent school.
Interest-free loans and some bursaries are available for the course fees for this course.
If you do not yet have a teaching qualification, but you do have a degree, you can apply for a role as a teaching assistant, a classroom assistant, a learning support assistant, a cover teacher or a training teacher. You can then complete the Post-Graduate Diploma in Waldorf Education with PGCE and QTS:https://emerson.org.uk/course/postgraduate-diploma-in-waldorf-education/
Interest-free loans and apprenticeship funding are available for the course fees for this course. You will need English and Maths GCSE equivalents, as well as a degree relevant to your specialist subject.
For non-National Curriculum subjects (such as craft, handwork or outdoor learning) you may need to follow the Class Teacher training route, and develop your specialist teaching independently and based on your previous experience. Eurythmy training is available through Eurythmy UK: https://eurythmyuk.org/
I am interested in becoming an Upper School Teacher
If you already have a PGCE / PGDE or other recognised teaching qualification: You may be able to apply for a teaching role at a Waldorf school. However, you will be expected to complete a further part-time post-graduate qualification – the Post-Graduate Diploma in Waldorf Education and Creative Pedagogies:https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/courses/pg-waldorf-education-and-creative-pedagogies/ This course can also be completed whilst teaching in a state or other independent school.
Interest-free loans and some bursaries are available for the course fees for this course.
If you do not yet have a teaching qualification, but you do have a relevant degree: You can apply for Upper School roles as a teaching assistant, a classroom assistant, a learning support assistant, a cover teacher or a training teacher. You can then complete the Post-Graduate Diploma in Waldorf Education with PGCE and QTS:https://emerson.org.uk/course/postgraduate-diploma-in-waldorf-education/
Interest-free loans and apprenticeship funding are available for the course fees for this course. You will need English and Maths GCSE equivalents, as well as a degree relevant to your specialist subject.
