UK's first Waldorf school marks its 100th birthday

Michael Hall Waldorf School has celebrated its 100th birthday by burying a time capsule in the grounds

The UK's oldest Waldorf School has marked its 100th birthday with a party.

The movement began in Germany in 1919, with the first UK school opening in London in 1925, before moving to Forest Row, East Sussex after World War Two and adopting the name the Michael Hall School.

Based on the theories of Rudolf Steiner, Waldorf schools offer what they describe as an holistic education, focusing on children's creativity and imagination.

Michael Hall pupils marked the anniversary with a special lunch, performances and by burying a time capsule in the grounds.

"It's all natural materials, we don't have technology, we've got traditional blackboards", said acting principal Emmeline Hawker.

"It's all about human interaction as well as a really good education."

The school has a strict no phones policy, with students having to hand in their devices as they arrive.

"I think mainstream is heading in our direction," said Ms Hawker.

"Rather than staring at screens, our children are constantly interacting with each other. There's lots of outdoor time.

"There's a lot of drama and art, every student has to be in a play or some performance every single year, so by the time they leave public speaking is not an issue for them at all."

Tali Michaels, Chair of Trustees at Michael Hall, Jessika Hulbert, Chair of Wealden District Council and former Michael Hall student Stephen Sheen were among the attendees

Ms Hawker said Monday's event began with a special assembly in the school's 400-seat theatre, featuring performances by pupils.

"They would do a sketch or a song or a poem to mark something about what they love about the school in their own way.

"We had some ex-students and a 90-year-old gentleman who was both a student and a teacher here."

A time capsule with messages for the future from each child was buried in the school grounds.

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