A SCHOOL without uniforms, SATs, or a head teacher has been rated “good” in all areas by inspectors.

The School Inspection Service (SIS) said York Steiner School based at Fulford Cross was good across the board with teaching, learning and assessment being rated as “outstanding” at the school which has no computer classes and children don’t learn their alphabet until they are six.

York Steiner School follows a curriculum based on the ideas of 20th century reformer Rudolf Steiner, including arts, crafts and music lessons as well as more traditional academic subjects.

There are no grades given and no standardised testing. Instead, teachers assess children’s progress and more formal assessment tasks are introduced for older pupils.

It was established in 1980 and caters for 215 pupils aged from three to 14.

The SIS report says: ‘Promoting … values of courtesy, equality, celebration of diversity, fairness and justice are embedded in the aims and ethos of the school and are very much reflected in the practice of … staff and the expectations of the children.’ It continues: ‘Throughout the Kindergarten children achieve outcomes, particularly in communication, social and manipulative skills, which are excellent in relation to their ability.

‘They feel safe and secure and their behaviour, confidence and enjoyment of learning mean they are very well prepared for the next stage in their education. Children, including those with special educational needs, make good and sometimes excellent progress in their learning and their personal development.’

Sarah-Jane Mills, a parent and lawyer, said: “We moved our son at age seven from a state school to York Steiner School after discovering and researching Steiner education as we felt that whilst our son would have survived stated school, at a Steiner school he would flourish. Steiner schools prepare children for life. The school’s focus is on...promoting a love of learning and life skills that are essential for the modern age such as resilience and creative thinking.

“The SIS report is welcomed and I look forward to the continued success of the school.”