Alder Bridge Steiner-Waldorf School was founded in 1987 and currently offers education for pupils aged between three and fourteen years. It follows the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner and the curriculum developed from his thinking. It is located in Padworth, near Reading in West Berkshire. It is in a semi-rural location and beside outdoor play areas there are woodland, vegetable plots, willow structures and a wide range of outdoor facilities. There are 61 pupils on roll. Besides the two Kindergarten classes there are four combined classes which each contain two age groups covering Classes 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8, respectively. Admission is non-selective and one pupil has a statement of special educational needs. The school ‘strives to help the child meet and address the challenges and demands of modern life. By educating the children in a more holistic manner, we nurture and develop head, heart and hands, awakening and encouraging independent thought, confidence in themselves and skills necessary for future life.’ Steiner class names Kindergarten Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7 Class 8 National Curriculum Nursery, Year R, Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Kindergarten Lower School Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Summary of main findings: Alder Bridge Steiner-Waldorf School provides a good quality of education for its pupils. Overall, they make good progress but there are inconsistencies in some classes. The quality of teaching is good. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good with some outstanding features, notably community links and the range of cultural visits, outings and trips undertaken. The classrooms and 3 grounds provide excellent and varied opportunities for learning. The school has sought to address the issues raised at the last inspection, but some of these have not been met consistently. The school has devised a policy for assessment and recording across the classes, but this is not as yet applied rigorously enough to be fully effective. Teachers know the pupils very well to good effect, and consequently behaviour is good. Especially in the older classes, a strong sense of being in a team has been built up and includes both pupils and teachers. Pupils’ speaking and language skills are developed effectively throughout the school, as is work in the creative and aesthetic areas. Parents who responded to the inspection questionnaire indicated that they are very happy with the school. Provision in the Kindergarten classes is good; they provide an outstanding quality of care and the children’s personal and emotional development is excellent. What the school does well:  it provides a good quality of teaching;  it enables pupils to make good overall progress;  it promotes particularly positive relationships between adults and pupils which support learning;  it develops pupils’ speaking and listening skills well, along with their creative and aesthetic achievement.