Anyone familiar with York Steiner School will know that the Class 8 play is a right of passage. Every year the current Class 8 perform their play for four nights and every year it is an empowering and inspiring experience for the children and their families. Having built their skills over the last eight years with annual plays, beginning with a short sock puppet play in Class One, the Class 8 of 2026 gave us their incredible rendition of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
But why is the Class 8 play so important for our children’s educational experience?
In Steiner Waldorf schools, every child takes part in the class plays. Even if they’re not a keen performer, the purpose of the plays is to help develop the skills of each individual child. As the culmination of their Main School experience (Classes 1-8), beofre they join the Upper School, the Class 8 play presents a final cross curricular project to give each child an opportunity to build on their strengths as well as take on new challenges. Be it in their performance, stage management, set design and build, costume design and making, lighting, musical accompaniment or photography, there is a role available for every child.
Class 8 play rehearsals: photographs from George, Class 8.
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id="24" gal_title="Class 8 rehearsals"]The biggest outcome of all for the class is their understanding of teamwork. Whilst in the beginning the Class teacher and others will take the lead in organising the play, by the time they reach the week of performance, the Class group run the play together, with a strong understanding that they are all vital cogs in the turning of a great wheel.The same lesson is shared by all those involved in the Class 8 play, it is a mighty team effort and a truly wonderful event for the whole community to enjoy. Huge thanks indeed to our Class 8 teacher, Sue, all the children, their parents, staff in school, volunteers and friends of the school.
Class 8 play performance
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id="25" gal_title="Class 8 play"]Please read on to enjoy some testimonials from some of our Class 8 parents who have shared what this experience means for them.
It’s so refreshing and heartening the way the children are encouraged to really ‘own’ their drama projects. The process is very collaborative and democratic, and I love that the children take responsibility for everything from costumes and lighting, to music and marketing. It becomes so much more than simply learning lines and performing something – and the experience is often transformative as a result.The Class 8 play was absolutely brilliant…. All the children came out of their shell and really embraced their part. They really showed that they became the character of the play by speech, body language and tone. This development in their attributes has helped me see the hard work the teacher and other staff have done, paid off, but also the level of Steiner depth to be appreciated. My son has found it difficult to perceive through but the play has given them a skill of determination and goal to work towards as a team. He came out shining in the play…. I didn’t even recognise my child! Sue has done an absolutely brilliant job with getting each and every child involved with the level they are at.My son has been at Steiner School since kindergarten and we have for many years looked forward to the Class 8 play. My son has severe dyslexia, yet this has never been something he has been judged by. He's been offered every opportunity to thrive and as a result sees his difference as a strength in many ways. When it came to the play, he was deeply concerned about learning his lines, as he was cast is a major role. Yet, thanks to his hard work and determination that has been fostered over many years at the school, the support of his teacher, the learning support team and his classmates, he triumphed. It was incredible to watch my child shine, believing in himself as much as he does. I credit the inclusive environment and the broad curriculum and teaching methods of the school and am eternally grateful that we took the leap on a Steiner Waldorf education.There is no better school, than Steiner school in York! Our daughter joined in Class 4 (year 5) and it was THE BEST decision we could have made and wish we had done it sooner. The individual care and support she has received over the years has helped build her confidence and security in who she is and what she is capable of. Her teacher has been outstanding and goes above and beyond in so many ways! When I saw my daughter on stage in the Class 8 play last week and all that was achieved, and gained from the experience, I was bursting with pride but also gratitude to the whole Steiner team If anyone is wondering about trying out Steiner, you won’t be disappointed!