History

Crossfield Institute came about in response to three main areas of need within the community of learning providers inspired by anthroposophical principles and values:

• firstly, there was a clear need for an awarding body that recognises the aspects of the training courses that are based on anthroposophical methodologies, principles and values.

• secondly, we perceived a need for facilitated collaboration between educators around the various new government legislations within further and higher education

• and thirdly, we heard a clear request for more dialogue around research and collaboration with peer -organisations within the established academic community.

In May of 2007 Charlotte von Bulow circulated among education providers inspired by anthroposophical principles and values a self funded research project focusing on the above mentioned problem areas. The paper was entitled “United Anthroposophical Trainings Proposal” (UAT proposal)

The UAT proposal came out of the realisation that in order to feasibly meet the challenge of government recognition learning organisations wishing to achieve this must start to collaborate with each other and engage in dialogue with the community of established learning organisations. The proposal thus presented the idea of creating an umbrella structure for learning organisations within which common administration, mutual support, collaboration, dialogue and further research can take place.

The UAT proposal awoke much interest from a number of organisations and individuals and lead in July 2007 to the formation of the Anthroposophical Education and Research Association (AERA) which essentially was a merger of three similar impulses: The Federation of Anthroposophical Trainings, The Kolisko Group and the UAT proposal. The aim was to make AERA a collaborative organization, ie, one that is built from a periphery of service users as much as from a centralised leadership. This intention informed the consultation and participatory action research process that resulted in incorporation Crossfields Institute on the 13th Feb, 2008.

Crossfields Institute is an attempt to bring about a connective and learning-centred approach to individual and collective progress in the development of education and research.

If you would like to read our constitution, here it is.

Crossfields Institute came into being through the support of a number of dedicated individuals and the following organisations:

Ruskin Mill Educational Trust

Camphill England and Wales

Association of Eurythmy Schools

Council for Anthroposophical Health and Social Care

Hiram Academy

Raphael Medical Centre