Waldorf Uden, officially known as Vrijeschoolonderwijs at Udens College, is a Waldorf/Steiner-inspired educational program within Udens College, a large secondary school (scholengemeenschap) in Uden, North Brabant, Netherlands.
Launched around 2021, the program offers vrijeschoolonderwijs for students at the vmbo-t (theoretical vocational), havo, and vwo levels, primarily in the underbouw (lower years, starting from klas 7, equivalent to the brugklas/transition year in the vrijeschool tradition). It integrates Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophical principles of human development, emphasizing holistic growth through the "head, heart, and hands" - cognitive/intellectual learning (hoofd), emotional and imaginative development (hart), and practical/artistic skills (handen).
The Waldorf stream began in approximately 2021 as part of Udens College's expansion to include alternative educational pathways. It was introduced to provide vrijeschoolonderwijs aligned with standard Dutch qualification levels (vmbo-t, havo, vwo), making it accessible to students with corresponding primary school advice.
Prospective students can experience the program through events such as Waldorf Junior (introductory afternoons) and Info & Proef days.
Classes start in klas 7, where students from vmbo-t, havo, and vwo levels learn together in mixed groups during the underbouw phase. For vmbo-t students, the underbouw lasts two years before transitioning to regular vmbo-t in higher years.
Key features include:
The program is described as "tikkie anders, maar ook weer niet" (a little different, but not entirely), blending vrijeschool principles with Dutch secondary education requirements.
The stream operates mainly from the havo/vwo campus at President Kennedylaan.