The Sheiling School was founded in 1951 and has been continually developed to meet the diverse needs of pupils and families. It is part of the Camphill Movement, founded in 1940 in Aberdeen, Scotland. In common with all Camphill Communities the Sheiling strives to create an environment in which vulnerable individuals can live, learn and work with others in healthy social relationships based on mutual care and respect.

Special features of Camphill communities include living together in extended family-type groups, celebrating the Christian festivals of the year and providing a rich and engaging cultural life for all. Cultural diversity is promoted, nurturing each individual within the whole organisation – “A healthy social life is found, when, in the mirror of each human soul, the whole community finds its reflection and when, in the whole community, the virtue of each individual is living” (Rudolf Steiner).

The development of the Camphill Movement was inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), the Austrian thinker, educator and innovator who helped to bring about a renewal in many fields of professional, cultural and spiritual endeavour. This includes the discipline of Curative Education (from the German, Heilpädagogik – ‘education and healing’).

Dr Karl Konig (1902-1966) the founder of the Camphill Movement, further developed curative education through the impulse of living in community with children who have special needs.