Espoo as a place to study Early Chidhood Education Pre-primary Education Basic Education Upper Secondary Education
Espoo invests in education Espoo is the 2nd largest city in the capital area of Finland with circa 280 000 inhabitants. The city of Espoo invests in education. Its learning results are top of the country! Espoo municipal strategy aims at bringing up learning, creative, competent and responsible future citizens and at enabling them to use new technology in learning.
Espoo the learning city! The city of Espoo promotes lifelong learning by creating uninterrupted learning paths from early childhood to adult education and by developing diverse, flexible learning spaces. Pupil s active role in learning and the joy of learning are emphasised. Espoo is a UNESCO Learning City since 2013 and a UNESCO awarded pioneering Learning City since 2015. The city has also won the Educating Cities Award of Living Together in Cities in year 2016.
Education key figures Espoo education services comprise pre-primary education, basic education and general upper secondary education. Key figures of the schools are: 77 Finnish-language comprehensive schools 11 Swedish-language comprehensive schools 2 private comprehensive schools 11 Finnish-language general upper secondary schools 1 Swedish-language general upper secondary school Vocational education and training and adult education is provided by the multisector education provider and regional development center Omnia. In addition, Espoo hosts two universities of applied sciences, Laurea and Metropolia. The city has also gained international fame as a hub of know-how, research and development, at the heart of which stands the Aalto University campus.
Education in Finland The Finnish education policy begins from every citizen s right to receive education. Education is planned carefully both locally and nationally. The Finnish education system comprises pre-primary education and nine years of basic education, followed by general upper secondary education or vocational education and training. These enable the student to continue to higher education and/or other adult education.
Curricula Learning and teaching are changing. The new Finnish National Curricula came into effect in August 2016. It aims at enhancing the preconditions of educational work and at creating meaningful ways of learning for every pupil. The Finnish National Board of Education prepares the National Core Curricula for basic education and general upper secondary education. Based on these, the municipalities compile their municipality-specific curricula. Lastly, all schools prepare the school s curriculum.
Early childhood education in Espoo The main principle of early education is the appreciation of childhood. The education facilitates balanced growth, development and learning for children under school-age, in companionship with their parents. Early education in Espoo follows the municipality-specific curriculum. An individual early education plan is prepared for each child together with the parents. Parents can care for the children: at home choose a day care place or other early education service Early education is organized in: day care centres family day care open day care in resident parks open child care centres and clubs
Pre-primary education Pre-primary education is free education based on the National Core Curriculum for Pre-Primary Education. It promotes favourable prerequisites for growth, development and learning for children together with their families. Children are offered equal opportunities for learning and schoolgoing. Pre-primary education is provided on 190 days a year, 4 hours a day. The days consist of play, exploration, problem solving, experimentation, acquiring information and different physical education activities. Pre-primary day care centres and schools provide care in the mornings before pre-primary education begins and in the afternoons after it ends.
Comprehensive education in Espoo Comprehensive schools in Espoo offer high-quality, diverse and regionally equal basic education. The schools are primary schools with grades 1 6, middle schools with grades 7 9 or joint comprehensive schools with grades 1 9. Pupils begin school at the age of 7. Schoolgoing, learning materials and the school lunch are free for the pupils. Some schools in Espoo offer weighted-curriculum studies (e.g. sports, mathematics, languages, music or arts). In addition, independent art schools offer high-quality basic art education for children and young people, in cooperation with the City of Espoo.
Digital learning and sustainable development Information technology is part of every school day. Espoo invests in digital learning spaces and mobile devises. In the near future, pupils will be able to use digital tools regularly in all subjects. Schools and companies develop new learning technologies with an accelerated co-creation process (KYKY). In addition, entrepreneurship is encouraged eg. through the Company Village (Yrityskylä) -project. All schools in Espoo are committed to sustainable development. Espoo schools promote cultural, social and financial sustainability as well as environmental values in education. In addition, Espoo has developed practices for advancing the pupils' social involvement and preventing loneliness and social marginalization.
Learning new languages Espoo offers plenty of opportunities for learning new languages. Foreign language studies begin usually in the 3rd grade. In the 4th grade, pupils may start learning a second foreign language. In grades 7 9, they may study up to four foreign languages. Espoo International School provides teaching in English in grades 1 9. Several schools also offer bilingual (Finnish-English) and Swedish language immersion education. German, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese, for example, are offered as foreign languages.
A typical day in school In primary school, school days are short. Pupils in grades 1 2 have 20 lesson hours per week, and those in grades 3 6 have 23 27, depending on the grade. Most subjects are taught by one s own class teacher whereas some, for example languages and sports, can be taught by a subject-specific teacher. Flexible grouping according to the pupils needs is used to enhance learning. Pupils in grades 1 2 and those in need of special support can apply for supervised afternoon activities. Schools also organise club activities which all pupils can participate in.
Teacher an esteemed professional Teacher s profession is highly esteemed in Finland. Completing a Master s degree is a basic requirement for all teachers. On all school levels, teachers work together, share expertise, plan and assess their work. Teachers in Espoo are highly qualified and committed. The city offers plenty of opportunities to improve one s professional skills both individually and as a work community.
The whole school instructs Each member of the school community gives educational instruction to pupils as part of the school community. Pupils are supported in different phases of school-going. Guidance develops their ability to make conscious choices concerning studies, life and career. In grades 7 9, a student coucellor gives personal guidance and instruction in class form. Guardians have the primary responsibility for raising their child, but the school instructs and educates him/her as a member of the school community. Cooperation between home and school is important to ensure successful learning.
Pupil welfare confidential support Pupil welfare offers low threshold support to facilitate learning and wellbeing. Focus is on preventive work. Communal pupil welfare is an integral part of the school s educational culture. Each pupil is also entitled to individual pupil welfare comprising school health, psychologist and social officer services and case-specific individual pupil welfare. Support for learning is each pupil s right. It is divided into general, intensive and special support. Methods include remedial teaching, parttime special needs education, simultaneous teaching, flexible grouping, differentiation of teaching and support from a special needs assistant. When needed, pupils get support from interpretation and assistant services.
Cultural diversity in school The schools in Espoo have ca. 4000 foreign language pupils. Education in the pupil s own mother tongue is provided in more than 40 languages. The aim is to ensure that pupils from diffferent language and cultural backgrounds obtain the skills and knowledge of basic education and functional multilingualism, and thus get equal opportunities to pursue further studies. Pupils who need support in the Finnish language, can begin school in preparatory groups. Pupils whose Finnish or Swedish isn t at mother tongue level (e.g. bilingual children, Finnish returnees) study the language as their second language.
Upper secondary education in Espoo After basic education, nearly all pupils continue either to general upper secondary education or vocational education and training. The education is free, but students purchase their own learning materials. Some general upper secondary schools in Espoo have a weighted curriculum (e.g. arts, sports, mathematics). Some have a nationally granted educational mission, such as the international ID-diploma. Vocational education and training, apprenticeship training, workshops, professional skills training and other adult education in Espoo is provided by the nationally awarded Omnia Vocational College. 17
Theory and practise for further studies General upper secondary education is extensive, all-round education comprising languages, mathematis, humanities, natural sciences, arts and physical education. The student will acquire critical thinking skills, opportunities for international mobility, connections to working life and cultural understanding. The studies offer a good basis for theoretical studies, particularly in university. The studies last 2 4 years. Passing the final test, Matriculation Examination, entitles the candidate to apply for further education. From year 2016 to 2019, all matriculation exams in Finland will be digitalized!
Vocational education and training (VET) Vocational education and training gives students practical education preparing them for professional tasks. The studies last from 2 4 years. The studies can be combined with general upper secondary education. In Espoo, vocational education and training as well as adult education is provided by Omnia Vocational College (www.omnia.fi), with 20 different vocational qualifications. These include: Business and administration Tourism Catering and domestic services Social services Health and sport Natural and social sciences Communication and transport Technology and culture
School boards and student associations School boards are appointed by the Committees and serve as bodies of elected officials in comprehensive and general upper secondary schools. They develop collaboration between home and school, decide on the school year plan, the use of the school s fincances and the curriculum. Student associations help to build communal spirit in all schools and improve everyday life at school from the perspective of pupils and students. Each grade votes for a representative into the school s student association board.
Administration of education in Espoo The Finnish Education and Early Education Committee decides upon matters concerning education and early education. The committee is appointed by the Espoo City Council. The Espoo Education and Cultural Services administrate its units and answer for the strategy and economy of the organisation, and plan and develop its operations and services. The Finnish Education Unit organizes, evaluates and develops education in Finnish comprehensive and general upper secondary schools. The Finnish Early Education Unit answers for the Finnish daycare and pre-primary education services.
Contact information Espoo Education and Cultural Services online: http://www.espoo.fi/en-us/childcare_and_education Contact information: Phone: +358 9 816 21 Street address: Kamreerintie 3 B Postal address: P.O.Box 31 FI-02070, City of Espoo