International Pages - Arion Study Visit to Sweden, July 2007
They do things differently abroad. It is one of the reasons why so many of us like the complete change a foreign holiday can bring. It is also what makes visiting another country to view their education system so interesting. In May 2007 I was privileged to be able to join an EU Arion study visit to Sweden to see the education system of Boras, a 'typical' Swedish town.Here are just five things I learned from the visit:
1. Space matters: In every school I visited, old and new, there was enough space for flexibility in teaching. Classrooms were grouped around communal areas where children could go to work on their own or in a small group. Practical areas were separate and large; not just a tight corner of a classroom. Cloakrooms were large and well away from the learning areas. Classes are generally small in Sweden. 20 is considered large! The classrooms were spacious and uncluttered and each school was set in plenty of grounds with play equipment.
2. Learning a foreign language matters: In Sweden, English is part of the core curriculum and it shows. The pupils who escorted us around their school had an excellent command of English. They may have been specially chosen ambassadors but whichever child I spoke to understood me and answered. Not only that but I was the only English person in a group of 20 headteachers. Although I got to practise my emerging German, I was impressed by the ability of all the European headteachers to speak English and (usually) another language as well. I know that English is a world language in a way that others are not, but the Swedish teachers felt that, regardless of the language, learning one gives their children a global perspective. We already teach French at my school but the visit confirmed my view that this is a vital part of the curriculum.
3. Appropriate furniture matters: I was struck by the fact that the furniture for primary pupils was so tall. Children sat on height adjustable chairs at desks so tall that a teacher could stand alongside without bending over. It turned the accepted wisdom that everything should be at child height on its head. It is better for the teachers (bad backs in the profession have been reduced) and better for the child (every chair is adjustable to the right height). Simonetta, my Italian colleague on this study visit, was concerned: Italian children would fall off and hurt themselves, she said. "If it hurts, they would only do it once," our Swedish host replied. In the communal areas sofas and arm chairs were provided for children to use. What better way to enjoy a book?
4. Small things matters: One of the schools I visited was the first to achieve Sweden's healthy school status. Every teacher in the school was given a financial contribution to gym membership and an hour a week for their personal health and fitness activities! School dinners are free in Sweden and dedicated dining rooms were well furnished. Staggered lunchtimes meant that children could eat in smaller groups without being herded through.
5. Professionalism matters: Included in our week's visit was a talk from an Inspector from the Swedish equivalent of OFSTED. I wasn't looking forward to this. Mostly, I prefer talking to those who actually do the job in the classroom. However, in Sweden, the important thing is that schools are 'encouraged to improve'. Key issues are given to the schools to deal with and a timetable imposed. If there is no evident improvement after this time then the inspectors 'go public'. Any major issues are dealt with away from the glare of publicity and in nearly all cases the issues are dealt with. "Nobody wants to be criticised in public and everyone works hard to bring about the required improvements," a head told me. Talking to a German inspector on the study visit, he too told me that in his country they too avoided humiliating schools and teachers. "They are professionals and they want to do a good job," he told me.
I came back full of enthusiasm for what I had seen but also clear that context is everything. Free school dinners for all, for example, are possible because of the high taxes Swedish citizens pay and there is certainly not the same amount of available space in Britain for larger schools and school sites.But it is also true that we can think differently about things which we accept as normal and small changes can have a large impact. I certainly intend to re-think the furniture in this school as a result of my visit.
The best thing about the Arion experience is the opportunity to mix with professionals from across the EU. There were eleven countries represented on the Boras visit. Learning from the experience of the others was just as important as seeing Swedish schools at work and I have made links that will continue to be useful to me and my school. I recommend these opportunities to other Somerset teachers.
Roger Whitewick - July 2007
