The Hellerup School in Denmark is leading the way to a more life-focused goal of educating its students. With new education models that are challenging the traditional methods, this school is giving its teachers and students the opportunities they need to think outside the box.
Embracing individual learning, the school is developing new concepts.
Jorn West Larsen is the headmaster at Hellerup School in Denmark and summarizes the school’s goal.
“We try to put the single child in the centre and challenge every child. We let each child work in the learning style that is preferable for them.” says Larsen.
Diving deeper, he explains that they often leave decisions up to the students how they organize their day. This teaches the students independence and to be able to take charge of their own learning.
The floorplan is completely open.
While it is hard to imagine how an open floor school with grades kindergarten through 9th grade functions, the innovative teachers and staff have found a way to make it work for everyone. The students check in with their teacher in the mornings when they arrive.
They discuss their plans for the day and head off to work in a group or can choose any part of the school to work quietly on their own. The furniture is customized so that the students and teachers can arrange as they please. The students can choose to go to a quiet nook or head to the balcony to overlook the lower floors.
Once an old brewery, the school has been radically transformed into an open-concept learning environment. There are no walls, no hallways, just open floors with a staircase running through the center.
Teachers and students are adjusting to the new style.
The students and teachers are working together at finding good rhythms for learning styles. There are still some formal-type of lectures where the teacher will give about a 15-minute talk on a new topic and then the students will break out, either on their own or in smaller groups, to review the material.
It is hard for new teachers coming in to find a groove, but they are learning as well. Children and families in Denmark are also given the choice to open enroll in other public schools.
They are not limited to whichever school is in their district. So if a child is not doing well in a traditional public school setting, they may give Hellerup a try.
Their goal is to equip their students for the 21st century.
The school is also thinking outside the box with their approach to incorporating technology into the student’s curriculum. The students often work in project groups, collaborating and working together as a team.
“Our philosophy is that we have to give students academic skills, but just as important are social and personal skills.” says headmaster, Mr. Larsen.
With this ideology, the school is leading the way for other schools embracing similar concepts. Not only do they want their students to excel academically, but they are also looking at a bigger picture.
“Our manifesto is that we want this school to be a trampoline for life.” says the headmaster.
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