The Swedish and Umeå school organisation

1. The Swedish and Umeå school organisation

3. Pre-schools • Municipalities should provide pre-schooling for children from the age of one: • When parents are working or studying. • When parents are unemployed or on leave of absence • Children of parents who are unemployed or on leave of absence should be offered a place for at least 3 hours a day or 15 hours a week • The preschool is regulated by the Education Act and the curriculum • Places are offered within 4 months of receipt of application. • There are both municipal and independent preschools. Independent preschools can be run as e.g. parent- or staff co-operatives, by a foundation or a company

4. Preschools The preschool should lay the foundations for the first part of children's learning which will continue for the rest of their lives. Children should be provided with good pedagogical activities. The preschool should be enjoyable, secure, and rich in providing learning opportunities for all children attending. Children should have the opportunity of learning through playing, creating and exploring – on their own, in groups and together with adults The preschool is a separate school form and its activities are regarded as education and teaching. The staff in the preschool plans pedagogical activities enabling children to create, learn and explore.The preschool is open all year. The daily opening hours are adapted to their parents work or study and to the needs of children.

5. Pre-schools in Umeå 84 municipal pre-schools 5130 children 22 independent pre-schools 982 children Familydaycare 602 children Rates From the autumn term when the child reaches the age of 3 and up to the time when school starts, there is a right to 525 hours free of charge per year.

6. Preschool class From the age of 6 children have the right to start in the preschool class. The preschool class is a school form in its own right with a large element of creative work and play. The preschool class is a voluntary school form, which the majority of six-year-olds in Sweden attend. Attendance is approximately 3 hours a day. Free of charge. Activities in the preschool class have the same curriculum as the compulsory school and the leisure-time centre. The preschool class should combine the methods and working approaches of both the preschool and the school. .

7. Compulsory school The compulsory school, or the compulsory school for learning disabilities, Sami school or the special school are compulsory in Sweden. The compulsory school applies to childrenaged 7-16. School attendance is compulsory for all children resident in Sweden. Compulsory schools may be either municipal or independent. The majority of compulsory schools in Sweden are municipally run, and the most common situation is that pupils attend a municipal school close to their home Compulsory schools are free of charge. The Swedish Schools Inspectorate oversees and examines the quality of schools across the country through regular inspections. The inspectorate monitors compliance with the Education Act.

8. The Education Act, the curricula and the syllabuses applies to both independent and municipal schools. Swedish law states that all children should have the same access to education. The education are based on democratic values. Assessment is made by a new grading scale with six grades from A to F. A to E are passing grades, with F as a failing grade. Beginning with the fall term of 2012, grades will be assigned starting in year 6. Mandatory national subject tests are held in years 3, 6 and 9. Children’s right to health: All students have access to a school doctor, school nurse, psychologist and school welfare officer at no cost. Two laws, the Swedish Education Act and the Swedish Discrimination Act, help protect children and students from discrimination and degrading treatment.

9. After-school recreation centres, youth clubs, independent day-nurseries (6-12 year olds) Children who need care before and after school are offered a place at an after-school recreation centre or independent day-nursery. Youth clubs are an alternative for children 10-12 years. General advice for after-school recreation centres and National Compulsory School Curriculum (applicable parts) – is used as a guide. Subject to a charge. The leisure activities shall cooperate with schools to offer children a meaningful recreation and support in their development.

10. Uppersecondaryschool There are 18 national programs in secondary schools, 12 vocational programs and six programs preparing for university studies. Student intake: Eligibility rules to begin a secondary education differs between vocational programs and college preparatory programs To get into a national program from the academic year 2011/2012 a student must be approved in the Swedish or Swedish as a second language, English and mathematics. Those who choose to study at a vocational program, must have passing grades in five more subjects, making a total of eight. For the university preparatory programs for passing grades in nine subjects to, a total of twelve

11. Compulsaryschools in Umeå • 55 municipal compulsoryschools 10466 pupils • 7 independent compulsoryschools 1188 pupils • Compulsoryschools for learningdisabilities 134 pupils

12. Preschoolclasses voluntary UpperSecondarySchool 3 yearvoluntaryedcucation Pre-school or family day-care Compulsory schools Years 1 - 9 compulsory education 5 years 7 years 16 years 1 year After School Care Leisure centres, youth clubs and family day-care centres 6 - 12 years The Swedish Educational System for 1 - 19 year olds

13. Umeå has 14 Schooldistricts

14. Pre-school & Compulsory School Board Local Education Office Director of Education Admin, Finance, HR, Education Director of Education Organisation of Pre-school and Compulsory School Local Education Authority Meal service Learning- & Research Centre School Health Care Idéan Special Needs School Naturskolan 14 School Districts Holmsund- Obbola Västra Marie Tomtebo Teg Grubbe Ersboda Carlshöjd Röbäck Hörnefors Centrala Haga Sävar Ålidhem Compulsory-level Special School integrated with 5 of Umeå´s compulsory schools

15. For children with special needs • Competence centre: • Speech and language • Pre-school and compulsory school for children with hearing impairment • Preparatory education for immigrant children • Native language lessons • Educational support team • Allergy pre-school and compulsory school • Classes for children with restricted mobility • Special groups (Aspergers, ADHD)

16. A successful and enjoyable pre-school and compulsory schools promoting both Academic objectivesSocial objectives. Our shared mission in Umeå

17. Wepreparechildren for life The municipality of Umeå’s pre-schools, family day-care and compulsory schools provides a safe and dynamic environment where children and pupils enjoy learning and acquiring the skills that will give them a solid starting point in life. Schools should adopt a holistic approach to the individual focusingon the children and pupils. The basis of learning is democratic values, respect for the fellow man and a multi-cultural philosophy. These objectives form a platform for an interactive debate about the responsibilities of the schools and optimum means of collaboration to achieve the ultimate objective “safe schools offering education to all”.

18. City Council objectivesfor Pre-school and Compulsory School Board A school for everyone, giving children and young people the right…. • … to feel secure and respected and to be seen and heard • children and young people learning in a climate of trust, social equality and democracy • zero tolerance for discrimination and other degrading treatment • all Pre-schools, Family day-care and Compulsory Schools implementing a strategy for the prevention ofoffensive behaviour and harassment

19. City Council objectivesfor Pre-school and Compulsory School Board Stimulating and creative learning environments • children and young people have influence over their work environment • their learn and experience in a positive work environment • working methods and work adapted and varied by the competent child's / student's interests, needs and circumstances • diversity is seen as an asset and opportunity

20. City Council objectivesfor Pre-school and Compulsory School Board • To learning and knowledge • Everyone having the right to a rich and functional language and aesthetic vocabulary – our principal mission • Children and young people learning how to develop their knowledge and communicative skills and use of mathematical tools and solutions in connection with scientific know-how • Pre-school and school develops an awareness of health and sustainable development for a sustainable and lifelong learning • Each student must have a forward looking individual development in which also parents' involvement and expertise be utilized • IT skills are essential tools for learning. All children and students should be given opportunities to use and develop their skills in ICT Objectives are followed up by means of communal parent and pupil surveys and annual quality evaluations at departmental and authority levels.

21. Student survey F-3 Safety and enjoyment Workingclimate Teaching Individual support

22. Student survey year 4-6 Safety and enjoyment Workingclimate Teaching Individual support

23. Students working environment - year 7-9 Safety and enjoymentInfluenceWorkclimate

24. Student learning - year 7-9 TeachingPersonalizationAppraisalIndividual support

25. Student result 2011 ( municipal schoolsgrade 9)

27. Education for sustainabledevelopment • Why • The process • What we learned

28. WHY? A waytocontributeto the futureofourchildren Schooldevelopment A waytovisualize and structure what our curriculum mandates – we don’t start from the beginning Participation and priority A way for communication and sharingideas Progression From learningtoaffectinglife

29. THE PROCESS The Principal Conference 2006 addresses the issue of a single goal for the department Decision– principles, staff starts a fundamental education on the topicofESD The challenge 2007. 2010 are all preschools and schoolsnotified for the Award ”Education for Sustainable Development” (approved by the Swedish National Agency for Education Criteria for Excellence) Decisionin the school board

30. 2011 all pre-schools, primary and secondary schools (except 3) has recived the award: ”Education for Sustainable Development” (approved by the Swedish National Agency for Education Criteria for Excellence) Success factors: A Board and Headdecision The principal in the front An organizationthatenablesdevelopment and learning over time. Focus on sustainability, self evaluation, effectiveness and quality Student influence is crucial Exchange ofexperience, networking

31. Priorities over the next years • High level of target achievement - knowledge, evaluation and grade • Extensive efforts to improve mathematics teaching • Preschool and school develops an awareness of health and sustainable development and lifelong learning • Improve the achievement levels of students with mother tongue other than Swedish • Pay particular attention to the situation of newly arrived pupils aged 12-16 • Pupil power – parent power • Equality • Multitude and integration • Development of language, reading and writing skills • Individual developmentplans