LIFE Conference, Finland
In January, Jasmine Miller, our Principal of New Struan Day and Residential School, attended the first LIFE conference – Lapland International Forum for Education – in Rovaniemi, Finland.
This was an international conference with 92 participants from 18 countries and from every continent. LIFE 2017 was an exclusive opportunity to visit Finnish schools, talk with the local teachers and students, and listen to the top Finnish pedagogical experts, such as Professor Kirsti Lonka.
Schools in Finland at this time of year look very different to those in the UK. Snow and ice covers the playground and instead of bikes and scooters at the school entrance there are many sleds! Our visits gave a real insight into a primary school and teacher training school and provided useful reflection on our Scottish education system.
Leadership is key within all schools in Finland as well as the importance of reflecting and thinking. It was noticeable that a ‘coaching culture’ enabled staff to reflect this in their practice – both in the classroom and in engagement with external colleagues. Within the teaching school, students who are training to be teachers have a Classroom Teacher as a mentor and coach and have opportunities to teach lessons with pupils. In addition to their training, teacher trainees are able to work as a supply teacher in schools from their second or third year at university. This enables them to gain more practice and experience whilst training and the ability to earn a wage as a Teacher. All teachers train to a Masters level and usually complete their education within 4-6 years.
It is interesting to reflect on the wellbeing culture within Finnish schools. If a pupil needs access to a psychologist then there is a law that states that this must be put in place within 24 hours. There is a lot of free play built into the day. This comes from a belief that this stems creativity for all pupils and should be included all year round. There is just one national test for children and this happens in the 9th grade when pupils are around 16. The school curriculum is based on equality. Every 10 years, parents and teachers are involved in curriculum discussion and review.
Overall the experience gave me a lot to think about on my return to New Struan. I am thinking about our School Improvement Plan and our focus on wellbeing for pupils, families and staff and how we can learn from the embedded ‘coaching culture’ within schools in Finland to support our progress in this area. We look forward to welcoming some visitors from Sweden in May to New Struan and the partnership working that stems from these international links.
