2_1_ScanMag_71_Dec_2014_Text_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 29/11/2014 12:13 Page 55
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Education in Denmark
The efterskole with no beds In the City of Smiles, also known as Aarhus, you’ll find Center-10, Aarhus High School, the largest year 10 school in Denmark. In the spirit of the city nickname, the school believes that you will obtain better learning when having fun. By Ann Bille| Photos: Center-10, Aarhus High School
“We prioritise the social aspect and community, and we try to nurture it through introductory camps and study trips as well as morning gatherings," explains principal Poul Højmose. Center-10 differs from the traditional schools with their focus on creating a unique youth environment and by introducing the students to new subjects and challenges that will prepare them for their future studies and adult life. “In fact, we have a lot of the same features, terms and atmosphere as an efterskole – we are sort of a ‘local’ efterskole, with the exception that the students don’t actually live here, as they sleep at home,” the principal says. Center-10 aims to be a strong start to the students’ future education, no matter which direction they choose to take. “We offer study programmes tailored to the students’ needs,” the
principal explains. The school offers three main study programmes; The Vocational Entry, The Flexible Entry or The Upper Secondary programme. Each contains a number of mandatory courses and 16 optional courses. One of these optional courses proved crucial for student Andreas Foldager’s choice of school. “Center-10 offered exactly the football course I was looking for. I wanted to find a school with a high level of football training, as well as a high educational level.” Today, there isn’t a shred of doubt in his mind that he made the right choice. “I’ve already improved my football skills in several areas, and I’ve raised my marks by almost 50 per cent.” For more information, please visit: www.center-10.dk
Patience, closeness and support Lystruphave Efterskole was founded in 2002 to help shorten the long waiting lists to the few Danish efterskoler for people with dyslexia, dyscalculia or other learning challenges. Today, the thriving school is part of a nation-wide community of twenty such schools that teach, support and research learning methods for people whose previous experience of school has been hampered by conventional classrooms and teaching styles.
By Louise Older Steffensen | Photo: Lystruphave Efterskole
The pupils who arrive at Lystruphave are bright young people who are often thirsty for the academic knowledge that has eluded them at traditionally structured schools. “At Lystruphave, learning is encouraged in all forms,” says Niels Martin Hougaard Sørensen, who has been the school’s principal since its beginning. “Students can take short breaks during lessons,
move about, or even lie down if it aids their study.” Classes consist of no more than 12 pupils. Concentration is aided by fun exercise and a wholesome diet. The school uses the very latest technology, which can read written text aloud or convert speech to written words for the students, and all teaching materials are digitalised.
It is the human support offered at Lystruphave, however, which makes the greatest difference. The school’s “contact teachers” support students with personal, caring guidance every day, and pupils and teachers form strong, mutually trusting bonds. The school is Christian in nature, although most of its students aren’t, and it has the belief in the value of each person at its core. “There are lots of ways to learn,” Sørensen explains, “and everyone can learn. It just depends on taking the time to help each pupil discover what type of learning works for them.”
For more information, please visit: lystruphave.dk
Issue 71 | December 2014 | 55