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The new curriculum encourages the improvement of school culture
A change in school culture requires that the voice of children and young persons can be heard in the school community. Schools implement the operating culture of School on the Move programme according to the national objectives.
More comfortable school days
Doing things together and taking students into the development work of schools contributes to the comfort at school. Registered schools get materials and practical tips about how to make school days more comfortable and functional.
Entrepreneurship education is attitude above all!
Students are tutored to work systematically and with perseverance and to take responsibility for their own doings. They are encouraged to recognize their strengths and to become interested in various things. Students are also encouraged to be persistent in finishing their tasks and to appreciate the work results.
One section of the basic education national core curriculum approved by the Finnish National Board of Education is the responsibility over the environment, well-being and sustainable future. The objectives of sustainable development are included in the teaching of all basic education subjects.
The goal is to increase the student’s abilities and the motivation to work for the well-being of the environment and humans.
The aim of basic education is to raise citizens who are conscious of the environment and committed to a more sustainable way of life.
All students in the comprehensive schools of Turku can participate in the Environment Trail. Primary school students will be invited to the Environment Trail once per school year.
Culture Path is based on the curriculum.
Culture Path is a plan according to which every student in the comprehensive schools of Turku visits various cultural locations three times per school year. For example libraries, concerts, theatres, Turku Castle and museums can be visited. In the second and eighth years students will also go to movies. Additional information about locations and topical events is available on the Culture Path website (in Finnish).
Basic education implements the child’s rights for learning and personal well-being. The modules that support teaching strengthen the children’s involvement, activity, and knowledge of culture and nature, and encourage the children to exercise, examine, express themselves, and experience art and entrepreneurship amongst other things.
Modules
Click the orange link bars below.
Basic education in Turku offers extensive bilingual education, language immersion in Swedish, and content and language integrated learning. In bilingual education, language is used as a teaching instrument for different subjects, which enables the pupil to reach a strong competence of the target language and to practice their cultural and international skills. Bilingual education complies with specific principles established in the curriculum.
In addition to the teaching of religions, schoolwork may include religious events such as services, religious morning assemblies or religious concerts. These events are considered as religious practice.
The student studies either a religion or ethics. Turku organizes teaching of Evangelical-Lutheran, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Islamic religions, as well as ethics teaching.
When the student participates in religious education the school year report will not mention which religion’s curriculum the student has followed. If the student has been exempted from religious education at school because they receive their religious education in their own religious community, religion will not be marked on the school year report as a subject.
Teaching in schools is based on the curriculum, which in turn is based on laws and regulations. The curriculum illustrates practical school work and all schools must follow it, which means it is a standard. The National Board of Education has approved the national core curriculum of basic education, and the municipality-specific section of Turku City basic education curriculum for years 1–9 is based on it. Additionally, school-specific specifications for organizing teaching have been described on the schools’ curriculums or school year plans.
Non-residents, meaning persons living outside Turku, can apply for a right to study in the schools of Turku. The parent or guardian should deliver the application directly to the school they wish to apply to.
Special classes mean classes that emphasize certain subjects by the specific decision of the Education Committee.
Language-oriented classes start in the first year. Classes emphasizing music, mathematics, sports and art start in the third year.
The student’s local secondary school is determined by the primary school. The student has a right to apply for some other school as well regardless of area borders.
Parents or guardians of the students will be informed about the transition to the seventh year during the turn of the year. Information sessions will be held in secondary schools in January.
Parents or guardians of students will be informed about applying to special classes in December.
When moving on to the third year in Turku it is possible to apply to a special class. Apply through the Wilma Turku system by 13 January 2019 at the latest.
Language-oriented classes start in the first year. However, it is possible to take in a few extra students when moving on to the third year, if there are places in the class. Students who wish to apply to a language-oriented class should do so during the application period.
In the 2024–2025 school year, parents will register children starting first grade at the school through Wilma by Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Transition from preschool to primary school
Local schools co-operate with preschool units to make it easier for the child to start school. The co-operation forms and practices vary among schools and areas. Every school has assigned a contact teacher who coordinates the co-operation between preschool education and the school. Local schools organize visiting days for new students in spring.
School transport applications concerning charter transportations (+ attachments) for the school year 2024 - 2025 should be delivered to the Education Division School Transports by 31 May 2024.
You should apply for school transport by sending an application form either via email or by regular mail to the Education Division School Transports. Any attachments, such as expert opinions, should be delivered together with the application.
The school bus card is valid in the buses of Turku’s internal public transport on schooldays and it entitles for two trips per day. Time limit for changing buses is 75 minutes.
Loading the card
A granted bus card should be reclaimed from the Public Traffic Service Office (Aurakatu 5). A student whose right for school transport remains valid to the following school year should load their card at the Service Office in the beginning of August (no need to post a new application).
Organizations, communities, companies and private persons can rent school facilities outside teaching hours (mostly weekday evenings and weekends).
Payments
The costs for renting school facilities can be found on the application form. The principal of the school may also allow the use of school facilities for free or for 20% discount if the criteria mentioned on the application form are met. The renter must also pay for a supervisor if the principal demands that a supervisor needs to be present.
Morning and afternoon activities for pupils in Turku
Pupils in grades 1–2 and pupils in basic education who have a decision on special support can participate in the morning and afternoon activities of basic education organised by the City of Turku.
Turku International School offers Afternoon activities for or first and second year students in English.