Enrolling children in Finnish School?? Help!

Family life in Finland from kindergartens, child education, language schooling and everyday life. Share information and experiences. Network with other families.
Post Reply
fozzy
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:59 pm

Enrolling children in Finnish School?? Help!

Post by fozzy » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:20 pm

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can help me I am moving to Tampere shortly (I already have a house there) and want to enroll my children in the local school.

What documents /papers forms of I.D do I need to do this and can someone tell me the procedure as I am sure its very different in Finland as it is in England.

Many Thanks

Tammy



Enrolling children in Finnish School?? Help!

Sponsor:

Finland Forum Ad-O-Matic
 

Rosamunda
Posts: 10650
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 12:07 am

Re: Enrolling children in Finnish School?? Help!

Post by Rosamunda » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:25 pm

Schools broke up last Saturday. Enrolment was last January.

Schools go back around the middle of August (mine return on 18th Aug) so you could contact the schools then. If you are applying from abroad, you can contact the school of your choice directly (just email the rehtori). Not sure you will get a reply during the summer though.

It also depends on the age of your kids : comprehensive schooling = primary (ala-aste), secondary (yla-aste) or high school (lukio) or vocational school (ammattikoulu). Some schools require an entrance test.

They will probably only ask for your KELA ID number. So it is easier to apply once you are in the system. If you don't have a KELA ID number you can still apply, but they will need proof of your residency status sooner or later.


The email addresses are all on Tampere.fi website:

http://www.tampere.fi/koulutusjaopiskel ... steet.html

Click on the first letter of the name of the school you have chosen (eg A-H on left hand side of the screen)

There is also a plan (kartta) of the schools in the area.

fozzy
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:59 pm

Re: Enrolling children in Finnish School?? Help!

Post by fozzy » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:45 pm

I lied a tiny bit about when I want to move. I want to move at the end of next year Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 - do you have any suggestions what I should do

Should I enroll Jan 2011 for her to go school Aug 2011?? Is that how it works?
If we move dec Jan time obviously thats half way through a school year - is this acceptable or are they very strict about joining at the beginning of term.
(My plan is for her to go to Preschool for a few months then have summer off and start school Aug 2011, hoping the few months in Preschool will help her with her Finnish before the 1st Year in School)

T

Upphew
Posts: 10748
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:55 pm
Location: Lappeenranta

Re: Enrolling children in Finnish School?? Help!

Post by Upphew » Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:34 pm

fozzy wrote:are they very strict about joining at the beginning of term.
They are very strict about being in the school...
"In Finland, children are subject to compulsory education. Children of compulsory school age are required to participate in basic education where the scope of the syllabus is nine years or they have to acquire the skills outlined in the comprehensive school syllabus in an alternative way."
- http://www.edu.fi/english/page.asp?path=500,574,51354
http://google.com http://translate.google.com http://urbandictionary.com
Visa is for visiting, Residence Permit for residing.

fozzy
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:59 pm

Re: Enrolling children in Finnish School?? Help!

Post by fozzy » Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:46 pm

sorry just to confirm - joining mid term is not an option then??

So I would either have to enroll her to start Aug 2010 (age 6 for a year of preschool then normal school ) or aug 2011 (age 7 for her 1st year at school)? is that correct


Post Reply