Any good schools in Europe? Some are pretty bad!
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 2:37 am
After several years around different parts of the globe I am now in Europe (Scandinavia). I have been here for 3 years now, and I have to say I am very surprised by the things I have seen. Here is my background: when I was growing up, my parents moved a lot (internationally). As a result of that, I attended private international schools in different parts of the world. Most of them had impressive resources and great teachers; so when I think of the words "International school", that is what comes to my mind.
I arrived 3 years ago to Scandinavia and I have been surprised by schools here. Contrary to what some people believe, there are private schools in Denmark, Sweden and Norway (in some cases the state pays the school, but so do parents, even if just a little). However, these schools all seem to have very limited resources, with buildings and technology available not being even close to any of the big international schools in other regions. Most teachers seem to be here not by choice, but simply because they are married to a local and could not find another job. Academics are very very low, PD opportunities are somewhat limited, and it really seems as most schools in this region are stuck in the 90s (and by that I mean old-style teaching, no technology, etc). This is not just my school; I have had the chance to meet different teachers working in schools in Norway, Denmark and Sweden and it seems a pretty consistent experience.
I am now thinking of leaving at the end of this year. The problem is I do want to stay in Europe, but I don't want to switch from this school to a similar school. I am now wondering: what are some good schools in Europe? Good means a different thing for different people, so here is my wish list:
1. Good academics (not being forced to inflate grades)
2. Good resources (good classrooms, good class size, access to technology, PD, etc)
3. Decent pay (both me and my wife are teachers, so hopefully something that allows us to live Ok and save a little).
4. Organized and stable (a school that already has procedures and policies in place with a stable leadership).
5. At a country that allows the school to hire non-EU passport holders, where me not being an EU citizen is not an issue.
Any ideas? Countries to look at? Specific schools?
I arrived 3 years ago to Scandinavia and I have been surprised by schools here. Contrary to what some people believe, there are private schools in Denmark, Sweden and Norway (in some cases the state pays the school, but so do parents, even if just a little). However, these schools all seem to have very limited resources, with buildings and technology available not being even close to any of the big international schools in other regions. Most teachers seem to be here not by choice, but simply because they are married to a local and could not find another job. Academics are very very low, PD opportunities are somewhat limited, and it really seems as most schools in this region are stuck in the 90s (and by that I mean old-style teaching, no technology, etc). This is not just my school; I have had the chance to meet different teachers working in schools in Norway, Denmark and Sweden and it seems a pretty consistent experience.
I am now thinking of leaving at the end of this year. The problem is I do want to stay in Europe, but I don't want to switch from this school to a similar school. I am now wondering: what are some good schools in Europe? Good means a different thing for different people, so here is my wish list:
1. Good academics (not being forced to inflate grades)
2. Good resources (good classrooms, good class size, access to technology, PD, etc)
3. Decent pay (both me and my wife are teachers, so hopefully something that allows us to live Ok and save a little).
4. Organized and stable (a school that already has procedures and policies in place with a stable leadership).
5. At a country that allows the school to hire non-EU passport holders, where me not being an EU citizen is not an issue.
Any ideas? Countries to look at? Specific schools?