Vikki Training School – Helsinki

Another beautiful sunny Spring day in Helsinki. I Spent the day with Jyrki Loma, Principal at Vikki University. Jyrki spent time explaining the teacher training programme where pedagogy is a key aspect of teacher training. this was followed by observing maths and technology lessons, where each lesson was 75min. I still need to reflect on the teacher culture in the classroom, there was a definite gentleness and purposeful approach. In Finland, young people aspire to be primary school teachers as much as they would dream about wanting to be a pilot, a doctor or a lawyer. It is seen as being a privilege to teach young children and it is hugely competitive to get onto University degrees. A big emphasis of teacher training is spent on pedagogy, I.e. focus on how children learn and meeting needs of various learners as opposed to teaching. The school culture when working with parents, is approached as co planning, and so co-plan goals with students and parents. This means that the tutor spends about an hour with the parents and student around November time to establish strong links, with parents being updated weekly via a virtual platform. To further develop students ownership of their learning, the student is engaged in ongoing self assessment of goals. Learning in lessons is skills driven, with a strong framework of knowledge.
Student focused planning is a key priority, there are weekly “student welfare meetings”, discussions on students and barriers to learning which is driven by tutors and overseen by Deputy Heads. The school is also well supported by an Ed Psychologist, a doctor, nurse, social worker and counsellor. Great emphasis on student support to enable the young person being ready for learning. The school CPD has a significant amount of training that runs throughout the year on different types of learners, and every teacher is active in developing an Individual Learning Plan, thus supporting appropriate differentiation.
Culturally education is perceived as a privilege, and yes it is for FREE, from 6 to University (we should start suggesting to our children to come and study in Helsinki – it is also for free for EU citizens!!!). Curriculum design has no dead ends, whatever choice a young person makes, there is a visible next path…great flexibility in pathways, so you can start in car painting, go onto the Polytecnic, and then still go onto University.
Underpinning this educational setting is TRUST, not control, there is this precontractural trust, which is irrespective of possible risks. Relational trust is developed through cooperation, communication and experiences, and then there is structural trust which grows on the basis of close relations around the institutes structures. Trust and respect for teachers underpins this profession.