Schedules and timetables
Schedules are important in Finland. Pupils must leave home early enough to ensure they are not late to school. Each pupil will receive a timetable from their school. This timetable, often known in Finnish as a 'lukkari', tells them when school starts and finishes.
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 8–8.45 | HI | YM | KS | ||
| 9–9.45 | SUK/STK | MA | KS | MA | YM |
| 10–10.45 | KU | HI | KS | SUK/STK | YH |
11–11.45 Ruokailu | KU | SUK/STK | EN | SUK/STK | MA |
| 12.15–13 | MU | EN | EN | LI | |
| 13.15–14 | MU | UE/UI/UO/UK/ET | LI |
Below the word 'time' are the start and end times of each lesson. The first class starts at 8:00 and ends and 8:45. If just one time is provided, this will be the start time of the class. One lesson generally lasts 45 minutes.
There is usually a 15-minute recess between lessons. Recess is also known as break time. There can also be two lessons back-to-back.
In this timetable, on Mondays school starts at 8:00 and ends at 14:00. The timings are the same on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays school starts at 8:00 and ends at 13:00. On Thursdays school starts at 8:00 and ends at 14:00. On Fridays school starts at 9:00 and ends at 12:00.
Not all subjects are studied in all grades. The subjects studied in basic education and their most common abbreviations are:
SUK = Finnish language and literature
STK = Finnish as a second language and literature
EN = English
RU = Swedish
MA = maths
BI = biology
GE = geography
YM = environmental studies
FY = physics
KE = chemistry
TE = health education
UE/UO/UI/UK = religion
ET = ethics
HI = history
YH = social studies
MU = music
KU = visual arts
KS = crafts
LI = physical education
KO = home economics
OP = study and careers education
VAL = optional studies. For example, the last two lessons in the timetable for Monday are labelled MU. This means that the last two lessons on a Monday are always music.
At primary level (grades 1–6) or in preparatory education, the names of subjects are not always included in the timetable. In these cases, the lesson will be marked with the letter x.
A free hot meal is provided in schools (free food). The school meal is part of the school day. If a pupil has a food allergy (health-based reason) or follows a special diet due to their beliefs (religion), their guardian must inform the school of this. All food served is lactose-free.
The school day
During the school day, pupils have lots of lessons. In lessons, pupils participate in shared discussion, do work quietly at their desk, or plan and work on projects together with other pupils. It is important that pupils do their work in accordance with the instructions given.
Pupils should participate actively in lessons. Teachers assess a pupil's knowledge and learning. Taking an active approach in lessons means that the pupil is participating in classwork, and this influences the teacher's assessment.
It is important that pupils ask for help when they do not know or understand something. Teachers will be happy to help.
At school, all pupils are provided with group-specific support, such as remedial teaching. If group-specific support is not enough, pupils may receive pupil-specific support.
Use of phones without the teacher's permission is prohibited during the school day.
Various different working methods are used during lessons, including:
- Class discussion: The teacher tells the pupils about the topic of the lesson and they discuss it together. Pupils raise their hand when they want to talk.
- Group work: Pupils work together on a task or project. In group work it is important to follow the instructions and practise social skills. Each group member carries responsibility for the group's tasks.
- Independent work: Pupils work by themselves, following instructions. They do their tasks carefully and quietly, making sure not to disturb other pupils. Pupils may ask for help.
Pupils receive homework every day. Homework generally involves writing, arithmetic or reading. It is important that pupils do their homework to the best of their ability.
Guardians should ensure that children do their homework. It is the guardian's responsibility to:
- agree on a time when the child will do their homework every day;
- ensure they have a quiet place to do their work;
- make sure that the child does their work and any reading tasks set.
It is important to encourage children to do their homework. If a child is not sure about their homework or unable to do it, tell the teacher.
Homework will be checked at school. Sometimes, teachers will also give written tests to see how well pupils know the topics covered in the homework. For this reason, it is important to do the tasks and any reading with care.
A variety of tests take place at schools. These are intended for the pupil to show what they know. The teacher tells pupils when the test will be and how they should prepare for it.
Preparing for tests:
- ensure the child has sufficient time to revise the topic the test will cover (2–3 days);
- help the child by asking them about the topic, if you can;
- if the topic is difficult, the guardian may request remedial teaching for the child;
- ask the teacher if the topic is unclear.
Recess refers to the break time between lessons. This is usually spent outside, and so pupils should dress appropriately for the weather. Pupils may not leave the school yard during recess.
There is always a member of school staff supervising recess. Instructions given by all adults must be followed. Pupils can ask adults for help.
Illness and absences
Education is compulsory in Finland. Compulsory education means that children of school age must attend school. They may only be off school for important reasons.
Pupils should not come into school when ill. If a pupil is ill in the morning, they should stay at home. Guardians must inform the teacher of the illness. If a pupil falls ill in the middle of the school day, the teacher will call the pupil's home. Pupils may not leave for home without the permission of the guardian and teacher.
If a child has to be off school for a reason other than illness, the guardian must request permission for the absence in advance. If, for example, they have a doctor's appointment during the school day, the teacher must be informed of the reason for the absence and the time required. A doctor's appointment is not a valid reason to be off school for the whole school day.
A teacher may grant permission for a pupil to be off for 1–3 school days. For absences of more than three days, the guardian must request permission from the principal. Permission must be requested in good time beforehand. The guardian and pupil should establish what work the pupil needs to do while they are off. Family holidays should be taken during school holiday times.
An absence model is used in Turku, whereby a response is always triggered when a pupil accrues 50, 100 or 150 hours of absences. The teacher will contact the guardian and discuss the reasons for the absences with them. If the school's staff have concerns about a pupil's absences, a meeting will be arranged. Pupil welfare staff, such as the school social worker, nurse or school psychologist, may be present at the meeting. The objective is to prevent or reduce the number of absences.
Cooperation between home and school
A child's schooling is the result of cooperation between home and school.
A child's schooling can be supported in many different ways:
- Ensure that the child is getting enough, sleep, food and exercise.
- Tell the teacher about anything that is important to the child's schooling.
- Always attend when the teacher requests a meeting at the school. If the meeting time the teacher offers does not suit you, you can request a different time. You can also suggest a time that would suit you.
- Request a meeting with the teacher if you have concerns about your child's schooling.
- Take an interest in your child's schooling. Discuss their school day with them.
- Acknowledge even the smaller things your child learns. Encourage them to do good work.
You can help your child learn to read and speak Finnish even if you are not fluent in it. You can:
- ask everyone in the family to read in any language;
- tell stories or sing songs to the child in your home language;
- take note of the Finnish language in your surroundings;
- watch or listen to Finnish-language programmes with your child;
- go to the library with your child.
Using your own language and learning about your culture at home is important as it will support the child's growth and development. It will also help them learn Finnish.
Teachers will send messages about school events and the child's schooling. It is important that you check every school day to see if the teacher has sent any messages. Talk at home about any messages the teacher has sent.
Pupils practise good manners at home and at school. It is important to learn how to behave in a way that ensures that everyone is safe and well.
Sometimes, pupils face conflict situations. If this happens, the adults at school will help pupils resolve the situation.
A teacher will call home if a conflict is serious – for example, if a pupil hurts someone else or damages property. The school will decide on the consequences and establish any remuneration with the guardian.
Bullying is not permitted. Bullying is repeated behaviour aimed at one and the same pupil. The aim of bullying is to hurt someone or cause them to feel bad.
If you suspect that your child is being bullied or is bullying others, tell the teacher.
Holidays and festivities during the school year
There are a lot of holidays during the school year: autumn holiday, Christmas holiday, winter holiday, Easter and summer holiday. There are also a number of individual holiday days.
Various traditions are celebrated in Finnish schools. These celebrations include Christmas, spring celebration, and Finnish Independence Day. The celebrations are also integrated into the teaching and school day. Pupils and teachers plan and prepare together for the school's celebrations. They may dress in appropriate clothing for the celebration.
They might also sing a song associated with a religious tradition. These celebrations are intended for all pupils at the school, and they are not religious celebrations.
If the school arranges visits to a church at Christmas or in the spring, pupils may participate in an alternative programme arranged by the school.
The autumn term ends with the Christmas holiday. Before the holiday, there will be Christmas celebrations.
The spring term ends with a spring celebration, which always falls on the Saturday of week 22. At this celebration, the teacher gives the pupil their end of school year certificate.
Physical education and swimming tuition at school
Important life skills are learnt at school, including physical education, which is taught at school. It is important to have a varied range of hobbies in your free time too, and many sports and exercise hobbies are free of charge. Where possible, pupils should come to school on foot or by bike.
Teaching the ability to swim is part of the curriculum and an important skill in Finland. Knowing how to swim ensures pupils can be safe in and around water.
Swimming tuition is an important part of the physical education taught at schools. The objective of swimming tuition organised by schools is teaching pupils how to swim and save themselves if they find themselves in water.
On swimming days, pupils will need to bring with them:
- a swimsuit
- a hairtie if they have long hair
- products for washing after swimming
- a towel
- a plastic bag for the wet swimsuit and towel.
Girls and boys have separate changing rooms, showering facilities, and saunas at the swimming hall. Going to the sauna is optional.
It is important to listen to and follow the teacher's instructions at the swimming hall.
It is a good idea for pupils to visit swimming halls to practise swimming in their free time too.