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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.
A notification about compulsory education will be sent in the beginning of January to all children resident in Turku who are about to start their school that year. The pupil has a right to get to the school of their local school district. Children who will turn 7 that year or are older than that and who have not yet started school should be enrolled for compulsory education. Enrolment can be conducted on the Wilma system during the enrolment period in January. Specific dates will be announced separately.
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 2023-2024 should be delivered to the Education Division School Transports by 31 May 2023.
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 are meant for first and second year students as well as for other students who are in special needs education.
Turku International School offers Afternoon activities for or first and second year students in English.
School menus can be found in Finnish on the web pages of Kaarea:
- Menus for primary schools (menu.kaarea.fi in Finnish)
- Menus for secondary schools and upper secondary schools (menu.kaarea.fi in Finnish)
According to the Basic Education Act the student has a right for free school transport if the way to school is longer than 5 km or it takes longer than 2,5 hours (3 hours for over 13-year-olds). The transportation benefit may also be granted based on the dangerous nature of the way or on an expert opinion that the way to school is too difficult or tiresome compared to the health or developmental level of the student.
Parents have the primary responsibility in the upbringing of their child. The school is responsible for the child’s teaching and bringing up as a member of the school community. The task of the school is to provide the parents or guardians information so that they can follow and promote the learning and school attendance of their children.
The law on basic education obligates schools to co-operate with homes. The co-operation may be related to:
- the learning of the child
- evaluation
- writing a curriculum
- developing the operations of the school
Basic education means general education for the entire age group and it covers school years from 1 to 9. Basic education is free of charge and its objective is to provide the abilities and competence for the studies of the next education phase. Teaching is based on the accepted curriculum.
The student’s local school is determined by their address of residence. The student can also apply for another school but the student has a primary right to get to the local school of their student area.
Support for learning and growth is part of high quality basic education. Support for learning and school attendance is available for all students. Forms of support include the student’s pedagogical support, guidance and student welfare. The student has a right for early, systematic and proactive support. The support received by the student must be flexible, persevering, and it must transform according to the student’s needs. Different forms of support can be used singly or in conjunction with others so that they complement each other.
Preschools and Comprehensive schools (basic education)
2022–2023
Autumn term: Wed 10 Aug– Wed 21 Dec 2022
- Autumn vacation: Mon 17 Oct – Sun 23 Oct 2022
- Finland’s Independence day: Tue 6 Dec 2022
- Christmas holiday: Thu 22 Dec 2022 – Sun 8 Jan 2023
Spring term: Mon 9 Jan – Sat 3 Jun 2023
- Winter vacation: Mon 20 Feb – Sun 26 Feb 2023
- Good Friday: Fri 7 Apr 2023
- Easter Monday: Mon 10 Apr 2023
- May Day: Mon 1 May 2023
- Ascension Day: Thu 18 May 2023
Periods
I period: 10.8. – 3.10.2022
II period: 4.10. – 29.11.2022
