NL Report 4th Comeniusweek Get Set Go Denmark October 2014
The participants on the part of Van Leersumschool (NL) are
looking back at a well organized and interesting week at Limfjordsskolen in
Løgstør, in the north – west of Jutland in Denmark.
The programme was a good balance between the aims of the
project and contact among the participants and getting acquainted with aspects
of Danish culture and the Danish landscape (a.o. the nature reserve Rebild
Bakker, Aalborg, Løgstør).
In a relaxed atmosphere we and the participants of the five other project countries were
introduced to the students of Limfjordsskolen by our Danish partners. The
students greeted us with lots of enthusiasm. For these students with learning
difficulties the day was already a success in the first meeting: exchanging
gifts to the school and to them and from them to us. We, of course, brought
them flower bulbs, stroopwafels and Haagse hopjes. All Dutch traditionals.
Next thing on the programme was a lecture headmaster Klaus
Munch on the Danish education system and the position of special education in
this. The combination of school and residential setting as with Limfjordsskolen
is rather an exception in Denmark. The municipalities decide how sen-education
is being organized in their area. This can result in quite different approaches
and means and facilities. Both politicians and educationalists in Denmark seem
to agree that for about 5% of the children inclusive education will not be possible. Our partner school is targeting that group.
After this general background a member of staff of University College of
Northern Denmark (UCN) in Hjorring gave a lecture on how neuroscience can
help us to understand and make interventions in the behaviour of these pupils. This theory and the
terminology gives a common language and
framework for both teachers and socio-workers at Limfjordsskolen.
In the afternoon we saw a performance by a group of adult
students who are still part-time using the school. The mime was based on the
life experiences of the three woman players. The theatre group was founded in
1992 and is part of the sheltered workplace of our Danish Comenius partner.
The teacher who is the main force behind the theatre group
afterwards told the life story of one of the woman players by impersonating
her. This was done in an impressive and most respectful way.
An other activity this week was the cordial reception by the
mayor of Vesthimmerland of which Løgstør is a part. He himself handed out the
drinks to everyone. There was an exchange of ideas about special education
which he strongly supports. He also talked about the measures taken to ensure
and maintain a good living environment for the people in the area in order to
prevent people from leaving for the larger cities.
After the visit to the mayor we visited Slettestrand
holidaycenter. This center is led by the Kronenborg family. Mr. Kronenborg gave a talk about the
history, aims and activities of the center. They provide holidays and weekends
for handicapped people, but also they employ and offer housing and coaching for
about 20 people with a handicap. These work in the garden, maintenance and the
kitchen. From this kitchen we already had a sample at lunch time. They served a
perfect lunch. Of course we took a walk to the beach of Slettestrand and saw
how old fishing boats were being restored.
During a visit to Løgstør museet we heard about Løgstør’s
history and there was an opportunity to feel and touch crabs, starfish, a
lobstor in a tank in the aquarium. Especially the pupils that were accompaning
us enjoyed this very much.
The next day we had to travel a bit farther and went to
Thisted and Skive by bus. While traveling there we heard about the history of
the treatment and services for people with a handicap as we passed Livo island.
In the early 19hundreds people with a handicap together with people with a
psychiatric disorder or even a criminal background were placed in isolation in
the island of Livo. There they formed a community where they had to live and
work. A lot of them felt imprisoned. After the ideas on people with handicaps
changed and the island community was closed a school was etablished on the
mainland. This school was the origin of Limfjordsskolen. Today Livo is a popular
island for holidaying.
In Thisted we visited Rollighedskolen, which has a large
department for SEN-pupils Østermølle). After a cordial reception we were told
something about the school and the special needs department by the headmaster
and the deputy head. We toured both departments in smaller groups. In the
SEN-department the focus is very much on communication. The speech therapist
had made an exhibition of materials that are being used in the school and of
course she gave an explanation.
In Skive we visited Krabbehusskolen, a school for children
from the autistic spectrum. Several members of staff took turns in a powerpoint presentation on
the principles from which the school works and the different activities, also
with parents and siblings, they undertake. In small groups we got a tour of the
school. Skipping the class with the most vulnerable children. This school gave
a lot of recognition to us, children with ASD being the largest group in our own school. Here we saw rooms
adjoining classrooms where some of the pupils have 1:1 teaching.
The week was concluded with a Danish traditional
dinner. All dishes were prepared in Limfjordsskolen’s own
kitchen. The name of the desert was a real tongue-twister for us foreigners.
Afterwards there was music by Hovedsgaden Orkester, a band of the Ranum
Kollektivet, a community of adult handicapped people living in a townhouse but
with extra support.
The Dutch delegation is very grateful to the Danish
colleagues for giving us so many experiences in their schools and country. We
are also grateful for the European Union making this Comenius week possible.
Zeist, NL
Zeist, NL
Van Leersumschool Comenius
workgroep
October 2014
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