Ville Raatikainen

Finnish lessons - how we do it in practiceDirecting Principal Ville Raatikainen

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Vuores10/12/20172

Work and skills of the future

KOPA10/12/20173

Technology has always shaped the work we do

ICE MAN=FREEZER

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KNOCKER UPPER = Alarm clock LAMPLIGHTER= Switch

KOPA

Three questions that every principal have to keep in mind

1. What will the future bring?

2. What direction will society/school go from here?

3. How did we get to this point?

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Ville Raatikainen

Leadership of Schools in Tampere

• Each school has a principal who leads the unit. • Schools are divided into schoolpaths (primary->secondary

school)

• Schoolpaths are grouped into five groups -> Principal leads each group

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Hatanpää

Härmälä Peltolammi

Koivisto

Ville Raatikainen

1. Is in charge of the basic education and morning and afternoon activities in his/her school. 2. Is responsible for reaching the objectives in the annual plan for the implementation of the local curriculum 3. Is responsible of the wellbeing of the personnel 4. Is responsible of the evaluation and development of the school 5. Is responsible of the school economy and distribution of the resources allocated to the school. 6. Is responsible of the pupils enrolment to the school 7. Is responsible of the continuing education of the personnel 8. Cooperates with other schools in the school path and day-care centers near the school

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Principal`s tasks

Ville Raatikainen

1. Is in charge of the basic education and morning and afternoon activities in his/her school.

1. Responsibility is undivided in our schools 2. School days are normally between 8am – 15pm. On the 1st and

2nd grade they last until 12-14pm. After that we serve afternoon activities – different clubs (sports, handicraft, arts, music, time to play, homework etc.).

3. Collaboration between different stakeholders

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Ville Raatikainen

2. Is responsible for reaching the objectives in the annual plan for the implementation of the local curriculum

1. Development of the school culture (involvement of pupils, assessment and assessment culture)

2. Improving the possibilities to move (Finnish schools on the MOVE –campaign)

3. Improving the collaboration with pre-primary education – easy and smooth transition phase to basic education (1st grade)

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Ville Raatikainen

Why this is a vital question?

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7 – 9 grade pupils move on average 7 minutes per 60 minutes when they are at school. And this includes the lessons for Physical Education!

SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING!!

Vuores10/12/201711

Improving the possibilities to move

Ville Raatikainen

3. Is responsible of the wellbeing of the personnel

1. What and when we are doing?, who is in charge? and where we are heading and why = captain of the boat?

2. Management by hanging around = knowing your personnel

3. Sharing the work load, delegating and giving responsibility and finding the right pairs (experience and youth)

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Ville Raatikainen10/12/201713

A good principal always targets his/her actions…

Ville Raatikainen

4. Is responsible of the evaluation and development of the school

1. In Finland we do not have a system for EVALUATING or RATING the schools. No school inspections! Directing principals are reading the plans and giving feedback.

2. Every now and then every school needs to improve at least something.

3. To change something profound in schools takes at least 10 years! For example to take every pupil to the nearest schools means understanding the support system.

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Ville Raatikainen

Educational Support

Special support

Extensive assessment & individual plan

Intensified supportPedagogical assessment & learning

plan

General support

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differentiating instruction, co-operation among teachers, modifying teaching groups in a flexible manner, part-time special needs education

Regular support, several forms of support at the same time, more intense and persistent, assessed

regularly

intesified support is not adequated ->

broad and systemic help

NEW CURRICULUM and Schools

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1. Schools that really are renewing their actions

2. Schools that are acting the change

3. Schools that are doing the same things than schools

did 40 years ago

Ville Raatikainen

Simple example with you what the principals should do at school

1. First everyone writes down three(3) things the following way: ”It would be really great if in our school…” and then follows list of wanted things

2. After writing, share the ideas with your colleague next to you

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Ville Raatikainen

5. Is responsible of the school economy and distribution of the resources allocated to the school.

1. A good principal uses the given resources in a creative way • Special needs assistants vs teachers

2. Proactive vs reactive

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Ville Raatikainen

6. Is responsible of the pupils enrolment to the school

1. Pupils special needs in mind – if it is possible you as the manager/director should take the necessary actions to make it possible

2. principal is very often the face of the school = ”customer service”

3. Collaboration with families and other schools

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Ville Raatikainen

7. Is responsible of the continuing education of the personnel

1. A clear vision = necessary education to the teachers. Teachers also have to be learning professionals. A career lasts 30-40 years.

2. The job itself teaches the teachers = finding the right pairs

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KOPA10/12/201721

School culture

Multidisciplinary module

Transversal competence

THE CONCEPT

of LEARNING

HISTORYMATHEMATIC

S

VISUAL

ARTS

NEW CURRICULUM

Ville Raatikainen

8. Cooperates with other schools in the schoolpath and day-care centers near the school

1. Together we are stronger. Learning from each other. 2. The education really starts from day-care

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Ville Raatikainen10/12/201723

Ville Raatikainen

If the future is so unexpected how can the principals survive?

1. Be a learner him-/herself. 2. Be curious. Who are the best learners in the world? 3. LISTENS, COMMUNICATES and then repeats this every day! 4. By taking care of themselves. Eventhough we are really doing a

job that matters, it is still only a job.

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FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE SCHOOL IS THE PRINCIPAL,

AND THE STRENGTH OF THE PRINCIPAL IS THE SCHOOL

Finland 100

Thank you!