Vesturbæjarskóli's policy
Vesturbæjarskóli is a primary school for children in grades 1 through 7. The motto of the school is respect, well-being, and success. Using the motto as a guide, we prioritize kindness, warmth, and caring for the welfare of students and thereby foster a positive school spirit. Our staff is committed to creating a positive and constructive environment where everyone feels good.
UNICEF Rights Respecting School
We follow the UNICEF Rights Respecting School model, it's goal being a democratic learning environment where children learn about Human Rights and develop mutual respect. The basic premises of the Child Rights Convention serve as the starting point for all decisions made in school activities and are reflected in the interactions of everyone in the school community. We intentionally cultivate skills, abilities, knowledge, and attitudes that will enable children to be critical, active, and competent members of society.
Team teaching
In team teaching, we emphasize collaboration between students and teachers. Teachers unite in their strengths, abilities, interest, and resources to share collective responsibility for students. Professional teams give teachers opportunities for development and learning, while school improvement focuses on making schools better places for learning and growth for all children. Grouping children across different ages strengthens their social skills as they learn to collaborate in diverse groups and adapt to change. We focus on creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment where every child can thrive.
Diverse teaching methods
We work to meet each child's unique needs by offering diverse teaching methods and integrated learning materials aligned with the goals of the national curriculum. Our teachers uphold high professional standards in instruction and classroom management, tailoring their methods to meet the diverse needs of all students. Vesturbæjarskóli places strong emphasis on students working together and treating each other with respect, consideration, and tolerance. Children learn to use a variety of media in their learning, enhancing their information and media literacy. Through well-structured formative learning and continuous teacher development, we provide quality education and a professional learning environment for all children.
Formative learning
We have a long tradition of formative learning, where students regularly reflect on their learning with teachers to set goals and determine their direction. Formative learning fosters a learning culture that emphasizes a growth mindset, self-empowerment, and learning awareness. Formative assessment provides students with feedback to support their growth. We use diverse assessment methods to systematically track every child's progress through formative assessment based on specific goals and performance standards.
Creative thinking and initiative
We believe it is important to foster creative thinking and initiative while providing children with a range of opportunities for creativity and expression. We focus on helping children build confidence, resilience, and belief in their abilities while encouraging them to develop their talents in a creative environment. In creative workshop projects, students engage in meaningful ideas and projects that interest them, focusing on problem-solving and innovation.
Key competence enhancement
We focus on fostering key competencies in students, such as communication skills, critical thinking, collaboration, self-awareness, responsibility, independence, and initiative. Every classroom has a cozy home corner that fosters trust and security while encouraging a sense of well-being and open discussions. In this environment, students are given the opportunity to express themselves and learn from each other. Each child’s experience is unique, and by providing individual attention and space, we help them discover their strengths.