School21 makes you happy

Why this title, you may ask. «Happy» because our school is not only intended to help students lead a happy and responsible life after leaving school. Rather, the pupils and we adults should experience the learning and working time itself as happy and fulfilling.

«Schule21» for four reasons: The book is about our vision of a modern school in the 21st century. Among other things, it refers to the competency-based Curriculum 21, to which headteachers from all 21 German-speaking cantons can contribute. And the book will be published in 2021.

School21 is a school where children learn to assess themselves and largely decide for themselves what they want to do with their time.

A school with all the senses

Schule21 is a school where pupils learn with all their senses: intellectually, musically and physically. Schule21 creates opportunities in which they can develop their strengths. It is a school in which every single pupil finds their own structure and works on joint projects. These arise from the hearts of the children and young people and are directly linked to the great challenges of our time. Pupils learn to assess themselves and largely decide for themselves what they want to do with their time.

Schule21 uses and organises the space in a variety of ways. It has a sitting circle, a reading corner, a place for reflection, retreats, a self-designed study area, meeting zones for dialogue, discussions and presentations. And a so-called makerspace - an innovative learning and working space where pupils are encouraged to make their own inventions. School21 has secure access to the internet. Digital technologies are understood, recognised and used ethically and responsibly.

What is Schule21?

Schule21 is a school that experiences itself as a learning organisation and in which staff work closely together, learn together, initiate developments, talk to each other about their experiences in learning guidance and value successes. In this way, the school acts, changes and develops with a view to the present, to research and to global and local realities and develops its own identity.

Schule21 encourages pupils to reflect on their own learning and to recognise this as a personal achievement. It ensures that the experience of autonomy, the acquisition of competences and social integration are experienced in equal measure so that pupils learn in a self-determined, intrinsically motivated and anxiety-free way.

Schule21 is a school in which everyone communicates and in which the necessary foundations for creative thinking and action are made possible. It is a school where pupils learn the language of critical thinking and the language of emotions.

Schule21 is a school in which there is no place for psychological and physical violence or bullying. Instead, pupils should be able to develop their talents and be encouraged to do so.

A book with many authors

Our vision of a 21st century school prompted us to launch a collaborative book project in January. Within a few weeks, over 50 headteachers responded to our call to write down their ideas, experiences and visions for School21. An excerpt from the exposés received so far:

• Humour at school
• Integration is good for (everyone)
• There is a lot of future in the present
• Holistic learning for life in the 21st century
• Outdoor school - if you want to orientate yourself, you have to move
• Robot your classroom
• Using technologies - ethically and responsibly
• Agile learning
• Everything starts with yourself
• Parents with impact
• Assessment instead of grades

The book «Schule21 macht glücklich» should be found in school management offices, in classrooms, in school offices and at home with families. It should read like a travel guide - a book full of energy, longing, courage and new beginnings.

You can find out more and order the book here: www.proedu.ch