Beda School upper secondary

This example describes innovative approaches in an upper secondary school in Sweden - Beda Hallberg. The school offers a range of programmes that provide the foundation for personal development and active participation in society. The school also aims to provide continued support to learners and reduce the risk of drop-out by working hard to minimizes the closing times of the school with the view to staying open during some longer holidays. A team of health professionals are also well represented and includes social and psychological counsellors available to support the needs of young people.

The Beda Hallberg gymnasium is an upper secondary school located in Kungsbacka, Sweden. It opened in 2013 as a small unit focusing on the individual learner. For some young adults aged 16-20, the physical and social environment of many schools may be challenging and an obstacle for continuous learning. Beda school is open to those who search a small school where they can feel safe and comfortable.

The school has a broader aim than merely preparing students for work­ing life immediately after education or for further studies in higher education. A further aim is to give the learner a good foundation for personal development and active participation in society.

Beda Hallberg offers a higher education preparatory programme called the Social Science Programme (SA). The aim of the programme is to develop students’ knowledge about conditions in society in Sweden and the rest of the world, about the interaction between the individual and society, and about how people’s living conditions vary over time and space.

A key characteristic at the school is that the well-being of the learner is fundamental for success. Learners must take an active and positive approach to their own learning. Teaching is individualized according to the learner’s needs. Flexibility and personal relations, as well as teachers’ and other staffs’ commitment and their continued professional development is important.

In order to reduce stress, a sharp distinction is made between school/work and leisure. There are no home assignments, partly because some students lack a sufficiently supportive home environment to undertake homework. Some students need continuity and accessibility, and find long holidays counterproductive. To meet these needs, Beda Hallberg minimizes the closing time and stays open during some longer holidays. A team of health professionals are also well represented and includes social and psychological counsellors available to support the needs of young people.

Systematic quality assessment is mandatory in Sweden. Each school is required to plan, evaluate and develop its education work. Teachers and learners have to be involved and the school is required to document the process. The school provider, Kungsbacka municipality, is required to ensure that the school follows the regulation and systematic quality assessment.

Contact: Anna-Lena Nasstrom, Deputy Head Master: anna-lena.nasstrom@kungsbacka.se