Principals and Educators in Finland with Tours for Teachers

In late April we hosted a group of 20 principals and teachers from New Zealand and Australia in Tampere, Finland. One of the leading questions was why Finnish schools are among the best in the World and how is the school of the future like? This program focused on curriculum, inclusive education and student wellbeing, not forgetting the Finnish approach and education system. As a first hand feedback we heard that a study tour like this could have been a logistical nightmare, but we nailed it together with Tours for Teachers – our trusted partner – and this was actually already the 10^th group by Tours for Teachers which we are extremely happy about!

This was truly an experience of a lifetime which I have been recommending to everyone

Visit to Harjuniitty Comprehensive School kicked off the week. The participants were eager to visit the school campus and learn firsthand what the Finnish schools are like. They were thrilled to converse directly with the students and staff who were all very welcoming.

The school principal received many detailed questions about staffing, scheduling and overall duties. In the afternoon, the participants also showered our Pedagogical Director Johanna with great questions (student & teacher schedules, teacher duties, evaluation, school funding etc.). There was plenty of interest stemming from what principals and teachers had seen and heard during the day.

On the second day of the tour, the group visited Rahola School. We saw students studying in activity-based areas and a collaborative classroom where general education students and students needing support studied together. We also observed students during a crafts lesson, and the principal and teachers explained the ideas behind the pedagogy and its practical implementation. Our guests were impressed by the warm atmosphere of the school and the collaboration visible both among the students and the staff. After lunch, we delved into the Finnish curriculum, inclusive practices, and student welfare. The topic sparked a lot of discussion and questions.

I chose to come to Finland and I have no regrets!

On the third day our school visits took us to the small city of Huittinen – about an hour southwest of Tampere – where we toured the Sampu and Lauttakylä Comprehensive Schools.

At Sampu school, three 6th grade students took us around the building, and the tour participants had many opportunities to interact with the students in different classes. They enjoyed seeing crafts, music, English, science and math classes of different grade levels. Principals and teachers even themselves entertained the students with an impromptu music presentation by singing and playing some instruments.

At Lauttakylä School, we had a great opportunity to visit a brand new school building which had been in the plans for about a decade but the end result was a well designed and well functioning learning environment with many flexible solutions (soundproof, movable wall partitions; triangle shaped tables for quick re-grouping options). The building is a great example of the inclusion of teachers in the design & planning process which has resulted in a learning environment with modern teaching technology, accessibility, and spaces for small group intervention. The school also hosts special needs classes for pre-school-9th grades with extended curriculum needs. This section of the school received plenty of admiration from our tour. Many were in awe of the quiet/ resting rooms, sensory room, before and after school care, care-taking spaces adjacent to the classrooms.

What kind of school would be optimal in the future in this rapidly changing world?

We started the last day by defining the concept of SOF – School of the Future and which are the educational trends people see coming soon. Also, what is a hot topic at the moment in education and to which trends we can say bye bye? So interesting and fruitful discussion! We ended the session by thinking how AI has changed our work, how to prepare for it and how to benefit from it.

During the week this group also enjoyed Finnish Nature Experience by Seventen Tours and challenged themselves to combine hot and cold aka Finnish Sauna Experience.

I´ve got to have sauna for my own wellness… 💚

It’s been fantastic, a growth boost for myself

This time we gathered at Finlayson Palace for a farewell lunch. The Palace is located at a historical part of Tampere and originally served as the residence of the Finlayson factory executives for decades. This beautiful 3 course lunch together ended with a reflection session and here are some key takeaways we thought to share with you (there were plenty!). Thank you for the suggestions and ideas for our future study tours, too! We appreciate your input.

Key take-aways from the Principal & Educators Study Tour:

• The Finnish mentality that nobody misses out is very powerful
• Impressed by how students always get support in Finland, even without a diagnosis.
• Learning support in Finland is impressive, especially collaboration between special ed teacher and other teachers, and integration of special ed. We need to collaborate more back home!
• It’s so important that we see student as a whole: student with a disability has great gifts too!
• We need to prioritize more! What is really important: assemblies and events or content?
• We need to flip the mindset. Finland has done the change already.
• Teacher autonomy!
• The joy of learning is in center in Finland. Finnish curriculum is perfect: professionals & children at heart
• Children were the best; what they have in Finland, how well they are looked after, the respect and value shown to them.
• Finnish education is so well funded and inclusive approach is great in Finland.
• My eyes were opened: “This would work in my country and school!”
• I came to Finland to see is it really true what I have heard about Finland. I loved everything!
• It was staggering how principals make the timetables for different classes, students and teachers.
• The technology classes impressed me. We need to do similar in NZ.
• Low drop-out rate in Finland is incredible.
• We need to calm our school down; students can self-regulate themselves (seen it here!)
• Independence of the kids was amazing. We need to allow our kids more freedom!
• All classes we saw were highly attentive: there was high respect for learning.
• We really value your commitment to children’s mother tongue! It’s amazing how your curriculum is equal, including also practical and artistic subjects. In addition, how high school and vocational education are both respected.
• Breaks are important! We need to increase them.
• I’m going to train our teachers first and little by little move towards “high trust model”.
  
• This study tour has been a blessing ❤️. Now, let’s go and do what needs to be done!

Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic approach, passion for education and work for a better future. As it was mentioned during the farewell lunch “happy students become good people and for many that is the most important thing”. Angela and Jess, keep up the great work and spirit! We are so honored to collaborate with you and meet wonderful educators and professionals around the world!

Hey, principals and teachers! If you wish to have a similar experience and looking for a professional development program for yourself, you are warmly welcome to join the next batch in September – October 2025! Contact Tours for Teachers for more information.