W najszczęśliwszym kraju na świecie, 3-7 lutego 2025

“Summary of our stay at True School in Denmark under the Erasmus+ program”

Thanks to the funding from the EU Erasmus+ program, we had the opportunity to visit True North Efterskole in Denmark. It was an incredibly inspiring experience that allowed us to see how the Danish education system functions and what core values it embraces.

One of the elements that particularly impressed me was the value compass that both students and teachers follow. At its center there is relationship, surrounded by values such as optimism, communication, perseverance, cooperation, responsibility, engagement, empathy, integrity, and self-care. These principles form the foundation of their daily interactions and work.

During a Danish language lesson, we observed how teachers engage students through gamification. The teacher asked students to identify these values in the analyzed text. This approach was highly engaging and thought-provoking.

Magdalena Urban

True School, just like our No Bell School, has been recognized by the Ashoka Foundation with the title Changemaker – a school with the power to change the world. Such schools shape the future by teaching empathy, social responsibility, and preparing young people to be agents of positive change.

Izabella Gorczyca

What particularly stood out to me?

Integrating movement into education.

Danish teachers incorporate body movement and non-verbal communication into every lesson. This was new to me, and I see great potential in bringing this approach to our school.

Cultivating gratitude

Students express gratitude to each other for their contributions during lessons using different signals – gestures that reinforce a sense of community and appreciation. One example is the “rainbow” signal performed with fingers as a way to thank a peer for their input. This was incredibly heartwarming!

Music as an educational tool

Music accompanies students at every step in this school. Teachers use it purposefully—to set the mood, motivate, and organize activities. Motivational music plays during tasks, while soft background music is used for paired discussions, creating a café-like atmosphere that enhances a sense of security and focus.

Karolina Mermer

Organizational meetings

Every day, the entire school community gathers to discuss key matters—from daily organization to event summaries. This gives students a clear structure and a sense of predictability. I like this idea very much.

Izabella Gorczyca

Students’ responsibilities

Beyond lessons, students take on responsibilities—cleaning the school, maintaining shared spaces, and assisting in the kitchen. This fosters a sense of responsibility and teamwork.

Anna Godziszewska

Lesson structure

I was impressed by the clarity visible in many aspects of the school, from its interior design to the structure of individual lessons. Each lesson is clearly divided into distinct sections, ensuring that students know what to expect. The schedule is simple, consisting of longer lessons—sometimes up to three hours—dedicated to a single subject. This allows for in-depth learning and provides ample time for each student, exploration of topics, individualized attention, and solidification of knowledge.

Anna Głażewska

True School is a place that inspires and demonstrates how valuable relationships, empathy, and human being are in education.

Joanna Górecka

In each lesson, students find out who they will be working with that day. This promotes integration and collaboration. They then choose their seat accordingly, ensuring an organized and smooth start to each activity.

Monika Popecka

We return full of new ideas and convinced that many of these experiences are worth implementing in our own school!

Thank you Spir Teachers for your hospitality!

P.S. True Efterskole has just changed its name into Spir Efterskole. good luck!