Graf-Friedrich-Schule

Graf Friedrich Schule (GFS)
Graf Friedrich Schule (GFS) is a Gymnasium (grammar school) in the Germany town of Diepholz (Google maps: Graf Friedrich Schule). The school has over 1,100 students and 70 teachers. The school building has been undergoing restoration, with work expected to be completed after the summer holidays 2011.

There are up to 10 school periods during the day, with the first beginning at 07:50. Each period lasts 45 minutes and their are short breaks after period 2, 4 and 6. Students usually finish school after period 6 (13:10) or period 8 (15:00). Classes are structured as double periods, with younger years being allocated a 10 minute break in the middle of double period classes.

In Germany, there are three different types of secondary school (starting at grade 5 ~ age 10): The less academic //Hauptschule// leading to vocational education, the intermediate //Realschule// leading to a technical or business school, and the academically oriented //Gymnasium// that leads to the //Abitur//diploma and a university education. Special education classes or special schools are offered for students with mental or physical disabilities. GFS is located right next to two other schools: a Realschule and a Hauptschulen.

There are no entrance exams for GFS - students are recommended to attend the school by their primary school teachers. As this is a school for prospective high-achieving students, high demands are placed on the students.



Whilst we were at GFS the head teacher, Mr Schmidt, told us about the changes that are happening in the German education system: The number of school years has been reduced -//Gymnasium// now finishes following grade 12, instead of 13. A more outcome-based curriculum is being introduced and in more and more federal states, Hauptschulen and Realschulen are being fused into a new school type (Oberschule). The Gymnasium will continue to exist, but crucially the new secondary schools have the same capabilities as the Gymnasium to set the Abitur (the German equivalent to A-levels which opens up entry to university).

There is another type of school that has existed in Germany since the 1970's - Gesamtschule - where students of all levels are mixed. This school is much like a 'comprehensive' school and around a third of students who pass through this system take the Abitur. Such schools offer more practical-based vocational education, depending on the resources available.

Although our time in the school has been short (we would have loved to stay longer!) it has been enjoyable! We tried to cover Future Education issues through designing classes which combined Rich Task and Focus Group... To find out more, click on the links below...

Future Technology Rich Task The Environmental Group Case Study - Bias in the Media Rich Task