The most successful school in Norway ..

.. is a run down faith school in central Oslo with over 90% of its students from different ethnic backgrounds.

In Norway, there are national tests for children aged 11, 15 and 16 in reading (Norwegian), maths and english. Most schools only put their top students in for these tests, and those with special educational needs (SEN), or from ethnically different backgrounds can be excused the tests completely. At St. Sunnivas, all the children are put in for the test, regardless. Last year, their class of 16 year olds got an A* (snit 5) in the Norwegian reading exam (you have to read various Norwegian texts and answer questions about them to show that you have understood what they are about) despite the fact that there were both SEN children taking the test, and the majority were from different ethnic backgrounds.

Educationalists here are dumbfounded. Why? Because St. Sunniva's is a catholic, minority school which receives no state support, and gets students from one of the poorest areas in Oslo. The school was threatened with closure in 2009 when the Government decided that all faith schools should be closed, but massive student and parent support meant that it managed to stay open. Parents pay approximately £2,200 (NOK18,500, US$3,400) per year to the school, and I guess they have to do alot of fundraising inbetween to keep it going.

The school welcomes students from any and every ethnic and religious minority, but insists that all students respect catholic religious observance. Prayers are held at the beginning and end of the day, catholic texts are discussed in class, and once a month everyone goes to chapel and takes part in a Mass. The key to all of this is respect. Respect for the fact that everyone understands the concept of faith differently.

Just because you have a different faith does not excuse you from taking part. You can choose to say the catholic prayers or not. The school encourages other faith children to use the time in church to reflect or pray quietly by themselves. The service is not important, it is the time taken to respect others which is.

Respect takes many forms, and at St. Sunniva's teachers are conspicuously present out on the playground when the children are out playing. Bullying of any form is dealt with swiftly and robustly. Children are made to discuss issues then and there, shake hands and walk away. Repeat offenders go straight to the Head.

It seems very different from ordinary Norwegian schools where difference is not necessarily respected. For example, press reports have highlighted problems faced by Sami children in north Norway. The Sami are the traditional inhabitants of northern Norway, ethnically linked to other Arctic people and cultures. Gradually, their cutlure has been eroded. That I think will be another blogpost!

Anyway, I like the sound of St. Sunniva's. Be yourself, and respect others - a little bit 'do unto others as you would be done unto'


'Education is what is what remains after one has forgotten everything you have learnt in school' quote from Einstein!