Moving to amsterdam

[tillyb04]

Hi we are very excited to be moving to amsterdam. We have done quite a lot if research and have decided to put our kids into dutch school in the zuid area. Our kids will be 10 and 8 when we move in July 2014 area. Would love to hear from anyone who has done the same and can recommend a good primary school.

There's a Dutch Education Facebook Group you can check out, it can be pretty helpful, many of the people on there are in Zuid. It's part of the Amsterdam Mamas group, you may find that helpful in general.

The system includes many types of primary (Steiner, Montessori, faith based etc) they appear laid back to British eyes as they do not wear uniform and use first names. Homework is unusual - emphasis is very much on social aspects. However don't be alarmed, the Netherlands always scores highly on the OECD tests regarding literacy and mathematical ability. My daughter starts in June in the local Jena school, she was born here so it's a little different but when you come from outside it's can be tricky to understand how it works (lot of research done here!).

You have some time over the summer to get them some tutoring, and maybe into some clubs to get to know other kids. The groups I mentioned can help with that for sure. The school will also be supportive, the Amsterdam schools, especially areas like Zuid are well used to expat kids.

It's a great city for kids, I don't know how long you plan to stay but it's a great opportunity, good luck!

Don't be fooled by Dutch PISA scores. they only show that Dutch Below average and average children do very well, but that there is failing on big scale with respect to above average children.

Questions have now been raised in Dutch parliament, but no doubt it will be years and years before the attitude towards excellence changes. At present it is all about reducing social inequality at the expense of clever children.

I teach in a Dutch primary school and also teach at a teacher training college BTW. I used to teach in a UK primary. Believe me, it is a different world!

If you consider to complete education in the UK/US you may run into big problems as kids will be way behind. If your plan is to stay here, and for your dc to complete his/her education in the Netherlands then there is clearly no problem.