At our schools, pupils are included regardless of the severity of their limitations and taught according to their abilities. It is particularly important to us here that each pupil is individually challenged and encouraged. The small classes are run exclusively by specially trained teachers and an individual education plan is drawn up for each pupil. We teach the subjects German, maths, social studies and science (Sachunterricht), PE, home economics, music and creative design, and as far as the learning content is concerned, we are guided by each child’s capabilities. In this way we help our pupils to develop and support them as their personality unfolds.

Meeting the requirement for compulsory schooling

Each class consists of up to six pupils (male or female) who are looked after by two teachers. They receive further support from trainees, placement students, university students and volunteers. The classes are sub-divided into: primary, secondary I and secondary II; here we are bound by the framework curricula from the German Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs and implement these conscientiously. Attendance at our schools meets the requirement for compulsory schooling.

A word on inclusion

Inclusion is a major topic at the moment, something that we welcome and support unreservedly. Here our focus is always on the wellbeing of the young person, and we know that inclusion benefits people both with and without disabilities. But inclusion is stretched to its limits at the point where a person’s development could suffer. So it is important to weigh up in each individual case whether inclusive schooling is the best way of supporting this child’s development. Only with a lot of thought and by taking small steps does inclusion become a success.