Education in Germany
The whole German education system, including the universities, is available at no charge to the children of bona fide residents in Germany. However, these classes are of course conducted in German, which is usually fine for English-speaking school beginners but could be a problem for older children. More than 148,000 children of foreign workers attend schools in Bavaria, 81,000 of them in primary schools alone. The State Government was quick to adapt the school system to their special needs. Since 1972 there has been a number of measures to assist, aimed basically at helping non-German children become bi-lingual, whereby they are given help in learning German while retaining their mother tongue. This makes it easier for the children and youngsters to become integrated into the German education system while at the same time they retain their own language and cultural identity.
For all BAES secondees, BAESG have established a network of 3 international schools for English-speaking pupils to attend and study in the language of their mother tongue, details can be found at the end of this section. However, the following may give an insight into the a background to the 'normal' German schooling.
The German education system is different in many ways from that in the UK. A child with the suitable academic ability can study right up to the university level regardless of the financial status of the family. The system is not without its critics, though, one of the criticisms is that a decision is made too earlky as to whether a child is bound for the universities, and hence for the more prestigious and better paying careers.
0 - 6 Years Old - Pre-schooling (Kindergartens)
Up to the age of 6, pre-schooling is optional. Pre-schooling can take the form of Kindergartens which is a combination of day-care and pre-school. Here, children strengthen their social skills through songs, games and practical tasks but are not taught anything scholastic such as letters or numbers.
From Age 6 to 10 - Primary School (Grundschule)
Children begin their compulsory education at age 6 in the public Grundschule, This covers school years 1 to 4, and the first 2 school years ease children into the rigours of formal learning, they receive bi-annual assessments (but not grades). 3rd and 4th school years are increasingly tougher and the children must be prepared to prove their academic ability as their grades become important for decisions on the next schooling.
From Age 10 to 15 (minimum)
With the successful completion of the 4th school year (aged 10), in the German education system, your child should be prepared to decide on his/her future career by choosing the following options for education establishments:-
1) Gymnasium - Age 10 to 19; a highly academic college-preparatory school where students can study specialist subjects i.e. music, economics, social studies, science etc. The Gymnasium lasts nine years and leads to a degree (Abitur), a prerequisite for university admission. However, to gain entry to a Gymnasium, students must be recommended by their teachers, and they tend to recommend only their best students. The teachers do not only look at grades, but also at a child's maturity, study habits and scholastic ambition. They require a grade-point average above 2.5 on a scale of 1 (very good) to 6 (unsatisfactory). In some cases, a child may take an entrance exam, and in any case, parents can request their child get a three-day trial at the Gymnasium, allowing the teachers to decide whether the pupil fits in.
2) Hauptschule - Ages 10 to 15; usually lasting five years. These vocational schools form the core of the education, a component of the "dual system": Practical training is acquired on the job, while the vocational schools teach mainly the theory and further the general education. The vocational training system also comprises: Basic vocational training schools> , Business schools - for the secondary school certificate and for acquiring a basic vocational education in business, economy and administration , Technical schools and academies - for further vocational training and qualification, Technical high schools: to acquire a diploma which allows the student to continue his/her education in an establishment of higher learning, Vocational specialised schools - for acquiring a diploma for vocational or general education, which gives students the right to continue their education in establishments of higher learning
3) Realschule - Ages 10 to 16; lasting six years and leading to training jobs such as white collar, civil service and technical jobs. The Bavarian Realschule offer a four-year (respectively six-year) curriculum of general education, which is also the basis for a future professional education. Realschule are characterised by a well-functioning curriculum which includes professional subjects as well. This lays the foundation for a vocational education and future qualified activities in a numbers of professions with varying theoretical and practical requirements. Realschule create pre-requisites for continuing to a higher level of education and for acquiring a diploma which opens the doors to higher educational establishments. Students can choose to specialise in different areas: Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technology, Business Studies, Foreign Languages (French as second foreign language), complemented by Arts, Domestic or Social Sciences. Thus the Realschule opens the way to qualified jobs in a wide range of professions as well as to further vocational schooling.
Irrespective of the chosen schooling from age 10, a student must complete at least nine years of education. A student dropping out of a Gymnasium, for example, must enroll in a Realschule or Hauptschule until nine years have been completed.
The period of your move is a short interval in your child's education as they may have begun school long before you decide to move and may continue to go to school long after you have relocated. It is worthwhile spending some time looking back at what they have already achieved.
In the first instance, you should tell your child's current school as early as possible of your forthcoming move. Involve their current teachers and ask for current curriculum details as well as any reading schemes, mathematics programmes or computer courses they are using. Find your child's school reports detailing their abilities and progress. If possible get the school to write a "leavers report" on your child. This is particularly important if they are studying for their GCSE's, as course work assessment counts towards the final mark.
Depending on circumstances, it would be more useful if your child could accompany you when you visit the school. Do take some information about your child; school reports and details of the work he/she is doing. Also you could prepare questions you may
need to ask, some idea of questions:
- How broad or narrow is the curriculum they are following
- How are classes organised
- Are there places in the appropriate year groups
- Are there places in the classes for particular subjects at the right level for your child
- How does the school monitor pupil's progress
- What is the system of checking on your child's progress
- Does the school have a policy on homework
- What languages are taught
- Where do the children go onto when they leave school
- How much are parents involved with the school
- What does the school do when children misbehave
- Does the school have a holiday club or out-of-hours provision
- What does the school do to understand cultural differences
- How many students go on to attend University
- What career planning methods are used
- Are there any links with local industry
It is important to ascertain the exact level of your child's education, to be able to compare the standards from the current school, and your prospective new school. There may be some scope to negotiate the class year of your new school. It would therefore be important for you to get the class curriculum from both your current and your intended new school to compare like for like.
Consideration should also be made to the location of the school and where you may wish to live in Germany; transportation arrangements to/from school (buses/routes etc).
There are three main International Schools in which the Company offers financial sponsorship. The Company will pay the school fees for dependant children's education in Germany if it is decided that an International School education is preferred to the local German education system. The children can attend one of our "approved" schools (listed below). Nursery School/"Pre-School" age begins at 4, primary at 6 and secondary from 10. Please note that no fees will be paid for any children who join local Kindergarten classes (less than the age of 4).
BAESG will assist wherever possible with enquiries regarding schooling in Germany, but this will always be a personal choice for parents and students to agree upon, we therefore recommend parents contact schools direct with their enquiries.
The Company will pay the following invoices relating to school fees: -
- Registration Fees
- Tuition Fees
- School Bus
No additional fees will be covered by the Company. Any payments relating to approved Schooling for accompanying children in Germany must be in the form of invoices addressed to the respective Personnel Department.
Many expatriates opt for the English-speaking international schools that are spread around the country, mainly in or near the large cities. These often carry the student through to A'Levels and offer the International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB is accepted for admission to colleges/universities throughout the world. See International Baccalaureate Organisation for more details of syllabus:
http://www.ibo.org
Please refer to school websites (indicated below) for term times.
Central Munich:
The European School
BAESG has a confirmed Contract with this school for children to attend the English-speaking section.
Elise-Aulinger-Strasse 21
81739 Muenchen
Headmaster: Mr John Peryer
Bursar: Mr Watzka
Tel: (089) 63 02 290
Fax: (089) 63 02 2968
EMAIL:
idee@eursc@org
WEB:
http://www.eursc.org
South of Munich:
North of Munich:
