Written by the students of class 13eA (24/25)
Our school is located in Reinfeld, a small town between Lübeck and Hamburg, in the north of Germany. The proximity to Hamburg offers us many possibilities to spend time or learn about culture, history and more.
The teaching at our institute is characterized by the individual
approach towards each student. This means that students can obtain three
different school qualifications based on the level of their classes.
There is the basic level, where students leave school after Year 9, the intermediate level after Year 10, and the advanced level in the upper years (Abitur). The Abitur
is a German secondary school qualification, completed after 12 or 13
years of education, and serves as the gateway to university. The
Abitur thus represents both academic achievement and readiness for
higher education. There is no equivalent to the Abitur in most
countries. At this stage, those who wish to do so can focus on
specializations such as sports science, natural sciences, or social
sciences as they transition to the advanced education. Upon
completing their Abitur after Year 13, students gain access to
university studies. Up until Year 10, all students learn together in
classes of approximately 20 to 28 students. By learning together, we
enhance students' methodological competence, their autonomy, their
individual and social responsibility, and their ability to work as
part of a team.
We have about 800 students and almost 80 teachers. Various subjects
are taught at our school, such as English, German, maths, history, biology, geography, physics, P.E., R.E., philosophy and art.
Average age | British school system | German school system |
---|---|---|
10-11 | Primary education Year 6 (SATS) | Year 5 |
11-12 | Secondary education Year 7 | Year 6 |
12-13 | Year 8 | Year 7 |
13-14 | Year 9 | Year 8 |
14-15 | Year 10 (GCSE) | Year 9: "ESA"→ basic certificate for starting an apprenticeship |
15-16 | Year 11 (GCSE) | Year 10: "MSA"→ certificate for entering a more qualified apprenticeship, or going over to higher education |
16-17 | Further Education Year 12 | Year 11 |
17-18 | Year 13: Academic qualifications: A-levels OR Vocational qualifications (NVQs/BTECs) | Year 12: „Fachhochschulreife“→ graduation at an average level, at which you gain access to studies at a „Fachhochschule“, a specialised university |
18-19 | - | Year 13: "Abitur"→ highest level of graduation, with which you gain access to all types of universities (sometimes depending on your mark) |
Our school has been digitalising on many levels in the past few years. The classrooms are equipped with smart TVs, which you can use as normal whiteboards or as projectors. Our students can work on iPads from the 7th grade on. From the 7th grade onwards working on iPads is voluntary. From the 9th grade onwards working with the iPad becomes compulsory and the students are provided with one by the school. Our school has different apps for working and everyone has a personalised account.
Our lessons are 60 minutes long. The first lesson begins at 7.55 a.m and the school day usually ends at 1:25 p.m or 2:25 p.m. In upper grades, the school day can last until 3:25 p.m. Once a day, there‘s a 45-minute break where you can do different activities, for example eating lunch at the cafeteria. Our cafeteria is quite large. There are many sitting opportunities and a lounge area which is comfortable. The cafeteria offers food and drinks such as pretzels, pizzas, cookies, mineral water, apple juice and delicious lunch. The cafeteria is home to a very nice and friendly staff.
After school, students have the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular activities, since for younger students, school most often ends around noon. These activities are regularly updated to maintain diversity and motivation. The options available are broad, including work groups like school nurses, stand-up paddleboarding, Filipino martial arts, theater, and the school band Justmusic, which performs at school events and has also been hosting their own concerts for a while already.
The students get to know each other better, learn new skills, or help with school events. These events take place throughout the school year. During Project Week, students offer their own courses or workshops in which other students can sign up. The "Bunter Abend" (Colourful Evening) is like a talent show taking place every year. The Food Festival is a major event that took place for the first time in 2023. There were food stalls, live music, and several projects organized by the students and their teachers, partly in collaboration with local businesses or companies from the surrounding areas or from Reinfeld.
We also have yearly events in the evening, e.g. for Halloween and and the German Carnival, organised by our students.
Our school participates in an exchange with the Shetland Islands. We often did in the past and want to do it again this year. It will be from the 10th of June till the 20th of June.
Our school intercedes in
favor of a coexistence without racism and with respect for all
cultures.