Finnish education in the UK
UK schools face real pressure on early-years outcomes, wellbeing and workload. Finland offers a well-evidenced alternative to early formal pressure, and it can be brought into a UK school without leaving the national curriculum.
- Works alongside the national curriculum and EYFS, or an independent framework.
- Strongest in the early and primary years.
- Addresses wellbeing and early-pressure concerns many UK schools share.
- Delivered through a partner backed by Education Finland.
A well-evidenced alternative to early pressure
Debate in the UK about school starting age, early formal learning and children's wellbeing maps closely onto the choices Finland made years ago. For UK schools that want a calmer, readiness-first early years without lowering standards, the Finnish approach is a proven reference point.
It fits the national curriculum
Finnish pedagogy is about how teachers teach, so a UK school can keep the national curriculum and EYFS, or its independent framework, and upgrade its early and primary practice. See Finnish pedagogy vs IB PYP and Cambridge Primary.
How to start
UK schools join through OPPI, focused on the K-5 stage and backed by Education Finland.
Frequently asked questions
Can UK schools adopt Finnish education?
Yes. It applies to how a school teaches, so a UK school can keep the national curriculum and EYFS, or an independent framework, and bring Finnish early-years methods in through a programme such as OPPI.
Does it replace the national curriculum?
No. The curriculum stays; what changes is how the early and primary years are taught.
Related reading
Bring Finnish pedagogy to your school
OPPI affiliates a selective cohort of schools each year for its K-5 Finnish-pedagogy programme, backed by Education Finland. Tell us about your school and our team will reach out.
Backed by Education Finland. Over 20 schools have already affiliated, including DPS, Radcliffe and Sanctus. Places in each cohort are limited.
Apply to the affiliation cohort →