Questions to Ask When Touring a Finnish-Curriculum School
A school tour is the best chance to see whether Finnish pedagogy is genuinely in practice, not just in the prospectus. These are the questions worth asking for a child in the K-5 primary years.
- Ask about the school's specific Finnish affiliation and what training, materials or oversight it provides, not just its general philosophy.
- Ask how pupils are assessed day to day, since a genuine Finnish-curriculum school should describe ongoing, descriptive feedback rather than frequent testing.
- Ask about class size, grouping and how the school supports pupils who need extra help, since mixed-ability teaching is central to Finnish practice.
- Watch the classroom itself: look for hands-on, project-based work and outdoor time, not just seated instruction.
Curriculum and authenticity
Start with the basics: which Finnish organisation is the school affiliated with, and what does that partnership actually include, curriculum materials, teacher training, ongoing quality checks, or all three. Ask to see a sample weekly timetable and compare it with a typical Finnish-curriculum primary timetable. If the answers are vague, see how to tell if a school genuinely teaches Finnish curriculum for further checks.
Assessment, feedback and progression
Ask how the school tracks a child's progress without relying on standardised tests, what a typical report looks like, and how parents are kept informed between formal conferences. See Finnish report cards and parent-teacher conferences for what a genuine version of this looks like, and ask how the school handles a child who is either struggling or working ahead.
Staff, class size and daily life
Ask about teacher qualifications and Finnish-specific training, typical class size, and how much of the day is spent outdoors or in hands-on project work rather than seated instruction. It is also worth asking about homework policy, since a genuinely Finnish-curriculum school should set little in the early grades; see do Finnish students get homework.
During the visit itself
Beyond the questions you ask, observe the classroom directly: are children working in small groups on open-ended tasks, is the teacher moving between groups rather than lecturing from the front, and do pupils seem comfortable asking questions. A calm, purposeful classroom where children are visibly engaged is often a better signal than any answer given in an office.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ask to see the school's national or local accreditation?
Yes. Ask what accreditation or registration the school holds locally, and separately what Finnish affiliation it has, since these are two different things and both matter.
Is it reasonable to ask for a trial day or classroom observation?
Most schools welcome this, and it is one of the most useful ways to judge fit. Ask specifically to observe a normal lesson rather than a showcase session.
What if the school cannot answer these questions clearly?
Treat that as useful information. A school genuinely practising Finnish pedagogy should be able to explain its approach to curriculum, assessment and teacher training without difficulty.
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 →