Catherine_43

Hello Everyone

We are currently considering a move the Eindhoven for my partners work. As we have two children one age 5 y and 2 y I am trying to sort out the education system I understand the primary and the separation in the different schools a secondary level. What is throwing me is the Education ministry saying that all schooling is free and then also stating that primary schools are allowed to ask for additional contributions form parents, although you are not obliged to pay your child may not be allowed to do certain things. Can anyone explain this and also any idea who much the charge is?

Does any one know of a state school that teaches in both Dutch and English but also teaches Dutch lessons to the English speaking children.

Also does anyone know what the schools around Eindhoven are like are they any good can anyone recommend the decent ones or ones to stay away from.

thanks
Catherine

Casa Santo Estevo

I will have to say straight away the Dutch schooling system is very very different to the English system.
Hence why you are perhaps having some trouble finding you way through the maze.
Your youngest is several years away from beginning school and the oldest several years away from changing to (as you call it) secondary level so I feel that this should be discussed nearer the time.

For information about schools in Eindhoven I will suggest you have a read of this: school information by the city council.
Some of the information will be in Dutch. I think you will find that for your eldest child all lessons are in Dutch. It is only the next level where they can have lessons in English too. Maybe aslo write or phone the council offices and explaining to them that maybe you could want Dutch lessons too.

Here is a website which ranks the schools. Again it is in Dutch.

Regarding the extra payments, I think it is the same in the UK. You have to pay for school trips etc.

Good luck with your planning.

GeniB

Hi Catherine..Just replied to the lady in Eindhoven..as I used to live there 3yrs ago…(for 30 +yrs)

Education in NL is quite different from the UK..no uniform…no emphasis on discipline,. more on participation and responsibility from the individual…My two D's both went to the International school(s) which of course are fee paying…( www.ISSE.nl) so I haven't much info on that…except to say you need a bit of a crystal ball!!! If you plan to only stay in NL for a few yrs the Dutch system is excellent and will /should arm your kids with a confidence and independence they may not have experienced in a UK school. However the tricky bit comes. in when they move to secondary school as it will be expected that they then progress to UK (or other) education systems upon leaving…They really will not have sufficient Dutch to proceed to a Dutch Uni..so you see this is where the CB comes in…very very difficult…As you cannot ask or expect the same level from the International School that you received or expected to receive in the UK…even though your paying a fee..(its small in comparison to the British school of the Hague for instance) can lead to huge frustration as you straddle two cultures..
The extras spoken of in the Dutch system will apply to trips and in some schools maybe extra books…you are usually responsible for buying all school equipment including exercise books bags pens pencils etc…that would have to be discussed with the school you choose..On the other hand you will not be required to purchase uniforms..so swings and roundabouts really…
If your OH has been offered a job with one of the big companies like Philips then he should make sure he discusses help with schooling at the International school…We had much of the school fees paid for by my OH's company..
There are very good schools in and around Eindhoven everything from a basic primary at the end of your street which will be excellent…and close by
to the Montessori school which is specialist school in Eindhoven..well known in the UK…
Senior Dutch schools do not have an 11plus system…children progress to what is known as the Brug class (bridge class) and usually within the same school they will then progress on merit and interest to either a basic MAVO education which can lead to a technical training…or to the academic end as high up as a Gynasium/Lycium. which leads to Uni .many opportunities to progress and change (unlike our system).
The International school has been a bit of a mixed bag in the past 30 yrs moving around a lot to different locations.usually..and sadly unsuccessfully sharing space wit established Dutch schools….FINALLY and luckily for you it has just moved into a purpose built complex putting both junior and seniors on the same site..in the technical area of the city …well worth you hopping on a Ryanair flight and paying them a visit before you decide anything

Thing to remember is in the short term ..to go with the flow and just enjoy the country and the fun things you can do with your kids (Efteling near Tilburg is a must see)Under the age of 10 yrs it is really a great experience
After 11yrs you have to make some hard decisions…
We never regretted bring our D' up in NL a wonderful country for kids..especially the sense of freedom they have managed to retain.and the sense of personal responsibility they instill…I wish you good luck in your decision .PM me if you want to know anything else

steviehouse

I myself studied at the ISSE (International Secondary School Eindhoven) from 16-18 in 2000-2002 but as Geni says, they have now combined with the juniors to make ISE (International School Eindhoven) and their website is http://www.isecampus.nl/

Unfortunately my parents did not work for Philips so did not have the tuition fees paid (approx €10,000 a year when I went) whereas all the students whose parents did work for Philips had their fees paid for by Philips.

Your kids are still young so if you put them into Dutch schools, they should pick up dutch very fast.

I started learning dutch at 16 without proper lessons and I speak pretty much fluent dutch these days.

After graduating from the ISSE I followed on to do a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, also in Eindhoven.

I'm now 29, been living in Eindhoven for 13 years and love it there.
Feel free to ask for anymore info and if you do decide to come here you are welcome for a cuppa. Would be nice to chat to another northerner. (I'm from Durham originally)

koalabear1

While reading Casa Santo Estevo's post I saw something I didn't quite agree with - the costs at Dutch schools are not the same as in the UK. Ok, yes, school trips you pay for, but in NL children have to pay for their textbooks whereas in the UK they borrow them from the school for free. That is actually quite a lot of money, and I know my husband said it was a bit stressful for his parents to find the money (back when he was a child, but AFAIK this hasn't changed).

koalabear1

If you went aged 16 then you are maybe sort of Dutch in addition to being English? That is young, and I do think age has a lot to do with how easy it is to acquire a new language, adapt culturally etc.

Plus a massive factor: you were in the Dutch education system already at school.

But it's great to hear you're so happy in Eindhoven. Can I ask, why do you visit this forum? I mean that genuinely, I'm not being sarky or anything, that's not my style, but you moved at 16 and are happy.

gioppino

Like Steviehouse said, if they're young, just put them into a Dutch school, everybody is bilingual from tender ages here, especially in Eindhoven, which is an established expat hub.

Casa Santo Estevo

I am not wrong: School books for the first school are free and this what the poster was asking about.

koalabear1

oh I see what you mean You're right, I was thinking of secondary school.

Catherine_43

Hello All

thank you for all the reply, if anyone has anything further to add please do. I was asking more specifically about the first stage of school but it is also very useful to know issues which may arise further up the field. As there is potential for this to be long term. Good to know about needing to pay for text book that's only a uni thing in the UK.

If anyone has any other thoughts views please do post them for me informed decision making is what this is about.
thanks
Catherine

Red_Wine_Fairy

Ok, I'm late to the party, but my experience.

I had two older chidlren who went to a subsidised International School, and my two younger ones went to a state school.

At the ages of your own children, don't bother with international school unless you plan to return within the next year or two. They WILL learn it here, and quickly, in a way we adults cannot. Talk to your gemeente (town hall) about vve pre-education; it's possible this is available to help your youngsters catch up in Dutch with their peers.

Not all children are fast, but I must disagree with someone above - if they start in the first year or so, they will absolutely be able to reach the Uni-level secondary education if they are mentally able to do so. My Englsh daughter (started here in reception class) is finishing basis school top of her class.. in all subjects, including Dutch... despite having me as a pigeon-Dutch-mother. My older daughter (9 when she started) finished only at HAVO level, but it's probable that would have been the same in the UK too as she's bad with homework!

I'm going to add an edit here: always encourage your children strive to be the best they can be, regardless of what their best is. Here, children are told to be good 'enough' (voldoende), which means acheieving a mark of 6/10 - anything more is considered wasted effort - not true in other countries where scores matter.

Your school will ask for a volunteer 'bijdrag'contribution. I pay (primary school level = no school camping holidays) around 45 euros per year. It means I don't have to attend fayres, raffles, or other fundraisers for the school to pay for extra-curricular activities like art materials, theatre workshops, etc (for me it's a blessing; for others who love that kind of thing, not so). This jumps to around €3/400 at secondary school (12+yr) level, which includes foreign language practice holidays.

Catherine_43

Thank you very much for your frank and clear assessment of the system, everything is still up in the air at the moment I am not quite sure whats happening but if needed the info will be useful.
bye
Catherine

Netpon

I'm really surprised to see this, I thought the Dutch education system was meant to be good