What can British schools learn from a country considered to have one of the best education systems in the world?
Effective learning models
It's a well known fact that too much information at once is an inefficient model for learning. Students are often advised by their teachers when revising for their exams to take regular breaks, and to break down their work into smaller chunks. Yet this model is not often used in schools, and students may find themselves sat in the same seat for long periods of time, whilst still being expected to maintain a consistent level of attention. In Finland, regular breaks are mandatory, and for every 45 minutes of lessons, students have a 15 minute break. This benefits both mental wellbeing and learning - when given a chance to relax, students are happier and less stressed, and are also in a better position to learn and take in new information.
Student's personal lives are taken seriously
With a 6-7 hour long school day, homework, revision, and sometimes catch-up classes after school, it's understandable that sometimes students in the UK find it difficult to seperate themselves from school. It can be difficult to find time for yourself, your family and friends, or even just to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. Finnish schools seem to recognise that if students are not given enough time to relax and enjoy themselves each day, they can become demotivated or depressed. While studies show that homework does work, they also show that large amounts can increase stress and are counterproductive. Finnish students are set relatively little in comparison to other students in Europe - allowing for more time on personal hobbies, exercise, or time spent with friends and family.
There is less stress around school and grades
With an education system so heavily focused on final standardised exams, students may sometimes feel they are not in school to learn, but to be tested. The stress of the final weeks before GCSEs or A-Levels leads masses of cramming information, which is not a useful model for long-term knowledge in a subject. Finland does not have a standardised testing system, meaning students can learn without the stress of a final test looming over them. The National Matriculation Exam is the only equivalent, though this is voluntary; generally students are graded using a system set by their teachers. This means that lessons are more focused on learning about a subject, and are more cooperative, as there is less competition surrounding grades between students.
It hardly comes as a suprise that a system that gives students time to relax and reduces pressure and stress around learning is effective. Well-rested students with balanced lives are more likely to enjoy school and perform better.
