Why does the relationship between parents and schools feel different in the Netherlands?

Many schools arrange meetings with parents at set times. These might take place during a parents’ evening, an initial meeting or a brief chat with the teacher. Some schools refer to these brief chats as ‘10-minute meetings’. During these meetings, you discuss how your child is getting on, how they are learning and whether you have any questions or concerns. Not every school operates in exactly the same way.

Many schools also use a parent app, email, their website and the school handbook. The school handbook often contains the school rules, public holidays, information on reporting sick and the complaints procedure. It is important to read this information carefully.

The school usually expects you to read messages, attend meetings and get in touch if there is anything you do not understand. It is also important to let the school know if anything happens at home that affects your child. This could include illness, stress or a house move. Parents can also help their child at home by providing a calm environment, attention and support.

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Would you like to read more about primary schools in the Netherlands? Then read more on RefugeeHelp.

You are entitled to expect the school to have clear rules. The school must explain how enrolment works, how it handles complaints, and where you can find information. If you have a problem, you should usually speak first to your child’s teacher, the form tutor or the school management. If that does not help, you can lodge a formal complaint. The school must explain how to do this. This information is set out in the school handbook or on the website.

You can also expect the school to keep you regularly informed about your child’s progress. This may take the form of meetings, a school report or a message from the school.

In primary school, whether children are given homework varies from school to school. In secondary school, pupils are often given more homework and have to organise their time more independently.

When it comes to homework, you usually do not need to teach your child yourself. Your role as a parent is generally to ensure there is peace and quiet, time and attention at home. You can ask your child what they need to do and provide a quiet place for them to work.

Do you have any questions about homework or what you can do at home? If so, ask the school. In primary school, this is usually the teacher. In secondary school, it’s usually your form tutor. If it is about a particular subject, you can also ask the subject teacher.

Would you like to read more about secondary school in the Netherlands? Then read more on RefugeeHelp.

Sometimes the school may want to talk to you about behaviour, bullying, concentration, or how your child is feeling in class. This can be a sensitive matter. Usually, this does not mean that the school wants to take over your role as a parent. However, the school does have a duty to ensure a safe environment for learning. That is why the school may sometimes work with parents to find a solution.

Does your child need extra support? If so, the school must assess your child’s needs. If the school is unable to provide that support itself, it must work with you to find another school that is suitable for your child.

In group 8 of primary school, your child will receive a level recommendation for secondary school. This recommendation is important. The secondary school uses this recommendation when placing your child in a class. A school must place your child at a level that is at least in line with that recommendation.

After that, most children sit the progression test. Sometimes a child does not need to take this test. For example, if a child has not been in the Netherlands for very long and does not yet speak enough Dutch. If the result of this test is higher than the initial recommendation, the primary school usually has to raise the recommendation. The school may only refuse to do so if it believes this would not be in your child’s best interests. In that case, the school must explain why.

Do you disagree with the school’s recommendation? Then speak to the form tutor or the headteacher first. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can lodge a complaint. The school must explain how this works in the school guide.

In the Netherlands, parents usually choose a school for their child themselves. This applies to both primary and secondary schools. However, this choice is not always entirely free. In some local authorities, there are agreements regarding the allocation of pupils. Sometimes there is a lottery. Sometimes a school is full. For secondary school, you can often apply for places at several schools.

When choosing a school, you might want to consider the atmosphere, the rules, the support available and the type of education provided. In the Netherlands, there are state schools and independent schools, such as Christian or Islamic schools. There are also schools that use a special teaching method. Read more about this on RefugeeHelp.