Schools

The State schools provide public education for children between the ages of 6 and 16. In Denmark, there is 10 years' compulsory school education. Children start school in August of the year they reach age six. The first year is kindergarten, and is followed by nine years' schooling which may be supplemented by an optional year in 10th Grade. 

How to enrol?

Your child automatically belongs to a school in the school district in which you live. When your child is approaching school age, you will receive a letter from the school informing you how to enrol your child and inviting you to visit the school. You can choose a different State school or a private school (Friskole or Fri Grundskole), in which case you have to make contact with the school yourself. Once you have found a suitable school, you can arrange to be shown around by the head of the school.

Each school has its own set of practical rules, such as whether children must change shoes when they enter the building, where they may gather during breaks, lunch scheme, etc. These practical rules are found on the individual school's website.

Overview of schools in Ikast-Brande Municipality (in Danish)

When a bilingual child begins primary and lower secondary school, an assessment is carried out to determine whether the child needs help with Danish as a second language.

If necessary, the child can receive special tuition in Danish as a second language, either all day or during Danish lessons. This is called a "modtageklasse" or receiving class, and it is available to children from the pre-school class right up to the 9th Grade, if needed.

In Ikast-Brande Kommune, three schools offer receiving classes. These are Præstelundskolen in Brande, Vestre Skole in Ikast and Ejstrupholm Skole.

In Ikast-Brande Municipality, children can be looked after at after-school care schemes (SFO) until they finish the 5th Grade. Here, children can play with their friends, do homework and take part in various other activities.

There is an SFO connected to each of the state schools in Ikast-Brande, and in order to enrol your child you will have to fill out a form that you can get from either the local school or the SFO.

You must bear some of the costs for this care service, unless you are given a free place. You can apply to your municipal authority for a free place.

In addition to state schools, there are private schools (in Danish: frie grundskoler) where parents pay for their children's education. Private schools may be based on a different philosophy than state schools, but the academic subjects and social skills taught are the same.

See www.friskoler.dk