In 2006 – 2007, there were approximately 350 students in Peltolammi Primary School. There are 15 basic teaching groups in the two school buildings of Peltolammi and Multisilta, a little over 30 teachers (including the teachers of foreign languages and religions). The first section of the Peltolammi building was built in 1969 and the second in 1978. The school building in Multisilta was built around the same time as the second section of the Peltolammi building.

 Since 2002 the emphasis in teaching has been on new solutions in special education, i.e. supporting children with learning difficulties.

 The principal and the teachers are in charge of continually developing Peltolammi School. A development team represents the teachers in practice, and it consists of four members. Since the beginning of 2002, the school’s practices (meals, breaks, etc.) have been systematically reformed. Developing the school’s different measures of support also began at that time. The profile of the school is enriched by a relatively large number of immigrants/students of Finnish As A Second Language. Over 10 percent of the pupils speak some other language than Finnish as their mother tongue.

 Health Care in Peltolammi School

 In the occurrence of sudden illnesses and accidents, the first aid will be given by the school’s health nurse when she is present. Medical treatment is not included in the school health care, but the child will be attended on in hospital.

 Physical examinations will take place during the health nurse’s consulting hours.

 Parents should inform the health nurse about any changes in their child’s food allergies as soon as possible. In this way, the kitchen staff will also receive the information on time.

 Special Teaching in Small Group (southern area i.e. grades 1 – 6 in Härmälä School and Peltolammi School)

 If the need arises, the teacher, special education teachers and psychologist will discuss whether it would be beneficial for the child to study in a flexible small group. This will require the parents’ consent. The principal will make the final decision.

 The pupil might have some of the following problems:

* Difficulties in reading and spelling

* Letters missing, writing illegible

* Understanding text, studying languages and mathematics is difficult

* Difficulties in concentration and coping with tasks

* Mathematics/Finnish/English passable ( mark 5)

* Pupil is motivated but learning does not “open up”

* Pupil has other measures of support, but still cannot manage

Finnish As A Second Language

 In Peltolammi School, immigrant children have been taught Finnish as their second language (S2) since 1998. Pupils whose mother tongue is not Finnish and who need more teaching of the language, are entitled to S2. The teaching is given individually according to the child’s needs. On average, immigrant children go to S2 classes two hours a week. Some pupils do not attend the Finnish as a mother tongue classes at all, but the majority of the immigrant children in Peltolammi School attend both S2 and Finnish as a mother tongue and Finnish literature classes.

 The most important areas in S2 are speaking, reading, writing and strengthening the basic structures of the Finnish language. At first the main emphasis is on spoken Finnish, enriching the vocabulary and strengthening reading and writing skills. If needed, the pupil can also receive help in understanding the vocabulary and exercises of other subjects. The purpose of S2 is to develop the pupil’s language skills so that he or she can cope with everyday situations and better understand teaching in Finnish.