News | 24 April 2025
Supporting our students: Agape Browall
Our new series shines a light on the diverse and vital roles that support our students' well-being and success. From behaviour specialists to caretakers, we delve into the diverse roles that contribute to a positive and supportive school environment. Next up is Agape Browall, a socialpedagog at IES Falun.
Describe your work and what your role entails.
I work within the Student Development Team at IES Falun, where I primarily work with Year 7 students, although I also work and interact with students across all year groups. My main focus is to establish, strengthen, and maintain positive relationships with the students. I spend a lot of time moving around the school premises, engaging in conversations with students on a wide range of topics to build trust and understanding. Together with my two colleagues, I am also responsible for the "Student Lounge," which serves as a recreational space for our older students (Years 7-9). I’m also a mentor for one student.
My role at IES is diverse, and no two days are alike. I do the morning meet-and-greet sessions, one-to-one talks with students, and provide support to both students and staff in navigating various challenges. I also maintain regular contact with guardians and external partners, such as BUP and social services. My primary responsibility is to be a reliable, trustworthy, and neutral adult whom students can turn to for discussing both minor and significant concerns, issues, or other matters.
Why did you choose to start working at IES, and how long have you been working here?
My journey at IES Falun began nearly two years ago, when I applied for internships during my studies and had the opportunity to intern with the Student Development Team at IES Falun. I quickly felt at home and was deeply impressed by the school and its staff. The clear structure in the work environment and the high level of expertise among the staff made me eager to be a part of their world. After my internship, I was offered the opportunity to continue working at the school, which I did alongside my final year of university, until my graduation in May 2024. Following my graduation, I was offered a full-time position as a social pedagogue at IES Falun, an offer I was thrilled to accept.
What would you say makes your school a great school?
Many factors contribute to making our school exceptional, but one of the key elements, in my opinion, is our staff. We are a very close-knit and dedicated team, and the collaboration between us is truly remarkable. The staff, including teachers, student support, and other staff members, is highly educated and exceptionally skilled in their respective fields. Together, we form a strong and dynamic team, and I believe this is one of the main reasons why our school is so outstanding. We have a very strong working relationship, and several of us are even friends outside of work. Our staff comes from various parts of the world, which I consider to be a great asset for the school. The cultural diversity within the staff enriches us and provides a broader understanding and different perspectives on various matters, which we view as a strength in our work.
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"I take pride in the fact that we have very clear and well-structured procedures in place for handling incidents and that we always adhere to them."
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What is the best thing about your job?
The best part of my job is our amazing students I get to meet every day. It is truly an honour to be a part of their growth and development. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them grow, take on challenges, and develop. Every day, at least one of our students manages to make me laugh, which I find absolutely wonderful.
What activity during the school year do you enjoy the most? Why?
I would say that our cross-curricular week is one of the highlights of the year. It’s always such a joy to be involved in the activities the students participate in! During the most recent cross-curricular week, we did stop-motion films, dance performances, puppet theatre, and students painting beautiful murals around the school (and a lot of other very exciting activities. Another annual highlight is the yearly water fight on the schoolyard, where both students and staff join in. It’s incredibly fun – last time, I got a headache from laughing so hard!
What are you most proud of when you think about your school?
I am proud to work here and proud of our school. Above all, I take pride in the fact that we have very clear and well-structured procedures in place for handling incidents and that we always adhere to them. As a school, we are highly diligent in addressing all types of incidents and ensuring that we follow up on them effectively. Another significant strength is our extensive student care team, which plays a key role in maintaining a safe and well-functioning school environment.