Published date 16-08-2024

Letter from the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The summer break is almost over and a new academic year at IES Årsta awaits. The teachers and staff have been busy getting ready to welcome students and parents back to school as well as implementing a few changes in the organisation. 

Our results 2023/24

Last year’s graduating students reached high results both in merit points (267.4p) and in eligibility to Gymnasiet (96.4%). Both numbers significantly above the average for Stockholm. Our quality surveys indicated strong results in satisfaction with academics, particularly among the older students. The survey question on overall satisfaction in School also increased by 5%, which is a significant positive indicator. On the other hand, we saw a decrease by 2-3% in our numbers regarding Peace and calm and in School environment. This was especially evident among our younger students. 

While we are happy with the academic results, we are determined to improve and make the changes needed to raise the peace and calm the coming year. We have spent a great deal of time analysing and looking at solutions that will take us forward and below are listed some of the news:

To be implemented 2024/25

• Year groups 4-5 have been moved from the top floor to the middle floor of school. We have created a section in the school only accessible for Junior School students to provide a calm, safe and stimulating learning environment. 
• We are implementing new routines to boost the learning environment in classrooms - If a student is unable to continue the lesson without disturbing the learning environment, that student will be guided to a calm, safe place in the school to reflect on the situation and the parents will be notified. 
• Student influence will be strengthened by launching a new organisation for Student Council, and implementing a Prefect system, whereby older students can help and support younger students (more information to come). 
• We continue to build on our system for promoting positive behaviour through Life Skills. 
• We add resources to our Student Care Team and the Special Education Needs Team. 
• In line with our changed routines for class mixing, we boost continuity for students, teachers and parents. We also add new guidelines and expectations on how class parents are organised and can positively influence the class spirit. 
• IES Årsta is now part of ‘Move with IES’ - an initiative to help boost physical and mental health for our students. Among other things, this will mean more planned break time activities and much more.  
• We also implement some changes to our school organisation, all directed at improving the Peace and calm for our students. 

To conclude, we are taking some ambitious steps the coming year in towards the goal of having every single student enjoying school, feeling safe and comfortable and able to focus on their learning and personal development.

IES Skärholmen - Aesthetics at IES Årsta

IES Skärholmen had to close down last year, but the year 8 students were given the opportunity to complete Grundskolan in IES by moving to Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet on Södermalm, but with the Aesthetic subjects at IES Årsta. This will mean that one class will come to IES Årsta for HKK, Craft, Music and Art on Monday morning, another class will do the same on Wednesday afternoon, and the third and last Y9 class will do the same on Friday morning. 

IES Skärholmen’s teachers and student care staff will be with the students at all times. We have planned and organised this in collaboration with IES Skärholmen, and we anticipate a smooth process. 

Other information

We are happy to welcome Mr Godonou, Ms Rook and  Ms Lissegårdh back from parental leave and Ms Hancock from study leave. We also thank our long serving colleague, Ms Legersjö, who will soon start her new job after 15 years in IES. We wish her all the best. 

Thank you for your continued support and don’t hesitate to reach out to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We hope to see you all at the parent meeting on Wednesday 21st August at 17:00-18:30!

I look forward to a productive year with our students, staff and parents.

Best regards, 

Mr Gellerstedt