New English-language class to start at Ressu Comprehensive School for children temporarily residing in Finland

Who is it for?

Temporary admission, or in other words, a study place in a new, primarily English-language class at Ressu Comprehensive School for up to two years, is intended for children in grades 1 to 9 who are moving to Finland temporarily.

The difference from Ressu’s current English-language program is that, in the application process for temporary admission, the applicant’s English proficiency is not tested, whereas for the regular English-language program, the applicant must pass a language test. Applicants are also not required to have previously studied in any English-language program.

The new class consists of students from different grade levels, meaning that students of various ages from approximately 7 to 16 in grades 1–9 may be enrolled in the class. Where possible, instruction is provided so that the students in the class study alongside other students of the same age at the school in English-language instruction groups.

You can apply for temporary admission to English-language instruction if the following criteria are met:

• The student is staying in Finland temporarily and lives in Helsinki (We ask applicants to provide proof of temporary residence).
• The student is not a Finnish citizen.
• The student was not born in Finland.
• The student does not meet the requirements for studying in Finnish.
• The student’s English proficiency is not sufficient for English-language instruction, or the student otherwise does not meet the eligibility requirements for English-language instruction.

How to apply?

You can apply for a temporary admission to English-language instruction all year-round. Applications are processed every two weeks.

If there are places available in the class and the applicant meets the admission criteria, they will receive a positive admission decision. The school will contact you and let you know your child can start school. The school placement must be accepted immediately. 

Here’s how to apply:

1. Täytä hakulomake englanninkielisen opetuksen nettisivuilla kohdassa Määräaikainen oppilaaksiotto. Fill out the application form on page Temporary admission to English-language instruction
2. Attach copies of the following documents:
   • The student’s most recent school certificate (does not apply to first-grade students if the student has not previously attended school elsewhere) and its translation into Finnish or English. The attachment must include the school’s contact information, the studies the student has completed there, the date, and the school’s stamp or signature.
   • Proof that the student is residing in Finland temporarily. This proof may be, for example, an A permit or B permit issued by the Finnish immigration authorities, or a certificate of the parent or legal guardian’s temporary employment.
3. Wait for the admission decision and for us to contact you. The school will contact you and let you know when school starts. You must accept the school placement immediately.

Options after the two-year temporary admission

The school placement automatically expires when the temporary admission period ends. You can check the details of your child’s admission decision.

If your family decides to stay in Finland for more than two years, you will need to re-apply for a school place for your child. There is no automatic continuation to English-language instruction from the temporary admission class.

If your child needs a school place after the two-year temporary admission, you can choose from the following options:

• If your child does not speak Finnish or Swedish, your family can apply for a spot in preparatory education.
• If your child has previously studied in an English-language program at a school other than one operated by the City of Helsinki, they may apply for admission to the City of Helsinki’s English-language education in accordance with the criteria for continuous admission, even after completing the temporary admission period. In this case, the child may have received English-language instruction for a maximum of 18 months. Find further info and instructions in section Continuous admission to grades 1–9 on the English-language education webpage.
• If a child has learned enough Finnish or Swedish within two years, they may also apply for a spot in a Finnish- or Swedish-language class at their local school. Check your local school using your home address.
• A child can apply for a spot at a private school.

Enquiries

Eduguidance, advisory services for English-language and bilingual education 
eduguidance@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)