Südstadtschule Hanover, Germany

Südstadtschule is a small comprehensive school with about 300 students and 25 teachers. The school is cooperating with a primary school in one building, a common staff room and one head of school. The school is located in the centre of Hanover with lots of nationalities, different religious and cultural backgrounds. The proportion of students with learning difficulties, behavioural, emotional and social needs is above average. We try to provide a peaceful, friendly, supportive learning environment in which the students can develop learning strategies and gain motivation. The main principles are cooperation between young and old, learning in small groups, job orientation and social commitment. Students with recommendations for grammar schools leave our school after year four, all others can graduate after year ten. The COMENIUS project on intercultural cooperation and communication will enrich our students’ and colleagues’ understanding for, knowledge of and interest in other countries, nationalities and cultures.