Breaking a Century-Old Tradition to Restore Order in a Troubled School

In recent years, Nytorpsskolan, situated in the challenging Hammarkullen district of northeastern Gothenburg, has faced significant difficulties. By 2020, the school's performance was alarmingly low, with student grades at the bottom of the scale. The staff was experiencing a high turnover, with many teachers absent due to safety concerns, prompting fears of violence. Reports indicated that criminal elements in the area were influencing students to misrepresent situations.

Fast forward to 2025, and there are noticeable improvements in the school's outcomes. Although 57 percent of students are eligible for gymnasium, which still falls short of the city's average, this is a 15 percentage point increase compared to three years prior.

On a spring Tuesday, when the school was closed for a professional development day, the school's administration and teachers looked forward to renovations long overdue for the facility, originally built in the early 1970s. The atmosphere was markedly different from previous years, as the teaching staff had stabilized, with a higher percentage of certified teachers. According to surveys conducted by the School Inspectorate, perceptions of study environments among the fifth graders had significantly improved, surpassing both the city and national averages.

The school's leadership has embraced various initiatives to foster engagement and improvement, such as the "Lights on" program, aimed at involving students in after-school activities. The administration highlights the importance of collaboration among educators, focusing on collective learning and classroom management techniques as methods for enhancing teaching effectiveness.

Under the leadership of Principal Jonas Forsberg, the school has adopted a culture of observation and feedback among teachers, termed 'auscultation.' This approach allows educators to learn from each other by observing classroom practices and discussing outcomes.

The transformation of Nytorpsskolan was necessitated by intervention strategies implemented by the municipality, including the extraordinary measures called Heis, aimed at providing targeted support to improve order and safety within the school environment. With these measures, the school has since moved past its crisis phase, with the focus now shifting toward other schools in need of similar support.

Teachers at Nytorpsskolan have actively tackled issues of violence, implementing immediate consequences for such behavior, including police involvement when necessary. The introduction of social workers to assist in addressing students' overall situations has also played a crucial role.

As the school continues to develop, it is entering a new phase focused on enhancing instructional methods, particularly in Swedish and mathematics, with the assistance of external experts. The integration of these educators, who have specific training in their subject areas, is expected to further support teaching staff in planning and delivering effective lessons.

Despite the challenges of teaching in a community where a significant portion of the population has non-Swedish backgrounds, educators have been proactive in addressing language barriers and ensuring students grasp the importance of education.

To bolster language skills, additional Swedish language instruction has been integrated into the curriculum for middle school students. This effort aims to equip students with essential language proficiency needed for academic success.

Furthermore, the school has recognized the necessity of clear educational goals for students, particularly in light of previous evaluations that indicated a lack of understanding among students about the purpose of their education.

In response, the introduction of extra career guidance has proven beneficial, helping students gain insight into their abilities and future career options. This initiative has highlighted the need for community support, with local authorities acknowledging the importance of integrating social services within the school framework to support at-risk students.

Overall, Nytorpsskolan represents a case study in how a school can navigate through significant challenges and emerge stronger by embracing collaborative practices, community involvement, and focused educational strategies.