Ressu Comprehensive School

Helsinki’s municipal curriculum(Link leads to external service) and the school-specific curricula of Ressu Comprehensive School(Link leads to external service) have been prepared on the basis of the national core curriculum. Teaching at our school is guided by the school curriculum. The school curriculum includes the objectives of the studies, the subjects studied at the school, the school’s working methods and the support offered to pupils.

Studies at Ressu Comprehensive School comply with the national core curriculum, policies of the City of Helsinki and the school-specific curriculum of Ressu Comprehensive School. The IB programmes, the Primary Years Programme (grades 1–6) and the Middle Years Programme (grades 7–9) provide the framework and approach for learning and teaching. Pupils receive textbooks and other educational materials selected by the school free of charge.

Learner profiles

The IB learner profiles set the common framework for studying at Ressu Comprehensive School. We strive to support the balanced development of the learner profile and thus guide the pupils’ growth into active and responsible members of society.

inquirer
knowledgeable
thinker
communicator
principled
open-minded
helpful
brave
balanced
reflective

Language programme

• A1 language, the first foreign language starting in Grade 1: English
• A2 language, optional foreign language starting in Grade 3: Spanish, French
• B1 language, the second national language of Finland starting in Grade 6: Swedish
• B2 language, optional foreign language starting in Grade 8: Spanish, French, German

Weighted-curriculum education

A total of 80% of the weighted-curriculum education at Ressu Comprehensive School is in English. The education is intended for children from internationally mobile families who have native-level English language skills. In studying, the objectives and content of the subjects are the same as in the Finnish-language classes. 

Application for weighted curriculum education in English takes place via a language test. The language test assesses the pupil’s readiness to study in English. For pupils applying for grades 8–9, The language test also assesses the applicant’s Finnish language skills.

Find more information about the admission for basic education in English through the link provided.
City of Helsinki | English-language basic education

Students for the English language acquisition classes come from city of Helsinki and are chosen by aptitude tests.  These classes are intended for internationally mobile families. Language of instruction is fully English. Even though we have in the school classes both in Finnish and in English, we are not a bilingual school. Our English language acquisition class students study fully in English, except their Finnish National Curriculum obligated Finnish lessons (Finnish as mother tongue or Finnish as a second language).

Please note that applicants from Helsinki are given priority over applicants from other municipalities.

Enrolment Application Information

Admissions for applicants who move to Helsinki in the middle of basic education

Aptitude tests

The school will invite you to the test after getting approval from Helsinki City. The aptitude test is arranged once a month.

Academic year 2024/2025: The tests are always conducted on the first Thursday of every month.

For more information, please contact:
Email eduguidance@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Tel. +358 9 310 76965
 

Studying at Ressu Comprehensive School is based on the IB values and the Ressu values. The IB programmes aim to encourage pupils to grow into internationally open-minded lifelong learners.

We have two IB programmes in Finnish and English: the Primary Years Programme (PYP, grades 1–6) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP, grades 7–9). The IB programmes provide a framework for teaching and learning. In both programmes, learning is approached through concepts that assist the pupil in learning how to structure fragmented information. In addition to the learner profile and information, the focus of the programmes is on skills and the objective of the learner becoming an active international citizen. 

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

In Ressu Comprehensive School’s primary school, the PYP is an approach and framework for learning and teaching. Studying in the PYP is conceptual and complies with an inquiry-based approach. The programme can be divided into three sections: learner, learning and teaching, and the learning community. 

Learner

We value the learner’s participation in learning. Pupils are encouraged to act, express themselves and take responsibility for their own learning. Pupils in all grades elect their class representatives for the pupil body from among themselves. 

PYP exhibition

In the spring of the sixth grade during the exhibition study period, pupils will be able to independently apply what they have learned during PYP in their own research. Class teachers and mentor teachers guide the research as the pupils apply the skills they have learned and their learner profile in the quest for knowledge. During the exhibition, the pupils will be able to demonstrate their skills to the entire Ressu community. 

Learning and teaching

The PYP school year is divided into six interdisciplinary research periods lasting 5 to 6 weeks, combining the objectives of the national core curriculum with the interdisciplinary PYP themes. The studies make use of the extensive expertise available in the Ressu community and the broad perspectives offered by the different subjects. Ressu Comprehensive School period plan

Each class has a class teacher and several subject teachers. The teachers work together in planning and implementing relevant interdisciplinary learning modules. There are also separate subject-specific learning modules.

The number of subject teachers increases as the pupils choose their optional subjects. The optional subjects are studied in mixed groups in both Finnish and English.

Languages

All pupils in the Finnish-speaking classes study Finnish and English from the first grade.

In addition, the City of Helsinki offers weekly native-language classes for pupils whose native language is not Finnish or Swedish, whose native language is Roma or Sámi, or who are returnees from a country where they studied the national language. These classes are held in the afternoons after the pupils’ own lessons at various schools around Helsinki.

Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The MYP focuses on communication, holistic learning and internationalisation.

Cycle of the inquiry-based approach

Learning and teaching are built around three central themes: research, action and reflection.

Conceptuality

Concepts arising from the IB programme that transcend subject boundaries and include key concepts common to all subjects, as well as subject-specific concepts, are used as an aid in teaching and learning.

Global contexts

The aim is to compile what has been learned into easy-to-understand entities through six global contexts.

These contexts are:

• Identities and relationships
• Scientific and technical innovation
• Orientation in time and space
• Globalisation and sustainability
• Fairness and development
• Personal and cultural expression

Phenomena and interdisciplinary learning modules

The school complies with the national core curriculum, and phenomena are part of everyday life at the school. Pupils also participate in interdisciplinary learning modules combining different subjects.
The phenomena and learning modules vary from year to year.

Learner profiles

The objective of the IB programmes is to support the pupil’s growth into an internationally open-minded, active and responsible citizen. We strive to achieve this by guiding the pupils to develop in accordance with the learner profiles. The learner profiles according to the IB programme include inquirer, principled, caring, balanced, reflective, communicator, thinker, knowledgeable, open-minded and risk-taker. The learner is guided to develop these skills throughout the school path.

Assessment

Pupils receive grades on the national scale of 4 (failed) to 10 (excellent). The MYP programme assessment criteria are also used as an aid in the assessment, as they increase the transparency of the assessments throughout the learning process.
The skill levels in the assessment criteria are on the scale of 0 (did not achieve the objectives) to 8 (excellently achieved the objectives). The assessment criteria of the MYP programme support inquiry-based teaching and learning. The subject-specific criteria are explained to pupils at the beginning of the school year and in connection with tasks to be assessed.

Learning skills and comprehensive learning objectives

Ressu Comprehensive School has a learning skill path covering grades 1–9: pupils are guided to develop their learning skills (communication skills, social skills, self-direction, research skills and reflection skills). In the skill path, the IB learning skills are combined with the comprehensive objectives of the national core curriculum.

Project work

Every ninth grader completes their own personal project assignment during the last year of comprehensive school, for which they are expected to devote about 25 hours of their time. During the project assignment, the pupil designs and implements a creative or research-based entity based on their own interests. Continuous self-assessment and reflection on learning are important parts of the project.
Each pupil’s project is supervised by one of the school’s teachers. The stages of the project assignment are compiled into a report to be assessed. During the spring, the project and the related report are presented to the entire school community in a project exhibition. The pupil receives a separate attachment to the graduation certificate for the successfully completed project.

Actions for the benefit of the community

The aim of the MYP is to develop pupils’ understanding of their responsibility towards the community and their willingness to act for its benefit. Pupils are encouraged to participate in the activities of the pupil body board, to be involved in organising community events at school and to boost the school’s team spirit. Pupils also participate in everyday school activities such as cleaning the cafeteria and kiosk activities during breaks.

Pupils of the eighth and ninth grades have a one-week introduction to working life period (työelämään tutustuminen, TET). The pupils must find a job to complete the TET. For more information about TET, please contact guidance counsellor Jenni Soljasalo.

Read more about the MYP

Emmi Kuosmanen, coordinator of the IB MYP, and Leena Liusvaara, school principal, will be happy to answer any enquiries regarding the MYP.
Subject-specific enquiries can also be directed to the subject coordinators, whose contact details are available from the subject teacher or coordinator.
You can also visit the IBO website at www.ibo.org(Link leads to external service).
 

Grade 1

Language test

The language test takes place on Friday 31 January 2025 at 9.00 Lapinlahdenkatu 10. Please arrive between 8.30-8.50 for registration.  Late arrivals cannot participate in the group test. An invitation letter will be sent by the school to applicants before the test day. In the letter you will see the interview time. Please notice that the individual interview can be at any time on the test day.

A child applying for the 1st grade does not need to be able to read or write when they take part in the language test. The language test assesses the child's language skills, and it is not necessary to prepare for it in advance.

Admission decisions will be posted to the pupils' home addresses on 7 March 2025.

Grade 7

The language test will be held on Friday 7 February 2025 at 9.00 Ruoholahdenkatu 23. Please arrive between 8.30-8.50 for registration.  Late arrivals cannot participate in the language test. Applicants will not be sent separate invitation letters by the school before the test day. Please reserve approximately two hours for the test. Applicants do not need to bring anything with them to the test.

Admission decisions will be posted to the pupils' home addresses on 26 March 2025.
 

Learn more information about the admission for basic education in English:
City of Helsinki | English-language basic education

Information on how to apply for the seventh grade

The principles and operating methods for the collaboration between home and school are described in each school’s curriculum. These include parent-teacher conferences, learning discussions and communication via the Wilma system. 
Separate agreements between the school and the guardians on the practical cooperation and activities will be made. The collaboration between home and school is reciprocal. Each school has a board and a parents’ association.

Wilma

The Wilma online system(Link leads to external service) allows guardians to obtain information about their child’s education, the teaching arrangements, and assessments, as well as to handle absences. Guardians receive school newsletters and can contact the teachers and the principal via Wilma. Wilma is also used by pupils and students to monitor their own studies. Guardians will receive their own Wilma credentials at the beginning of the autumn term from the school their child attends.

Learn how to use Wilma with our YouTube videos.

• Video in English: Creating guardian's Wilma credentials, YouTube(Link leads to external service)
• Video in simple Finnish: Huoltajan Willma-tunnuksen luominen, YouTube(Link leads to external service)

We have six-week rotating basic and vegetarian menus. Two main meal options are available every day. Each meal includes warm food, some salad, a grated vegetable salad or fresh vegetables, a beverage, bread and spread.

See the comprehensive school lunch menu(Link leads to external service)

See the school lunch menu for the additional general upper secondary school facilities(Link leads to external service)

1. All pupils are equal.
2. All pupils at Ressu Comprehensive School contribute to peace of learning through their behaviour, follow the instructions given and behave in accordance with good manners.
3. Hoods and other headgear are not worn during lessons or when eating (except for religious or health reasons).
4. Students arrive on time for school and lessons.
5. Everyone is responsible for looking after the environment and keeping the school and school grounds tidy.
6. Everyone is responsible for school property and teaching materials.
7. During recess, stay in the recess area and follow the instructions of the recess supervisor.
8. No unauthorised use or display of mobile devices during lessons and meals. Student must ensure that mobile devices are not a distraction during the school day.
9. It is forbidden to bring objects and materials that are prohibited by law, are dangerous or intended to damage the property of Ressu Comprehensive School.
10. Persistent or serious breaches of rules of order will result in disciplinary and punitive action being taken.

Ressu Comprehensive School

Lapinlahdenkatu 10, 00180 Helsinki
PO Box 18301, FI-00099 City of Helsinki, Finland

and

Ruoholahdenkatu 23, 00180 Helsinki
PO Box 18303, FI-00099 City of Helsinki, Finland

Office opening hours Monday to Friday 9:00–12:00

School secretary

Kai Vainionpää
09 310 21130
kanslia.ressunpk@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)

Sara Mashmool
09 310 33826
kanslia.ressunpk@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)

Tina Bergman
09 310 72077
tina.bergman@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program) 

The school secretary handles and offers advice on matters related to the pupil register and school attendance in general. All enquiries concerning admission and application to the school should be directed to the principal. Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange personal tours of the school. You can ask anything about the school by email or phone. The school secretary should be informed of any changes in name, address, telephone number and other personal data in the Population Information System.

Principal

Leena Liusvaara
Tel. +358 9 310 82101
leena.liusvaara(at)hel.fi

Deputy Vice Principal

Pia Forsman
In charge of all student enrolment inquiries
puh. 09 310 82031 / 040 6672208
pia-kristiina.forsman(at)hel.fi

Vice Principal

Veijo Karhinen
Tel. +358 40 865 3288 (enquiries only in matters involving substitute teachers, preferably by email)
veijo.karhinen(at)edu.hel.fi

PYP coordinator

Lalla Pohjanpalo
lalla.pohjanpalo(at)edu.hel.fi 

MYP coordinator 

Emmi Kuosmanen
emmi.kuosmanen(at)edu.hel.fi

Chairperson of the board

Marjo Rintamäki

Teachers’ room at Lapinlahdenkatu

Tel. +358 9 310 82108 

After-school activities manager

Silva Kutinlahti
Tel. +358 40 660 8795

Preparatory Class

Annika Hovinen

annika.hovinen(at)edu.hel.fi

09 31039651/0405861568

School caretaker (Lapinlahdenkatu)

Nesto Mattila
Tel. +358 50 401 3922, nesto.mattila(at)palmia.fi 

School caretaker (Ruoholahdenkatu)

Kenneth Eklund
Tel. +358 50 401 3827, kenneth.eklund(at)palmia.fi 
Caretaker services, property management, lost property

The evening caretaker is on call at the Lapinlahdenkatu building starting from 16.30

School cafeteria at Lapinlahdenkatu

Tel. +358 9 310 82111

School cafeteria at Ruoholahdenkatu

Tel. +358 9 310 31059
 

• Aho-Penttilä Petra,  special needs teacher ( on leave of absence)
• Andersson Svetlana, native language teacher, Russian
• Antman Anna, Swedish, homeroom teacher 8BD 1
• Atieno Clarice, class teacher 3BD
• Autinen Helka, special education teacher
• Cavernelis Noel, class teacher 5BD, PTA teacher representative, Native language teacher (English)
• Chua Poh Yi, class teacher 5BD
• DAmato Mario, native language teacher, Italian
• Gundersen Tuula, English native language teacher, homeroom tutor 9BD 3
• Haapasalo Hanna, mother tongue and literature (Finnish), Finnish as a second language and literature
• Hallikainen Jenni, crafts
• Hautaniemi Olavi, Finnish as a second language
• Heiskanen Kati, French
• Holttinen Olli-Pekka, physical education, health education, homeroom tutor 9C
• Hovinen Annika, preparatory education class
• Hämäläinen Anni, preparatory education class
• Jibril Sofia, resource teacher 4BD
• Joronen Iiris, mother tongue and literature (Finnish), Finnish as a second language and literature, homeroom tutor 7A
• Kaljunen Katri, class teacher 2BD
• Karhinen Veijo, class teacher 5AC, librarian, vice principal
• Kasierska-Szura Katarzyna, catholic religion
• Kekkonen Tiia, class teacher 6BD
• Keski-Rauska Tiina, mother tongue and literature (Finnish), Finnish as a second language and literature 
• Keskitalo Sanna, home economics, homeroom tutor 9A
• Keskiväli Aija, class teacher 2AC, librarian
• Koponen Veera, crafts (on leave of absence) 
• Kukkonen Anu, mother tongue and literature (Finnish), Finnish as a second language and literature, (on leave of absence)
• Kuokka Elisa, mathematics, physics, chemistry
• Kuosmanen, Emmi, geography, history, civics, economics, homeroom tutor 8BD 2
• Käkelä Riina, English, Swedish, homeroom tutor 9BD 2
• Kätkä Niina, student councilor
• Laine Veera, class teacher 1BD
• Laitala Katja, English
• Lankinen Marika, biology, geography
• Lindén Wilma, Physical education
• Malinen Marjo, crafts
• Marin-Nuutinen Anne, special education teacher in Finnish-language
• Marjanen Aapo, class teacher 5AC, methematics
• Martinez Madrid Diego, Spanish 
• Neva-aho-Honkanen Raisa Maria, visual arts 
• Nikkari Meri, class teacher 3AC, biology, geography, health education
• Nordgren Ulla, Swedish, homeroom tutor 9BD 1
• Nuorteva Johanna, Finnish special education teacher
• Pajakoski Tiina, history, civics, economics, homeroom tutor 8BD 3
• Pakula Anssi, class teacher 4AC
• Parkkinen Helene, class teacher 3AC
• Pesu Mari, class teacher, 1AC
• Pohjanpalo Lalla, class teacher 6AC, PYP coordinator
• Porrassalmi Arttu, class teacher 3AC
• Purovaara Selja, world view subjects, project assignments for grade 9, homeroom tutor 7D
• Rautajoki Heidi, physical education
• Ruhanen Maiju, class teacher 5AC, history, civics, economics
• Ryan-Kraujale Johanna, class teacher (on leave of absence) 
• Saarikoski Ilona, music, homeroom teacher 8A
• Sandberg Miro, physics, chemistry
• Simola Jesper, class teacher 2BD, English
• Sivananthan Nirojan, Tamil Native language teacher 
• Smith Meghan, Spanish, English (debate)
• Soljasalo Jenni, study counsellor 
• Strandén Miia, class teacher 1BD
• Sullivan Katri, class teacher 6BD
• Suominen Markku, mathematics, physics, chemistry, homeroom tutor 7B
• Sytelä Jyrki, mathematics, physics, chemistry
• Tolvanen Tuuli, mathematics, homeroom teacher 8C
• Torchia Felicé, resource teacher
• Tripathi Sam Jyoti, Krishna religion
• Tuovinen Anna-Stiina, class teacher 2AC
• Viitakangas Vivian, class teacher 3BD, special education teacher
• Väliahde Anni, class teacher 1AC, home economics
• Väliahde Maija, class teacher (on leave of absence)
• Väyrynen Sanna, mother tongue and literature (Finnish), Finnish as a second language and literature, homeroom tutor 7C
• Zayat Habash Nili, class teacher 4BD

Kutinlahti Silva, 1AC, 1BD, in charge of after-school activities

Kilpiäinen Hannamari, preparatory education class, after-school activities

Linnanvuo Ulla, 1 AC, 2AC, after school-activities

Autinen Helka, special education teacher, grades 5AC, 5BD, 7A, 7C, 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D. Wilma and tel: 0931038163

Forsman Pia-Kristiina, Vice-Principal, student welfare and student enrollment, tel. 0931082031/ 0406672208, pia-kristtiina.forsman@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)

Hakanen Iina, school coach, grades  6-9, Mon-Fri, contact preferably via Wilma, iina.hakanen(at)edu.hel.fi  tel. 040-5464030.

Hartman Katjamari, school social worker, grades 7-9, Mon-Tue, RK 6 floor
Katjamari.hartman(at)hel.fi  tel. 09 31082020/ 0403583056, Wilma.

Kuikka Laura, school psychologist, grades 6-9, Mon, Wed and every other Friday (even weeks). Via Wilma and tel. 040 1686501/ 0931037599.

Kätkä Niina, student counselor, grades 8B, 8BD, 9A ja 9B. RK 6 floor, Mon, Wed and Thu. niina.katka(at)edu.hel.fi, Wilma, tel. 09 31039653

Laitinen Leila, school social worker,  grades 1-6, Mon-Fri Lapinlahdenkatu 10.
Leila.laitinen2(at)hel.fi, tel. 050 401 3296/ 09 31071858

Lenart Reka, school psychologist, grades 1-5, Mon-Tue and every other Thursday. Lapinlahdenkatu 10. Reka.lenart(at)hel.fi and tel: 0931071869/ 0504013316.

Liukkonen Heini, school nurse, grades 1-6. 
Mon-Fri  Lapinlahdenkatu 10, room 115.
Without an appointment daily 12.10-12.40. Medical issues/ health center.
Connect via Wilma (only appointments), Maisa or tel.  050-3105575

Marin-Nuutinen Anne, special education teacher, grades 1AC, 2AC, 3AC, 4AC, 6AC. 
Wilma/ tel: 040 678 2369.

Nuorteva Johanna, special education teacher, grades 6BD, 7BD, 9ABCD, VALO. 
Wilma/ tel: 040 849 3336.

Soljasalo Jenni, student counselor, grades 8A, 8C, 8BD, 9C, 9BD, 9D, grade 7 and 7-9V. RK 6 floor. Mon-Fri, jenni.soljasalo(at)edu.hel.fi, Wilma/ tel: 09 31082105

Taponen Anna-Kaisa, school nurse, grades 7-9.
Mon-Tue: Ruoholahdenkatu 23, 6 floor. Wed: Lapinlahdenkatu 10, room 115.
Without an appointment daily 12.10-12.40. Medical issues/ health center. Connect via Wilma (only appointments), Maisa or tel.  050-3105575

Viitakangas Vivian, special education teacher, grades 1BD, 2BD, 3BD, 4BD.
Wilman/ tel: 040 6487322.