About Brúarskóli

Brúarskóli was established in 2003 and is a special school for children experiencing serious mental, behavioral, or social difficulties. Brúarskóli operates from four locations in Reykjavík: in Vesturhlíð, two divisions in Brúarhús (younger and older) in Húsaskóli, on Dalbraut at BUGL, and in Stuðlar. 

 

Student support

The goal of Brúarskóli is to work in a positive way to improve students' behavior, teach them new behaviors and praise everything done well. Support students in finding and strengthening their strengths. The school environment should be encouraging and constructive. We prioritize the needs and best interests of the student.

 

Role, objectives, and methods

Purpose

Brúarskóli is a primary school operated by Reykjavík City for students in the primary school grades:

  • With severe mental and emotional problems;
  • Who have social and behavioral difficulties;
  • Who are currently experiencing problems with drug use and/or delinquency.

Brúarskóli activities are divided into:

  • Teaching areas:
    • Teaching in Vesturhlíð (4th to 10th grade)
    • Teaching in Brúarhús, Dalhús 41 (3rd to 7th grade)
    • Teaching at the Child & Youth Psychiatric Ward (1st -10th grade)
    • Teaching at Stuðlar (8th to 10th grade)
  • Counseling area:
    • The counseling department serves both Brúarskóli and general primary schools.

Objective

The aim of the school is to make students more qualified to study in a public primary school. The main emphasis is on providing students with instruction according to the interest and ability of each one and on enhancing and improving social and interaction skills. Teaching is done in small study groups and is individualized.

  • Brúarskóli is a temporary solution for students.
  • It is important that all parties involved in the student's case, such as parents, the home district school, child protection, etc., work closely together while the student is at Brúarskóli and during follow-up.
  • In Vesturhlíð and Brúarhús, assessments are conducted every 3-4 months. Representatives from the home district school and parents are invited to these meetings. In addition, school administrators and homeroom teachers attend the meeting, along with officers from the various service systems related to the family. When transitioning back to the home district school, a plan is developed detailing how to provide counseling and follow-up from Brúarskóli.

Methods

Brúarskóli is for students who have poor social skills and are so socially and behaviorally disadvantaged that they struggle to attend a regular school without significant support. Brúarskóli has many tools to assist students, such as:

  • Targeted behavioral work, responsibility for behavior, solution-focused approach to difficult behavior emphasizing encouragement and praise
  • Unwanted behavior is stopped, physical intervention in emergency
  • Building a positive attitude towards the school environment
  • Empowering each individual in a positive way based on their developmental state
  • Enhancing social skills, communication, anger management (ART)
  • Assessing the actual academic situation
  • Providing a structured and predictable environment
  • Working based on each student's strengths and interests