The Friedrich Schiller Primary School Jena (FSG) was founded in 1984 and offers school education for up to 250 children. In 2002, 2005 and 2008, the educational institution was awarded the title of "European School". The profile of the primary school, the structure and organisation of the lessons as well as European-related projects justify this designation.
Within the framework of the Erasmus+ K1 and K2 programmes, the programme "School Partnerships Eastern, Central and Southern Europe and Baltic States" (PAD) and eTwinning, the FSG works together with schools from various European countries. Together, projects on different topics are designed and student exchanges as well as reciprocal teacher visits are realized.
The Schillerschule also participates in many activities with European ideas, including the project "Europa macht Schule", the annual "European Drawing Competition" and the Kangaroo Competition.
In addition, since 2016, the FSG has participated in the federal program "Menschen stärken Menschen" (People Strengthen People) in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) and the Thuringian Regional Association of School Support Associations.
The FSG offers early foreign language instruction starting in grade 1. Here, the students can already acquire their first English skills. The offer is extended from grade 3 with French lessons and a Spanish study group.
A partnership agreement has existed with the primary school in Aydat, France since 06.05.2008.
Implementation of the European idea
The pupils often read books from other countries in class and thus get to know, among other things, the life of children in the partner schools, other cities or communities and deal with the traditions of the respective country in class. Knowledge about Europe and the European Union is also renewed and extended with a Europe quiz. Every year, the pupils produce a European calendar for the year and create a European Christmas tree with the children from the partner schools through handicrafts.
During library visits with targeted book readings, they learn more about topics relevant to Europe, which are dealt with in projects. In the process, subjects from the areas of music, local history and science, art education, sport and the children's living environment are dealt with on a cross-national basis.
European children's festivals are also organised in cooperation with other schools, incorporating European fairy tales, children's songs and children's games. Thanks to the early musical education of the pupils, the programmes can be varied and full of sound. Children and parents of non-German origin are integrated in a targeted manner. The European idea is integrated in all subjects, during the Erasmus week in November and the project week in May, also through intensive media work.
The Erasmus+K2 project is currently running until 2020 with schools from Finland, Poland, France, Italy and Spain on the theme "Treasures of nature - small hands discover and protect our European future". The results of the projects are documented in photo books, in the school chronicle, in European Friendship corners of the school, on posters and in painting and handicrafts as well as in work materials and books.