High schools, grammar schools and vocational school
We offer positions at three types of schools: grammar schools, high schools and a vocational school. In the traditional three-tier German school system, grammar schools are more academically orientated. High schools combine the other two levels – the Hauptschule and the Realschule. The focus is more on general education and vocational orientation.
Pupils at the secondary schools are between 10 and 16 years old, at the grammar schools up to 19 years old. The maximum class size at our secondary schools is 24 pupils, at the grammar schools it is 30.
Vocational schools are for pupils from the age of 16. These schools mainly provide accompanying schooling for young people doing an apprenticeship.
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High schools
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Grammar schools
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Vocational school
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St. Benedikt School Foundation
Most young people between the ages of 10 and 16 study at high schools (Oberschulen) in our federal state of Lower Saxony. High schools provide a basic general education in the main subjects of German, maths, English, social sciences and natural sciences. As most pupils are aiming to start an apprenticeship after leaving school - for example as a kindergarten educator, as administrative staff or in construction or the mechanical trade - there is a lot of emphasis on everyday skills and vocational preparation. However, some pupils also switch to a grammar school in order to take the Abitur. The Abitur is the prerequisite for attending a college or university, or for working in certain sought-after areas such as banking, insurance or the police force.
In the St Benedikt School Foundation's high schools teachers are supported by social workers. We attach great importance to minimising conflicts and take time in the younger classes to learn and practise fair and non-violent communication and behaviour with the class. The reward for this commitment is a largely conflict-free school day and a good learning atmosphere.
Some young people with special learning difficulties are also at our schools. We have the necessary resources to support these young people individually according to their needs. Some pupils also have an accompanying person to support them in class.
The concept of our four high schools includes a school day from 8.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and a warm lunch for everyone. There is no homework, but a so-called weekly plan for individual learning that has to be completed during school hours. Pupils are given sufficient time and guidance to do this.
Franziskusschule Wilhelmshaven:
The Franziskus School is a small high school in Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea coast. We have just over 300 pupils and around 35 staff. The friendly atmosphere makes teaching and learning easy and fun.
Brochure in English
www.franziskusschule-whv.de
Ludgerus-Schule Vechta:
The Ludgerus School is a high school in Vechta, a small university town between Bremen and Osnabrück. The school has around 450 pupils and 50 teachers.
www.ludgerus-schule-vechta.de
Marienschule Cloppenburg:
The Marienschule is a high school in Cloppenburg, a small town between Oldenburg and Osnabrück. The school is our largest high school with around 550 pupils and 55 teachers. The school building has been completely renovated recently.
www.marienschule-ikt.de
Paulus-Schule Oldenburg:
The Paulus School is a high school in Oldenburg, a university city about 35 km west of Bremen. The school has a great atmosphere, around 450 pupils and 50 teachers.
Brochure in English
www.paulus-ol.de
Around 40% of young people in Germany study at grammar schools, usually those who are academically stronger. The subject matter is more demanding and the performance expectations are higher than at a secondary school, as the grammar schools are expected to prepare prepares pupils for studying at university. The teachers' role is to support, encourage and challenge their students. We work hard to ensure a pleasant atmosphere at our grammar schools, so that students can learn well. After passing their Abitur exams, most pupils move on to study at a university, although some go on to do an apprenticeship or first do a voluntary social year.
For the younger classes, the school day usually ends at around 1.30 pm, while the older classes are often at school until 3.30 pm. In addition to the lessons, there are many extra-curricular activities in which the pupils can participate.
Our pupils are curious, keen to discuss and often demanding. They are happy to share their knowledge with you and ask you their questions.
Cäcilienschule Wilhelmshaven:
The Cäcilienschule is a state-recognised grammar school in Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea coast. Around 700 pupils are taught by 65 teachers at our school. The school community of the Cäcilienschule is an "open living and educational space in the spirit of ecumenism".
Brochure in English
www.caecilienschule.de
Liebfrauenschule Cloppenburg:
The Liebfrauenschule is a grammar school in Cloppenburg, a small town between Oldenburg and Osnabrück. The school has just over 900 pupils and 85 teachers.
www.ulf-clp.de
Liebfrauenschule Oldenburg:
The Liebfrauenschule is a high school in Oldenburg, a university city about 35 km west of Bremen. The school just under 800 pupils and 75 teachers.
Brochure in English
www.liebfrauenschule.de
Liebfrauenschule Vechta:
The Liebfrauenschule in Vechta is a state-recognised grammar school for girls. Today, our school presents itself as a modern, future-orientated girls' grammar school. Through our educational programme, we empower and encourage our female students to take on the challenges of our world socially and actively and to play a committed role in shaping it.
www.liebfrauenschulevechta.de
Pupils in Germany who leave schools before the age of 18 generally attend a vocational school. Many do this alongside an apprenticeship, and are at school 1 - 3 days a week. A small number of classical subjects - mainly maths, German and English - are taught at vocational schools. The focus is on job-related teaching, which is geared towards the various training occupations.
The BBS Marienhain mainly trains social workers, kindergarten teachers and nurses, who later work for various organisations in the region. The teaching day usually lasts from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm.
BBS Marienhain Vechta:
The BBS Marienhain in Vechta offers a wide range of social education programmes, such as the technical secondary school for health and social services, the vocational school for social pedagogical assistance, the vocational schools for social pedagogy and curative education as well as the vocational school for nursing. The school emphasises practical training and cooperation with regional companies.
Brochure in English
www.bbs-marienhain.de
The St. Benedikt School Foundation is an independent Catholic foundation supported by the Diocese of Münster. The St Benedikt School Foundation is responsible for four secondary schools and four grammar schools as well as a vocational school, all situated in north-west Germany between Vechta and Wilhelmshaven. Over 5500 pupils attend these nine schools. They are taught by around 550 teachers, many of whom work part-time.
It is important to us that Christian values are practised in our schools and that the interaction between teachers, parents and pupils is characterised by trust and respect, tolerance and appreciation as well as encouragement and helpfulness.
Teachers at our schools must be members of a Christian church in order to be permanently employed. Although most pupils are baptised, pupils of other religions or non-denominational pupils are just as welcome in our schools.
