Förderschule Polenz

About our school

How is the school organized?

Förderschule Polents is a full-day school for children and teenagers with special educational needs in the area of intellectual development.

It's an outpost of the Dr. Pienitz Förderschool Pirna, under authority of the county of Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge.

Currently 24 students/youth attend our special needs school in four classes.

Usually they go through age-appropriate core stages - primary (lower), middle and high stage, each lasting for three years. This is followed by the vocational orientation phase wherein their job training requirements are fulfilled as per state regulations.

Our students undergo a screening process to assess special educational needs upon admission into our school in collaboration with Mobile Sonderpädagogischer Dienst (MSPD) team. This involves experts from Landeskommission für Schule und Bildung Dresden who determine the relevant focus areas for their future education and employment.

At our institution, we have teachers/educators in addition to pedagogical assistants working with us on a daily basis. Our team is also supported by logopedic professionals along with physiotherapists and therapists providing various therapeutic services.

Wie ist der Unterricht aufgebaut?

The lessons are tailored to the unique learning needs of students and takes place in small groups. It offers differentiated learning opportunities that address the individual skills of young people so they can be supported accordingly as part of their growth. To better cater to these diverse educational requirements, school classes are sometimes divided into performance categories. This specialized approach emphasizes on developing practical competencies and abilities which empower students to progressively cultivate life skills within the scope of what they can do. The aim is to foster maximum self-reliance among them through this pedagogical process.
For us, project-based learning is a key educational form.
Diversified teaching methods are utilized for the effective dissemination and reinforcement of cultural knowledge among students within an individualistic framework. Classes in mathematics happen on Tuesdays, while German lessons take place on Mondays.
In our elective subject, learners from middle school can choose topics that align with their interests and inclinations. They are able to participate regularly once a week as per the choice of subjects.

Which elective subjects are offered?

Following subjects are available to choose from for the school year of **2024/2025**:

• Theatre basics
• Horse riding, animal care and nature connection
• Juggling workshop
• Creating and designing candles
• School garden
• School band

How exactly are the students prepared for their further life?

The students of the workshop level complete a two-week long work experience placement in each of the three workshop years. This takes place mainly at the Hohwald Workshop Neustadt, or similar facilities for people with disabilities (WfB-M) nearby. Currently, our school is also looking for new employment opportunities in collaboration with the Integration Service on the open labour market. These placements form a crucial part of preparing for future work life. The young people learn about their potential places of work and become familiar with different workflows compared to school.

What has the school building got to offer?

A lot! Especially worth highlighting:

• fully renovated, modernized and accessible four-story school building with neighboring wheelchair-accessible gymnasium
• large teaching kitchen equipped with living quarters, slush pit, workshops for woodwork, music lessons, textile arts, sensory room (Snoezelen), ball pool, etc.
• regular swimming classes at the Mariba Freizeitwelt Neustadt catered to all grades of students
• spacious school garden with pond and walking path
• computer lab equipped with 6 student workstations and a teacher's station, as well as internet access, data projector and laser printer (Media Development Plan)

Is it possible to do an internship as teacher or educator?

We gladly work together with Federal Volunteer Service members, interns and trainees. Please simply sign up via one of our contact options. We are looking forward to working with you!

What are the opening hours?

• Full-time education: (School with full-day teaching program)
  • Monday - Thursday: 7:15 am to 3:15 pm / Pick up services start at 3:15 pm
  • Friday: 7:15 am to 1:35 pm
• School holiday care: provided by the Lebenshilfe Pirna-Sebnitz-Freital e.V.
• Student transportation is carried out by ASB bus service and various taxi companies