Education Insights
Lessons Learned from Finland: How to Improve Your School’s Performance
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
Picture this: you walk into a school on a snowy Tuesday morning in Helsinki. There’s no bell ringing frantically. Students hang their coats and calmly enter bright, tidy classrooms with large windows overlooking pine trees. Inside, a teacher is chatting casually with students, asking them how their weekend was—not hurrying to start a rigid lesson plan.
There are no piles of worksheets. No anxious whispers about an upcoming test. Instead, a quiet buzz of curiosity fills the room. One group is building a model of a sustainable city. Another is discussing a real-world math challenge. The teacher moves between groups like a mentor, not a manager.
What you're witnessing isn’t a special school. It's a typical public school in Finland.
This is a place where teachers are trusted, students are supported, and learning feels meaningful. A place where education is about growth, not pressure.
Finland has quietly become a global icon in education—not because it follows trends, but because it follows values. Equity. Trust. Joyful learning. And what’s more inspiring is that these aren’t just ideals—they’re built into every classroom, every schedule, every policy.
In this article, we’ll uncover the real lessons behind Finland’s educational success. We’ll look at practical ways to improve your school’s performance—strategies that work in any country, not just Finland. From empowering teachers to personalizing learning, you’ll find ideas that can transform your school step by step.
And if you're truly curious to see it with your own eyes, we’ll even show you how to arrange a school visit to Finland.
Let’s get started.
Across the globe, education leaders, researchers, and policymakers often ask: What makes Finland different? How does a small Nordic country continue to inspire admiration from so many corners of the world? The answer lies not in high-stakes testing or strict academic drills, but in a human-centered, values-driven philosophy that puts trust, wellbeing, and equality at the heart of every school. Unlike many systems that measure success through test scores, Finland defines success as helping every child thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
So, what makes Finnish education so special?
This approach stands in sharp contrast to education systems built around competition and ranking. In Finland, there is no rush, no race—just respect. Schools are calm, collaborative spaces where teachers are trusted professionals and students are seen as individuals with potential, not statistics to improve.
This is why organizations like the OECD, UNESCO, and education ministries worldwide continuously reference Finland as a model worth exploring. Its methods may look simple on the surface, but the philosophy behind them is both bold and effective.
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In Finland, the belief is simple but powerful: Every child deserves the same chance to succeed—no matter where they come from, who their parents are, or what challenges they face. This belief isn’t just a slogan. It’s built into the structure of the education system. Finnish schools operate on the understanding that fairness is the fuel of excellence. That true school performance doesn’t begin with competition—it begins with compassion.
So how is equity achieved in practice?
This approach isn’t just about kindness. It’s smart policy. Imagine if your school provided the same level of support to every student:
The Finnish answer is a resounding yes. Because when students feel safe, supported, and valued, they don’t just perform better—they grow with confidence. Equity in Finnish education isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about raising everyone up to reach them. And when the system is designed for all—not just the few—the whole society benefits. Schools around the world may not be able to replicate Finland’s model overnight. But every school can start by asking: Are we giving every student a fair start? That question alone can lead to transformative change.
What happens when teachers are treated like professionals—not just employees? In Finland, the answer is clear: They thrive. And so do their students. One of the most powerful—and perhaps most surprising—lessons from the Finnish education system is that trust builds excellence. There are no national inspectors walking into classrooms with checklists. No one is telling teachers exactly what to teach on which day. Instead, teachers are trusted to make informed decisions about how to best help their students succeed.
Here’s what that trust looks like in action:
And guess what? It works. When teachers feel trusted, they:
Imagine how different a school could feel if teachers weren’t afraid of doing the “wrong” thing, but instead felt confident to do what’s right for their students.
So, how can you start bringing this philosophy into your own school?
In short, the Finnish model proves that teachers do their best work when they are free to be themselves. Professional trust is not a luxury—it’s a foundation. And when teachers are empowered, the entire school community rises with them.
What does school leadership look like when it’s built on trust instead of authority?
In Finnish schools, principals are seen not as bosses, but as partners in the learning journey. Their role isn’t to enforce compliance or chase performance targets—it’s to create a culture where everyone can thrive.
Walk into any Finnish school, and you’re likely to find the principal doing something simple but powerful: listening. They’re not hidden behind closed office doors or buried in paperwork. Instead, they’re walking the halls, greeting students, chatting with teachers, and quietly observing how the school breathes.
So, what defines this leadership style?
This kind of leadership creates powerful ripple effects across the entire school community. When principals lead with trust and collaboration, it builds a deep sense of loyalty among staff and strengthens team cohesion. Teachers feel empowered to try new methods, which encourages innovation in the classroom. As a result, job satisfaction increases, helping to reduce burnout and staff turnover. Perhaps most importantly, this positive, inclusive culture radiates outward—creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that students and parents can feel every day.
In Finnish classrooms, there’s a simple but transformative principle at work: education should fit the student, not force the student to fit the system. This means that learning is not standardized—it’s personalized. Instead of treating every child as if they learn the same way, Finnish schools recognize that each student has a unique rhythm, interest, and way of understanding the world. Teachers are given the flexibility—and the trust—to adapt their teaching to support this diversity. This isn’t just about making learning easier. It’s about making it meaningful.
What does this look like in practice?
Teachers often work with small groups or one-on-one, offering guidance tailored to each learner’s needs. Students are also invited to reflect on their learning process—what works for them, what doesn’t, and how they can grow. This helps build intrinsic motivation, a key factor in long-term success.
Imagine a student who normally struggles in traditional classrooms suddenly excelling because they can show what they know through a drawing, a model, or a group presentation. This is what happens when we make room for different paths to learning.
How can you bring this into your school?
Even in systems that are more structured, you can begin with small changes:
You don’t need a complete system overhaul to adopt student-centered learning. What it requires is a shift in mindset, from teaching to the curriculum, to teaching to the child. When we recognize that every child learns differently, we begin to build schools that are not only more inclusive but also far more effective.
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Think back to the last time your students prepared for a big exam. What was the atmosphere like? Was it a time of excitement and discovery, or stress, cramming, and anxiety?
In many schools around the world, assessment is treated as the finish line. Everything builds up to one high-stakes test that determines grades, rankings, and sometimes even self-worth. But in Finland, the philosophy is very different. Here, assessment is not an event, it’s a continuous process. One that supports learning, rather than interrupts it. In fact, Finnish students take only one standardized national test, and it comes at the end of upper secondary school, around the age of 18. Before that, teachers evaluate progress using a range of flexible and student-friendly methods that are woven into daily classroom life.
So how do teachers assess learning in Finland?
Rather than creating anxiety, this approach builds confidence and competence. Students don’t study just to pass a test. They study to understand, to improve, and to apply what they’ve learned.
How can your school adopt this approach?
Even if standardized testing is a requirement in your school system, you can begin to reshape the way assessment supports learning. One way is by shifting some grading to narrative feedback, offering short, written comments that highlight what students did well and where they can improve, instead of relying solely on points or letter grades. You can also introduce self-assessment rubrics that help students evaluate their own work based on clear, simple criteria. This encourages them to focus on the quality of their learning process, not just the final result.
Additionally, reducing the number of formal tests and increasing the use of informal assessments, such as quick quizzes, exit slips, classroom discussions, or learning journals, can provide valuable insights into student progress without creating unnecessary stress. These small changes can turn assessment into a powerful tool for growth, reflection, and motivation.
In Finland, the idea that "learning never stops" doesn’t just apply to students, it’s a guiding principle for teachers as well. Professional growth isn’t an obligation; it’s part of a teacher’s professional identity. Finnish educators are deeply committed to lifelong learning. They view their own development as essential, not only for improving their teaching skills, but also for staying inspired and connected to their profession. And importantly, the education system is designed to support that growth.
So, how does Finland nurture professional development?
Rather than occasional events or box-checking exercises, professional development in Finland is embedded into the school culture. Teachers are expected—and empowered, to keep growing.
How can your school follow this model?
You don’t need a major overhaul to start building a culture of professional learning. Begin with small, meaningful shifts:
When schools invest in teacher learning, the benefits are exponential. Not only do teachers feel more confident and valued, but students also benefit from more energized, reflective, and innovative instruction.
In Finnish schools, wellbeing isn’t treated as an add-on or an afterthought. It’s considered a vital part of education—just as important as reading, math, or science. The belief is simple but powerful: students learn best when they feel well, safe, and supported. From the way classrooms are designed to the structure of the school day, everything in the Finnish education system reflects a deep respect for the emotional and physical needs of children.
So, what does wellbeing look like in practice?
Finnish educators understand that children can’t focus when they’re stressed, tired, anxious, or hungry. That’s why wellbeing isn’t seen as a distraction from learning—it’s a prerequisite for learning.
How can your school embrace this approach?
You don’t need a complete redesign to prioritize wellbeing. Start with small changes that can have a big impact:
In many places, wellbeing is treated as an “extra”, something squeezed in between test preparation or rushed lessons. But Finland shows that when wellbeing is woven into the very fabric of school life, students don’t just feel better, they learn better.
Here’s the best part: you don’t have to live in Finland to apply Finnish ideas. Schools across the globe have taken inspiration from Finland’s approach and adapted it to their own cultural and educational environments, with encouraging results.
In Colorado, a forward-thinking charter school decided to shift away from rigid, test-heavy instruction and move toward a more Finnish-inspired model of project-based learning. Teachers began designing units around real-world problems that students could explore in groups. Testing was reduced, and instead, students were encouraged to reflect on their progress through presentations and journals. The result? Attendance improved, student engagement increased, and both teachers and parents reported a more positive school atmosphere. What started as a small shift grew into a school-wide transformation.
In a rural school in Kenya, access to resources was limited, but inspiration from Finland was powerful. School leaders introduced peer-teacher mentorship—pairing more experienced educators with newer ones to exchange strategies, co-plan lessons, and offer mutual support. Instead of relying on top-down supervision, the school built a culture of collaboration. Teachers felt more confident and motivated, and student engagement in the classroom noticeably improved. By investing in teachers' growth, the school saw growth in students too.
In a city school in Japan, the administration looked to Finland for ideas on increasing teacher morale and student wellbeing. They began by giving teachers more classroom freedom—allowing them to adjust lesson plans, try creative teaching methods, and shape classroom routines to suit student needs. Over time, something unexpected happened: parents started noticing happier children. Teachers reported lower stress levels, and students expressed greater enjoyment in their schoolwork. The school didn’t abandon its cultural traditions—it simply adapted a few Finnish principles to create a healthier balance.
These stories remind us that it’s not about copying Finland—it’s about adapting what works. Each school started small, tested ideas, and built new practices that honored their own contexts. Finnish education isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it does offer a valuable framework: trust your teachers, support every student, and lead with compassion and equity.
Reading about Finland’s education system is inspiring—but experiencing it in person can be truly transformational. That’s why TechClass organizes guided school visits across Finland, giving educators, school leaders, and policymakers the opportunity to explore real classrooms, observe teaching in action, and engage directly with Finnish teachers and principals.
Whether you’re looking to spark change in your own school or simply understand how a different system works from the inside, a school visit offers firsthand insight into what makes Finnish education so effective, inclusive, and inspiring.
You don’t need to copy Finland to benefit from its wisdom. The Finnish model isn’t a blueprint—it’s a source of inspiration. And its core ideas are not tied to one culture, one curriculum, or one government. They are universal values that can be adapted anywhere.
When schools choose to focus on trust, equity, and student-centered growth, change happens—sometimes quietly, but always powerfully. It doesn’t require massive reforms or national mandates. In fact, many of Finland’s most effective practices started with small, thoughtful decisions made at the school level.
So where do you begin?
Start with one idea that aligns with your school’s vision. Try one small shift—a new way to give feedback, a new structure for breaks, or a new format for teacher collaboration. Begin one conversation—about how to make learning more meaningful and inclusive for every student. Big changes are built on small actions, taken consistently.
Finland’s story reminds us that great education isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being purposeful. Wherever you are in the world, there’s always room to move closer to a system where students feel safe, teachers feel trusted, and learning is filled with joy.
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