The Hugo de Groot School, Jenaplan School De Troubadour, and Dalton School Confetti are getting additional classrooms. Subsequently, major renovations will take place at Jenaplan School De Sterrenkring and Montessori School De Binnenstad. Today, these construction projects officially started with the signing of the construction agreements between the municipality and the Flores school board. This took place at De Sterrenkring in the Spijkerkwartier, one of the schools being renovated.
First, 2018semi-permanent2019 school buildings will be placed for the Hugo de Groot School and De Troubadour Elden. These are expected to be ready before the summer holidays of 2026. These are high-quality temporary school buildings that meet all sustainability and good ventilation requirements. They will last at least 10 years and can be reassembled at another school if no longer needed. After the summer, a permanent expansion of Confetti in Schuytgraaf will start. Then, in 2027, the two schools in the center of Arnhem will be next.
Construction Manager
A construction agreement specifies who has which role in the construction or renovation of a school building. These agreements state who is responsible for design, planning, tendering, and execution. It also specifies who manages the budget and how risks are distributed. In these projects, the school board acts as the construction manager and thus as the client. The municipality aims to organize the construction process transparently and efficiently this way.
Investing 500 Million Euros
All projects are part of the Integral Housing Plan Arnhem, which the municipality made together with the school boards. It outlines the needs for new construction, replacement, and renovation of buildings for primary, secondary, and special education in the coming years. Education is perhaps the most important pillar for childrens development, says Alderman for Education Nermina Kundić. Good school buildings must contribute to that. Our children deserve it. In total, about 500 million euros will be invested in about 50 school buildings over the next 16 years.
Later this year, the expansion of MFC De Salamander will start. The climate control system will also be improved. The new building of GSG Guido will be delivered soon. Renovation of the Dr. P.C.M. Bosschool will also begin. Recently, extra classrooms were put into use at Olympus College and De Brouwerij. They will soon receive a temporary gym and the star building will be thoroughly renovated. By mid-2027, the temporary locations at Agnietenstraat and Brugstraat will be ready. These vacant school buildings will be refurbished so that schools undergoing renovation can temporarily use these locations.
Collaboration
Sylvia Veltmaat of the board of directors of Flores Education: We are very happy with the Integral Housing Plan that we made together with the municipality and the school boards. By signing these agreements, the first construction projects can now really start. With this, we are working on renewing our school buildings, which our schools have been looking forward to for a long time. That we stand together here shows that we share responsibility for good and future-proof educational housing. We approach this in an open and pleasant collaboration with the municipality.
The School is the Foundation
A school is much more than a place where children receive lessons, says Kundić. It is an important foundation for a healthy future for children. It is also a focal point in the neighborhood where facilities come together that support children and families. Think of childcare, the consultation office, the library, or sports and culture. And the playground can be a safe and accessible place where children can play after school.
Kundić: We do this together with the school boards. We look at what children need, not just square meters. This way, we can create buildings that contribute to equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background or neighborhood. And we ensure a stimulating, inspiring, inclusive, and safe school environment.
Arnhem National Education City 2026
Arnhem is National Education City 2026, with the theme Growing together, the world is your classroom. This includes good and future-proof school buildings. However, learning does not stop at the school gate. Children and young people develop in the classroom and in the city, among nature, culture, sports, businesses, and neighborhoods. Arnhem shows how we work together on equal opportunities, among others with the Rich School Day. This way, children discover their talents, learn to collaborate, and get space to develop broadly, at school and beyond.