Jobshadowing trip to Houten, Netherlands
16th till 20th of March 2026
Written by: Marta Soler i Gemma Artigas
Teachers at: Escola Pericot (Girona) Catalunya
Visited school: OBS De Plantage
From March 16th to 21st, 2026, we had the opportunity to take part in a stay at OBS de Plantage school (Houten, The Netherlands). This mobility, framed within the objectives of our
Learning Agreement, focused on observing educational practices related to sustainability and student inclusion.
A school based on trust and autonomy
One of the most striking aspects was the high level of student autonomy. Children move around the school with confidence and responsibility, carrying out everyday tasks such as
making their own photocopies or bringing their dishes to the kitchen after lunch. This trust is also reflected in the use of spaces: younger students can go into the corridor to
play, while older ones can work there independently. This freedom reflects a school culture based on responsibility, trust, and respect.
Sustainable environment and active mobility
We also observed strong promotion of sustainable mobility. All students come to school on foot or by bicycle, supported by a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment with no car traffic.
During breaks, students can go to the park in front of the school, encouraging outdoor play and contact with nature.
Attention to different learning paces
The school takes into account the diversity of learning paces. Students who perform above average have weekly sessions in a separate classroom with a teacher, where they can
deepen their learning through individual and group activities, maintaining their motivation.
Shared learning
During the week, we also met other visiting teachers and groups of students involved in international mobility. We observed lessons, spoke with teachers and shared reflections on teaching strategies.
An enriching experience
In conclusion, this week has been a very enriching experience that allowed us to closely observe an educational model based on trust, autonomy, sustainability, and inclusion. We return with new ideas and reflections that will undoubtedly help us continue improving our teaching practice.