Kastelli Upper Secondary School home pages

Oulu Vocational College,  Oulu Polytechnic,  University of Oulu

The athlete studying in the sports upper secondary schools can take lessons at times that diverge from those of a normal student in the upper secondary schools. The total number of courses attended must be at least 75. In keeping with the sports upper secondary schools arrangement, preparation of the athlete for her/his own type of sport comprises 12–20 courses, for which the upper secondary school student is credited in considering the total number of courses.

The way the courses are arranged at the sports upper secondary school makes it possible for the studies to be flexible, and at the same time this provides a challenge to seek out one’s own academic strengths where matriculation and further studies are concerned. It is important for the upper secondary school student to prepare a personal studies and training plan (HOVS) through which targeted education and training will succeed. This HOVS plan is best made in cooperation with trainers and the Director of Studies.

Students’ experiences

“Getting into the sports upper secondary school made it much easier to combine sport and studies. It is now possible to concentrate properly, because it isn’t necessary to learn more than a few subjects at a time. Even school days can be planned so that they satisfy the needs of sport. Sport consumes most time during the competitive season, when there are trips to competitions. Camps also consume time, although there are less of these. On such occasions studies must be slackened, but immediately on return it is necessary to catch up on certain ones. So, training must generally be relaxed then, in order to concentrate on studies. When the pace slackens in sport, I can focus more on school. That is to say, harmony exists between study and sport.”

“It is now the last year at upper secondary school and the exams are approaching. My parents haven’t put on any unnecessary pressure, although they do consider schooling important. I shall be getting credits for 20 courses for morning training at the sports upper secondary school and the total number of upper secondary school credits will, it seems, be 80 courses. In choosing my subjects and courses, I have tried to ensure that the sports season will interfere as little as possible with participation in my studies. I have been given help by the Director of Studies and the teachers in matters related to my studies programme. When one is able to divide one’s daily schedule properly there is time to do the exercises and meet one’s pals. Nevertheless, situations will crop up when one must consider which the priorities are between playing, school and other matters.”