Primary schools
Children start primary school the year they turn 6 and are then required to attend school for 10 years.
Children's well-being
Children's well-beingChildren can receive various types of support in primary schools. Further information about the service is available from each individual school.
Integrated service
The Act on the Integration of Services for the Well-being of Children came into force on 1 January 2022. The main aim of the Act is to create a framework that ensures children and parents in need have access to appropriate, integrated services without barriers.
All children under the age of 18 and their families shall have access to a service coordinator for the child's well-being, as required. The role of the coordinator is:
- to have the child's best interests at heart
- to carry out their role in cooperation and consultation with the parent and child
- to provide information about services in the interests of a child's well-being
- to assist in ensuring access to an assessment of the child's needs
- to plan and monitor the integration of first-stage services for the well-being of the child
- to inform the local authority of the need for the appointment of a case manager
- to participate in the work of the support team as appropriate
When a child is attending nursery, primary, or secondary school, the point of contact for services supporting the child's well-being is a member of staff at the school or nursery the child attends.
Special tuition
Children with special needs in primary schools receive special services to support their learning, whether temporarily or for the duration of their schooling. All children are entitled to support; no diagnosis is required.
Support can be provided either within a mainstream class alongside general teaching, in special classrooms with other pupils receiving special education, in special units within the primary schools in Hafnarfjörður, or in special schools outside the town.
Teaching bilingual students – interpreting service
Pupils whose mother tongue is not Icelandic, or who have lived abroad for a long time, are entitled to special Icelandic tuition. This tuition is provided in all the town's primary schools. It is the responsibility of each individual primary school to accommodate children who require this support and to provide the service.
Parents who do not speak Icelandic are entitled to free interpretation services at parents' evenings and other school events.
Speech and language therapy
Children who struggle with speech or language difficulties are entitled to a diagnosis from a speech and language therapist, along with specialist tuition and support for their learning in primary school. A speech and language therapist also provides advice to primary school staff. Parents can request an assessment and advice from a speech and language therapist; in all cases, written consent from the parents must be obtained before an assessment takes place.
Study and career guidance
Each school has a guidance counsellor who provides academic and careers advice to students. The guidance counsellor's duties include supporting individual students, providing academic and careers education, and working on prevention alongside the prevention officer.
Psychological services
A psychologist works in all the town's primary schools. The school psychologist provides assessment, education, support and advice, but not therapy. Referrals to the psychologist are made through the school's pupil welfare committee or bridge team. Parental consent must always be obtained. Requests may be for a variety of reasons, but the emphasis is on early assessment and diagnosis of a student's academic, behavioural, and emotional difficulties.
Through bridge team At the schools, it is possible to attend various courses that support students and parents.
Examples of courses on offer:
- Parents in leadership, A course for parents of children with anxiety disorder.
- Peers A social skills course for children and adolescents with social difficulties, autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression.
- PMTO (Parent Management Training–Oregon approach) Treatment for children with behavioural problems. Individual therapy, group therapy and parenting courses are available.
Student Welfare Council
If a student does not receive adequate support due to a disability, illness, or academic, social or emotional difficulties, a parent can speak to the form tutor, who will refer the matter to the Student Support Team.
The primary school's pupil welfare council includes:
- headteacher or a representative appointed by them
- Tutor for students with special needs
- Representative of school health services
- Representative of the local authority's specialist services
- Careers and employment adviser
Solutions are sought for the child's circumstances and difficulties, for example with the help of a bridge team. The team assesses the child's situation and seeks joint solutions to support the child and their family.