Primary school
Children start primary school the year they turn 6 and are then required to attend school for 10 years.
Useful information
Disruption to school activities
The Capital Region Fire and Rescue Service issues weather warnings when necessary, in consultation with the police and the education authorities.
It is important that parents and guardians closely monitor weather news, forecasts and other guidance from the authorities that could affect their children's schooling, and respond accordingly to the circumstances at any given time.
School run
If your child is placed in a special school, a special unit outside the town, or a special unit outside the school district (more than 1.2 km from home), they are entitled to a school transport service or a bus pass provided by the local authority. Special rules apply to the school transport for disabled children.
Tablets in school
Students in Years 5–10 are loaned a personal iPad for use. The loan is subject to parental consent and use is at the students' own risk, although every effort is made to ensure the safe handling of the devices. The iPad agreement is available at Our pages under My issues > Actions.
Each school has its own rules regarding the use of the devices, for example when pupils may take them home. All iPads that pupils have been lent must be returned to the school during the summer.
Winter holiday
For two days in October and two days in February, there are winter holidays in all the town's primary schools. Then there are The leisure centres Closed. Further information about winter holiday dates can be found on the school calendar on the primary schools' websites.
Computers and technology in primary school
- School responsibility. The schools emphasise the safe use of computers by pupils to ensure personal protection, maintain confidentiality of information from unauthorised individuals, and prevent access to pupils by unscrupulous individuals. The schools' computer systems have filters in place designed to block violent and sexual content and to reduce the risk of pupils being exposed to inappropriate material.
- Computer rules and communication etiquette. The schools have specific rules regarding pupils' use of the school's equipment and devices. The rules are intended to protect pupils, prevent safety incidents, and teach the proper use of equipment and devices. Each school introduces the rules to its pupils and parents, and they are available on the schools' websites.
- Assessment of educational software. The council is carrying out a risk assessment of educational apps, particularly those used on the schools' tablets. This is to ensure that apps are not collecting personal data about pupils and passing it on to unauthorised parties. If apps are not considered secure or have not been risk-assessed, they are not installed on the school's computers.
- Security breach. Security breaches are the misuse of the council's computer systems. They can take various forms, for example, a school leaking personal information, dishonest individuals stealing school data, or students misusing devices to which the council has given them access. When a security breach is discovered, a response is taken according to the nature of the breach on each occasion. Each school handles these matters in cooperation with the Development and IT Department of the City of Hafnarfjörður as appropriate.
- Parental responsibility. Parents and guardians are responsible for their children's behaviour, including their use of computers and technology in school. It is important that parents model appropriate computer use for their children and address any misuse.
- Student responsibility. At the school, the emphasis is on teaching pupils the best and most appropriate use of computer technology, but pupils still need to take responsibility for their own computer use, in collaboration with their parents.