“What if schools felt more like a vibrant community than just a place for lessons?” That’s the question Sigrid and Frede Bording seemed to ask when they founded Bordings Friskole.
Bordings Friskole is more than just a school. It is a piece of Copenhagen’s educational history. Founded in 1945 by Sigrid and Frede Bording, Bordings Friskole emerged from a desire for a Grundtvig-Koldsk school in Copenhagen.
Initially located on Dalgas Boulevard, Bordings Friskole quickly outgrew its original space. In 1964, the school moved to Kochsvej. A decade later, Bordings Friskole found its permanent home on Øster Søgade. The building has a rich history. It once housed Comtesse Moltkes Pigeskole and Fru Bays Drengeskole. Later, it became Østersøgades Latin- og Realskole and Øster Søgades Gymnasium.
Today, Bordings Friskole welcomes around 450 students from kindergarten to 9th grade. The school was once led by Frede and Sigrid Bording. In 1978, Marianne and Laurits Kjær Nielsen took over. Kirsten and Jørgen Cort Jensen then led the school from 1987. Mogens Krabek became the headmaster in 2001. Since 2018, Torsten Bo Kristensen has been at the helm.
Bordings Friskole emphasizes a holistic education. It values academic learning, personal growth, and social skills. The school combines traditional methods with innovative approaches. This ensures students become academically strong and socially aware individuals. Community involvement is a key aspect. Bordings Friskole encourages students to participate and contribute to group activities.
The school’s values are rooted in the Grundtvig-Koldsk tradition. This emphasizes the importance of parental involvement and a broad education. The goal is to foster well-rounded individuals ready for life. Bordings Friskole aims to be a “Højskole for børn”. This means focusing on life enlightenment. The school wants to prepare students for the present and future. Education is not the only goal, but personal development is.
Bordings Friskole emphasizes storytelling. In grades 1-3, storytelling is a separate subject. Students encounter Nordic and Greek myths, and Bible stories. These stories introduce them to emotions like love, sorrow, and jealousy. In 9th grade, “Kulturtimen” presents big questions through stories. There is no fixed curriculum or focus on tests.
The spoken word is key at Bordings Friskole. Conversations and dialogues are practiced. Storytelling is a fundamental part of the school’s teaching. This is evident in storytelling classes. It is also apparent in the equal treatment of children. The school speaks to children’s minds, imagination, and feelings. Bordings Friskole values the development of the whole person. “Hånd og Ånd” meaning “Hand and Spirit” go hand in hand.
Bordings Friskole also values imagination and feelings. These help to keep reason in place. This is shown in storytelling, songs, creative subjects, and nature tales. Younger students spend days learning about nature through stories.
Motivation should come from within. Children should be inspired and given courage. They should not be measured constantly. This is evident in fewer grades, fewer tests, and school trips. Bordings Friskole gives students knowledge of history. This happens through stories, myths, and songs. These open a poetic community with other times and people.
Bordings Friskole also emphasizes community. People become themselves in meeting others. All members of the school share responsibility. This includes parents, students, and teachers. Together, they create a safe and thriving community.
So as you stand here, remember that Bordings Friskole is more than just a building. It is a living testament to the power of community, tradition, and forward-thinking education. It is a place where children are encouraged to dream, to question, and to grow into well-rounded individuals.