Did you know this building once housed a public bath? Today, we stand before the Anna-Siemsen-Schule. It is Berufsbildende Schule 7 der Region Hannover. This vocational school has a rich history and a strong connection to the community.
The Anna-Siemsen-Schule was built around 1930. Karl Elkart designed the Städtische Mädchenberufsschule. That translates to Municipal Girls’ Vocational School. The school’s architecture stands in contrast to the surrounding Gründerzeit buildings. It features a four-story plastered building with a raised attic. Travertine bands accentuate the entrance. These bands run horizontally. They also wrap around the corners. The façade has horizontal stretching. This is achieved through window bands and continuous cornices. All of this sits beneath a gently sloping hipped roof.
Back then many nearby apartments lacked proper washrooms or bathrooms. The school included public baths for the Nordstadt residents. There were separate bathing areas for men and women. Women used the baths on the ground floor. Men used the baths on the first floor. The city ran this Nordstädter Badehaus until the 1960s.
Today, the Anna-Siemsen-Schule focuses on vocational education. It is known for its strong practical approach. The school is involved in various projects. These include the World Children’s Day, garden festivals and circus projects. There are also dance projects and forest projects. The Anna-Siemsen-Schule is a “School Without Racism”.
The Anna-Siemsen-Schule lives a welcoming culture. Students from over 50 nations attend the school. Their philosophy is: “What you are makes you valuable. What you can do makes you strong.” They invite young refugees to the “TalentWerkstatt”. This project helps them discover their skills. They try out different activities simulating various professions. Each student receives an assessment. This assessment highlights their strengths and skills.
The Anna-Siemsen-Schule offers language support classes. These classes help young refugees learn German. They also provide initial steps toward vocational qualifications. The school participates in the “SPRINT” project. This project provides low-threshold language and education. It has a strong focus on everyday practice.
The school offers support services beyond the classroom. The Anna-Siemsen-Schule partners with Mentor e.V.. They provide additional language support. The Jugendintegrationsdienst supports these students. So does the Bildungsvereinigung Arbeit und Leben Niedersachsen e.V.. The Volkshochschule also offers integration courses.
The “Frederick” shop offers students a place to relax. It is located near the Anna-Siemsen-Schule. Here students can chat and play. They can also receive advice and assistance. The Bund der Deutschen katholischen Jugend runs the shop. The staff aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for young girls. They want them to feel valued, important, and unique.
Refugees often live in cramped housing. They might live in emergency shelters. A quiet place to study is often not available. The Anna-Siemsen-Schule partners with the local city library. Here, young people can do homework. They can also prepare for exams in peace.
The school collaborates with the Junge Oper and Schauspiel Hannover. This is part of the TalentCAMPus of the Deutscher Volkshochschulverband. Regular theater workshops take place during the holidays. These are for language learning students.
The Anna-Siemsen-Schule stands as a beacon of education. It also stands as a community support. From its early days with public baths to its current focus on inclusivity, it has always adapted to the needs of its students. The Anna-Siemsen-Schule continues to empower individuals. It equips them with the skills to succeed in a changing world.