“Ever heard of an H-school?” That’s what they called a particular style of school building erected in Amsterdam-West after World War II. Today we are standing in front of one such H-school. Specifically the Burg. Fockschool.
The Burg. Fockschool, now known as the Slotermeerschool, stands as a testament to Amsterdam’s post-war reconstruction. It is located on Burg. Fockstraat. The street is named after Cornelis Fock. He was Amsterdam’s mayor from 1866 to 1868.
These H-shaped schools arose from 1954 to 1960. They were commissioned by the municipality of Amsterdam. The Public Works Department designed them. Architect J. Leupen developed the concept. C. van der Wilk elaborated on it.
Why H-school? Because its layout resembles the letter H. Two main brick sections form the structure. They are topped with sloping roofs. This design aimed to provide modern, light-filled spaces for students.
Inside the Burg. Fockschool, the layout was quite practical. One section housed twelve classrooms over two floors. The other contained a gymnasium. There was also an auditorium with a stage. Special rooms catered to arts like handicraft, music, and drawing. The headmaster’s office and staff rooms were also in this section.
Glass corridors connected the two main parts. These corridors led to a staircase. The Burg. Fockschool featured front and rear playgrounds enclosed by fences.
Classrooms were arranged by grade level. The younger children occupied the front rooms. Older students were in the back. Some schools even used the arts spaces as regular classrooms.
Notably, to reach a classroom on the upper floor, students sometimes had to walk through another classroom. Unless they used the fire escape which was formally forbidden.
Richard Bakker, a former student, recalls the Burg. Fockschool had motivated teachers and was well-led. He says he received a solid education.
The Burg. Fockschool wasn’t just about academics. There was also a large aquarium in the long hallway. Tropical fish swam inside. However, vibrations from traffic on the Burgemeester Fockstraat cracked the glass once. Fish ended up floating in the hallway. The aquarium was repaired but never fully regained its former glory.
In 1960-1961 some Burg. Fockschool students even attended classes in a nearby emergency school building. It was at Burgemeester Vening Meineszlaan.
In 1955 the Dans van de vrede en welvaart a mural was added to the school.
The Burg. Fockschool is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a reminder of Amsterdam’s commitment to education. It also stands as a symbol of community pride. It became a listed municipal monument in 2011.
The Burg. Fockschool, now the Slotermeerschool, stands as a protected landmark. It is a reminder of the city’s post-war recovery.