“Ever wonder what secrets these red brick walls hold?” That’s Hammarbyskolan Södra. This school stands as a testament to Stockholm’s educational history. It is located in Hammarbyhöjden.
Hammarbyskolan Södra originally known as Nytorpsskolan, is a municipal primary school. Today about 850 students attend here. They range from pre-school class to year 9. The school buildings are of great cultural and historical value.
Imagine the school in its early days. The buildings went up between 1950 and 1954. The gymnasium was built in 1957 and expanded until 1974. David Dahl designed all these buildings. SISAB owns and manages the property today. The Stockholm City Museum has given it a green marking.
Back in January 2014, Nytorpsskolan merged with Hammarbyskolan. It was Reggio Emilia-oriented. The new school was then named Hammarbyskolan Norra. By 2018 the school became its own entity again.
For 20 years this school housed Roma Kulturklass. It was a class for Roma children. They received education following the curriculum. The curriculum had a Romani focus. Instruction was bilingual. It was taught in both Swedish and Romanes. The class had its own dedicated space. Around 30 students of all ages attended. They ranged from preschool age up to 16 years old.
In 2016 the Roma Kulturklass received criticism. The Swedish Schools Inspectorate noted shortcomings in teaching. They also found issues with safety, study environment and grading. Faced with a fine of 1.8 million if problems persisted it was decided to shut down Roma Kulturklass in November 2016. The Swedish Schools Inspectorate’s report showed high absence rates among students. Teachers also lacked knowledge of grading.
The main building is red brick. Several wings surround an asphalted schoolyard. The yard opens to the south. A portico leads into the schoolyard. The Stockholm City Museum highlights the building’s qualities. These qualities include window placement, portico and massive doors. Patterned brickwork and crafted chimneys add to the school’s charm.
The Stockholm City Museum has classified the school as green. This means it is considered particularly valuable. Its value stems from historical, cultural-historical, environmental and artistic standpoints. Nytorpsskolan has cultural historical and architectural historical significance. It also has societal value. The entire facility is an example of well-designed architecture. It is typical for its time. It remains largely preserved. The school has played a vital role in the district’s social development.
Between 2014 and 2016 the school underwent a major renovation. It included a brand-new kitchen and dining hall. In 2017 a two-story pavilion increased capacity. The schoolyard also received a facelift in 2019.
Today Hammarbyskolan Södra stands proud. It has high teacher qualifications and strong results. It is close to both Blåsut and Hammarbyhöjden subway stations.
As you leave Hammarbyskolan Södra reflect on its rich history. It is a place of learning growth and community. It is an important part of Stockholm’s story.