“Sixty øre an hour? Seriously?” Imagine the uproar today. That was the teachers’ wage at Rådmandsgade Skole back in 1889.
Rådmandsgade Skole stands before us a cornerstone of Nørrebro. It has witnessed generations of Copenhageners pass through its halls. The school opened its doors on August 24 1889. Initially it served as a friskole. Students transferred from Prinsesse Charlotte Gades Skole. That school simultaneously became a fee-paying school.
Ludvig Fenger a prominent city architect designed Rådmandsgade Skole. The construction cost 175043 kr and 30 øre. Imagine that level of detail. Back then every classroom had practical features. Each entryway included coat racks and lunchbox shelves. School days were structured differently. Students attended either from 8 AM to noon or 1 PM to 5 PM. Many students about 113 also worked outside their homes. The school started with a staff of 55 teachers.
Life at Rådmandsgade Skole wasn’t always easy. One former student Espen Espensen born in 1898 shared his memories. He recalled that teachers freely used the “spanskrør”. This was a rod used for discipline. Espen recounted a geography teacher’s brutal methods. Students who failed their lessons were forced to bend over a stool. Then they received three blows to the rear with the rod. Espen described how the teacher would rise onto his toes. He lifted the rod high for maximum impact. He said it was brutal to punish children of 9 or 10 in that way. This harsh practice thankfully ended on August 1 1967.
The school faced disruption during World War II. On April 1 1945 German occupation forces seized Rådmandsgade Skole. They used it to house German refugees. Classes were temporarily relocated. Students were taught in temporary premises until December 1945. Then they moved to Stevnsgades Skole. Rådmandsgade Skole reopened on April 2 1946.
Rådmandsgade Skole has evolved over the years. It has adapted to meet the changing needs of its students. In 2001 the school added a department in Heimdalsgade. This annex occupied a converted bread factory. It provided modern facilities for older students.
The school celebrated its 125th anniversary with a memorable event. Students created projects showcasing different periods of the school’s history. One class recreated 1970s fashion. Another staged a protest against the Vietnam War. A fourth-grade class performed a dance inspired by “Grease”.
Today Rådmandsgade Skole continues to serve as a vital institution in Nørrebro. It prepares young minds for the future. The school’s motto might well be resilience and community. It shows how Rådmandsgade Skole has become a true landmark.