Education at Opmaat

Our modern society requires independent individuals who can make decisions, work together, and communicate effectively. At Opmaat, our education helps children grow into confident, self-reliant young teens. Step by step, we guide and challenge them in this journey. Every child is different and has personal learning goals. The trusted educational methods we use support this individual growth.
We also dedicate ample time to creative, cultural, and physical activities to ensure a well-rounded development.

Structure, Calm, and Challenge

At Opmaat, we offer a predictable daily rhythm, supported by familiar teaching methods and reliable tools. Lessons across all classes follow a consistent structure based on clear agreements. This predictability provides calm and focus, allowing children to learn with concentration.
Some of the tools and strategies we use include:

• A traffic light system, time timer and voice level thermometer

• A help signal (independent work block) for when a student has a question

• A clear daily program with visual day cards

• Structured instruction models

• Cooperative learning methods (learning together)

• Movement-based learning to activate the brain

• Use of weekly task boards

• Three levels of instructios, tailored to students' individuals needs. 

Thanks to these shared agreements, we provide a calm, organized, and structured environment. Every classroom runs according to our joint approach.

Ownership and Responsibility

We believe in empowering our pupils with ownership over their learning, helping them become independent and self-assured. When students take ownership, they feel responsible for their own progress.
We guide children through this process in three phases:

1. Planning – The student sets a learning goal.

2. Action – The student actively works toward the goal.

3. Reflection – The student discusses their progress and results with the teacher and reflects on learning points.

Teacher feedback is a key part of this process.
At Opmaat, students know what their goals are, what they excel in, and where they are still growing. By making progress visible, children feel extra proud when they achieve their goals.

Learning is an Experience

Whether it’s a math lesson in the sunshine on the playground or a game of tag while practicing compound words – learning at Opmaat is lively and engaging. We use fun and active methods that make children enjoy their lessons, such as:

• Learning circuits: Short, goal-oriented games and activities

• Movement-based learning: Children move and reinforce knowledge at the same time

• Collaborative learning: Children learn with and from each other in structured group formats

• Play-based learning: Our learning-through-play areas extend the classroom and offer more space for creativity and exploration

Our students love coming to school because learning at Opmaat is an experience – full of energy, variety, and joy.

A few times a year a well-known professional athlete visits our school. He or she is then interviewed by the students. Important topics such as dealing with winning and losing, perseverance and cooperation are then discussed. Finally, children at Opmaat are given the opportunity to do extra exercise during the day. Employees of the Ricardo van Rhijn Foundation offer various sports activities. We do this with the schoolyard 14 system, developed by Johan Cruyff.

Vahid, Yasmina, Khadija, Brahim 
Employees of the Ricardo van Rhijn Foundation