Presentation of the school
“Diesterwegschule” in Bielefeld is a bilingual primary school located in the center of Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia. It became the first primary school in Ostwestfalen-Lippe to offer bilingual education. Since the 2011/2012 school year, pupils at Diesterwegschule have been taught in both German and English, making our school a unique and important institution in the region. Our philosophy is that English is taught in an immersive environment (one teacher, one language). Other subjects such as music, physical education and general studies are taught in a bilingual environment in both languages. In general, our school operates two classes for each school year, with around 240 pupils in total.
A distinctive feature of Diesterwegschule is its comprehensive after-school care program, known as OGS (Offene Ganztagsschule). Approximately 220 pupils participate in this program, which offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. These activities include sports, arts and projects aimed at personal development. The OGS plays a key role in providing pupils with an additional, supportive learning environment beyond regular school hours.
Diesterwegschule enjoys a prime location, close to various historical and natural landmarks. Bielefeld compliments our pupils’ learning experience allowing them to engage with local culture and nature, creating a well-rounded educational environment.
Our bilingual education concept is a central part of the school curriculum. Subjects are taught partly in English, enabling pupils to build language skills while learning the subject matter in both languages. This approach not only develops linguistic abilities but also helps pupils acquire broader competencies, preparing them for future challenges.
In addition to our language focus, Diesterwegschule places great importance on individual support. The integration of pupils from different backgrounds is a core aspect of our school’s ethos thus, helping pupils develop social and intercultural understanding in an inclusive environment.
Since 2018 the Diesterwegschule has been taking part in the Erasmus+ program. Teachers of Diesterwegschule regularly go abroad to take part in selected courses in other European countries or visit other European schools to fulfill the aims of our school´s teacher training program. New knowledge, experiences and cultural insights are shared with our colleagues and incorporated into school life and lessons. Thus, the European ideal and democracy are deeply rooted at the Diesterwegschule.
More informations (in German):