Neue Schule Hamburg (English: New School Hamburg) is a private Sudbury school in Rahlstedt, Hamburg, Germany, established in 2007.
| Neue Schule Hamburg | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
Schimmelreiterweg 11 Rahlstedt Hamburg 22149 Germany | |
| Coordinates | 53°35′30.9″N 10°10′51.7″E / 53.591917°N 10.181028°E |
| Information | |
| School type | Private with state contribution, Sudbury school |
| Established | 2007 |
| Founder | Philipp Palm Nena Silke Steinfadt Thomas Simmerl |
| Authority | Hamburg |
| Director | Philipp Palm |
| Pädagogischer Leiter | Björn Steffen[1] |
| Teaching staff | 10 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 6 to 18 |
| Enrollment | c. 80[2] (2010) |
| Classes | None |
| Website | www |
History
The school was founded by Philipp Palm, who was the school's principal, his partner the German popstar Nena Kerner, Silke Steinfadt and Thomas Simmerl in September 2007 in Rahlstedt[3] with 85 pupils and six teachers.[4] It was the first school in Germany to be organised on the Sudbury school concept.[4] Setting out her rationale for helping establish the school, Nena referred to her own "uninspiring" education, explaining that, "When I was a child, like all children, I had so many ideas and so much curiosity. I wanted to take on the world but the teachers were the ruling force. That doesn't encourage children; it represses them."[5]
During the first year, there were reports of theft and violence at the school.[3] However, after three years, it was recognised by the Hamburg school authority as a state-approved substitute school (German: staatlich genehmigte Ersatzschule), and the Hamburg school authority agreed to contribute to the running costs from 2011.[2] In 2010, the school had increased the number of teachers to ten.[6]