Message to the school community – 09-07-2021

Early this evening the members of the School Advisory Council have been informed by the Ministry of Education and Science (OCW) about the preliminary decision to relocate the school to Alkmaar. Please see the message below.

Kind regards,
Steve Lewis, Director

Dear member of the SAC,

With this letter I would like to inform you about the Minister’s preliminary decision regarding the relocation of the European School Bergen.

More than three years ago, conversations started about the relocation of the European school in Bergen after it became evident that renovation of the current building is not feasible.

A search started for a more strategic location, which is better accessible and has a chance to increase the viability of the school. The municipalities of Alkmaar, Castricum and Zaanstad were invited, after which Zaanstad and Alkmaar actually submitted a bid.

In the past 6 months a thorough process has been completed in which the bids have been assessed on the following criteria: a student prognosis, a financial assessment, a qualitative assessment, an exploration of a possible social plan for school staff and the consultation of stakeholders. This has led to the following conclusion:  

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and Media has decided to bring forward the municipality of Alkmaar in the Board of Governors as the new location for the European school. The financial assessment and the consultations with the stakeholders were decisive in the decision making process.

Please keep in mind that the decision by our Minister is a preliminary decision. The decision will only become final until it’s voted upon by the Board of Governors.

We are confident that the relocation to Alkmaar will have a positive impact on the viability of the school in the long run, as well as meet current families’ needs that have built their lives around the school. I trust that I have provided you with sufficient information.

Yours faithfully,

Hilde Laauw, OCW