This year you're going to choose a new school. Great! Naturally, you're looking for a school with a good atmosphere, where you can be yourself and where there's plenty to do besides lessons.
Curious if the HWC is right for you? Below you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions. This way, you can take your time looking around and discover what's important to you. If your question isn't listed, feel free to send an email to school@hethwc.nl
You are at school at 8.25 am and class starts at 8.30 am. Lessons run until 4.05 pm.
A lesson at the HWC lasts 80 minutes. That's quite unique! It means you have more time to practise, ask questions and really get to grips with the material.
And yes, that sometimes requires a bit of concentration. But precisely because of that, you learn to plan, focus, and persevere better.
The HWC is a large school with approximately 1890 students. This means many different people, courses and opportunities. At the same time, we ensure that you are well looked after with mentors, small class sizes and personal guidance.
Are you unsure whether a larger school would be the right fit for you (or your child)? We'd be happy to tell you more about this during our open days and information evenings, where you can also experience the atmosphere for yourself.
No. You regularly use your laptop, but reading and writing books remains very important. We combine digital work with traditional learning tools. In addition, you will have subjects such as computer science and technology.
You can come to us for vmbo-t, havo, atheneum, and gymnasium. Additionally, you can also opt for bilingual education at vmbo-t, havo, atheneum, or gymnasium level.
In bilingual education, you follow some of your lessons in English. This will strengthen your English and you'll naturally learn to think and work in another language. Discover more about us bilingual education (TTO).
The HWC has a two-year bridging period. This means you are given two years to discover which course best suits you before making a final decision.
A lesson lasts 80 minutes with us. This means you have a maximum of five subjects per day (20 lessons per week) and usually homework for three to four subjects. This provides calm and clarity.
Yes. You receive a lot of personal attention from your mentor and can make use of extra mentoring sessions, support lessons, homework classes, and study guidance. We consider your needs and help you move forward.
Certainly. At the HWC, there is a lot of focus on drama, music, and creative subjects. We also pay extra attention to exact sciences such as mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics. There is a lot to choose from.
Yes! At the HWC, you have a say in your own development. Twice a year, you lead the conversation with your parents and mentor about how you are doing at school.
Next academic year you'll be starting at a state-of-the-art new school that is not only innovative but also friendly and easy to navigate.
We believe that every pupil is different. That's why we are a versatile school: everyone is equal, but no one is the same. We invite you to discover for yourself whether the HWC suits you. Talk to pupils, watch the videos, or come to a taster afternoon.
Whoever you are: you are welcome at the Hermann Wesselink College.
At the HWC, we offer bilingual education at VMBO-T, HAVO, and VWO levels. Bilingual education is built on three pillars:
At least 50% of lessons at HAVO and VWO level and at least 30% of lessons at VMBO-T level are taught in English. The lessons incorporate international elements, and there is an extracurricular programme with a (compulsory) international focus. Pupils are also prepared for the Dutch final examinations.
Bilingual education produces pupils who feel at home in the world. They move easily in an intercultural and/or international context, both close to home and further afield. They speak and write excellent English and can communicate in it almost as well as in their mother tongue. This makes further education abroad easier. However, increasingly more lectures are given in English or English study materials are used at Dutch further education institutions.
Pupils can follow a bilingual curriculum right up to their final year of school. In the first three years of HAVO and VWO, around 60% of the subjects are taught in English. In VMBO-T, this figure is 30%. In the upper years, a limited number of subjects are taught in English across all bilingual streams to prepare pupils for the Dutch-language final examinations. In addition, pupils in the upper years of the vwo are prepared for the IB English Language and Literature. In the upper years of the havo, pupils are prepared for the IB Language B.
In Year 1, these are: geography, history, biology, mathematics, art & crafts/art & design, PE, music and drama. And of course English. In Year 2, these are added: science and International Awareness, and in Year 3, economics, physics and chemistry.
In Year 1 these are: geography, history, biology, mathematics, religious education, PE, music and drama. And of course English. In Year 2 this is joined by IA (International Awareness) and in the third year economics.
In Tvmbo-t 1 and 2, these are: geography, history, biology, religious education, art & design, art & crafts, drama, and PE (physical education). And of course, English.
No. We work according to the “immersion” principle. They are thrown in at the deep end straight away. That's the best way to master English quickly. However, from now until the autumn half-term holiday, Dutch will be spoken as needed (supportively). To provide support, pupils in all year groups receive extra English lessons. Moreover, during English lessons, attention is also paid to the acquisition of difficult words from subjects such as biology, history, and geography.
Indeed, they are prepared for the Dutch final exams in the upper years. It requires some adjustment and acclimatisation, particularly in the STEM subjects in Year 12, but it has not led to problems in recent years. However, a number of non-exam subjects will remain in English.
Yes, certainly; in addition, VWO students also follow IB Language and Literature, and HAVO students follow IB Language B. That programme results in an internationally recognised IB certificate.
The first three years are primarily focused on language acquisition, and in the upper years, the IB programme emphasises writing (academic skills) and the study of Anglo-Saxon literature and culture.
Yes, indeed. Students with a specific educational background often opt for the gymnasium track with a science profile in the upper years.
No, certainly not. Bilingual education has been developed for children who have Dutch as their mother tongue. The starting level of English is less important (the levels at different primary schools also vary greatly), but you must be willing to speak a lot of English and put in extra effort, as it does demand a bit more from you.
When preparing for the Cambridge exam, extra attention is paid to the four skills: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. This therefore means an expansion of the basic skills offered in regular education. Bilingual education rests on three pillars (a high level of English language proficiency, global citizenship, and personal development). In addition to excellent speaking skills, you will also learn excellent essay writing and presentation skills in English. Research shows that bilingual pupils build a sustainable advantage, particularly in terms of vocabulary knowledge and writing skills, because subject knowledge and language knowledge are offered in an integrated way.
With a positive vmbo-t(/havo)-, havo(/vwo)- or vwo-recommendation, good motivation, a strong work ethic and perseverance. Pupils with a havo/vwo recommendation will be placed in the bilingual havo department. A ‘bilingual attitude’ (the readiness to adhere to the language of instruction for a lesson: English or Dutch) is also essential. In addition, Dutch proficiency needs to be solid. Experience shows that TTO is not a suitable choice for pupils who are still learning Dutch. Due to the many English-language lessons, they will not progress quickly enough in Dutch. This leads to problems in the upper years, as these years build towards the final exams, which are in Dutch. Therefore, lessons in the upper years are, with a few exceptions, taught in Dutch.
Following registration, an intake interview will be held for Tvmbo-t, Thavo and Tvwo. This assessment consists of an individual intake interview (partly in English), a written assignment in Dutch, and a short written test in English. Pupils will be invited to this via letter.
A bilingual secondary school class has a maximum of 30 children.
Then there will have to be a lottery. However, during the intake, it will be assessed whether a student is truly suitable and motivated to do TTO.
No, not an official diploma; yes, an official TTO certificate from Nuffic. At the end of the third year, pupils receive a TTO Junior certificate upon successfully completing the lower school; at the IB certificate awards ceremony, pupils in Year 13 receive a TTO Senior certificate. They can also obtain extra language certificates in Year 3, for English and French.
All teachers who teach in the bilingual departments are trained to the Cambridge Proficiency diploma. In addition, they follow further training courses. Training is regularly provided in the area of CLIL didactics. CLIL stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning. This means that every subject teacher can support students in acquiring the language that belongs to the specific subject area through activating didactics.
Yes, there are teachers for whom English is a native language, but most are teachers with special training to be able to teach in English.
No, that's not strictly necessary. British English is central to the training, but native speakers can also come from the United States, Australia, etc.
In principle, that is possible. However, it will have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis whether that is possible for the student concerned: is there space in the other bilingual class, and can the student cope with TTO at that level?
In addition to all the TVWO students having obtained an IB certificate over the past twelve years, they also took their final exams with very good results. In fact, the TVWO students achieved better results in all their final examination subjects than the regular VWO students.
The development of Dutch is closely monitored. Dutch is a core subject, but there are also other subjects taught in Dutch. Pupils are assessed on their bilingual attitude in both English and Dutch and are encouraged to not neglect their Dutch if necessary.
With modern foreign languages, the premise is: target language = language of instruction. This means that German is taught as much as possible in German, and French as much as possible in French.
There is an extensive outdoor lesson programme: there are English-speaking guest lecturers, there is a Shakespeare performance which is rehearsed together with an English theatre company, and there are English-speaking excursions. In Year 8, a four-day trip to England is planned, and for Year 9, an exchange with a school within Europe. These are all compulsory parts of the bilingual programme. European and international orientation is a fixed part of the bilingual programme. This means that it is included in the curriculum for the subjects History, Geography, and Economics. In Year 8 and Year 9, International Awareness is a separate subject on the timetable.
Certainly; the HWC has parent contact groups for each department, including the TTO departments. These groups meet three times a year with the relevant team leader to discuss current affairs and issues within the programme.
The costs for Thavo and Tvwo for the school year 2025-2026 have been set at €495 per year. For Tvmbo-t, the costs are €300 per year in years 1 and 2, and €150 per year in years 3 and 4. (In year 3, the costs for the exchange programme will be added to this.) This budget will cover, among other things, additional outdoor lesson activities (such as the trips in years 2 and 3), as well as the costs for the exams in the third year and in the final exam year (IB exams). A further portion will contribute to additional lessons and teacher training, and will be used to purchase extra teaching aids and materials.
NUFFIC stimulates and coordinates bilingual education in the Netherlands and, together with the TTO Network, has developed a set of requirements, a so-called standard, which all schools must (or will) meet. Since November 2009, the bilingual VWO programme from year 1 to year 6 has comfortably met the standards and the HWC has been recognised as a TTO Senior School. Since spring 2020, the Tvmbo-t has also been certified by Nuffic. The bilingual HAVO has been a Junior TTO school since 2021. The aim is to obtain the TTO Senior School status for that department as well during the next inspection.
Yes, they are united in a national network where they exchange experiences and utilise each other's expertise. Additionally, the HWC is also part of a regional network.
Visit the special Information evenings of the bilingual programmes. You will receive extra background information about bilingual education there. You can also make an appointment with the Team leader of Tvmbo-t, Thavo and Tvwo.
At the HWC you can take the following subjects:
The grammar school offers an extra challenge and gives you a deep understanding of language. Through Greek and Latin, you’ll learn how languages are structured, recognise the origins of words and improve your grasp of grammar. This will also help you with other languages such as German, French, Italian and English.
Additionally, you will learn to think more precisely, understand texts better, and develop broad cultural knowledge.
The grammar school suits you if you:
Yes, that’s perfectly fine. Classical languages are always taught in Dutch. Even without a bilingual education, you can of course attend a gymnasium – it’s challenging enough as it is. Gymnasium pupils have an excellent command of English on both educational pathways.
You'll learn to read the languages yourself, including the Greek alphabet, and discover stories from mythology. You'll make sentence structures clear using colour techniques. This can sometimes be like solving a puzzle, but it trains your accuracy and logical thinking; skills that you'll be able to use everywhere later on.
Would you like to try a lesson first? You can do so via LessonUp.
You choose the gymnasium for the entire lower school, meaning you will stay in this department up to and including the third year. We only allow a mid-term transfer in exceptional circumstances, if we see a compelling reason for it.
In the third year, you choose an upper school profile. By then, you'll have a good idea of which upper school choice suits you.
The gymnasium demands extra effort from the student. If it gets difficult, we first look together at what's causing that: Do you have the right learning strategies? Do you understand the material? Could you use help with planning or tutoring?
We dedicate a lot of attention to learning how to learn, especially in the mentor groups. In addition, there are coaches for students with high potential, who help with study skills and adjusting to secondary education.
