At Warme Scholen, the mission is simple yet profound: to create resilient children for a resilient Flanders. Through a blend of visionary leadership, innovative educational frameworks, and a deep commitment to fostering well-being, Warme Scholen is redefining what schooling can and should look like in the modern age.
Who?
Myriam Monstrey: Project Coordinator at Warme Scholen and former school director (right)
Sarah Peene: Project Coordinator at Warme Scholen with a background in Innovative Business Organisation and Change Management (left)
The main goal of Warme Scholen is to question and reimagine the structures of education.
Sarah: “We ask ourselves: can we organise education differently today? Too many students feel unmotivated, instances of bullying persist, and concerningly high youth suicide rates demand action”. Their approach focuses on creating positive school climates rooted in strong ABC conditions, standing for autonomy, belonging, and competence.
Co-coordinator Myriam, with her extensive experience as a school director, has personally witnessed the impact of this approach.
Myriam: “We transformed our school’s structure to prioritise flexible, personalised learning paths and shared accountability between teachers. It’s about moving towards community-driven education where everyone — students, teachers, and parents — feels deeply connected and responsible.”
By merging innovation with empathy, Warme Scholen puts forward a vision of education that nurtures both knowledge and life skills, preparing the younger generation to face challenges with resilience, confidence, and humanity.
Warme Scholen operates on three guiding principles, offering bespoke support to help each school tailor these concepts to their unique needs:
Teachers share responsibility for groups of students, moving away from isolated, classroom-specific models. This shared approach fosters deeper connections and ensures no student falls through the cracks.
The focus is on creating customised learning journeys that ensure every child reaches their full potential. Students needing more support receive additional guidance, while those seeking challenges can engage in higher-level projects.
Warme Scholen advocates for schools to be deeply integrated into their communities, encouraging partnerships with local organisations, parents, and neighbourhood groups. These hubs become places of collaboration, growth, and shared success.
Sarah: “We empower schools to organise themselves based on their own vision. It’s not about imposing a system but providing the guidance and tools for schools to become what they aspire to be”.
Supported by the Ga Voor Geluk foundation, Warme Scholen not only leads with ideas but also takes actionable steps to drive change: the ‘Zinactiviteiten’ consisting of a range of coaching trajectories, from hands-on inspiration sessions for educators to immersive two-day training events, known as the ‘Zinbaden’. These workshops dive into the ‘Temple of Change’ model that underscores the importance of structure, culture, and leadership in creating long-lasting educational transformation.
Collaboration is at the heart of everything they do. Schools in the network benefit from ‘Zinreizen’ where they visit exemplary schools to observe the Warme Scholen principles in action. This fosters a vibrant, living network where schools learn from one another and grow together.
One of the most exciting events on the horizon is their January symposium in MeetDistrict Gent. With renowned speakers such as artist Koen Vanmechelen, who bridges education and community-building through his LABIOMISTA projects, and education specialist and chairman at Commissie van Wijzen Dirk Van Damme, the event promises to spark dynamic conversations about the future of education. Attendees will also be able to listen to and engage in collaborative discussions with professionals from various sectors, illustrating the essential synergy between education and the workforce.
Backed by research from Universiteit Gent, Warme Scholen has developed the ‘Motivatiemonitor’, a powerful tool designed to assess the ABC principles autonomy, belonging, and competence within school environments. This free tool provides schools with a snapshot of their strengths and areas for improvement, empowering them to enhance motivation and well-being among both teachers and students.
Myriam: “This tool is the game-changer that addresses the burnout crisis among young teachers while boosting student outcomes. Motivated educators have stronger connections with their students, creating an environment where everyone thrives”.
The path to educational transformation isn’t always straightforward, but for Warme Scholen, the rewards are worth the effort. Their work reminds us that education isn’t solely about academic achievement — it’s about nurturing well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills and resilience to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Sarah: “We don’t claim to have all the answers, but what we do know is that collaboration is key. Together, with schools, communities, and organisations, we’re weaving a new narrative for education”.
Warme Scholen is currently working with over 100 schools across Flanders, adding 20 new schools to their initiative each year. With accessible, free resources and a growing network of forward-thinking educators, the project offers incredible value for schools looking to innovate and adapt.
Triggered to learn more about Warme Scholen? Visit their website or keep an eye out for their event in January 2025. More info coming soon!
