At a Copenhagen school, health nurses are helping reduce student absenteeism through personal guidance and emotional support. Their holistic approach is showing promising results and could become a model for other schools across Denmark.
Health Nurses Step In to Fight School Absenteeism
A new initiative at Nørrebro Park School in Copenhagen is making a difference in tackling high rates of student absenteeism. The project, known as “Kom Glad i Skole – Hver Dag” (Come Happy to School – Every Day), brings school health nurses directly into the efforts to help children who struggle to attend class. The program offers well-being talks aimed at uncovering why a student stops showing up at school and finding practical solutions together.
When a student’s absences start increasing, the family is invited to meet with a health nurse who helps identify the underlying issues. The process often reveals a mix of emotional, social, and academic struggles.
In many Danish schools, student well-being has become a growing concern, echoing broader national challenges described in Denmark’s school well-being measures.
Simple Conversations Leading to Big Changes
The school’s health nurse, Helle Attrup Christiansen, spends time asking each student what would make them feel more comfortable about returning to school. The talks are gentle but focused. Students are encouraged to rate how they feel at school, at home, and in their free time, using a simple form to express what feels difficult.
Many of the challenges stem from family issues such as divorce, feeling invisible in the classroom, or academic difficulties. Sometimes, small adjustments—like letting a student pick their seatmate or helping them join a sports team—can make a significant difference.
Because health nurses are trained to listen beyond academics, they often uncover personal concerns that teachers might not reach. This multidisciplinary approach has not only built stronger trust with students but also led to substantial improvements. In fact, absenteeism among 5th graders involved in the program has dropped by 75 percent.
Teachers and Nurses Working Together
At first, some wondered if teachers might lose contact with students when health nurses stepped in. However, the school staff report the opposite. Teachers continue their academic support, while nurses handle sensitive well-being matters. The partnership has strengthened the school’s ability to discuss difficult topics with students and families.
The school’s principal, Kim John Nielsen, sees the results as clear proof that combining different professional perspectives can benefit children in ways that standard teaching alone cannot. By bringing health professionals into the discussion, the school gains a deeper understanding of what prevents a child from attending.
This cooperative method reflects Denmark’s broader educational philosophy, which promotes integrated care and community involvement in education. It also aligns with how local governments are beginning to explore shared responsibility for student health and attendance.
Expanding the Model Nationwide
Because of its success, Nørrebro Park School’s approach could inspire other districts across Denmark to follow suit. The principal encourages schools to reach out to their local municipalities and ask about funding or partnerships for similar programs. Municipal administrations usually handle the budgeting side, making collaboration key.
The Danish Nurses’ Organization has also called for stronger, more systematic use of school health nurses in tackling absenteeism nationwide. Their recommendation would place nurses as an integrated part of public schools rather than as an additional or optional service.
Given how absenteeism ties into student happiness and long-term school engagement, initiatives like this could mark a turning point in how Denmark addresses truancy. By addressing emotional and social issues early on, many children might rediscover the motivation to come back to school.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Denmark’s school well-being measures under fire
The Danish Dream: Best psychologists in Denmark for foreigners
DR: Sundhedsplejersker har fået børn med skolevægring tilbage på skolebænken
