The principal, Susanne Björkstén, is at the school most days and is available in her office. If you want to be sure to reach her, please book an appointment via Wilma or email. 

The vice principal, Tony Valtonen, is also available most days (he shares an office with the principal). Please contact him via Wilma or email if you wish to set up an appointment

The IB DP Coordinator, Anna Martikainen, is at the school on most days. She is generally available during the day, and students are encouraged to drop in to her office on the second floor if they have any questions about their studies. If, for some reason, she is not in her office (e.g. is teaching), students can best contact her via phone (043-827 1414) email (anna.martikainen@espoo.fi) or Wilma.

Mattlidens has three full-time guidance counsellors and one part-time one. Anna Quagraine takes care of the IB section as well as a few national side groups. During the preDP counselling course students have lessons in class, as well as scheduled individual meetings as part of the course. Issues like finding your strengths, values, suitable study skills and where to find alternatives for further studies and career are introduced.

Guidance counselling does not have a course of its own in the Diploma Programme, however, IB DP1 and DP2 students are expected to attend sessions on study skills (mainly planning your time, revision and stress management), higher education and working life. All students meet with Anna Q on a yearly basis by invitation.

During all three years you can see Anna Q for private consultation in matters regarding your studies - both academic and social.

Anna Q can be found in her office on the second floor on most days. If she is unavailable (in a meeting inside or outside of school), please send a message on Wilma and she will get back to you. In more time consuming matters you are recommended to make an appointment beforehand via Wilma, Whatsapp or in person.

The guidance counsellor works in close proximity with the form teachers, subject teachers and student welfare staff, as well as the DP Coordinator, especially in more administrative matters.

The form teacher is the staff member who sees their own students biweekly as well as in individual meetings each year; they follow absences and are the link between the home and the school. The biweekly homeroom lessons (GHT) are an important part of student guidance and you are expected to attend.

Subject teachers have a crucial role in guiding you in matters concerning the study skills required in a particular subject, its assessment, as well as how said subject fits in the greater picture of further education and working life.

Our special needs teachers Nina Sippola and Jill Sundström are available for individual counselling if you are concerned about e.g. dyslexia or other learning difficulties. You can also be tested for dyslexia in Swedish and Finnish. Nina’s office is located on the first floor.  Jill's is near the main entrance, close to the caretakers and nurse. Even though Nina and Jill are in school daily, they are often busy, in which case you are recommended to book an appointment.

SEN policy 2025-2026

Support during general upper secondary studies

The Act on General Upper Secondary Education has been amended in terms of support for learning. As of 1 August 2025, support will be provided at two levels: support for learning and special needs education.

Support for learning is available to all students who have difficulties with their studies. For example, you have the right to remedial teaching, i.e. instruction and guidance provided by subject teachers. Support for learning may also include support provided during lessons or study units reviewing the content of a specific subject. If necessary, you may be given more time to complete an exam or guidance and support for study skills. You are not entitled to support for learning if the need for support is the result of unauthorised absences.

As part of support for learning, you are entitled to instruction, support and guidance by a special education teacher. Support provided by a special education teacher may include discussing your need for support, ways to support your learning, or testing your difficulties in reading and writing. In addition, the special education teacher can provide support and guidance to improve your study skills.

The planning and implementation of support measures start at the beginning of your studies, and your need for support will also be assessed during your studies. At your request, the support measures can be included in your personal study plan. If you have any questions regarding support for learning, contact your form teacher. They will be able to help you.

In Espoo, all Swedish-speaking students undergo an assessment of their linguistic skills (reading speed, fluency and accuracy, reading comprehension skills and spelling). If necessary, dyslexia testing will be carried out after the assessment results have been examined. More information on practical arrangements related to testing will be provided once the school year has started.

If you need support related to your studies, this information will be entered into Wilma. These entries are important, as they will enable you to apply for special arrangements for your matriculation examination (such as additional time) if such arrangements have been useful during your studies. The entries may also affect your application process for further studies. You will be advised on how to obtain the necessary statements and apply for special arrangements for your matriculation examination.

Special needs education is only intended for situations where other forms of support are not sufficient and the student requires special needs education to complete their general upper secondary studies due to verified learning difficulties or other similar reasons (e.g. a difficult life situation). Special needs education will only be provided after support has been provided in a systematic and diverse manner and it has not been sufficient. Special needs education is provided by a special education teacher. Special needs education is targeted more intensely at verified learning difficulties or other comparable issues. However, subject teachers are still responsible for subject education.

An administrative decision on special needs education is made if the need for special needs education is noticed at general upper secondary school or when requested by the student or the guardian of an underage student. In Espoo, the decision is made by the principal of the general upper secondary school, usually after the third period assessment. The decision may be positive or negative. A student who receives a negative decision has the right to support for learning.

It is not possible for students to deviate from the objectives of the general upper secondary education syllabus. In other words, the support decision does not affect the actual studies, and all students must achieve the same objectives. Neither does the decision impact a student’s opportunities regarding further studies.

Read more: Student welfare and support for studying (espoo.fi) . 

You should contact the secretary Christel Weiss' office in matters concerning:

• bus passes for Espoo residents

• railcards

• student cards

• financial aid to students

• registration for tests

• changes in address, telephone or e-mail

Please note that the office is open Mon–Thu 9–11 and 12.20–14 and closed on Fridays.

Ninni Waltzer is our school coach. 

The School coach’s task is to be there for students and to promote a sense of community in Mattlidens gymnasium. She organizes different activities at school and also takes part in events that others arrange. Students are always welcome to come discuss any ideas they have for activities, or if there’s something they would like to talk about with an adult who doesn’t have anything to do with their grades. 

Ninni can usually be found in the corridors or in the staff room, or you can contact her on Wilma (Nicolina Waltzer), Snapchat (ninniwaltzer), Instagram (ninni_mattlidengemenskap) or by phone (040 636 9603).

Caretakers Robert Hallén and Marco Nordblad can be found by the main entrance, on the way to the dining hall.. Talk to them if you have questions about your locker or lost property, for example.