SO / VSO Piet Bakkerschool

What SO / VSO Piet Bakkerschool does

Piet Bakkerschool is a publicly funded Dutch special education institution located in Sneek, Friesland, operating under the governance of Stichting SO Fryslân (Stichting Speciaal Onderwijs Fryslân). Founded in 1950 and named after Piet W. Bakker (1884-1943), the school delivers two main programs: Speciaal Onderwijs (SO) for students aged 4-12 and Voortgezet Speciaal Onderwijs (VSO) for ages 12-18, supplemented by two EMG basisgroepen serving students with severe profound intellectual disabilities (IQ < 35). The student body is organized across eight age-based groups and two specialized EMG groups, with instruction focused on functional and communicative development, social skills, and labor-market preparation through staged internships (BIS, BES, ZES) and sector certifications such as SVA cleaning.

The school's core technology stack consists of standard Dutch educational tools rather than proprietary platforms: ParnasSys for student tracking, Parro for parent communication, and supportive communication aids including NmG-gebaren (Dutch Sign Language), pictograms, speech computers, and physical therapy/occupational therapy modalities delivered on site by partner providers Topfysio and Ergo Actief. Programs offered include the Rots en Water resilience curriculum, the Ik ben P.A. talent-discovery program via Special Heroes Nederland, branchecertificering (vocational certification), and a Schooldiploma VSO track. Approximately 15-20 regional employer partners — including Jumbo, Empatec, Philadelphia, Bouwbedrijf Friso, and Leger des Heils — host student internships across cleaning, retail, hospitality, technical, and horticulture sectors.

The institution operates a non-commercial, government-funded revenue model under Dutch Passend Onderwijs (Inclusive Education) legislation. There are no tuition fees; admission flows through mandated regional samenwerkingsverbanden (SWV PO Friesland for primary, SWV Fultura VO for secondary) and the school's own intake process. The school is co-located within Kind- en Jongerencentrum De Himmen, an integrated campus bundling specialized childcare (Wille), day care (It Mearke), and pediatric therapy providers alongside the school. Site facilities, renovated between 2012 and 2015 and topped with 200+ solar panels installed in 2021, include a lift, adapted toilets, care rooms, hoists, a gymnasium with climbing wall, and a professional teaching kitchen. The school is led by Director Alex Zijlstra with Teamleider Irma Zwolle, under SO Fryslân's College van Bestuur (Mirjam Pruiksma) and Raad van Toezicht.

Name

SO / VSO Piet Bakkerschool

Legal name

Piet Bakkerschool

Website

https://pietbakkerschool.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SO / VSO Piet Bakkerschool is a publicly funded Dutch special education school in Sneek, Friesland, serving students aged 4-20 with mild to severe intellectual disabilities across SO, VSO, and EMG basisgroepen programs, integrated within the De Himmen multi-provider campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Special Education Schools & Programs (EDAJAAAH), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Vocational special education
• Special needs schooling
• Educational therapy programs
• Inclusive education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sneek

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-funded education: As a publicly funded special education institution under Stichting SO Fryslân, the Piet Bakkerschool is financed through Dutch government educational funding. No tuition fees are charged to parents.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Piet Bakkerschool delivers publicly funded Dutch special education (SO for ages 4-12) and vocational special education (VSO for ages 12-18) for students with mild to severe intellectual and multiple disabilities in Friesland, organized into age-grouped classes plus two EMG basisgroepen for students with severe profound disabilities. The educational offering is augmented by on-site speech, occupational, and pediatric physiotherapy services, multi-phase internship stages (BIS/BES/ZES), vocational certifications, the Ik ben P.A. talent development program, Rots en Water resilience training, and a Talentband, all integrated within the Kind- en Jongerencentrum 'De Himmen' campus.

Product overview

Piet Bakkerschool operates as a single unified special education institution offering two main programs: SO (Speciaal Onderwijs, ages 4-12) and VSO (Voortgezet Speciaal Onderwijs, ages 12-18). The school also provides specialized Basisgroepen (EMG-groepen) for students with severe intellectual disabilities. Supporting services include speech therapy (logopedie), occupational therapy (ergotherapie), and physiotherapy (fysiotherapie). The educational offering is enhanced by specialized programs such as Rots en Water (resilience training), the Ik ben P.A. vocational program, vocational certifications (branchecertificering), and an internship program with multiple phases (BIS, BES, ZES). Students can earn a VSO school diploma upon completion. The school also offers a talent band and participates in the Gezonde School (Healthy School) program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SO (Speciaal Onderwijs) Special primary education program for students aged 4-12 with intellectual disabilities, organized into three building phases (lower, middle, upper) focused on functional and play development, language development, communication, and orientation to people and the world.
• VSO (Voortgezet Speciaal Onderwijs) Secondary special education program for students aged 12-18 (extending to 20), divided into VSO 1, 2, and 3 phases with increasing practical work experience, internships, and preparation for employment or day activities.
• Basisgroepen (EMG-groepen) Special groups for students with severe intellectual disabilities (IQ < 35) receiving intensive guidance through experience-based, sensory-focused education in small-group settings.
• Stageprogramma (Internship Program) Multi-phase internship program comprising BIS (Begeleide Interne Stage), BES (Begeleide Externe Stage), and ZES (Zelfstandige Externe Stage), preparing VSO students for employment through structured work experiences with approximately 15-20 regional companies across sectors including cleaning, retail, catering, technique, and horticulture.
• Programma Ik ben P.A. Professional Assistant program delivered in partnership with Special Heroes Nederland for students aged 14-19, helping them discover and develop talents across the Sport, Media, Horeca, Art, Groen, and Techniek sectors, with sector-specific certification outcomes.
• Branchecertificering (Vocational Certification) SVA (Scholing voor Arbeid) cleaning certification program structured on MBO qualification levels, providing civil-value certificates recognized by employers.
• Schooldiploma VSO School diploma program for VSO students in labor market and day activities profiles, requiring MijnRapportfolio, diploma conversation, and minimum 95% attendance for the labor profile.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students prepare for labor market entry or day care placement through structured stages: BIS, BES, and ZES internship programs with sector certifications.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SO Fryslân (Stichting Speciaal Onderwijs Fryslân)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Piet Bakkerschool is governed by SO Fryslân, a foundation operating multiple special education schools across Friesland. SO Fryslân provides central leadership through the College van Bestuur, a Supervisory Board, and a professional services bureau handling HR and finance. The governance model delegates authority to school directors while maintaining centralized management of company-wide policies.
• Steunpunt Onderwijs NoordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteunpunt Onderwijs Noord provides specialist support to mainstream schools by sharing expertise from special education staff, including teachers, orthopedagogues, and ergo/physiotherapists. They support school boards, mainstream teachers, and students to implement appropriate support and facilitate referrals to special education.
• Samenwerkingsverband PO FrieslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school participates in the PO Friesland cooperation agreement which coordinates inclusive education across all primary and special education schools in the province. This partnership manages the admission and support of students requiring additional educational support.
• Samenwerkingsverband Fultura VOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor VSO students, the school is affiliated with Fultura VO, the regional partnership for pre-vocational and special education that coordinates inclusive education and student placement at the secondary level.
• Kind- en Jongerencentrum 'De Himmen'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Piet Bakkerschool is co-located with De Himmen, a broad school center providing integrated services for children with disabilities including education, care, and out-of-school support. The center houses multiple partner organizations under one roof.
• TopfysiominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTopfysio provides pediatric physiotherapy services on site at the school two mornings per week through therapist Irma Stoepker. Treatment addresses motor development, sensory processing, and physical functioning, with parent involvement and home exercise guidance.
• Ergo ActiefminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerErgo Actief provides pediatric occupational therapy on site on Mondays and Wednesdays through therapist Leonie Spronk. Services address daily activities, sensory integration, fine motor skills, concentration, and assistive device recommendations.
• Wille (Speciale Kinderopvang)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWille provides specialized group supervision at the school after school hours, on Saturdays, and during school holidays. Services are financed through the Jeugdwet and Wet langdurige zorg and target children with intensive support needs who require additional youth assistance alongside education.
• Kinderdagcentrum It Mearke (Alliade/Talant)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIt Mearke provides care, treatment, and support for children aged 0–18 with severe intellectual or multiple disabilities, offering developmental stimulation and skills training aimed at transitioning toward education or day care.
• TalentbandminorOthersThe school maintains a talent band (Talentband) in collaboration with Sinne school, practicing weekly in the Atrium in Sneek and giving approximately two performances per year. All VSO students are eligible to participate.
• Special Heroes NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial Heroes Nederland delivers the 'Ik ben P.A.' (Professional Assistant) program at the school, helping students aged 14–19 discover and develop their talents through flexible lesson programs in Sport, Media, Horeca, Art, Groen, and Techniek sectors, with certification outcomes.
• Stage companies (various)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school partners with approximately 15–20 local businesses for student internship placements (BIS, BES, ZES stages), including Jumbo, Empatec, Philadelphia, Bouwbedrijf Friso, Leger des Heils, and others across sectors including cleaning, retail, catering, technique, and horticulture.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Koninklijke Auris Groep: Dutch nationwide foundation operating special education schools and expertise centers, primarily for students with hearing, language, and communication needs. Comparable as a regionally distributed, government-funded Dutch special education provider with a multi-school governance structure under one stichting, similar to Piet Bakkerschool's positioning under SO Fryslân.
• Kentalis: National Dutch special education foundation focused on students with hearing, language, and communication disabilities, including those with additional intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a multi-site stichting-governed Dutch special education organization providing SO/VSO with integrated therapy supports.
• Visio Onderwijs: National Dutch foundation operating special education schools and expertise centers for students with visual impairments, often with co-occurring intellectual or developmental disabilities. Comparable as a large-scale, stichting-governed Dutch special education network delivering SO/VSO programming under government funding.

Direct peers

• Stichting Yulius Onderwijs: Dutch regional special education provider serving children and youth with intellectual disabilities, autism, and psychiatric needs across multiple sites. Directly comparable on mission, student population (intellectual/developmental disabilities), and government-funded operations with therapy-integrated programming.
• Heliomare Onderwijs: Special education provider in North Holland serving students with physical, intellectual, and multiple disabilities, including integrated therapy and transition-to-work pathways. Comparable as a Dutch special education school that combines SO/VSO programming with medical/therapeutic on-site services for complex needs students.

Others

• Brede School De Pijl / comparable integrated care-education centers: Other Dutch 'brede school' integrated centers that co-locate primary education with childcare, therapy, and community services. Comparable to Piet Bakkerschool's De Himmen campus model as an ecosystem player, though these typically serve mainstream rather than special education populations.
• Stichting Koninklijke Kentalis / CED-Groep educational support services: Dutch educational services organization providing assessment, advisory, and support to schools including special education providers. Adjacent to Piet Bakkerschool as a specialist support partner in the Dutch Passend Onderwijs system rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• De Twentse Hooischans / SBO clusters in Oost-Nederland: Cluster of regional Dutch special education schools serving intellectual and developmental disabilities in Twente/Gelderland, government-funded through their own regional samenwerkingsverbanden. Comparable as a regional Dutch special education peer in a different province, illustrating how similar SO/VSO service models are replicated across the country.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/so-vso-piet-bakkerschool

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SO / VSO Piet Bakkerschool