VSO De Wingerd

What VSO De Wingerd does

VSO De Wingerd is a Christian school for voortgezet speciaal onderwijs (secondary special education) located in Damwâld, Friesland, Netherlands, serving approximately 120 students aged 12-20 with developmental disabilities from the Noord- and Noordoost-Friesland region. The school operates two campuses in Damwâld — Nieuwe Weg 1 (VSO groups 1-7) and De Klimmer 21 / Nijewei (VSO groups 8-12) — and is delivered through three distinct pedagogical tracks: Regulier (students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities), Nabije Begeleiding (students with ASS, ADHD, attachment or behavioral disorders), and Belevingsgericht / EMB (students with severe to profound intellectual disabilities, often with comorbid conditions). The curriculum combines core academic skills with practical vocational training across four sectors (technology, healthcare/welfare, economy, agriculture/horticulture), progressing through a three-phase model that culminates in guided and independent external internships from age 16, supported by internal branch certifications.

The school is a member of the SO Fryslân umbrella organization alongside six other special education schools, and its enrollment is administered through the SWV Fryslân-Noard regional educational consortium, which issues TLV (toelaatbaarheidsverklaring) admissibility declarations. Revenue is predominantly Dutch government funding for VSO, supplemented by ESF (European Social Fund) subsidies routed via Gemeente Leeuwarden for labor market integration programs, and immaterial voluntary parent contributions (Schoolfonds). Specialized on-site facilities include a kitchen, living-simulation rooms, technology and agricultural workshops, a snoezel room, gym, and physiotherapy room. Staffing comprises approximately 90 personnel including a director, team leaders, internal supervisors, homeroom teachers, practical teachers, and teaching assistants, with no disclosed proprietary technology platform and no AI/ML capabilities referenced.

Name

VSO De Wingerd

Legal name

VSO De Wingerd

Website

https://vso.dewingerd-damwald.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VSO De Wingerd is a Christian Dutch secondary special education school in Damwâld, Friesland, serving ~120 students aged 12-20 with developmental disabilities across three pedagogical tracks (Regulier, Nabije Begeleiding, EMB), funded by the Dutch government via the SWV Fryslân-Noard consortium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAAAD

Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Special Education Schools & Programs

SECONDARYEDAKAAAG

Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Special Education Schools & Programs

SECONDARYEDAJAAAH

Public Special Education Schools & Programs

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Public K–12 Schools & Districts

Keywords

• Special education services
• Secondary special education
• Vocational training programs
• Developmental disability support
• Special needs schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Damwâld

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded education: Funded through Dutch government educational funding for special education (VSO). Additional ESF (European Social Fund) subsidies for labor market integration programs.
2. Parent contributions (Schoolfonds): Voluntary parent contribution for extra activities such as school trips, camps, and milk/karnemelk. Parents can join the school fund to cover these costs through automatic debit or annual invoice.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VSO De Wingerd provides publicly funded voortgezet speciaal onderwijs (secondary special education) for approximately 120 students aged 12-18 with developmental disabilities in the Noord-Fryslân region. The school offers three distinct educational tracks — Regulier (mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities), Nabije Begeleiding (ASS, ADHD, behavioral challenges), and EMB/Belevingsgericht (severe-to-profound intellectual disabilities) — combining academic instruction with practical vocational training in technology, healthcare, economy, and agriculture across a three-phase model culminating in external internships and branch certifications.

Product overview

VSO De Wingerd is a Christian school for voortgezet speciaal onderwijs (continuation special education) serving approximately 120 students aged 12-18 with developmental disabilities in the North Friesland region. The school operates three distinct educational tracks: Regular VSO Groups for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, Near-Begeleiding Groups for students with autism spectrum disorders or behavioral challenges, and EMB (Belevingsgericht) Groups for students with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. The educational program combines theoretical subjects (Dutch language, mathematics, social-emotional development) with practical vocational training in sectors including technology, healthcare and welfare, economy, and agriculture. Students progress through three educational phases culminating in guided and independent internships. The school offers internal branch certifications and uses individualized development perspectives (OPP) to track student progress toward self-sufficient placement in society, employment, or day care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regular VSO Groups (Doelgroep Regulier) Educational track for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, combining theoretical and practical skills across sectors including technology, healthcare, economy, and agriculture, preparing students for a self-sufficient place in the labor market or day care.
• Near-Begeleiding Groups (Doelgroep Nabije Begeleiding) Educational track for students often presenting with ASS (autism spectrum disorder), ADHD, attachment disorder or behavioral problems stemming from other disorders, providing close guidance, structured support, and development-oriented education.
• EMB Groups (Doelgroep Belevingsgericht) Educational track for students with severe to profound intellectual disabilities, often with co-occurring ASS or severe motor disorders; focused on communication, practical self-reliance, and experiential learning with specialized facilities including snoezel rooms, sensory integration, and physiotherapy.
• Practical Skills Training Practical vocational training program in sectors including technology, healthcare and welfare, economy, and agriculture/horticulture, including internal and external internships for labor-market preparation.
• Branch Certifications Internal branch-oriented certificates offered to students within the school, including Werken in groen (Working in Green), Werken in de schoonmaak (Working in Cleaning), Werken in de keuken (Working in the Kitchen), and Werken in het schoolmagazijn (Working in the School Warehouse).

Quantifiable outcome

• Students prepared for independent placement in labor market or day care settings
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, support and minor.

• SO FryslâncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization (koepelorganisatie) under which VSO De Wingerd operates along with six other special education schools. SO Fryslân serves as a regional knowledge center for special education, providing shared resources, expertise, and institutional support.
• SWV Fryslân-NoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSamenWerkingsVerband (Educational Consortium) for primary and secondary education in the region. Oversees referral and admission policies, issues TLV (toelaatbaarheidsverklaring - admissibility declarations), and coordinates educational support across all regular and special education schools in Fryslân-Noord.
• Steunpunt Onderwijs NoordsupportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducational support organization that helps schools coordinate with regular schools when some students follow (partially) education at regular schools, working with students and parents to ensure good educational alignment.
• Wille! Speciale KinderopvangsupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial childcare provider working with the school for students who need additional support outside school hours.
• Kinderdagcentrum It LytshûssupportOthersChildren's day center providing additional care and support services for students, part of Talant organization.
• Prader-Willi gezinsvervangend tehuissupportOthersResidential care home for Prader-Willi patients, providing care coordination and support for students with this condition.
• Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VNN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Road Safety organization that provides 3D Bike distraction education to students, including quizzes and driving simulators, teaching traffic safety skills.
• GGD FryslânsupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional health service providing school physician, youth healthcare, and confidential counselor (vertrouwenspersoon) Reintsje Miedema for student well-being support.
• Gemeente LeeuwardencoreOthersMunicipality of Leeuwarden serves as coordinating municipality for the labor market region of Friesland, administering ESF subsidies for PrO/VSO schools for labor market integration and sustainable employment placement of students.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Koninklijke Auris: Dutch special education organization focused on children and adults with hearing impairments and complex communication needs. Comparable as Dutch special education institution with similar funding structure but narrower disability specialization.
• Bartiméus: Dutch organization offering education, care, and support for people with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities. Comparable as a Dutch special education institution operating under similar regulatory framework with comparable funding model.
• Kentalis: Major Dutch organization providing special education, care, and services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Comparable as a Dutch special education institution with similar regulatory and funding structure, but focused on a different disability segment.
• Adelante: Dutch healthcare and special education group providing rehabilitation and special education services, including for children with developmental disabilities. Comparable integrated care-education model with broader portfolio than VSO De Wingerd's narrow special education focus.

Others

• SWV Fryslân-Noard: Regional educational consortium (SamenWerkingsVerband) overseeing referral, admission, and coordination of special education across primary and secondary schools in Noord-Friesland. Key ecosystem partner controlling student referral pipeline rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• SO Fryslân: Parent umbrella organization of which VSO De Wingerd is one of seven member schools. Operates regional special education schools across Friesland and serves as the immediate organizational peer for shared services, governance, and strategic alignment.
• De Onderwijsspecialisten: Dutch organization operating multiple special education schools serving students with intellectual disabilities, ASS, and behavioral challenges. Direct functional peer with similar VSO model, three-phase programs, and labor market preparation focus.

Regional players

• Vitus Zuid: Dutch VSO (secondary special education) provider operating in the Zuid-Holland region with similar student profiles including intellectual disabilities, ASS, and behavioral challenges. Direct comparator for VSO operational model in a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vso-de-wingerd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VSO De Wingerd