Education in Spain

When considering where your child should be educated in Spain it’s important of course to do your homework before you actually move. Remember to tell us about families educational requirements when you are talking to us about the location and property that you want so that we can help you with information about the local schools.

There is a good choice - State funded schools, Private Spanish schools and International schools.

State funded schools (Escuela Publica) are free and more than 50% of all students stay in full –time education until the age of 18. Spanish Private Schools are generally cheaper than the UK. International schools tend to have English speaking, lessons are in English and they follow the British curriculum.

There are many important questions for you to ask:

• How many children attend the school?
• How many children per class?
• What curriculum does the school use?
• What time does school begin and end?
• How easy is it to get to the school by public transport? Is there a school bus?
• Are there any facilities for children before and after school time?
• What are the schools policies on?
• Discipline
• Homework
• Uniform / dress code?
• What methods are used to assess the child’s educational development?
• How frequently are the children assessed and what remedial help is available if required?
• How are the results reported to parents?
• Are there parents evenings and open days?
• How long it does take to get an appointment with the teacher or head?
• How much time will the children spend outside?
• What sport and play facilities are available?
• What are the lunch arrangements?

To help you with your research and to locate the right school for your child - here are some useful web site links.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH SCHOOLS IN SPAIN
www.nabss.org/intro.htm

THE COUNCIL OF BRITISH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
www.cobisec.org

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
www.eaie.nl

Pre-school 3 – 6

Escuela Infantil or pre-school is usually attached to the Primary School. Compulsory education starts at Primary School (Escuela Primaria) at the age of 6. The school day finishes at 14.00 hrs and there are usually good after-school activities.

Primary School

Ask at the local town hall for information about enrolling primary school children into the local school. You will certainly need the child's birth certificate or passport, parents’ passports, proof of immunisation, and proof of residence (empadronamiento). If your child is transferring from a UK secondary school their existing education has to be verified. Once the verification papers have been received and stamped by the Department of Education your child can take up a place at a Spanish school.

Secondary School

Secondary School or Educacion Secundaria starts at 12 years of age The Certificate of Secondary Education (Graduado en Educacion Secundario Certificado.) is awarded to all pupils after 4 years of study. For a further 2 years children will study for the Baccalaureate and preparation for University. If your child does not plan to go to University they may be interested in the Certificado de Escolaridad, which is vocational schooling for specific career paths.

International Schools

There are lots to choose from but it's best to go for schools that are a member of either COBISEC (www.cobisec.org) or NABSS (www.nabss.org/intro.htm) who are recognised regulatory organizations. Their schools are likely to follow the British National Curriculum or the International Curriculum (PYP, International Baccalaureate).