Schooling in Spain

Schooling is a top priority for families looking to relocate to Spain and the education system here has a lot to offer.

Below is a guide to the national and international education options on the Costa del Sol and inland Andalucia provided by Andalucian Dream Homes. for the Costa del Sol, or Ideal Country Property for properties in towns such as Alhaurin, Coin, Mijas or Monda.


Types of School

1. Public (state) schools

Spain's public or state schools are non-fee paying, though parents pay for books, supplies and extra curricular activities. Qualifications gained are valid if your child wants to study at a UK university.

2. Spanish private schools

There are many varieties of Spanish private schools, some teach entirely in Spanish and are subsidised by the state providing they have 25 per cent Spanish students. Others are bilingual schools with a strong emphasis on English. Most are day Catholic schools and co-educational with classes from Monday to Friday. Fees vary, though they are generally lower than private schools in the UK.

3. Foreign schools

This term includes schools solely for expatriates and schools which encourage a mix of Spanish and foreign children. Classes are small and the atmosphere more relaxed than in Spanish schools. There is also a wider choice of academic subjects on offer and examination pass rates are high - as is the number of pupils going on to university. Fees vary from around 1.500 - 6.000€ a year.


Stages of Education

1. Nursery education 3-6 years (Educación Infantil, EI)
Children develop physical and mental skills and learn to read and write. Emphasis is placed on learning about cultures, the environment and road awareness skills.

2. Primary education 6-12 years (Educación Primaria, EP)
Primary education is split into three two-year periods. Pupils learn Spanish, maths, conocimiento del medio (history, geography and biology), PE, art and a second language. They will also learn about religion, focusing on Catholicism.

Classes are mixed ability and parents see teachers regularly to discuss progress. Children take exams from the third year of primary school, but there are no national level testing exams. Parents buy textbooks and materials, but few state schools have uniforms.

School hours are 9am to 4pm with an hour break for lunch. Some schools work until 1.30pm without a break and then finish for the day.

3. Secondary education 12-16/18 years (Educación Secundaria)
The Spanish secondary school system is similar to the British comprehensive system. Pupils begin four years of compulsory education at 12 and teaching is geared towards project work and continuous assessment.

Pupils staying on after 16 can study for the two-year 'Bachillerato' academic course (either arts, humanities, sciences or technology) or enroll on practical training courses called 'modulos'. Those who pass the Bachillerato and want to go on to university take an entrance exam in June

Enrolment

The first thing you need to do is go to the town hall in the area you're moving to and see what paperwork you need to complete. Take your child's birth certificate or passport with an official translation of the parents' passports. You'll also need proof of the child's immunisation, residence and two passport photographs.

To enrol your child in a Spanish state secondary school, you need proof of convalidation - the official record of your child's education. You should get the forms from the Department of Education in Madrid (Tel: 0034 91 701 8000) and do this before you move to Spain. Send the completed form together with your child's school record book and/or examination qualifications, plus birth certificate. Expect the process to take between three and six months.

Foreign pupils attending Spanish state schools also need a document called the 'empadronamiento'. You need to register at the local town hall for this. Take originals and photocopies of your passport, proof of address and your Spanish bank account details.