| If you are moving to live in Spain and you have | | | | taken including GCSEs and A-levels, and these can |
| children, one of your biggest decisions will be where | | | | also come alongside the International Baccalaureate |
| to send them to school. You will want them to get | | | | programme and even Spanish qualifications, known as |
| the best education possible, but there will be a | | | | the Bachillerato. |
| number of factors to consider when choosing the | | | | Learning Environment |
| type of school that is best for them. Location, | | | | It is common to have a better learning environment |
| finances and their age will all have to be taken into | | | | than state schools because classes are often smaller, |
| account, and you will have to carry out a lot of | | | | and there is often a more relaxed approach to |
| research in order to make sure that they get into | | | | teaching. There is also the opportunity to take part in |
| the best school possible. | | | | a number of extra curricular activities which you may |
| When it comes to the school system in Spain, you | | | | not find in a state school. |
| will generally have two options: a private international | | | | Fees |
| school or a public state school. Language will often be | | | | The drawback is obviously the cost. Primary schools |
| one of the determining factors in which you choose, | | | | cost up to 4,000 a year and secondary schools |
| and if your child is approaching their teenage years | | | | cost up to 10,000 a year, and although this is |
| and does not speak Spanish then it will be harder for | | | | cheaper than in many countries, it is still a lot of |
| them to pick up the language and their schooling | | | | money and you will also have to pay extra for books |
| could suffer as a result. It is therefore a very | | | | and other materials. |
| important decision, and the following information | | | | Cultural Integration |
| should help you when it comes to making it. | | | | On top of that, there is also the concern that |
| General School Rules In Spain | | | | studying in an international school provides the pupils |
| Schooling is compulsory for all children aged six to 16. | | | | with less cultural integration than they would get in a |
| Although it is not required by law, many children go | | | | Spanish school, so they end up speaking in English all |
| to pre-school from the ages of three to five, but this | | | | the time and not getting enough understanding of |
| is not provided by the state and will require a fee. | | | | the country they are living in. However, most |
| Academic Year | | | | international schools will have a few Spanish pupils so |
| The academic year lasts from the middle of | | | | this is not totally lost. |
| September to the middle of June, which is the same | | | | State Schools |
| as in the UK, and the holidays are also the same | | | | There are a lot more state schools across the |
| (Christmas, Easter and Summer). However, the length | | | | country, meaning there is a greater variation and you |
| of the holidays is generally longer than in many other | | | | are more likely to find one in the area you are living. |
| countries, so make sure you prepare for how you will | | | | Fees |
| keep your children entertained, especially during the | | | | State schools are of course a lot cheaper. Education |
| summer. | | | | after the age of five is completely free, minus the |
| School Times | | | | costs of books and other expenses, which will be |
| The school day generally lasts from 9am to 2pm in | | | | attractive if you cannot pay for private education. |
| primary schools and slightly longer in secondary | | | | Cultural Integration |
| students. However, there are bound to be variations | | | | There will also be a greater cultural integration |
| on these times, and private schools will have their | | | | because your child will be spending the whole day |
| own rules. | | | | speaking Spanish and mixing with locals, so they will |
| Getting A Place | | | | pick up a greater amount of information about the |
| Finding a place in a state school is straightforward if | | | | country and will also learn the language more quickly. |
| you are an EU citizen, and the system is based on | | | | Language Problems |
| the catchment area of the school in question, | | | | Problems can arise due to the fact that many older |
| meaning it depends upon where you live. To increase | | | | children find it incredibly hard starting a school in a |
| the chances of getting into the school you want, | | | | new language, and if they do not have a good |
| therefore, you should consider moving within the | | | | command of Spanish then their education could really |
| catchment area when you purchase your property. | | | | suffer as a result. To counter this, some schools |
| Location will also be important if you are sending your | | | | offer a bilingual curriculum and Spanish lessons to help |
| child to an international school as these may not be | | | | ease the process, so this might be an option. In the |
| available in some areas of the country. International | | | | case that you need a Spanish tutor for your child |
| schools can also have long waiting lists, so make sure | | | | then this will be an extra cost to consider. |
| to get in early. | | | | Teaching Methods |
| International Schools | | | | As well as this, schooling in Spain is sometimes |
| International schools are bilingual schools which are | | | | criticised as being too old fashioned. Although the |
| aimed at English, German and French speakers as well | | | | situation is improving, you may not want your child to |
| as other nationalities. They are often considered the | | | | study in this manner. |
| best choice for foreigners as the students do not | | | | Overview |
| suffer from having a low level of Spanish, especially | | | | In general, schools in Spain are of a high quality and |
| at secondary age. | | | | you should not have a problem finding a suitable |
| Curriculum | | | | school for your child. Location, fees and your child's |
| For the English schools at least, they generally follow | | | | level of Spanish are going to be the main concerns, |
| the English national curriculum, which is an attraction | | | | and as long as you prepare carefully then the |
| for many parents. This means that English exams are | | | | process should not be too difficult. |