Spanish Schools

Moving to Spain and taking your children away from their normal environment, friends and schooling is a daunting decision for any parent to make. Be assured though that Spanish schools are excellent, having benefited greatly from EU funding in the past decade.

The Academic Year in Spain runs from September to June. School times can vary depending on which area you are in and in the more traditional areas the school day has a break between 1-3.30 pm following the normal labour pattern, until 5.30 pm.

State Education

The age for compulsory education in Spain is 6 - 16 years (the age when they can legally start work)

• 0 - 6 years — Nursery Education
• 6 - 12 years — Primary Education
• 12 - 16 years — Senior Education

A child will be held at the level where he/she is experiencing difficulties and then moved up a grade once they have achieved that level. With regards to language problems, non-Spanish speakers will be given extra tuition in Spanish and once proficient enough they will be able to keep up with their Spanish peers. This may take anything from 3 months to 1 year depending on the age and aptitude of the child, but most children will be speaking Spanish long before their parents!

The State System is funded in a similar way to the English system but parents are expected to contribute approx £150 per annum for books/equipment etc.

At the age of 16, pupils are awarded "Titulo de Graduado Escolar" certificate which enables them to stay on to obtain their Baccalaureate so they can enter University. Spanish universities do accept British A levels as an entrance qualification.

In order to place your child in a Spanish state school, you must consider the following:

• An Interview will be required
• You will need a copy of their education record
• A test of Spanish knowledge will be taken to assess their level
• The school you wish your child to attend has to be within a certain distance of your property (differs in some areas)
• You will need to supply their passport, birth certificate, proof of residence, proof of immunisation and proof of education record (con-validation)

Private Education

In Spain there is a high demand for places at International Private Schools so if you are considering this route for your child you should enrol them without delay. International Schools are a particularly good option for children of 12 years and older as they will not have to master the Spanish language immediately. Most lessons are taught in English and the English curriculum is followed and students study for GCSE's and A Levels.

International Schools are day schools and the fees tend to be much cheaper than you would pay in the UK.

Most major towns and cities can offer International Private school education and most have a school transport system.