For the growing number of younger families coming to live and work in Spain, prior information about schooling and education for children is important.
There are two options:
- the Spanish state school system (where the teaching will naturally be in Spanish), or
- private international schools.
The Spanish State School System
Children, particularly those of infant or primary school age, find it very easy to adapt to a new language and tend to cope very well at Spanish-speaking schools, becoming fluent in their new language with amazing speed. However, all children will go through an adjustment period, during which time little academic progress should be expected. State education is free, but parents have to buy all textbooks and materials.
Nursery education for children up to 3 years of age is provided by some town councils, usually at reasonable fees (or, as in Torrevieja, free of charge for those registered on the Padrón). Hours are usually from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm. To register a child, parents will need to produce the following documents:
- Child's birth certificate.
- Child's passport (or identity document).
- Child's vaccination certificates.
- Child's Social Security card and a medical certificate.
- A copy of the child's registration on the Town Hall register (Padrón).
- 2 photographs of the child.
- Mother's passport and marriage certificate (if applicable).
Infant and Primary education is for children from 3 to 12 years of age. However, the starting age will vary from town to town as free full-time compulsory education does not start until age 6. Where the facilities are available, children can usually start at age 3 for a small fee. Documents required to register your child will be the same as for Nursery schools (above). Children are normally registered in May for admittance at the beginning of the school year, in September.
You may be required to list 3 schools in your order of preference. In some areas there is a means-tested points entry system (ie points awarded for certain criteria). The school day is usually 9.00 am to 12.00 or 1.00 pm, then 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, with children either staying at school or going home in the lunch break. Packed lunches are not allowed in Spanish schools, and this means that if your children cannot return home at lunchtime they will have to have school dinners - the dishes will be Spanish and the portions quite large, and the children are expected to eat. Poor or fussy eaters will have to get used to being more adventurous.
Infant education (Educación Infantil) lasts for 3 years. Primary education (Educación Primaria) begins at age 6 and lasts for 6 years. All classes are mixed ability, with no streaming.
Secondary education is compulsory for children from 12 to 16 years of age and is called ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria). A secondary school is called El Instituto and the school day starts at 8.00 am with either a divided day with two hours for lunch, or a continual day which finishes at about 2.00 pm. You will need to produce the same documentation as for Nursery (above). If the child is entering from a school outside Spain, you will also need to provide any examination certificates and a report from the previous Headmaster (which you should get translated into Spanish).
At 16 children may leave school, may enrol on practical training courses, called Modulos, or may go on to a 2-year academic course called the Bachillerato after which they may take a university entrance examination.
Private international schools
Lists of private schools for all age groups can usually be obtained from your area Consulate. Entry requirements, fees and syllabus will vary from school to school. You will need to produce the same documentation as listed above.
Of course, in addition to the tuition fees, you will also have to pay for text books, lunches, school uniforms and equipment, transport, activities and trips.
Many of the British schools are members of NABSS (The National Association of British Schools in Spain) and details of the association and member schools can be found on their website at www.nabss.org.
University Education is a major investment in Spain as very few grants are available. Most students keep the costs down by attending the University closest to their home.
