Education in Spain
When you have children and consider moving to Spain one of the biggest things to think about is the education of your child in Spain. The older the child is, the more difficult they will find it to adapt. Even in the case of very young children, choosing to set up home in Spain means making a decision that will greatly impact on their lives.
Before committing yourself to moving to Spain you should know a few things about the education system. Attendance at school is compulsory between the ages of six and 16. This is not the case for children of pre-school age and so gaining a place in a nursery depends largely on demand in the area of Spain you are moving to.
Education in Spain is very different to the UK and children attend primary school until the age of 14. At that point, depending on exam marks, they will be assigned to either a higher secondary or vocational school.
Moving to Spain – education options
After moving to Spain you have three main options as far as schooling goes:- International schools
Fee-paying international schools use English as the teaching language. As well as attracting the children of expats who have set up home in Spain they are also popular with local parents. An increasing number of Spaniards want their children to learn English to a high standard from an early age.They also tend to follow the British education system and pupils can take GCSEs and A- levels. How much of the Spanish language is taught varies from school to school. - Private education in Spain
Around 30% of Spain’s school children attend private schools and you may choose to go down this route. Although classes are taught in Spanish, private schools allocate more time for tuition of non-Spanish children. They are also less expensive than International schools. - State education in Spain
The third option is the state school system. Children who attend public school grow up to be completely bilingual but English will only be taught as a foreign language. Once more the child’s ability to adapt to a new language, education system and culture may well depend upon their age.
Moving to Spain is a massive step for anyone, so how well your child fits in can be influenced greatly by you. If you can speak Spanish, communicate well with teachers and help your child with homework you will help them greatly. If you want them to learn to read and write in English you must take responsibility by turning your home in Spain into a classroom.
Education in Spain – enrolment procedure
Before a child can attend any Spanish school they, and you, must firstly be interviewed and have their education record verified. You require your child´s birth certificate or passport and proof of residence.
