Need Lots Of Advice Please

carrie69

New Member
Hi Im A 37 Yr Old Single Mum Of 2 Sons Aged 10 And 12 And Would Love A New Life Away From Here, I Have Done Barwork Etc, I Also Have Experience In Other Fields, Caring For Elderly, Debt Collecting. Could Someone Please Advise Me On Schools For The Kids, Best Place To Stay With The Kids Etc. Really Seroius About This Move. Thank You
:)
 
Wouldnt really recommend Ibiza if you are looking for all year round work....especially if you dont speak Spanish.....

How about the Costa del Sol / Costa Blanca as they have a strong ex-pat community and the work is less seasonal....:D
 
i have done quite a lot of research on this.

here is a resource for finding schools in ibiza. click on balears and change the criteria to suit what you want (remember to pick ibiza from the 'Islas' option)

http://centros.mec.es/centros/jsp/Entradajsp.jsp

I'll also post some info that i've collated myself from various sources about schooling in spain.
 
Schooling In Spain

Families planning to live in Spain often worry about the sort of education their offspring are likely to get and ... how to go about getting it!

For those with the financial means and inclination, there are several good, international private schools throughout Spain, many of long standing. But, not everyone can afford these: my daughter, for example, was educated at the local state Spanish school and I, certainly, have no complaints.

If you are settling in Spain and wish your children to attend the local state school, you must first be registered on the "Empadronamiento".

This is surprisingly easy and you need not be resident or have a NIE number. Just go to the local Town Hall ("Ayuntamiento") with passports, copy of "escritura" (deeds) if a property owner, or your rental contract if not, and ask to register. You will be given a "Volante de Empadronamiento" - a document confirming your entry.

The Spanish state schools provide free education for children from the age of three onwards although, unlike Britain, you have to pay for all their books.

There is no uniform, but infants are expected to wear a little overall, usually a sort of blue-and-white checked affair.

School hours differ from the UK: infant and junior schools start at 9 am, break for lunch at either 12 noon or 12.30 pm, recommence at 3 pm or 3.30 pm and finish at 5 pm.

Nowadays, children can usually stay for school dinners, and there are extra-curricula activities to occupy them during the long lunch break.

In the hot summer months of June and September, school hours are shorter - 9 am until 1 pm - with no afternoon lessons.

Secondary or high school ("instituto") hours differ. The youngsters start earlier - at 8 am - and finish about 2 pm, with no afternoon lessons.

Children will certainly enjoy the Spanish school summer holidays as they are quite long!

Younger children receive about 10 weeks and secondary/high-school children, about 3 months! (Did I hear Mum and Dad say they´ve decided against coming to live in Spain!)

Children must remain at school until the age of 16, when they should matriculate by passing their ESO - "Enseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria". I suppose this is the equivalent to GCSEs in Britain. However, you have to pass the whole curriculum, not just individual subjects. At the time of writing, this consists of some 14 subjects and, if you fail three or more, you have to repeat the whole year!

For the academically inclined, after completing ESO comes the "bachilllerato" course - equivalent to British A-levels - which you need for university entrance.

Perhaps your child successfully completes ESO but would prefer a work training course of some sort. Should this be the case, s/he can opt for one of the many "formación profesional" courses. Tourism, administration, computers, electrical work ... there is a multitude to choose from, most lasting about two years.

"Formación profesional" (FP) courses come in two grades: middle and advanced. For the middle grade, you will need your ESO; for the advanced, you will need your "bachillerato" or FP middle grade.

But what about the youngster who has not successfully completed ESO? Well, there are a number of courses called "módulos", where s/he can obtain a training, for example telephonist and reception work. And, of course, if bi-lingual, with basic computer knowledge and a driving licence, s/he could probably find work without any specialist training, in particular in tourist areas.

So ... perhaps Spain is no different from most other countries: there is a suitable niche for everyone and, if approached with enthusiasm and vigour, it is surely possible to be successful in whichever field is chosen!


State Schools

State funded schools are termed "public schools" (colegios públicos) in Spain. The state school system in Spain differs considerably from the school systems in, for example, the UK and US, particularly regarding secondary education.

State education is ultimately the responsibility of Ministry of Education and Science (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia), although the 17 autonomous regions now have responsibility for their own education system (including higher education).

State education is free but parents must usually pay for schoolbooks (which are expensive, although they're provided free in some regions, e.g. Castilla y Mancha and many town councils partially or completely subsidise purchases in certain cases), school supplies, and extra curricular activities such as sports and arts and crafts. Pupils usually go to the village (pueblo) nursery and primary schools, although attending secondary school may entail travelling long distances (buses are usually provided).

For most Spanish children, school starts with nursery or pre-school (preescolar), from around the age of four. Compulsory education (escolaridad obligatoria), termed the basic general education (Educación General Básica/EGB), begins at six years of age in a primary school (escuela primaria) and lasts for six years.

At the age of 12 (equivalent to sixth grade) pupils move on to secondary education (education secundaria obligatoria/ESO) for the next four years.

When they're 16, and if they've completed the four years, students are awarded the graduado en educación secundaria certificate and may attend a higher secondary school (or the same school in some cases) to study for their baccalaureate leading to university entrance.

Less academically gifted pupils who haven't successfully completed the four years secondary education are awarded a school certificate (certificado de escolaridad). At 16, students may attend a vocational school (formación professional) providing specialised training for a specific career.

There are also special state schools in Spain for pupils with special education needs, e.g. learning difficulties due to psychological, emotional or behavioural problems and slow learners. However, pupils are taught in special education units or schools only when their needs cannot be accommodated in a mainstream school.

In Spain children must attend a state school (primary or secondary) within a certain distance of their own home, so if you have a preference for a particular school, it's important to buy or rent a home within that catchment area. Town halls and provincial Ministry of Education offices can provide a list of local schools at all levels. In some rural areas there is little or no choice of schools, while in Madrid and the other major cities there are usually a number of possibilities.

Language

The only schools in Spain using English as the teaching language are foreign and international private schools, although the Socialist Government plans to introduce pilot schemes in primary schools around the country where some subjects are taught in English. A number of multi-lingual international schools also teach pupils in both English and Spanish languages. If your children attend any other school they must study all the subjects in Spanish.

Some state schools provide intensive Spanish lessons ("bridging classes") for foreign children, although this depends on the school and the province or region. Foreign children are tested and put into a class suited to their level of Spanish, even if this means being taught with younger children.

Children who don't read and write Spanish are often set back a year to compensate for their lack of Spanish and different academic background. Once a child has a sufficient knowledge of spoken and written Spanish, they are assigned to a class appropriate to their age.

An added problem in some regions is that state schools teach most lessons in a regional language such as Basque, Catalan and Galician, although parents may be offered a choice of teaching language. For example, in Catalonia and Valencia (including the Costa Blanca) children aged between 3 and 12 are generally taught most subjects in Catalan except for Spanish which is taught for a few hours a week. However, immersion courses in the local language are usually offered to Spanish speaking children.

Enrolment

State schools have an annual quota for pupils and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The enrolment period usually lasts for two months early in the year e.g. February to March or April to May, although it varies from region to region. Individual schools will provide exact dates.

The process of enrolment depends on the age of your child but requires an interview and in rare cases an examination. To enrol a child in a Spanish school you must provide the following documents:
  • Your child's birth certificate or passport (original and photocopy), with an official Spanish translation (if necessary) and the parents' passports (originals and photocopies)
  • Proof of immunisation
  • Proof of residence
  • Proof of verification, if applicable (see below)
  • Two passport-size photographs (for a student identity card and school records)
Verification

If the child is going to start a Spanish secondary school in the third year of ESO (around age 14) you must also present proof that your child's education record has been verified by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The process is known as homologación or convalidación. You need to complete the official form provided by the Ministry, which is available from Spanish consulates and embassies abroad, from regional departments of education or directly from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Calle Acala (Tel: 902 218 500).
  • Note that the form is downloadable from the website in the section on homologación (the form is referred to as the modelo official): Click here
You should also submit your child's school record book and/or exam qualifications, plus their birth certificate.

If possible, this process should be completed before arriving in Spain, as a child may not be accepted at a school until the official papers (confirming the verification) have been received and stamped by the Spanish Department of Education. The process takes around three months, although if you show a school proof of the Ministry's receipt of the verification documents, your child should have no problems being accepted.


School Hours

School hours vary from school to school but are usually from 09:00 until 16:00 with a one-hour break for lunch, although an increasing number of schools don't have a lunch break and classes finish at 14:00.

Lessons are usually divided into teaching periods of 45 minutes. Some schools offer school lunches, although many children bring a packed lunch or go home for lunch if they live nearby.

Most schools provide a subsidised or free bus service to take children to and from their homes in outlying regions. Some schools are now open early (e.g. 08:00) and provide activities after school until 17:00 or 18:00 in an attempt to make child care provision easier for working parents.

School Holidays

The academic year in Spain runs from mid-September to mid-June, with the main holidays at Christmas, Easter and the long summer break. Spanish school children have very long school holidays (vacaciones escolares) compared with those in many other countries.

The school year is made up of three terms, each averaging around 11 weeks. Terms are fixed and generally the same throughout the country, although they may be modified in autonomous regions to take account of local circumstances and special events (such as local fiestas).

Pupils transferring from primary to secondary school are sometimes given an additional two weeks' summer holiday, which usually includes an "end of school" trip (viaje de estudios) with fellow pupils. Schools are also closed on public holidays when they fall in term time.
School holiday dates are published by schools and local communities well in advance, thus allowing parents plenty of time to schedule a family holiday. Normally you aren't permitted to withdraw a child from classes during the school term, except for a visit to the doctor or dentist, when the teacher should be warned in advance.

Pre-School

Spain has a long tradition of state-funded pre-school (educación infantile), with over 90 percent of children aged 3 to 5 attending at least a year before starting compulsory schooling. The tern pre-school embraces a play school, nursery school (guardería), kindergarten (jardín de la infancia) and infant school (escuela infantile). Note, however, that the provision of public and private pre-school facilities varies considerably with the town and the region, particularly regarding state schools.

State pre-school education is divided into two cycles: First Cycle (primer ciclo) for children aged one to three and Second Cycle (Segundo ciclo) for ages three to six. Attendance is voluntary and free in public centres in many areas.

There are also many private, fee paying nursery schools, usually taking children aged from two to six, some of which are part of a primary school. Arrangements are generally flexible and parents can choose attendance during mornings or afternoons, all day, or only on selected days. Many schools provide transport to and from homes. Fees are generally low and schools popular, well-organised and good value.

Note that some nursery schools are more nurseries than schools and simply an inexpensive way for parents to obtain supervised childcare. The best pre-schools are designed to introduce children to the social environment of school and concentrate on the basic skills of coordination, encouraging the development of self awareness and providing an introduction to group activities.

Exercises include arts and crafts, music, dancing, educational games, perceptual and motor activities, and listening skills. During the final years of nursery school, the rudiments of reading, writing and arithmetic are taught in preparation for primary school.

There are plans to teach English from the age of three or four in state schools throughout Spain. Children are also taken on outings and it's common to see groups of children "roped" together (for their own protection) being shepherded by a teacher.

Nursery school is highly recommended, particularly if your children are going to continue with a state education. After one or two years of nursery school they will be integrated into the local community and will have learnt Spanish in preparation for primary school. Research (in many countries) has shown that children who don't attend a pre-school are at a distinct disadvantage when they start primary school.

Primary School

Compulsory education (escolaridad obligatoria), also called "basic general education" (educación general básica/EGB), begins at the age of six in a primary school (escuela primaria) and lasts for six years.
Primary school is split into three cycles first cycle (primer ciclo), years 1 to 2; Second Cycle (segundo ciclo), years 3 to 4; and Third Cycle (tercer ciclo), years 5 to 6.

The primary curriculum includes natural and social sciences (conocimiento del medio), Spanish (lengua) and an autonomous language (if applicable), literature, mathematics, and optional Catholic religion (when your child starts school you will be asked whether you want your child to attend religious classes).

Alternative activities may include extra reading, theatre studies, debates, arts (dibujo y plástica), physical education and a foreign language (usually English or French), which is compulsory from the second cycle, although many state schools now offer English from the age of six.

In most schools, pupils have three evaluations (evaluaciones) each year. If a child fails to achieve the required standard set for a particular cycle, they may be required to repeat the previous year unless they show considerable improvement in the autumn (many private schools offer "recovery" classes during the summer holidays to help pupils catch up). The opinion of the teachers, inspectors and the sectors' psychological and pedagogical team are taken into account when deciding whether a pupil must repeat a year. Pupils aren't required to repeat more than one year during their primary education.


Secondary School

Compulsory secondary education (enseñanza secundaria obligatoria/ESO) was created in 1990 for pupils aged 12 to 16 and completes their compulsory education. It provides pupils with more specialised training than their previous education and prepares them for the baccalaureate or vocational training.

The four years of compulsory secondary school are divided into two, two-year cycles, the curriculum containing both compulsory and optional subjects. Compulsory subjects during the first cycle, (primer ciclo) include natural and social sciences, history and geography, physical education, plastic and visual arts, Spanish and autonomous community language (if applicable) and a foreign language, literature, mathematics, music and technology.


During the last year of the first cycle pupils must choose two optional subjects from natural sciences, plastic and visual arts, music and technology. The Catholic religion is an optional subject for all four years (non-Catholics may have study periods instead), and a second foreign language, classical culture and other subjects can be studied for at least one year during the second cycle (segundo ciclo).


As with primary education, a pupil can be required to repeat a year if they do not pass the end of term exams (pupils who fail three or more subjects in the end of term exams must repeat the year) or the autumn repeats, although there's no limit on the number of times a year may be repeated in secondary education.


Upon completion of ESO, pupils who have achieved the set standards are awarded a "graduate of secondary education" (graduado en educación secundaria) certificate enabling them to study for the baccalaureate or undergo specialised vocational training. This certificate is a basic requirement for most jobs in Spain.

All pupils, whether or not they have achieved the course objectives, receive a document stating the school years completed, the marks obtained in each subject, and recommendations regarding their academic and vocational future.


International & Private Schools

There's a wide range of private schools (escuelas privadas) in Spain, around a third of children are educated privately. Most private schools are co-educational Catholic day schools although there are a few which take weekly or term borders.


Under Spanish law, all foreign schools must be approved by their country's embassy in Spain. Like state schools, most private schools operate a five-day, Monday to Friday timetable, with no Saturday morning classes.
Private schools teach a variety of syllabi, including the British GCSE and A-Level examinations, the American High School Diploma and college entrance examinations (e.g. ACT, SAT, achievement tests and AP exams), the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Spanish Bachillerato.


However, most Spanish private schools, (schools teaching wholly in Spanish) are state subsidised and follow a totally bi-lingual (English/Spanish) curriculum and are authorised to accept Spanish pupils. They must teach the Spanish curriculum including primary and secondary education, and the bachillerato. They provide the opportunity for children to become completely bi-lingual and to choose between a Spanish and English language university or career. To receive state subsidies and accept Spanish pupils, 25 percent of a schools' total number of pupils must be Spanish and at least 20 percent in each class. As a condition of receiving government funding, schools with Spanish pupils are subject to inspection from the Spanish authorities. Some schools award scholarships or offer grants to parents with low incomes.


Private foreign and international schools usually have a more relaxed, less rigid regime and curriculum than Spanish state schools. They provide a more varied and international approach to sport, culture and art, and a wider choice of academic subjects.


You should make applications to private schools as far in advance as possible as many international schools have waiting lists for places. You're usually requested to send school reports, exam results and other records. Before enrolling your child make sure you understand the withdrawal conditions in the school contract.


It is advisable to check if a school is recognised by the Spanish Education authorities and whether it belongs to an accredited organisation. Most British schools in Spain belong to the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) whose members are approved by British School inspectors. Information is also available from your country's embassy in Spain.


The Baccalaureate

The Spanish baccalaureate (bachillerato or bachiller) programme consists of two years academic training to prepare pupils for higher education or high-grade vocational training or to start a career. The first year is divided equally between the natural sciences, mathematics, languages and humanities, while in the second year students take optional subjects.


At the end of the second year the students take an examination known as the Prueba General de Bachillerato (PGB). If they pass this and have also passed the exams during the two-year course, they're awarded the título de bachiller, which includes the average mark obtained. The bachiller together with an oral exam in a foreign language also allows pupils to study at Spanish universities and is recognised as an entrance qualification by universities throughout the world. Pupils who fail the PGB are awarded a certificate of attendance and can proceed to vocational training.


Vocational Training

Vocational training (formación professional FP) consists of two cycles of between 1,300 and 2,000 teaching hours depending on the profession. FP pupils divide their time between school studies and practical on-the-job training in commerce or industry, where they spend about 25 percent of their learning time. Vocational training is free for most pupils whether it takes place in a public centre or a private institution, as the latter are financed by the state (but employ their own teachers and have different rules from state centres).


Higher Education

Spain has 75 universities (universidades), 56 of them state run (and attended by 90 percent of higher education students) and 21 run by private enterprises or by the Catholic Church.
There are a number of other higher education institutes specialising in physical education, tourism, dramatic arts, dance and music as well as a number of business schools. In addition to Spanish higher education, there are a number of US and British universities with faculties in Spain.


Types of University

There are four types of university establishment in Spain:
  • University Schools (escuelas universitarias): These offer three-year courses of a vocational or non-academic nature leading to a diploma.
  • University Colleges (colegios universitarios): These offer three year courses of an academic nature leading eventually to a licenciatura or tesina and two-year courses for those with a diploma who want to obtain a licenciatura or tesina.
  • Faculties (facultades): These offer five year academic courses leading to a licenciatura or tesina and two year courses for graduates of a university college who wish to obtain their licenciatura or tesina.
  • Higher Technical Schools of Engineering and Architecture (escuela superior de ingeniería y arquitectura): These offer five year vocational and technical courses leading to an ingeniero superior y arquitecto degree.
The Spanish university system is rigidly structured: students must follow a fixed curriculum and aren't permitted to change universities during their studies (except for family of health reasons).
Studies

Studies at Spanish universities are divided in to three cycles. The first cycle, lasting three years leads to a licencia (in academis studies) or a diploma (in vocational or technical subjects).

The second cycle, lasting two years leads to a licenciatura or tesina (academic), which is equivalent to to an American or British MA or MSc, or an ingeniero superior y arquitecto degree (vocational).

The third cycle is a PhD (doctorate) programme, which results in the academic title of doctor or Doctor en Filosofía y Letras.


Applications

Applicants must pass the PGB examination and acceptance depends on the result obtained in this exam as well as the average mark gained during the two years of the study for the baccalaureate.

EU nationals are entitled to compete for places at Spanish universities on equal terms with Spanish nationals. In addition a small number of places at most universities, (5 percent are allocated to non-EU students. In general, qualifications that are accepted as entry requirements in a student's home country are accepted in Spain.


All foreign students require a thorough knowledge of Spanish, although preparatory courses are provided.
  • Note that in autonomous regions where there's a second official language courses may be conducted in the local language.
 
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what a fantastic post:D
thank you so much
this is just what i was looking for!
cheers

Schooling In Spain

Families planning to live in Spain often worry about the sort of education their offspring are likely to get and ... how to go about getting it!

For those with the financial means and inclination, there are several good, international private schools throughout Spain, many of long standing. But, not everyone can afford these: my daughter, for example, was educated at the local state Spanish school and I, certainly, have no complaints.

If you are settling in Spain and wish your children to attend the local state school, you must first be registered on the "Empadronamiento".

This is surprisingly easy and you need not be resident or have a NIE number. Just go to the local Town Hall ("Ayuntamiento") with passports, copy of "escritura" (deeds) if a property owner, or your rental contract if not, and ask to register. You will be given a "Volante de Empadronamiento" - a document confirming your entry.

The Spanish state schools provide free education for children from the age of three onwards although, unlike Britain, you have to pay for all their books.

There is no uniform, but infants are expected to wear a little overall, usually a sort of blue-and-white checked affair.

School hours differ from the UK: infant and junior schools start at 9 am, break for lunch at either 12 noon or 12.30 pm, recommence at 3 pm or 3.30 pm and finish at 5 pm.

Nowadays, children can usually stay for school dinners, and there are extra-curricula activities to occupy them during the long lunch break.

In the hot summer months of June and September, school hours are shorter - 9 am until 1 pm - with no afternoon lessons.

Secondary or high school ("instituto") hours differ. The youngsters start earlier - at 8 am - and finish about 2 pm, with no afternoon lessons.

Children will certainly enjoy the Spanish school summer holidays as they are quite long!

Younger children receive about 10 weeks and secondary/high-school children, about 3 months! (Did I hear Mum and Dad say they´ve decided against coming to live in Spain!)

Children must remain at school until the age of 16, when they should matriculate by passing their ESO - "Enseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria". I suppose this is the equivalent to GCSEs in Britain. However, you have to pass the whole curriculum, not just individual subjects. At the time of writing, this consists of some 14 subjects and, if you fail three or more, you have to repeat the whole year!

For the academically inclined, after completing ESO comes the "bachilllerato" course - equivalent to British A-levels - which you need for university entrance.

Perhaps your child successfully completes ESO but would prefer a work training course of some sort. Should this be the case, s/he can opt for one of the many "formación profesional" courses. Tourism, administration, computers, electrical work ... there is a multitude to choose from, most lasting about two years.

"Formación profesional" (FP) courses come in two grades: middle and advanced. For the middle grade, you will need your ESO; for the advanced, you will need your "bachillerato" or FP middle grade.

But what about the youngster who has not successfully completed ESO? Well, there are a number of courses called "módulos", where s/he can obtain a training, for example telephonist and reception work. And, of course, if bi-lingual, with basic computer knowledge and a driving licence, s/he could probably find work without any specialist training, in particular in tourist areas.

So ... perhaps Spain is no different from most other countries: there is a suitable niche for everyone and, if approached with enthusiasm and vigour, it is surely possible to be successful in whichever field is chosen!


State Schools

State funded schools are termed "public schools" (colegios públicos) in Spain. The state school system in Spain differs considerably from the school systems in, for example, the UK and US, particularly regarding secondary education.

State education is ultimately the responsibility of Ministry of Education and Science (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia), although the 17 autonomous regions now have responsibility for their own education system (including higher education).

State education is free but parents must usually pay for schoolbooks (which are expensive, although they're provided free in some regions, e.g. Castilla y Mancha and many town councils partially or completely subsidise purchases in certain cases), school supplies, and extra curricular activities such as sports and arts and crafts. Pupils usually go to the village (pueblo) nursery and primary schools, although attending secondary school may entail travelling long distances (buses are usually provided).

For most Spanish children, school starts with nursery or pre-school (preescolar), from around the age of four. Compulsory education (escolaridad obligatoria), termed the basic general education (Educación General Básica/EGB), begins at six years of age in a primary school (escuela primaria) and lasts for six years.

At the age of 12 (equivalent to sixth grade) pupils move on to secondary education (education secundaria obligatoria/ESO) for the next four years.

When they're 16, and if they've completed the four years, students are awarded the graduado en educación secundaria certificate and may attend a higher secondary school (or the same school in some cases) to study for their baccalaureate leading to university entrance.

Less academically gifted pupils who haven't successfully completed the four years secondary education are awarded a school certificate (certificado de escolaridad). At 16, students may attend a vocational school (formación professional) providing specialised training for a specific career.

There are also special state schools in Spain for pupils with special education needs, e.g. learning difficulties due to psychological, emotional or behavioural problems and slow learners. However, pupils are taught in special education units or schools only when their needs cannot be accommodated in a mainstream school.

In Spain children must attend a state school (primary or secondary) within a certain distance of their own home, so if you have a preference for a particular school, it's important to buy or rent a home within that catchment area. Town halls and provincial Ministry of Education offices can provide a list of local schools at all levels. In some rural areas there is little or no choice of schools, while in Madrid and the other major cities there are usually a number of possibilities.

Language

The only schools in Spain using English as the teaching language are foreign and international private schools, although the Socialist Government plans to introduce pilot schemes in primary schools around the country where some subjects are taught in English. A number of multi-lingual international schools also teach pupils in both English and Spanish languages. If your children attend any other school they must study all the subjects in Spanish.

Some state schools provide intensive Spanish lessons ("bridging classes") for foreign children, although this depends on the school and the province or region. Foreign children are tested and put into a class suited to their level of Spanish, even if this means being taught with younger children.

Children who don't read and write Spanish are often set back a year to compensate for their lack of Spanish and different academic background. Once a child has a sufficient knowledge of spoken and written Spanish, they are assigned to a class appropriate to their age.

An added problem in some regions is that state schools teach most lessons in a regional language such as Basque, Catalan and Galician, although parents may be offered a choice of teaching language. For example, in Catalonia and Valencia (including the Costa Blanca) children aged between 3 and 12 are generally taught most subjects in Catalan except for Spanish which is taught for a few hours a week. However, immersion courses in the local language are usually offered to Spanish speaking children.

Enrolment

State schools have an annual quota for pupils and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The enrolment period usually lasts for two months early in the year e.g. February to March or April to May, although it varies from region to region. Individual schools will provide exact dates.

The process of enrolment depends on the age of your child but requires an interview and in rare cases an examination. To enrol a child in a Spanish school you must provide the following documents:
  • Your child's birth certificate or passport (original and photocopy), with an official Spanish translation (if necessary) and the parents' passports (originals and photocopies)
  • Proof of immunisation
  • Proof of residence
  • Proof of verification, if applicable (see below)
  • Two passport-size photographs (for a student identity card and school records)
Verification

If the child is going to start a Spanish secondary school in the third year of ESO (around age 14) you must also present proof that your child's education record has been verified by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The process is known as homologación or convalidación. You need to complete the official form provided by the Ministry, which is available from Spanish consulates and embassies abroad, from regional departments of education or directly from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Calle Acala (Tel: 902 218 500).
  • Note that the form is downloadable from the website in the section on homologación (the form is referred to as the modelo official): Click here
You should also submit your child's school record book and/or exam qualifications, plus their birth certificate.

If possible, this process should be completed before arriving in Spain, as a child may not be accepted at a school until the official papers (confirming the verification) have been received and stamped by the Spanish Department of Education. The process takes around three months, although if you show a school proof of the Ministry's receipt of the verification documents, your child should have no problems being accepted.


School Hours

School hours vary from school to school but are usually from 09:00 until 16:00 with a one-hour break for lunch, although an increasing number of schools don't have a lunch break and classes finish at 14:00.

Lessons are usually divided into teaching periods of 45 minutes. Some schools offer school lunches, although many children bring a packed lunch or go home for lunch if they live nearby.

Most schools provide a subsidised or free bus service to take children to and from their homes in outlying regions. Some schools are now open early (e.g. 08:00) and provide activities after school until 17:00 or 18:00 in an attempt to make child care provision easier for working parents.

School Holidays

The academic year in Spain runs from mid-September to mid-June, with the main holidays at Christmas, Easter and the long summer break. Spanish school children have very long school holidays (vacaciones escolares) compared with those in many other countries.

The school year is made up of three terms, each averaging around 11 weeks. Terms are fixed and generally the same throughout the country, although they may be modified in autonomous regions to take account of local circumstances and special events (such as local fiestas).

Pupils transferring from primary to secondary school are sometimes given an additional two weeks' summer holiday, which usually includes an "end of school" trip (viaje de estudios) with fellow pupils. Schools are also closed on public holidays when they fall in term time.
School holiday dates are published by schools and local communities well in advance, thus allowing parents plenty of time to schedule a family holiday. Normally you aren't permitted to withdraw a child from classes during the school term, except for a visit to the doctor or dentist, when the teacher should be warned in advance.

Pre-School

Spain has a long tradition of state-funded pre-school (educación infantile), with over 90 percent of children aged 3 to 5 attending at least a year before starting compulsory schooling. The tern pre-school embraces a play school, nursery school (guardería), kindergarten (jardín de la infancia) and infant school (escuela infantile). Note, however, that the provision of public and private pre-school facilities varies considerably with the town and the region, particularly regarding state schools.

State pre-school education is divided into two cycles: First Cycle (primer ciclo) for children aged one to three and Second Cycle (Segundo ciclo) for ages three to six. Attendance is voluntary and free in public centres in many areas.

There are also many private, fee paying nursery schools, usually taking children aged from two to six, some of which are part of a primary school. Arrangements are generally flexible and parents can choose attendance during mornings or afternoons, all day, or only on selected days. Many schools provide transport to and from homes. Fees are generally low and schools popular, well-organised and good value.

Note that some nursery schools are more nurseries than schools and simply an inexpensive way for parents to obtain supervised childcare. The best pre-schools are designed to introduce children to the social environment of school and concentrate on the basic skills of coordination, encouraging the development of self awareness and providing an introduction to group activities.

Exercises include arts and crafts, music, dancing, educational games, perceptual and motor activities, and listening skills. During the final years of nursery school, the rudiments of reading, writing and arithmetic are taught in preparation for primary school.

There are plans to teach English from the age of three or four in state schools throughout Spain. Children are also taken on outings and it's common to see groups of children "roped" together (for their own protection) being shepherded by a teacher.

Nursery school is highly recommended, particularly if your children are going to continue with a state education. After one or two years of nursery school they will be integrated into the local community and will have learnt Spanish in preparation for primary school. Research (in many countries) has shown that children who don't attend a pre-school are at a distinct disadvantage when they start primary school.

Primary School

Compulsory education (escolaridad obligatoria), also called "basic general education" (educación general básica/EGB), begins at the age of six in a primary school (escuela primaria) and lasts for six years.
Primary school is split into three cycles first cycle (primer ciclo), years 1 to 2; Second Cycle (segundo ciclo), years 3 to 4; and Third Cycle (tercer ciclo), years 5 to 6.

The primary curriculum includes natural and social sciences (conocimiento del medio), Spanish (lengua) and an autonomous language (if applicable), literature, mathematics, and optional Catholic religion (when your child starts school you will be asked whether you want your child to attend religious classes).

Alternative activities may include extra reading, theatre studies, debates, arts (dibujo y plástica), physical education and a foreign language (usually English or French), which is compulsory from the second cycle, although many state schools now offer English from the age of six.

In most schools, pupils have three evaluations (evaluaciones) each year. If a child fails to achieve the required standard set for a particular cycle, they may be required to repeat the previous year unless they show considerable improvement in the autumn (many private schools offer "recovery" classes during the summer holidays to help pupils catch up). The opinion of the teachers, inspectors and the sectors' psychological and pedagogical team are taken into account when deciding whether a pupil must repeat a year. Pupils aren't required to repeat more than one year during their primary education.


Secondary School

Compulsory secondary education (enseñanza secundaria obligatoria/ESO) was created in 1990 for pupils aged 12 to 16 and completes their compulsory education. It provides pupils with more specialised training than their previous education and prepares them for the baccalaureate or vocational training.

The four years of compulsory secondary school are divided into two, two-year cycles, the curriculum containing both compulsory and optional subjects. Compulsory subjects during the first cycle, (primer ciclo) include natural and social sciences, history and geography, physical education, plastic and visual arts, Spanish and autonomous community language (if applicable) and a foreign language, literature, mathematics, music and technology.


During the last year of the first cycle pupils must choose two optional subjects from natural sciences, plastic and visual arts, music and technology. The Catholic religion is an optional subject for all four years (non-Catholics may have study periods instead), and a second foreign language, classical culture and other subjects can be studied for at least one year during the second cycle (segundo ciclo).


As with primary education, a pupil can be required to repeat a year if they do not pass the end of term exams (pupils who fail three or more subjects in the end of term exams must repeat the year) or the autumn repeats, although there's no limit on the number of times a year may be repeated in secondary education.


Upon completion of ESO, pupils who have achieved the set standards are awarded a "graduate of secondary education" (graduado en educación secundaria) certificate enabling them to study for the baccalaureate or undergo specialised vocational training. This certificate is a basic requirement for most jobs in Spain.

All pupils, whether or not they have achieved the course objectives, receive a document stating the school years completed, the marks obtained in each subject, and recommendations regarding their academic and vocational future.


International & Private Schools

There's a wide range of private schools (escuelas privadas) in Spain, around a third of children are educated privately. Most private schools are co-educational Catholic day schools although there are a few which take weekly or term borders.


Under Spanish law, all foreign schools must be approved by their country's embassy in Spain. Like state schools, most private schools operate a five-day, Monday to Friday timetable, with no Saturday morning classes.
Private schools teach a variety of syllabi, including the British GCSE and A-Level examinations, the American High School Diploma and college entrance examinations (e.g. ACT, SAT, achievement tests and AP exams), the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Spanish Bachillerato.


However, most Spanish private schools, (schools teaching wholly in Spanish) are state subsidised and follow a totally bi-lingual (English/Spanish) curriculum and are authorised to accept Spanish pupils. They must teach the Spanish curriculum including primary and secondary education, and the bachillerato. They provide the opportunity for children to become completely bi-lingual and to choose between a Spanish and English language university or career. To receive state subsidies and accept Spanish pupils, 25 percent of a schools' total number of pupils must be Spanish and at least 20 percent in each class. As a condition of receiving government funding, schools with Spanish pupils are subject to inspection from the Spanish authorities. Some schools award scholarships or offer grants to parents with low incomes.


Private foreign and international schools usually have a more relaxed, less rigid regime and curriculum than Spanish state schools. They provide a more varied and international approach to sport, culture and art, and a wider choice of academic subjects.


You should make applications to private schools as far in advance as possible as many international schools have waiting lists for places. You're usually requested to send school reports, exam results and other records. Before enrolling your child make sure you understand the withdrawal conditions in the school contract.


It is advisable to check if a school is recognised by the Spanish Education authorities and whether it belongs to an accredited organisation. Most British schools in Spain belong to the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) whose members are approved by British School inspectors. Information is also available from your country's embassy in Spain.


The Baccalaureate

The Spanish baccalaureate (bachillerato or bachiller) programme consists of two years academic training to prepare pupils for higher education or high-grade vocational training or to start a career. The first year is divided equally between the natural sciences, mathematics, languages and humanities, while in the second year students take optional subjects.


At the end of the second year the students take an examination known as the Prueba General de Bachillerato (PGB). If they pass this and have also passed the exams during the two-year course, they're awarded the título de bachiller, which includes the average mark obtained. The bachiller together with an oral exam in a foreign language also allows pupils to study at Spanish universities and is recognised as an entrance qualification by universities throughout the world. Pupils who fail the PGB are awarded a certificate of attendance and can proceed to vocational training.


Vocational Training

Vocational training (formación professional FP) consists of two cycles of between 1,300 and 2,000 teaching hours depending on the profession. FP pupils divide their time between school studies and practical on-the-job training in commerce or industry, where they spend about 25 percent of their learning time. Vocational training is free for most pupils whether it takes place in a public centre or a private institution, as the latter are financed by the state (but employ their own teachers and have different rules from state centres).


Higher Education

Spain has 75 universities (universidades), 56 of them state run (and attended by 90 percent of higher education students) and 21 run by private enterprises or by the Catholic Church.
There are a number of other higher education institutes specialising in physical education, tourism, dramatic arts, dance and music as well as a number of business schools. In addition to Spanish higher education, there are a number of US and British universities with faculties in Spain.


Types of University

There are four types of university establishment in Spain:
  • University Schools (escuelas universitarias): These offer three-year courses of a vocational or non-academic nature leading to a diploma.
  • University Colleges (colegios universitarios): These offer three year courses of an academic nature leading eventually to a licenciatura or tesina and two-year courses for those with a diploma who want to obtain a licenciatura or tesina.
  • Faculties (facultades): These offer five year academic courses leading to a licenciatura or tesina and two year courses for graduates of a university college who wish to obtain their licenciatura or tesina.
  • Higher Technical Schools of Engineering and Architecture (escuela superior de ingeniería y arquitectura): These offer five year vocational and technical courses leading to an ingeniero superior y arquitecto degree.
The Spanish university system is rigidly structured: students must follow a fixed curriculum and aren't permitted to change universities during their studies (except for family of health reasons).
Studies

Studies at Spanish universities are divided in to three cycles. The first cycle, lasting three years leads to a licencia (in academis studies) or a diploma (in vocational or technical subjects).

The second cycle, lasting two years leads to a licenciatura or tesina (academic), which is equivalent to to an American or British MA or MSc, or an ingeniero superior y arquitecto degree (vocational).

The third cycle is a PhD (doctorate) programme, which results in the academic title of doctor or Doctor en Filosofía y Letras.


Applications

Applicants must pass the PGB examination and acceptance depends on the result obtained in this exam as well as the average mark gained during the two years of the study for the baccalaureate.

EU nationals are entitled to compete for places at Spanish universities on equal terms with Spanish nationals. In addition a small number of places at most universities, (5 percent are allocated to non-EU students. In general, qualifications that are accepted as entry requirements in a student's home country are accepted in Spain.


All foreign students require a thorough knowledge of Spanish, although preparatory courses are provided.
  • Note that in autonomous regions where there's a second official language courses may be conducted in the local language.
 
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