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Education in Spain

The Spanish education system is split into 5 sectors:

Educación infantile (pre-school) - age 3-6 years
Educación primaria (primary) - age 6-12 years
Educación secundaria obligatoria (secondary) - age 12-16 years
Bachillerato or formación profesional (higher secondary education –baccalaureate or vocational training) - age 16-18 years
Universidad (university) age 18+

Education is compulsory in Spain for children aged 6-16. Despite children not officially starting school until they are 6 many start pre-school at 3. The pre-school is often linked to the local primary school and gives the children stability from pre to primary education. Pre-school education is free.

All public run Spanish schools teach in Spanish and many teach in the local language. In the Costa Blanca region many schools teach in Valenciano (the local language) as the main language, with approximately an hour of Castilian (castellano) Spanish being taught each day.

This gives children a fantastic opportunity to become tri-lingual. There are many arguments for and against foreign children joining Spanish schools, however, in most cases the younger they are the easier they are likely to find it to learn in a foreign language. Of course, this isn’t a strict rule, as some older children settle really well into Spanish school and don’t find the language a problem.

In Spanish schools parents have to pay for books and supply pens and pencils. You will be given a list of what your child needs at the beginning of term.

One of the benefits of Spanish schools is the small class sizes. The average is about 15, giving the teacher time to devote to and get to know the children.

Children at Spanish schools don’t wear uniform, which can be a cost saving, and certainly eases the pressure on mum having to find clean school uniform every morning!

In primary and pre-schools the school day is longer than in the UK, usually running from 9.00-5.00pm (although the secondary day is slightly shorter). There is a break of approximately 3 hours during the middle of the day when children can either come home or stay to lunch. Lunch at a Spanish school is three courses – the concept of a packed lunch doesn’t exist. Some schools offer extra curricular activities during the lunch break, such as art, music, gardening or learning a language. You will have to pay for these activities, but they’re invaluable if you’re a working parent unable to have your child at home during the middle of the day.

Choosing the right education for your children can be an agonising decision in your own country, let alone in a foreign one where you may not speak the language. Our advice is to try what you feel will suit your child best and be open minded. Give it time and you’ll be amazed at how adaptable your children are!

Click the relevant subject below for more information.

Schools in your area

Education

Pre-school & Primary

Secondary Education

Higher Secondary Education & University

International Education in Spain

Spanish Qualifications

Learning Spanish

Useful words & phrases - Spanish

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