Education is obligatory for all children aged 6-16 if the parents are legally resident in Spain Spain
State Education System in Andalucía
The Education policy is controlled by the Junta De Andalucía, with each region having responsibility for the administration of education within their region. The local councils have a role to play too. Some offer educational services, but all councils will have a say in the infrastructure and buildings within their local areas.
The Education policy is controlled by the Junta De Andalucía, with each region having responsibility for the administration of education within their region. The local councils have a role to play too. Some offer educational services, but all councils will have a say in the infrastructure and buildings within their local areas.
Spanish schools can be state or privately owned. Some private schools are in fact subsidised by governments and are called Concertados. Fees are kept low and in some cases there are no tuition fees at this type of school. More often than not, Concertados combine primary and secondary in one school
Teachers employed in the state sector (including Concertados) would not necessarily speak English and in any event lessons are not taught in English. If English is taught as a foreign language (which is mostly the case), then there would be a qualified English speaking teacher at the school whose main job is to teach English as a modern foreign language.
There are specialist schools of music, dance and art in the state sector from the age of 12 and entrance is usually selective. Some rural areas have state residential (boarding) schools, to facilitate compulsory education in such areas.
Procedures for enrolment are much the same across Andalucía, but some (not all) town halls have departments set up to provide services for foreign families, however, you can choose to apply to a school directly for a place for your child. Each school has a catchment area or zone and it is best to apply to the school within the zone of where you live or intend to live permanently. In Villanueva dela Concepción there is a playgroup from 0-3 years; Infant and Primary school 3-12 years and a Secondary school from 12-16 years. If you are already living in Andalucía, the correct time of the year to apply for a place for the coming academic year is usually around April. In Villanueva de la Concepción this usually takes place from 1st to 31st March. Application and enrolment dates are published annually. If you are coming from another area within Spain or from elsewhere in Europe, then you can apply for a school place for your child at any time of the year, although note, the schools are usually closed for most of the summer holidays in July and August, along with Easter (usually only a week) and during the Christmas holidays. There are also other local holidays depending on where you live. The academic year ends around mid June and starts again in mid September. Families moving to Andalucía during the summer holidays can usually enrol their children at the very beginning of September, or if any staff are on duty at the schools, at the very end of August. The Secretary of the school is usually part of the management team and he or she would be the first contact, if you decide to apply to a school directly. Many Spanish schools in popular ex pat areas are experienced in dealing with foreign students and are quite prepared for the initial language difficulty. However in some inland areas this may not be so and your child could be the only foreign student in the class but the advantage of a Spanish education means that your son/ daughter will be fluent in a foreign language; they will develop friendships with children in their community (not just the ex -pat community) and will integrate fully into the Spanish culture.
Formalities are often overstated. It is usually a fairly simple process to enrol your children, but you will need to be registered on the local electoral roll at the town hall (padron), provide passports, full birth certificate/s of the child/ren, marriage/divorce papers if applicable and sometimes, the child/rens vaccination certificates. If applicable, evidence of any disability. Parents pay for books and materials along with cost of school transport and meals if available. School uniform isn't usually worn, except in private schools. All teaching will be in Spanish.
Children can often start school before their 5th or 6th birthday, but it isn't compulsory to attend below the age of 6 (children start school in the September of the calendar year in which they become 6), neither is there a right to schooling below the compulsory starting age. Many children can start pre-school in the year when they become 3 if there are places, with priority going to working parents. Children move to secondary education in the September of the year in which they become 12, however in order to progress from year to year pupils in Spanish state schools have to meet teaching and learning objectives so compulsory schooling could last longer than in the UK as years may have to be repeated. The school leaving age is 16, although some will be under 16 if their birthday falls during the latter half of the calendar year and some will be older if year/s were repeated.
Procedures for enrolment are much the same across Andalucía, but some (not all) town halls have departments set up to provide services for foreign families, however, you can choose to apply to a school directly for a place for your child. Each school has a catchment area or zone and it is best to apply to the school within the zone of where you live or intend to live permanently. In Villanueva de
Formalities are often overstated. It is usually a fairly simple process to enrol your children, but you will need to be registered on the local electoral roll at the town hall (padron), provide passports, full birth certificate/s of the child/ren, marriage/divorce papers if applicable and sometimes, the child/rens vaccination certificates. If applicable, evidence of any disability. Parents pay for books and materials along with cost of school transport and meals if available. School uniform isn't usually worn, except in private schools. All teaching will be in Spanish.
Children can often start school before their 5th or 6th birthday, but it isn't compulsory to attend below the age of 6 (children start school in the September of the calendar year in which they become 6), neither is there a right to schooling below the compulsory starting age. Many children can start pre-school in the year when they become 3 if there are places, with priority going to working parents. Children move to secondary education in the September of the year in which they become 12, however in order to progress from year to year pupils in Spanish state schools have to meet teaching and learning objectives so compulsory schooling could last longer than in the UK as years may have to be repeated. The school leaving age is 16, although some will be under 16 if their birthday falls during the latter half of the calendar year and some will be older if year/s were repeated.
Books, Extra Curricular Activities
Parents must pay for books and materials and any extra-curricular activities. Low income families may or may not be able to get a grant for these, but this depends on the laws in place at the time of making an application.
Qualifications
The equivalent qualification to UK GCSE's is the Graduado of compulsory secondary education -ESO. This is awarded at the end of the compulsory secondary education if the student achieves the appropriate grades in all the subjects. They can then apply, depending on subject interest, for one of the different Spanish Bachillerato. (Equivalent to A Levels). Vocational training is also a possibility after ESO. For students wishing to progress to University inSpain
The equivalent qualification to UK GCSE's is the Graduado of compulsory secondary education -ESO. This is awarded at the end of the compulsory secondary education if the student achieves the appropriate grades in all the subjects. They can then apply, depending on subject interest, for one of the different Spanish Bachillerato. (Equivalent to A Levels). Vocational training is also a possibility after ESO. For students wishing to progress to University in
Parents with 15 or 16 year olds in their final UK school year should enquire about the Convalidación procedure with the Spanish Ministry of Education in Madrid, if the student intends to continue their education in Andalucía or anywhere else in Spain.
Students with Spanish qualifications equivalent to A levels at the appropriate grades have the same chance of going to universities in England and Wales British University Spanish University , can take a different University entrance test (in Spanish), offered by UNED, Spain
Official university education is broken down into three cycles:
Degree, Master’s and Doctorate
Each cycle is completed with the awarding of an official qualification. In all cases, passing the first level gives access to the second, and passing the second gives access to the third.
The normal duration for University courses is 4 years, except Medicine and some others, which are 6.
Postgraduate courses are Master's degrees (Máster), and Doctoral degrees (Doctorado).
Spain has a high standard of university level education and some of the most prestigious national universities can be found in Andalucía. Indeed, the universities at Granada and Seville are widely considered to be amongst the best in Spain
Life at Spanish University
Studying at Spanish university will not only be an academic experience but a cultural one as well. The Spanish have a very individual way of conducting their higher education system and this is a direct result of the cultural style you will experience.
Entrance Requirements
A final mark representing points gained for entrance to university is calculated from the results of two examinations. It is composed of 60% of the Bachillerato marks, plus 40% of the Selectividad marks to make the total points gained. Each university has a point requirement for entrance and this will depend on the individual course and number of students wishing to study the particular subject. Minimum points required for entrance to university are currently 5.
If you have received secondary education outside Spain MADRID
Real Fábrica de Tabacos,
S. Fernando, 4,
41004 Sevilla
Tlf: + (34) 954 55 69 99
Links to Universities in Andalucía
For further information on any of the Universities listed below click on the link to view their web site or call the number listed:
University of Cádiz
Rectorado, Ancha, 16,
11001 Cádiz
Tlf: +34 956 015000
Rectorado, Ancha, 16,
11001 Cádiz
Tlf: +34 956 015000
University of Córdoba
Rectorado, Alfonso XIII, 13,
14071 Córdoba
Tlf: +(34) 957 21 80 00
Fax: +(34) 957 21 80 30
Rectorado, Alfonso XIII, 13,
14071 Córdoba
Tlf: +(34) 957 21 80 00
Fax: +(34) 957 21 80 30
University of Granada
Cuesta del Hospicio s/n, 18071 Granada
Tlf: + (34) 958 24 30 25
Fax: + (34) 958 24 30 66
E-mail: info0@elvira.ugr.es
Cuesta del Hospicio s/n, 18071 Granada
Tlf: + (34) 958 24 30 25
Fax: + (34) 958 24 30 66
E-mail: info0@elvira.ugr.es
University of Huelva
Campus de El Carmen, Edificio Alan Turing,
Ave. Fuerzas Armadas s/n,
21071 Huelva Tlf: + (34) 959 01 90 02
Fax: + (34) 959 01 90 29
E-mail: www@uhu.es
Campus de El Carmen, Edificio Alan Turing,
Ave. Fuerzas Armadas s/n,
21071 Huelva Tlf: + (34) 959 01 90 02
Fax: + (34) 959 01 90 29
E-mail: www@uhu.es
University of Jaén
Paraje de las Lagunillas s/n,
Edificio B1,
23071 Jaén
Tlf: + (34) 953 01 21 21
E-mail: info@ujaen.es
Paraje de las Lagunillas s/n,
Edificio B1,
23071 Jaén
Tlf: + (34) 953 01 21 21
E-mail: info@ujaen.es
University of Málaga
Edificio de Investigación, 2» planta,
Campus de Teatinos,
29071 Málaga
Tlf: + (34) 952 13 29 72
Fax: + (34) 952 13 29 71
E-mail: relint@uma.es
Edificio de Investigación, 2» planta,
Campus de Teatinos,
29071 Málaga
Tlf: + (34) 952 13 29 72
Fax: + (34) 952 13 29 71
E-mail: relint@uma.es
Real Fábrica de Tabacos,
S. Fernando, 4,
41004 Sevilla
Tlf: + (34) 954 55 69 99
Private International Schools
The British Council has details of schools in Spain which offer an English-type education. Most are members of the National Association of British Schools in Spain, which organises periodic inspections by British inspectors, in collaboration with the British Council. (British Council, Paseo General Martínez Campos 31, 28010 Madrid. Web: www.britishcouncil.es)
Teaching at British schools in Andalucía would normally be conducted in English. Fees for day students are usually cheaper than school fees in the U.K. and demand for places can be high. If you and/or your children are intent on returning to the U.K. to live, then choose a school that follows the National Curriculum and offers IGCSE, AS/A Level or the IB.
There are also international schools that follow other styles of education, e.g. French, German and others, but the language of instruction will usually be in the language of that particular country. Some English speaking private international schools follow the American curriculum, rather than the British one. Whichever style you choose, most international schools are required to teach a small part of the Spanish curriculum in addition to the international one. All schools offering education to children of compulsory school age must be authorised to operate and it is advisable to check this aspect before deciding upon an international school. The advantage of the private international system is that your child can continue with the work that they are familiar with and be taught in English. They will mix with many different nationalities but the language of communication will be English, however they will become involved with many different cultures in addition to Spanish. Class sizes are usually much smaller than those in the State system.
The main disadvantage is that it is quite expensive, although compared to private schools in England it is cheaper. You are expected to pay for all materials and books. Also, some of these schools are owned by individuals who may or may not have an educational background.
The main disadvantage is that it is quite expensive, although compared to private schools in England it is cheaper. You are expected to pay for all materials and books. Also, some of these schools are owned by individuals who may or may not have an educational background.
Bilingual Schools
There are a few private schools in Spain La Victoria to the east of Málaga.
For further information about these international schools, see also the web sites of: NABSS and COBISEC
Málaga province and the Costa Del Sol
Granada province - Costa Tropical
Cádiz province - Sotogrande
Cordoba province
Private Bilingual (English/Spanish) Nursery School - Málaga - Costa del Sol
Peter Pan
Parents pay for books and materials along with cost of school transport and meals if available. School uniform isn't usually worn, except in private schools. All teaching will be in Spanish.
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