Education is a serious concern for many expat families in Spain. Whether to send the children to Spanish or private International schools is the over-riding question. The Spanish education system is excellent and free to all EU citizens. The International schools are largely British although there are some Scandinavian, German and American schools too - each follows their own country's curriculum and examination system.
In general primary school age British children flourish in Spanish schools and quickly become bi-lingual although their English spelling and literacy may be adversely affected. Putting British teenagers into the Spanish schools, if they don't speak the language, can result in their joining the ‘English ghettos’ that exist in some Spanish schools and the students becoming disengaged from their education. Furthermore, they will be put with Spanish children younger than themselves as the practice is to hold them back at least one year and possibly more.
Overall, the younger and brighter the child, the quicker they will adapt to a Spanish school and it is a massive advantage to become truly bi-lingual. However, for older children, or those with any learning difficulties, the Spanish system means that they will need to be at school for more than the statutory number of years as they are likely to be 'held back'.
The Secondary British International schools on the coast have a fee structure ranging from 7,000 euros/child/annum to around 15,000 euros/child/annum dependant more on area than academic achievement. There are discounted rates for siblings. In addition to annual fees there are often many hidden extras so it is often difficult to do direct price comparisons, these include: uniform, lunches, school trips, after-school activities. Furthermore, the international schools charge a 'deposit' on registration and/or an 'inscription fee' - these can amount to thousands of euros/child and are one off payments. Your deposit will not be returned if you fail to give at least one term's notice.
Sending your child, or children, to an International school is an expensive business and one that needs to be budgeted for and maintained for many years.
For Spanish schools Red Tape can:
- Provide accompanied visits to Spanish schools
- Provide an initial translation service
- Get children onto waiting lists for the most popular Spanish schools
- Provide a liaison & translation service if there are any future problems
Red Tape can also advise on your choice of International schools as one of the consultants has previously run an International college and another consultant has worked, as a teacher, at two International schools and sent her own child to yet another. Each International school, like any business, has its particular strengths and weaknesses and suits different children. Some are set-up to cater for more academic children, offering little support for students with learning difficulties, while others do cater for those who struggle academically.
If you are serious about living in Spain permanently, and not returning to the UK, the final consideration is regarding where your child will wish to study for further or higher education. University entrance in Spain is much easier if the student has been through the Spanish system, however many youngsters choose to return to the UK to attend courses at Colleges of Further Education (CFEs) or Universities.
Let Red Tape tie up a solution today
Contact: Jose Ensenat on 661 341 568 or at jose@redtape.es