Schools
There are basically two options available in respect
of schooling: enrolling in a Spanish school or having
your children privately educated in primarily English-speaking
schools (with English examination boards). Both the
Spanish education system and most private schools cater
for children with special needs.
Spanish School: To enrol your children in a Spanish
school, you must first attend an interview and provide
the school with a verified record of your children’s
education to date. This is called “convalidation”
paperwork and your child will not be accepted as a pupil
without it. You also need your child’s passport
and proof of immunizations (compulsory in Spain) and
proof of residence (such as a utility bill). If your
application is in respect of secondary education, you
will also need a passport-sized photograph of your child
(for a student card).
The Spanish education system is held in high regard
and students work towards obtaining a bacchillerato
with which they can then apply to university. This qualification
is recognised worldwide. Class ratios are usually between
25 to 30 students to one teacher and classes usually
start early, with school finishing around 2.30pm with
optional activities such as sports available thereafter.
Be aware, however, that not only will classes be taught
in Spanish but your children may also be required to
learn and pass examinations in regional dialects as
well (for example, Valenciano is compulsory in Costa
Blanca schools). Please bear in mind that latest research
suggests that children have a greater chance of becoming
truly bilingual before the age of 10.
There are many private schools throughout the coast,
with English teachers guiding pupils through to English
examination board qualifications (with Spanish lessons
obviously of high priority too). Child to teacher ratios
vary but are usually around 25:1. However, private schooling
can prove very expensive. You can expect to pay approximately
€3,000 - €5,000 per child per annum for primary
level education and anything up to €7,000 per annum
for secondary schooling. Payment is usually by way of
a deposit with the remaining fees split between term
payments.
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