Useful Info - Spanish Education System


Property for sale in Almeria, Spain

I have been asked many times about the Spanish Education system and having no children of school age myself have undertaken some research. The following is plagiarised from various articles and I thank anyone who may recognise their input.

In most parts of Spain schooling is now available from the age of three, although obligatory age for starting school is five years old. Admission is once a year in September according to year of birth. In other words children born between October and December start school before their third birthday. You can register in May for the following September, either at the school or the town hall.

Education for infants (El) lasts for three years and teaches social, personal and environmental values as well as helping develop their mental skills. They will be introduced to reading and writing from 4 years, they will have learned their alphabet by the end of El but they are not expected to read fluently. El is one of the newest areas of Spanish education and is taught by specialist teachers.

At 6 years old (or near) the child progresses to Educacion Primaria (EP), this is for six years divided into 3 cycles. At the end of each cycle a child who has not reached the targets of that cycle may be required to repeat a year. Subjects covered are: maths, biology,history, geography, general and local knowledge, and social interactivity, physical education, art and crafts, and a second language, usually English. Religion which is Catholic (your child can opt out of this). Classes are for mixed abilities the concept of ‘streaming’ is unknown in Spain. Teachers make themselves available for one hour per week to speak to the parents about their childs progress.

From the third year children have term exams, but there is no equivalent national testing system. State Education is free, but parents buy all the textbooks and materials. The school issues a list, which can usually be filled locally.

From the age of 12 children move to Secondary School (El Instituto). The new secondary system is modelled on the comprehensive system. The first 4 years are La E.S.O. (Educaci Secundaria Obligatoria) The pupil can leave school at the end of this section or when they are 16 whichever is the sooner.

At School

The school year: Starts in September and ends in the third week of June, there is a two week break at Christmas, and one and a half weeks at Easter. There are no half terms as such but there are many national, local, holidays and the breaks are usually organised around these.

The School day: The divided day is common in junior and infant schools where there is a 2 hour lunch break, however, the “jourada continua” is more common in Secondary schools. Here the youngsters finish school around 2pm.

The School dinner: Children are not normally allowed packed lunches so if you are not able to have your child home for lunch, they will have school dinners. Remember these meals are Spanish and at first your child may not be accustomed to them, and the staff in general do apply some (encouragement) to get the child to eat. For a young child not used to the food it can be a pretty daunting experience.

In the area of Arboleas as in all rural areas transport is provided for children to and from school.

Spanish village life rural property and town houses

Culture and history in Cuevas del Almanzora

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