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Working in Spain - Schools and Education
Schools and Education on the Costa del Sol
A main concern when working overseas is education. If you are relocating to your job in Spain with your family, then you will be interested in schools and the education options on the Costa del Sol. One of your major decisions is whether you want your child to follow the Spanish eductaion system or attend an international school and remain in the English eductaion system. It is important to organise a place at a school for your child as soon as you accept an offer to work in Spain. The following is a guide to schools on the Costa del Sol.
As part of the Obelisk commitment to helping you make a good start to your career in Spain, the H.R. Department is happy to assist you in making enquiries about education on your behalf.
Spanish Schools
If you decide on a Spanish education for your child during your recruitment in Spain, you have the option of private and state Spanish schools. There are several private schools on the Costa del Sol, but places are very limited and unless your child is very young or speaks fluent Spanish, you are unlikely to get a place.
Spanish state school places are allocated on a catchment-area basis and there are several in each town on the Costa del Sol:
- - Primary schools (Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria) cater for 3 to 12 year-olds. School times are 9am or 9.30am to 2pm or 2.30pm. Most schools offer a daily cooked lunch and many have supervised activities until 5pm.
- - Secondary schools (Instituto de Educación Secundaria) are for 12 to 16/18 year-olds. School times are 8.15am or 8.30am to 2pm or 2.30pm. There are no lunch facilities.
Spanish state schools have no uniform. Free bus services are available in some areas, e.g. in Mijas Costa for schools in La Cala and in Marbella for schools in Elviria. School holidays in the summer are long (mid-June to mid-Sept), there is no half-term in the autumn and summer terms and the Easter holiday is one week only.
Applying to a Spanish State School
The application period usually takes place during March for the following academic year. Parents must fill in the appropriate form (provided by individual schools) and take this to the school together with proof of residence in the locality (certificado de empadronamiento), you and your child's passport and a copy of your child's vaccine card. Those applying to secondary schools may also need to provide proof of their previous secondary education in the UK, but this depends on the school. Once the application period is over, the school allocates places on a points basis and your child may be given a place in the school of your choice or an alternative school.
If you arrive to work in Spain outside the official application period, the application process is identical but it is unlikely your child will get a place at your first-choice school. All children living in a locality are guaranteed a place at a school within that locality, but you may find the school is not the nearest and if you have more than one child, they may end up at separate schools.
If you choose a Spanish school, bear in mind that your child will be in a completely Spanish environment where little English may be spoken throughout the day. Younger children tend to adapt more easily to Spanish education while teenagers often find it more difficult. If you intend to make a career in Spain and work on the Costa del Sol long-term, Spanish school is probably the best option for your children.
International Schools
Many who relocate to work in Spain on the Costa del Sol will be interested to know there is an excellent choice of international schools located between Sotogrande and Malaga, catering for all ages and nationalities. Places are usually in short supply at international schools, you may have to apply well in advance and children are required to take entrance tests at some schools. Fees are generally high at international schools and at many you pay a deposit when your child starts (refundable when your child leaves).
If you choose an international school, your child may not be exposed to as much Spanish language and culture, but many people working abroad prefer this option.