Schools & Education.
Like most of Europe, schooling is compulsory, at least until the age of 16. In Spain, state run education if free of charge ( in public and state funded private schools, up to 16 years).
The standard of education in Spain is very high, with a literacy average of 98.1% of the adult population.
Moving to a new country and finding the right School for your kids can be a difficult and confusing process, along with the obvious issues of language barrier, if your native or secondary tongue isn't Spanish.
If you are sending your child to a Spanish state school, then the lessons will be in Spanish, but many Schools now have assistance with Spanish language and provide extra Spanish lessons to help them intgrate into the language.
We have provided a small guide to the types of Schools available, the schooling process and what further education options are available here in Spain
The Spanish Schooling System
The standard of education in Spain is very high, with a literacy average of 98.1% of the adult population.
Moving to a new country and finding the right School for your kids can be a difficult and confusing process, along with the obvious issues of language barrier, if your native or secondary tongue isn't Spanish.
If you are sending your child to a Spanish state school, then the lessons will be in Spanish, but many Schools now have assistance with Spanish language and provide extra Spanish lessons to help them intgrate into the language.
We have provided a small guide to the types of Schools available, the schooling process and what further education options are available here in Spain
The Spanish Schooling System
Roughly, the Spanish education system consists of 4 major elements:-
- Pre-Schooling - Educacion Infantil (3-5 years of age)
- Primary School - Educacion Primaria (5/6 - 12 years of age)
- Compulsory Secondary Education - Educación Secundaria Obligatoria -ESO (12-16 years of age)
- Post-Compulsory Education - Bachillerat (16-17)
After this, the elective education is possible, either through Technical or Commercial Colleges or Universities.
The system is further broken down into smaller categories:-
In the Pre School:
- Nursery - Jardín de Infancia (0-3)
- Pre-school - Preescholar (3-6)
Primary School is broken down into 3 cycles:-
- First ( 6-8), Second (8-10) & third (10-12)
Secondary Compulsoey Schooling (ESO) is divined into 2 cycles:-
First (12-14) and second (14-16)
Once the compulsory element of schooling is completed, there are various options ope to students, including:-
Once the compulsory element of schooling is completed, there are various options ope to students, including:-
- Post-Compulsory Schooling (16-17)
- A Vocational Training Course( Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio)
- A programme to learn a profession in a year (Programas de Cualificación Inicial Profesional)
- Leave School & get a job (ESO is only compulsory up to the age of 16, and also, 16 is the youngest age that you can apply to get a job)
Types of Schools Available.
The education system in Spain is roughly divided into 3 main categories:-
- State Run Public School - Colegios Publicos (equivelant to a comprehensive school in the U.K.)
- Private Schools (but run by the State) - Colegion Concertados
- Private School (completely self funded) - Colegion Privados
Oficina de Sanidad, Educación, Consumo y Participación Ciudadana ( Department of Education)
Plaza del Teniente Linares, Bajo 3.
03300 Orihuela
Tel: 965 307 106
On the Orihuela Costa, a visit to the Town Hall will give you an idea of what types of School are available, whether you decide to choose State Run or Private, there should be a list of what is available, if places are available, the admission criteria and costs involved and contact / application details.
In state schools, the education is free, but books and materials have to be purcased seperately. State run private Schools and fully Private Schools will inform you of their charges per term / month etc and costs of books and materials. These will vary from School to School.
In some state run private schools, the compulsory education element is free, but the elected (post-compulsory higher education level) will probably need to be paid for.
There are now, due to the high numbers of ex-pats living on the Orihuela Costa, a selection of what are known as 'International Schools', catering to the needs of different people from the many different countries that come and make their lives here on the Costa Blanca and the orihuela Costa. These are exclusively private. Costs vary from school to school, but average around 600 euros per month (compulsory secondary education).
