How to register your child in the Spanish education system

THE SPANISH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

How to register your child in the system

To register your child in the local state school you will have to live in the catchment area which means they will be on the local town hall register (padron). You will also need to supply the school with most of the documents listed below:- birth certificate copy of child’s passport or identity document medical certificate copy of the child’s vaccination certificates copy of child’s registration on the town hall register two photographs copy of mother’s passport or other identity document marriage certificate (if applicable) social security card

The school structure

There is no uniform requirement and the teachers are normally called by their first names. Schooling in Spain is compulsory from 6 to 16 years. Children start school in the September of the calendar year in which they are 6.

If you are looking for a nursery place, these are usually fee paying and the children may start at three. Most nurseries are usually open from 8am to 5.30pm.

The first 6 years of compulsary education are spent in the primary school (age 6 to 12) called Educacion Primaria. The school hours are 9am to 12.30pm and 3.30pm to 5.00pm, except in June and September when the hours are 9am to 1.00pm only.

The second 6 years are spent in secondary education (age 12 to 18). From age 12 to 16 the students attend Educacion Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO), successful students are awarded a Secondary Education Certificate which is necessary for entering further education (vocational or 6th form) or employment.

If students wish to continue education from 16 to 18 years, they may attend the equivalent of the UK 6th form and successful students are awarded a Bachillerato, similar to A levels. The school hours in secondary school are 8am to 3pm.

School terms

The Spanish system operates a three term system, similar to the UK, but with slightly shorter holidays at Christmas and Easter. Most schools break up for the summer about the third week of June and go back the first week of September. There is no half-term holidays, but there are plenty of National, Regional and Fiesta day holidays throughout the year.

Religious education

This is taught in all school following the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. You will be given the option when enrolling, whether you wish your children to take religious education.