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Schools in the sun Starting a new life in southern Spain with your family is a fantastic opportunity for everyone. Your kids will get to spend more time outdoors, enjoying the region’s spectacular climate and excellent facilities. And though they may prefer to be on the beach, you can rest assured that they’ll be educated in a great system, and, regardless of their age, become fluent in Spanish. Education is compulsory in Spain from 6 to 16, and schools in Spain are increasingly considered to be of a better standard than many other European countries (including the UK) with fewer discipline problems. Here’s a quick guide to the options and how they work. International schools - The most popular choice for expats, with several in the area to choose from.
- Some teach exclusively in English, others in English and Spanish.
- Most are members of the National Association of British Schools in Spain.
- British schools usually follow the UK curriculum and offer GCSEs and A and A/S levels. Many also now offer the internationally recognised Baccalaureate diploma as an alternative to A levels.
- Class sizes are small and the atmosphere is relaxed.
- All international schools are fee paying. Fees vary from school to school.
Spanish schools - Spanish state education is open to all EU citizens and is free from pre-school to 18.
- You’ll be expected to pay for books, stationery and extra-curricular activities.
- Villages and suburbs have their own nursery and primary schools, but secondary schools have a larger catchment area.
- The catchment area is all-important – if you’re set on a particular school, make sure you look for a home in the right area.
- Around 30% of Spain’s school children go to a private school. These are fee paying and offer a lower student/teacher ratio than state schools.
The Spanish education system
Pre-school age 1-6 - A good way to integrate your children into the community. There are state nurseries and private nurseries, some run by expats.
Compulsory education age 6-14 - Pupils complete their basic general education (Educacion General Basica or EGB). At the end of this they’ll receive a school leaving certificate which determines what they move onto next. Unlike UK schools, if children fail their end of year exams in both primary or secondary schools, they risk having to repeat the entire academic year – a definite motivator! Technical school age 14-16 - Less academic pupils go on to a vocational school. The first year is compulsory and covers general career teaching. The second year is optional and allows students to specialise in a particular subject and go on work placements. High school age 14-18 - More academic pupils go on to a secondary school to study for their Baccalaureate diploma.University - Most universities in the UK recognise the Baccalaureate diploma as well as A levels. Applicants for Spanish universities are expected to complete the Selectividad entrance exam in their final year at high school. In Spain it’s usual for students to go to the nearest university and live at home. There are several good universities in the area, including Malaga, Cordoba, Granada and Seville. When it comes to grants, it’s a familiar story – you’re very unlikely to get one. So whether they’re at university in Spain or in the UK, it will be quite an investment. Useful contacts: National Association of British Schools in Spain - www.nabss.org INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS – COSTA DEL SOL BILINGUAL NURSERY SCHOOL SARROYO DE LA MIEL Peter Pan Nursery
C/ El Olivar 5, Arroyo de la Miel (Benalmádena). Tel: (+34) 952 562 103; www.gpeterpan.com Bilingual education: 0 – 3 years. Also offering after school activities club, excursions and baby-sitting service.
BENALMÁDENA PUEBLO Costa Kinder Care
(Next to the Buddhist Stupa), Benalmádena Pueblo. Tel: (+34) 952 448 007; www.costakindercare.com Bilingual education: 0 – 6 years. Also offering after school activities/homework club and language classes for adults. ESTEPONA Childrensplace
C/ Grulla 33, Urb. Atalaya Park (Benahavís Exit), Estepona. Tel: (+34) 952 928 444; www.childrensplacekindergarten.com Bilingual education: 1 – 6 years. MARBELLA St. Javier’s International School, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 952 823 457; Email: schoolstjavier@wanadoo.es Bilingual education: 1 – 7 years. Optional after school classes and nighttime babysitting service. PRIMARY SCHOOLSMARBELLA Swan’s International Primary School
Urb. El Capricho, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 952 773 248; www.swansschool.net 3 - 11 years. SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA Calpe Jardín
C/. Los Eucaliptos 60, Urb. Linda Vista Baja, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: (+34) 952 786 029; 3 - 8 years. Saint George’s School, Avda. Pablo Ruíz Picasso 10, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: (+34) 952 786 606. 2 - 8 years. COMBINED PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS BENALMÁDENA Benalmádena International College
C/. Catamarán s/n, Urb. Nueva Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: (+34) 952 561 666; www.bicbenal.com 3 – 14 years. In addition to the usual curriculum, BIC also offers vocational studies for less-academic students. The British College
C/. Guadalmedina, Urb. Torremuelle, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: (+34) 952 442 215; www.thebritishcollege.com Buses from Churriana and Riviera del Sol.
CARTAMA/ PIZARRA Sunland
Ctra. Cártama - Pizarra, Nueva Aljaima, Cártama Estación. Tel: (+34) 902 502 250; www.sunland-int.com Three to Year 7 (set to increase by one year annually). Buses from Torremolinos, Alhaurín El Grande and Málaga East.ESTEPONA Bede’s Grammar School C/. Esparragal 69, Urb. Bel Air, Estepona. Tel: (+34) 952 880 867; www.bedes-spain.org Mayfair Academy
C.C. Costa Sol 31, Urb. Bel Air, Estepona. Tel: (+34) 952 784 923; www.mayfairacademy.com 10 – 18 years.FUENGIROLASt Anthony’s College
Camino de Coín, Km. 5.25, Mijas Costa. Tel: (+34) 952 473 166; www.stanthonyscollege.com
5 – 16 years. Buses from Torreblanca and Fuengirola.MÁLAGASt. George’s International School of Málaga
Avda. de la Centaurea 8, Urb. Cerrado de Calderón. Tel: (+34) 952 204 810; www.interschoolmalaga.com British education from three to 16 years (18 in the near future). MARBELLA English International College
Urb. Ricmar s/n, N-340/A7, Km. 189.5, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 952 831 058; www.eic.edu 3 – 18 years. Buses from Fuengirola and Marbella. NUEVA ANDALUCÍA Aloha College
Urb. El Angel, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: (+34) 952 814 133; www.aloha-college.com 3 – 18 years. Buses from Fuengirola and Puerto Banús.
SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA Calpe International College
Ctra. de Cadiz, Km. 171, San Pedro. Tel: (+34) 952 781 479; www.calpecollegeschool.com Seven to 18 years. King’s College
C/. G, Urb. Nueva Alcántara. Tel: (+34) 902 400 028; www.kcsanpedro.org 3 - 18 years. SOTOGRANDE Sotogrande International School
Cortijo Paniagua, Apdo. 15, Urb. Sotogrande. Tel: (+34) 956 795 902; www.sis.ac
Buses from Nueva Andalucía; boarding facilities for students over 10 years. TORREMOLINOS Sunnyview
C/. Teruel 32, Urb. Cerro del Toril, Torremolinos. Tel: (+34) 952 383 164; www.nabss.org/sunny.htm Buses from Torremolinos and Fuengirola. OTHER SCHOOLS & COURSES – COSTA DEL SOL The Marbella Design Academy
All tuition is in English, with courses including Interior architecture, furniture design and graphic design.
C/. Virgen del Pilar 4, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 609 594 885; www.designschool.com
The Tutorial Learning Centre
Tuition in a variety of GCSE and A Level subjects.
N340/A7, Km. 197, Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Tel: (+34) 952 838 078 Málaga Business College
Provides tuition for the University of London/LSE undergraduate degree in business and diploma for graduates in Management. Melior Building, C/ Palma del Río 19, 29004 Málaga. Tel: (+34) 951 164 923; www.malagabusinesscollege.es FOREIGN PRIVATE SCHOOLS – COSTA DEL SOLFINNISH Escuela Finlandesa
C/. José Salik 4, Urb. Los Pacos, Fuengirola. Tel: (+34) 952 476 193; www.suomalainenkoulu.net GERMAN German College (Colegio Alemán Juan Hoffman)
Urb. Elviria, La Mairena, Plaza Juan Hoffmann s/n, 29600 Marbella, Tel: (+34) 952 831 417 www.dsmalaga.com, Contact: fuchs@dsmalaga.com. NORWEGIAN Colegio Noruego Costa del Sol
Avda. Acapulco 11, Fuengirola. Tel: (+34) 952 464 313; www.norskeskolencostadelsol.com SWEDISHEl Colegio Sueco Svenska Skolan
Avda. Ramón y Cajal 9, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 475 076; www.svenskaskolancostadelsol.net INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS – COSTA CÁLIDACARTAGENA Alpha-Omega British School
Avda. Del Portus 44, Tentegorra, Cartagena. Tel: (+34) 968 162 264; www.alphaomegabritishschool.com 3 – 11 years. EL PALMAR ELIS El Limonar International School
Colonia Buenavista, El Palmar, Murcia. Tel: (+34) 968 882 818; www.ellimonarinternational.com Bilingual education: 6 – 18 years. (ELIS also has a centre in Villamartín (Alicante) catering for students from 3 – 14 years. PRIVATE BILINGUAL SCHOOLS – COSTA CÁLIDALOS ALCÁZARES Las Claras del Mar Menor
C/. Penelope, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares, Murcia. Tel: (+34) 968 170 551. Bilingual education .PRIVATE SPANISH SCHOOLS – COSTA CÁLIDAESPINARDO Colegio San José
C/. Teniente Montesinos 19, Espinardo, Murcia. Tel: (+34) 968 830 127. STATE SCHOOLS FOR DISABLED PUPILS – COSTA CÁLIDACARTAGENA Centro Público de Educación Especial Primitiva López
Serranía de Ronda 1, Nueva Cartagena, Cartagena. Tel: (+34) 968 512 437; Email: primitiv@centros6.pntic.mec.es
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