| THE SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM | | | | Canary Islands, Valencia, Alicante, Madrid, Balearic |
| How to successfully choose a school in Spain | | | | Islands and Castellon. The schools offer a wide |
| CHOICE OF SCHOOL | | | | range of education ranging from 1 - 18 years. |
| There are a number of choices available to you, | | | | Details of the organisation and schools can be |
| but basically the younger the children the more | | | | found on their website is All the schools offering a |
| choices. At a young age children can easily pick up | | | | British style education are fee paying schools, so |
| a second language and could be educated through | | | | do check current prices before you commit any |
| the Spain state system for free. Be aware that | | | | further. It is obviously essential to visit the school |
| all lessons will be carried out in Spanish. The | | | | before committing, preferably during term time |
| students will achieve the Spanish equivalent of the | | | | with your children. (See the British Schools Section |
| GCSE and A level qualifications (graduation | | | | for more information.) |
| certificate and bachillerato) leading on the | | | | When choosing any school (Spanish or English) you |
| university, if desired, plus the added bonus of | | | | will get an atmosphere whether it is right for your |
| being bi-lingual. Spanish is the second most spoken | | | | family or not. For example the teachers and pupils |
| language in the world. | | | | reaction to your visit, the quality of facilities and |
| If your children don't speak Spanish and are | | | | the displays. As soon as you have made your |
| already in secondary education the best option | | | | provisional choice of schools, it is vital to contact |
| would be for an English speaking school. | | | | the schools concerned to check availability of |
| There are a number of British Schools in Spain | | | | places. Many schools are oversubscribed and will |
| which run the the British curriculum and | | | | limit the number of pupils in order to maintain |
| examinations, and if desired, leading on to entry | | | | standards with manageable class sizes. |
| into Spanish, American or British universities. Some | | | | Places in the state system are usually applied for |
| of these schools start at primary level. The | | | | in the Spring for Autumn intake, there is no |
| National Association of British Schools in Spain | | | | guarantee of obtaining one of your (usually three) |
| (NABSS) was founded in 1978 to promote and | | | | choices but the State has an obligation to offer a |
| maintain British Education in Spain. There are about | | | | place at a school. Places are awarded on a "points" |
| 40 schools in Spain who belong to NABSS. They | | | | system and classroom availability. |
| are located in Asturias, Andalucia, Barcelona, | | | | |