Schooling is compulsory in Spain for children age 6 to 16 years. Public education is free, but books and materials are not provided free (but in Andalucia, grants are available for families on low incomes). The teacher from each class will provide you with the relevant list of materials and books required. Lessons are conducted in the Spanish language only, however this does not present a problem to young children who tend to pick up languages very quickly. Attending a Spanish school is definitely one of the best ways of ensuring that both the child and in most cases the family, become integrated into the local Spanish community.

Education from 0- 6 years is referred to as infants education (Educación Infantil), from 6 to 12 years, Primary Education (Educación Primaria) and from 12 to 16 years, Secondary Education (Educación Secundaria Obligitar). Infants education below the age of 3, that is, in the first "cycle" is hard to find and likely to be non existent in the province of Almeria. Provision for infants between the ages of 3 and 6 years varies, is likely to be part-time in Almeria province and is not compulsory. There are specialist schools too, e.g. for music, dance and art. Also, for parents who find it impossible to get their children to school, residential units. Children with special needs are integrated into mainstream school where possible.

Secondary education (ESO) starts at 12 years (as opposed to 11 years which is generally so in England) when children attend a secondary school (often called an IES or Institutio Educacion Secundaria). Some schools in Almeria are effectively combination schools and take children from or during the second "cycle" of Primary (age 3 years up) through to the second year of ESO at 14 years. These children then go onto Secondary school. 14 is an important age as this is when students start the last cycles of compulsory education and the outcome of studies will dictate the route at 16. Post 16, students can undertake vocational training or carry on with their studies for a further 2 or 3 years.

The law relating to education in Spain has changed and in Andalucia evolved since 1972. The framework eminates from the LOGSE 1/1970 and this is the law that dictates the national educational framework. The old qualifications of the COU and BUP have been replaced and in Andalucia, the last students studying for these qualifications left school last year (2002). Instead of the COU (or lots of GCSE's, as is the case in England) students who successfully complete their secondary education are awarded with a Graduado en Educación Secundaria.

The choices at post 16 are vocational training, work, or at a higher level, study leading to one of 4 types of Bachiller (academic or vocational). Success in all modules of the Bac. leads to a Bachiller Diploma.

Entrance for students (with appropriate qualifications) to Spanish University is usually by way of examination.

THE CURRICULUM AREAS
 
This is a broad guide to the curriculum areas in the whole of Spain, according to the framework set by Ministry of Education, without reference to any regional variation in Andalucia. (For example, in Andalucia, Language and Literature will include Andalucian Literature & Culture, even though there is not a co-official language).

Ciencias de la Naturaleza (the Natural Sciences - eg Biology, Physics,Chemistry,Geology)

Ciencias Sociales, Geografía e Historia (Social Sciences - eg Geography, History)

Educación Física - (Physical Education)

Educación Plástica y Visual (Visual education, plastics - eg Art and Design, DT)

Lengua Castellana y Literatura (Spanish Language and Literature)

Matemáticas

Música

Tecnología (Technology -eg DT, IT)

Filosofía (Philosophy - eg Philosophy, Law)

Latín, griego y cultura clásica (Latin, Greek and the Classics)

Lenguas extranjeras (Foreign Languages - eg English and/or French and/or German

PRIVATE EDUCATION
 
Private schools can be funded by individuals, cooperatives, businesses etc., or can be subsidised by the state. Spanish private schools that are subsidised are called Concertados. In Almeria, the Concertados are concentrated in the city of Almeria. Elsewhere there are few private schools, this is probably because traditionally, Almeria was a poor and rural area, at least away from the coastal resorts.

There are no private international schools in Almeria province that follow the British style of education., however the Almunecar International School, in Almunecar, on the Costa Tropical is probably the nearest, at least to Almeria city. There are private international schools where the language of instruction would be English, in Murcia province, but these do not necessarily follow the British curriculum.

ENROLEMENT AT PUBLIC SPANISH SCHOOLS
 
In order to enrol children in a public Spanish school, parents must first have somewhere to live. The choice of location will dictate where the children go to school however there is infact some parental choice, depending on availability of school places, there is also a points system in place and the highest points go to those living within the immediate catchment area of the school, so as in UK, when there is pressure on places, there is no choice. Try not to leave enrolment any later than the previous April before the next academic year and have, at least, proof of address in the required area.. To enroll your child into a Spanish School, you will need to visit the chosen school (with an interpreter if your Spanish is limited) and arrange to fill our the relevant paperwork, taking along with you proof of your child´s up-to-date inoculations and parents passport as well as your childs passport. In most cases, children can start school almost immediately. It is a good idea to provide the school report which has been translated into Spanish to assist the school in understanding what stage your child is at with their education and their future needs.

School hours vary from school to school, but as a general rule of thumb, usually the hours of attendance are 9am to 2 or 3pm. There are 3 months summer holidays from mid-june to mid-September but there are no half terms, just Christmas, Easter and Spanish fiesta days.

Almeria can be rather laid back on the formalities, but plan ahead and get that address in Spain!

MOJACAR
 
Primary
Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Bartolomé Flores
Camino Fuensanta s/n
04638 Mojácar
Tlf: 950478277

Secondary
Instituto de Educación Secundaria
Albardinal, s/n
04638 Mojácar
Tlf :950475192

GARRUCHA
 
Primary
Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Ex Mari Orta*
Camino Viejo de Mojacar s/n
04630 Garrucha
Tlf: 950132010

Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Hispanidad*
Mayor 220
04630 Garrucha
Tlf: 950460311

Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Hispanidad*
Mayor 220
04630 Garrucha
Tlf: 950460311

VERA
 
Primary
Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Ángel de Haro
Avda. de Andalucia, s/n.
04620 Vera
Tlf: 950390740

Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Reyes Católicos
Plaza de la Constitucion s/n
04620 Vera
Tlf: 950390709

Secondary
Instituto de Educación Secundaria Alyanub
Plaza Mayor, s/n
04620 Vera
Tlf :950390159

Instituto de Educación Secundaria El Palmeral
Hemano Lazaro s/n
04620 Vera
Tlf: 950390938

TURRE
 
Primary
Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria María Cacho Castrillo*
Rosaleda, 7
04639 Turre
Tlf: 950479136

ALBOX
 
Primary
Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Francisco Fenoy
Cadiz,s/n
04800 Albox
Tlf: 950431580

Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Velázquez
Buenavista s/n
04800 Albox
Tlf: 950430046

Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria Virgen del Saliente
Pago Aljara s/n
04800 Albox
Tlf: 950430163

Colegio Público Rural Medio Almanzora II
C/Buenavista, s/n.
04800 Albox
Tlf: 950120216

Secondary
Instituto de Educación Secundaria Cardenal Cisneros
Avda. de America, s/n.
04800 Albox
Tlf: 950430280

Instituto de Educación Secundaria Martín García Ramos
Ctra. de la Estacion, 8
04800 Albox
Tlf: 950430084

Specialist
Conservatorio Elemental de Música
C/Cadiz, s/n
04800 Albox
Tlf :950120326

Adult Ed
Centro de Educación de Adultos Albox (La Loma - Taberno)
C/ Pago Aljara, s/n. Apt.correos, 109
04800 Albox

* Also first cycle of ESO (secondary, age 12/14 years) in 2002/2003 academic year

Agua Amarga & Carboneras :
Centros Castellano y Oliver 950 454 855
 
Garrucha :
Mayor Consulting Empresarial 950 617 018 mconsult@larural.es
 
Mojácar :
Clases de Internet e Informática 667 863 874 clases@mojacar.info