The most important gift we can give our children is a good education and this issue we take a look at both the state run program and bring you our definitive guide to International Schools on the Costa del Sol. Education in Spain saw huge reform in the early nineties when a new system was introduced and compulsory education was extended up to the age of 16. All education is free of charge.

The system includes general and special education and students receive basic vocational training in secondary schools. A child’s education is split into three groups; the first is nursery, infant education (which children will normally begin when they are three years old) and teaches children about social, personal and environmental values, at the same time developing their mental and physical skills. By the end of Educación Infantil or EI they will have covered their alphabet and been introduced to reading and writing.

At six, children progress to Educación Primaria, primary school where three cycles make up the six-year duration. The objectives for primary education are planned over each two-year period and pupils who fail to meet these objectives may be asked to repeat the second year of the cycle. A range of subjects is taught and may include tuition in local dialects or customs in some regions. Children in both infantile and primary education will be expected to perform termly examinations. The state education system provides support teams of psychologist, sociologist and speech therapist and may give foreign children extra language tuition if they have the resources and time. Teachers set aside one hour per week to speak to parents about their children’s progress.

From age 12, children enter secondary education (El Instituto), which is modelled loosely on Britain’s comprehensive system and features complete mixed ability schooling. The first four years are compulsory with children leaving at the end of this time or when they turn 16 if they prefer. Until recent years, secondary education in Spain was very conventional but improvements have introduced project work, continuous assessment and more up-to-date and relevant syllabuses. Sadly there has been a general lack in investment and re-training which has hindered the total success of the scheme.

At the end of the four-year E.S.O. (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) students may leave school and go on to the two-year Bachillerato academic course, or enrol on practical training courses. Students’ grades are dependant on a combination of exam results and continuous assessment and those who wish to go on to university then have to take a general University entrance exam and the course they are able to follow is dependent on the results of this exam combined with their Bachillerato results.

If you are foreign and are bringing your children to Spain to live, you face various choices. Firstly, whether to enter your child into the Spanish, state education system or into the private sector? If your child speaks no Spanish, the move from one country to another combined with entering a new school can be extremely daunting for a child. The younger they are, the more adaptable they are, of course, and Spanish language tuition before leaving home will obviously ease the transition. To enter your child into the state system you will need several things; your child’s birth certificate or passport, proof of immunisation, proof of residence and proof of convalidation (proof of education record).

Many foreign residents as well as many Spanish families who want to give their offspring the best possible start in life opt for a private education and here on the Costa del Sol there are a lot of schools to choose from, some of which are state subsidised. Private schools generally provide a wider range of subjects and activities and may offer British GCSE and A-levels or American high school diploma and university entrance exams. If you are not sure how long you will be living in Spain and may repatriate at some point, then an International school is a must so that your child will fit back into their home school environment with maximum ease.

For many, simply giving their child the choice to study in another country at university level is worth the expense of sending them to a private school. Below we have put together a valuable guide to the Costa’s schools.

School Guide

SUNNY VIEW SCHOOL
Location: Torremolinos
Telephone: 952 383164
E-mail: sunny@acade.es
Web: www.c.adade.es/sunny www.nabbs.org/sunny.htm
Age Range: 3 - 18

Established in 1971, Sunny View School is an international, co-educational day school, fully authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Education. Educating a total of 480 students, the school provides a full, British Primary and Secondary education following National Curriculum guidelines culminating in GCSE and A-level examinations for worldwide university entrance. The school is also a centre for U.S. SAT examinations.

Spacious classrooms, a new science and technology building (3 labs, maths and computer rooms), art room, library, multi-purpose hall, gymnasium, outdoor sports pitches and courts, swimming pool and large cafeteria are amongst the school’s facilities and a new, purpose built, pre-school building was inaugurated in September 2002, comprising 5 spacious classrooms, a video room, dining room and a fully equipped playground.

SWAN’S INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Location: Marbella
Telephone: 952 773248
E-mail: info@swansschool.net
Web: www.swansschool.net
Age Range: 3 - 13

Founded more than 30 years ago, Swan’s offers primary education to an international student body. British National Curriculum including statutory tasks at the end of Key stage 1 and 2, full Spanish primary course to age 6 and a French primary course are offered, all of which receive outstanding results.

The school gives children an excellent grounding as it is small and concentrates heavily on individual attention and a caring environment. Languages include Spanish, French, German and Arabic and an extensive range of extra-curricular activities are on offer. The school is in the process of expansion to incorporate a secondary school with annual growth.

BEDE’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Location: Bel Air, Estepona
Telephone: 952 880867
E-mail: bedes@bedes-spain.org
Web: www.bedes-spain.org
Age Range: 2 - 12

Bede’s Grammar School has recently opened its doors on the Costa del Sol and its guiding philosophy is to offer students an education of quality, based on the principles of individual freedom, decency and kindness. It values creative thinking and stimulates students to express their own ideas and personal values in an atmosphere of mutual respect.Following the British National and Spanish Curricula, the school presently offers limited places in: Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1 (year 1 and year 2).

ALOHA COLLEGE
Location: Nueva Andalucía, Marbella
Telephone: 952 814133
E-mail: aloha-admin@vnet.es
Age Range: 3 - 18

Aloha College was established in 1982 and is a private, independent, co-educational school. It is a non-profit organisation owned through a share system by the parents who buy shares when their children enter and are reimbursed when they leave. The school is administered by a Board of Governors and is authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Education to operate as a British-style school following the British National Curriculum and as a Spanish-style school offering the Spanish LOGSE programme.

The student body of 620 students consists of a staggering 44 nationalities and there is approximately one member of staff for every 10 pupils. Excellent facilities include four modern science laboratories, computer centre, music suite, art and design studio, nursery, library, multi-purpose hall and two outdoor sports areas. The school has an orchestra and choir and music tuition is available for 10 instruments. There is a strong emphasis on music and ballet and examiners from the UK regularly visit the college to assess pupils. Up to 30 extra-curricular activities are regularly offered including the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

CALPE COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Location: San Pedro Alcántara
Telephone: 952 781479
E-mail: calpe@activanet.es
Web: www.calpecollegeschool.com
Age Range: 3 - 18

A co-educational day school, Calpe College was established in 1973 and welcomes all nationalities. The school follows the British National Curriculum up to A level as well as offering a parallel Spanish Curriculum which is fully convalidated. The school is a recognized examination centre for Cambridge and Edexel boards with IGCSE/GCSE courses in twelve subjects.

Facilities include a senior and junior library, computer room, art and design area, science laboratories, all-purpose hall, hard court playing area and video and music room. The school day is complimented by a range of extra-curricular activities including drama, dancing and many sports (volleyball, boxing, karate etc.) An outside catering company with a superb reputation provides school meals.

BENALMADENA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Location: Benalmádena
Telephone: 952 561666
E-mail: info@bicbenal.com
Web: www.bicbenal.com
Age Range: 3 - 18

Founded in 1997, Benalmádena International School provides education to children of all nationalities. The school follows the British National Curriculum using the Cambridge University Examination Board for its IGCSE, AS and A level courses. For Spanish speaking students the dual system is offered. The college consists of the main school, an all-weather sports pitch, basketball area, cafeteria and terrace with the Science and Art departments above. The second phase will commence in the near future and this will include an additional school building, an indoor sports centre, heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool and a hall of residence for visiting schools and sports teams.

The school puts a heavy influence on sporting activities. Qualified P.E. teachers from the UK teach the full sports programme including athletics, baseball, cricket, football gymnastics, hockey, tennis and volleyball. Extra-curricular clubs include drama, art, football (for boys and girls), tennis, computer/internet, gymnastics, chess and Spanish.


THE ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Location: Marbella
Telephone: 95 283 10 58
E-mail: info@eic.edu
Web: www.eic.edu
Age Range: 3 - 18

Founded in 1982, the EIC is a non-profit making, co-educational day school (offering boarding in occasional circumstances) and is administered by a director who is answerable to the Trust. The school follows the British National Curriculum to IGCSE and A Level as well as Spanish LOGSE and Selectividad. Highly qualified teachers, mostly from the UK, work with small classes and the student : teacher ratio ensures a high degree of individual attention. Courses also lead to the Cambridge Preliminary English Test and First Certificate and Proficiency Examinations.

Facilities include primary and secondary libraries, two swimming pools, football pitch, volleyball and basketball courts, four research science laboratories, three computer suites, art studios, multi-purpose hall and a music and drama room. Extra-curricular activities include tennis, karate, drama, instrumental tuition, dance, swimming, and a wide range of other sports. The school also offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and has achieved the only three gold awards in Spain.

SUNLAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Location: Cartama Estación, Málaga
Telephone: 952 42 42 53
E-mail: secretaria@sunland-int.com
Web: www.sunland-int.com
Age Range: 3 – 12 (yearly expansion to age 18)

Sunland’s philosophy is to work together with parents to develop fully bilingual, globally aware students. The importance of human values in personal development including the moral, aesthetic, spiritual and social are stressed and student uniqueness is encouraged. A healthy appreciation of Spain’s national heritage as well as a good understanding of International cultures and values is also high on the agenda.