school help

[Framie]

Hi moving to torrevieja in August, I have a 12 year old son who should be going to high school this year and a 6 year old daughter, can anyone help me about registering the kids in a state school and also which state schools are good. I am coming out on Friday for a week to find a long term rental so if anyone can help out I would be most grateful.

Thanks

[Steve B]

Framie
To the best of my knowledge registration will be in May. You need to register at the town hall. The kids need a green form from a spanish doctor and will require a Hep B jab.The school will also require 4 passport size photos plus other paperwork issued by the school.
Good Luck.

[AndyH]

Hi Framie,

Not so simple I'm afraid. Your kid's school will be decided by where you live. When you have your long term rental contract or your house deeds, you need to go to the local town hall to sign on the Padron. This is the list that the local authority keeps in order for it to plan ahead for things like schooling, police, fire brigade etc, if they don't know that people live here, they can't provide these things for them. Once you have your padron, you need to go and register your child with the school that is in your catchment area and this registration period is usually in May. It varies which week in May according to which school. Don't take this the wrong way, it's not meant as a criticism, just a statement of fact, if you turn up on the first day of term wanting a place for your kids, they may tell you they don't have any, or that you have to wait until Christmas for a place.
You may need to find a place to rent when you come on Friday and then come back again in May when you know the registration week of your local school.
Hope this helps.

[Doc]

Framie.

The following link may be of use to you. There is a whole section on education.

http://www.expatica.com/guides/spain.pdf

Chris.

[R2D2]

Does your 12-year old speak any Spanish?
You do realise, presumably, that in the state school he will be doing history, geography, science, etc. all in the spanish language medium.
This is quite a challenge!! To say the least!

[Steve]

cronin@inicia.es for her semi-definitive guide to the Spanish education system. (Nothing is definitive here!)

Would I come with a 12 year old who does not speak fluent Spanish?
No.

[Nick Edwards]

I personally would recommend having some private tuition for your children as I have,that way it will be less of a shock when they do go to spanish schools.I have 3 boys aged 12/10 and 4 and the older 2 boys have been learning the language for over 12 months and we allow them to order meals drinks etc when out.
My wife went to the education dept in Torrevieja and got the dates from them and she is there next week sorting it out.You will need Padron,passport photos and a copy of current passport (with originals)as the spanish like duplicate copies of all documents.
The medical bit is a strange one to me I was informed by the education dept that if you bring over from the UK a copy of the childrens medical records (usually the red books you have ) and if you contact your GP they can confirm your child is upto date on Imunisations etc and they will print them off for you if required.
If you ask me would I bring a 12year old to spanish school the answer would be YES based on the fact that a big Private school run by a couple of " " was open without proper paperwork (yes a school with out proper aucthority)and is now closed pending...........
You have to remember that Torrevieja has a large population of english people so the chance of your children being in a class without any English support is very remote.If you want any further info just ask.

Nick

[Nick Edwards]

Nick

[Jane C]

I agree with Steve, 12 is a very, very complicated age to uproot a child and place him in a Spanish school. The atmosphere is Spanish secondary schools is quite "adult" and different from what he will be used to. He needs two types of Spanish - "young" social Spanish to have a chance with his classmates and enough grasp of academic Spanish to cope with subjects which are taught often at a more advanced levels than in UK. If there are many other English children in his class, their "support" could well be chatting in class, distracting him from work and keeping him from socialising with the Spanish.

Also, in a Spanish secondary school you do not automatically progress through the years. You have to pass exams, and if you fail, you have to repeat the year. This will happen for the first year or two, and will place your son with children younger than himself.

You've got a big job on your hands if you want him to succeed in Spanish secondary school. If you have the resources, you should consider private education. If not, for your son's sake, I would seriously consider remaining in the UK for another 5 years.

Jane

[Nick Edwards]

I am posting my own opinions like everyone else (after all that is what a forum is for)so if people want to pick at what I say then good for them.
I have also sent a private message to Jane as I know she is a very helpful person.

Nick Edwards

[Steve]

I think one of the BIG differences between Nick and his family and so many we have seen here is that he most definitely HAS done his homework. He has taken the trouble to come over several times, to check everything out and has gone the extra mile to ensure the move will be as smooth and successful as possible.

On that basis, he has a much greater chance of success than many others who couldn't find Torrevieja on a map.

Good Luck, guys.

Steve

[Framie]

Nick

Hi thanks for information, you said your wife was going out next week, is that to register the kids in the school or do you know what date it is to register them?

[Nick Edwards]

Hi Framie,
Like Steve and Jane have both said it is a big step to take without doing your "Homework " first. I have done approx 18 months of research and been in Torrevieja for a total of 5 months during that time and I have looked at all the pitfalls asked all the questions (cheers Steve and Jane)and have made sure that financially I can afford to live there which is one of peoples biggest problems.
I would suggest asking Steve or Jane as they have many contacts in the area and would be in a better position to help.

My wife is over next week and has paid for an Interpreter to go with her to register two of my boys at school (Tues-Thurs)but you need to check as different schools have different enrolment days.

I myself will be over next Saturday (yes Steve in time for the FC Torrevieja game)to collect my Spanish car and drive back via Bilbao on Tuesday.

If you can make a visit to the Education Dept and take an Interpreter with you. If you need any more help just ask.

Nick

[Framie]

Financially we r ok as my husband works in Africa and he will be in Spain with me and the kids for 1 month and then away a month. I have been doing research for about 6 months so I have got the medical records, photocopies, bith certificates all looked out and organised for going over tomorrow. We r just going to rent somewhere for the first year to make sure that we are all happy, as it is a big step and the fact I'll be on my own for 6 months of the year. We have a friend who owns an apartment in Villamartin and he has offered us it for the year but someone said to get your padron you must have a rent book or a legal document in spanish which is a problem as our friend lives is Doha. We might just look for a long term rental when we go out and then we can get the legal papers to take to the town hall. My other thing was someone said the kids need their Hep B injection so do I get that from a spanish doctor or will the schools let me register them without it and they can get it when they come home? Thanks again for everyones help

[Jane C]

Hello Framie,

I think it is possible for your friend to draw up a legal rental document for you in Spanish which you could use. You would also have to have one or more utility bills in his/her name.

Villa Martin is not in Torrevieja, but Orihuela Costa. If you are in Orihuela Costa you have to go to the town hall there (near the Mercadona). If you are in Torrevieja, you go to the town hall for the padron documents, and the education department on c/Maldonado to register at a school, which they will assign.

Regarding vaccinations, I don't know exactly which ones are needed, but I doubt whether you will be allowed to register them unless everything is in order. If there's any vaccination missing you will probably have to pay for it to be done privately before they will accept your application.

I have just noticed that you do not mention whether the children are coming with you next week. This will be necessary for the doctors certificate. Otherwise, I doubt if you'll get it all sorted until September. In any case, be prepared for a whole lot of bother.

Jane