Infant
and Primary School (Aged 3 to 14)
Starting age for children at infant and primary
school varies from town to town. If there
is an infant section at the school then children
can start school when they are three, but
full-time education is not compulsory until
they are five.
For under-fives there are usually fees to
pay but these are very reasonable. From five
years, state schooling is
free.
To register your child you will need to have
the child registered on the ‘padron’
(town hall
register)
and provide some or all of the documentation
as listed for Nursery
Schools.
These days, for
state schools in many towns/cities, there
is a means tested entry system.
You will also be asked to list three schools
in your order of preference, with admission
being based on your means tested ‘points’
and classroom availability, with no guarantee
of getting into one of your chosen schools
(you will of course be offered a different
school though). Points are awarded for some
or all of the following, for which proof is
required:
Living in the catchment area
Low income family
Unemployed mother or father or both
Having a sibling in a chosen school
Many children family
Disabled child or siblings
The above claim(s) for points appear on the
application form. Spanish
schools are more relaxed than their English
counterparts, there is no uniform requirement
and teachers are usually called by their
Christian names. School hours are usually
09.00
to 17.00
but there will be a two to three hour break
in the middle of the day when the child
can either stay and eat in the dining room
or go home. School recommences at 15.00.
There is frequently one day a week when
school is closed in the afternoon. School
holidays are taken at Easter
and Christmas
and there is a long summer
break. From June 1 children attend half
days and break up for the whole of July
and August, with half days again in September.
See
also
Secondary
school
International
schools
NABSS
EducationSchools
Nursery
school
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