Marbella state schools

I am sure other people have been in this position so would appreciate some advice. We have to take our son out of English school in Marbella and enter him into the Spanish system due to funding. He is 12 with a basic level of Spanish, he has been in an English school here for 8 years. How easy would it be for him to adjust? Any advice would be appreciated.

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Jul 10, 2021
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State schools
by: Saskia

Hi,

We’re doing some research into schools as we want to move from belgium to estepona next yr.
Can anyone recommend a school in estepona. Spanish state school who can maybe provide extra care (we have 3 kids, ages 9, 8 and 6) as our middle child has dyslexia…

Thank you!
Saskia

Sep 24, 2019
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State schools
by: Anonymous

Hi there
We are looking for any advice with regards to state schools in and around marbella (between estepona and calahonda) . We cannot afford the fees for the private schools but have no idea where to start looking for a great state school in the area. It would be primary school (4 and 9 year old).
They do not speak Spanish.
Any help would be much appreciated.

May 15, 2014
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state schools in Spain for english kids 12 and above
by: Anonymous

Hi, I am in turmoil as we plan to move to costa del sol with 3 children ages 17,12 and 10 . Although my eldest son is out of compulsory education he wants to do a second part of a B-tec in Spain does anyone know if this could be possible ??
Next issue I have is with the middle child , I initially planned on sending her to an International school but fees are ridiculous 10k euros so 20k euros for two is not in my budget !!!
I am looking for a state primary and secondary in a large expat area where there will be other British kids does anyone know where these schools are ??? Please Help !!!!!

Dec 16, 2013
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erroneorus info
by: cecilia

Pupils that go to state spanish school can, under EU regulations enter a UK university with the selectividad.

Feb 16, 2012
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Local Marbella schools
by: Marbella Family

Read more about how to find the school that is in your catchment area and what you need to register your child.

Nov 08, 2011
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good luck
by: Anonymous

Don't think there should be any problems provided you have pre-arranged a good support system for Spanish - in and outside school. i.e. what is course of action when problems arise.

At 11 in English school - no previous Spanish - struggled - no support - peers were ahead.

At 12 last year at a Spanish private school. Picked up conversational Spanish fast. Unfortunately not fast enough to understand ESO1 spanish in all classes. A wasted year as no support (i.e. how to condense 8 years into 1 in Spanish). Didn't believe statements of "not understanding".

Now 13 back in English system doing IGCSE's (i.e. more challenging and no coursework required).

Nov 07, 2011
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Spanish system
by: Anonymous

I feel for you as I know how expensive private education is, I have had two children at private school here. My only comment is about looking to the future; do you think you will always be here because the exams your child would sit here are not compatable with the English System and they would have to do more courses in English to be able to enter University back in the UK. Fine if you think they will stay here and study. We have struggled in last few years to meet the funds but have priortised it and have not had a family holiday for 3 years or many new things but we think its worth it to have kept the children in Private school.

Nov 06, 2011
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State school
by: Anonymous

My son started this September in state school in Marbella. He is only 6 and we have only lived here a year so his Spanish was virtually nothing and that has been the hardest part for him.

We are very lucky that we got a school who can not do enough to help us and who has a Spanish lady who teaches English and is always available to translate should I need to speak to the teacher or vice versa.

The main advice I have is be realistic, it will be very hard to adjust to at the start. I went into school before it opened and was speaking to the English teacher, she told me about 2 little boys who were also Irish and had started the school the year before. They are a little older than my son but she introduced him to them on his first day and they have really looked after him and helped him settle in. I would suggest asking if there are any children in the school who have been in your son's situation so he can meet them.

It also helped me speaking to the parents who have been through it, my little boy cried his eyes out every day for the first month and I nearly wanted to bring him back to the English school. My son loves it now and is picking up the language really well and has so many friends.

I am so glad we made the move, I'm sure you will agree it was a difficult decision to make. The only other advice I have is speak to your son every day and find out if there are any problems and also keep in regular contact with his teacher.

Homework has been a challenge as my Spanish is also basic and google translate isn't always accurate. Sit down with him every afternoon and make sure he understands it and go through it thoroughly with him, this is helping me pick it up too. When we didn't understand something I wrote a note explaining to the teacher and asked her to correct me or explain so we would know for the future. I can't express how much help the teacher is so use her/him as much as you need!

Good luck to you and your son!

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