Schools
Aloha College
A non-profit-making organisation owned by a charitable trust and administered by two Head Teachers with a Board of Governors, all of whom are parents. Aloha College is situated on the outskirts of Marbella in Spain’s Costa del Sol and was the first all-IB school in Spain, where students study English and Spanish and can gain qualifications in both educational systems.
Address: Urb. El Angel, Nueva Andalucía, 29660, Marbella Malaga
Tel: +34 95 281 4133
Swans International Primary & Secondary School
Swan offers both international primary and secondary education and is located just outside the centre of Marbella. It has been on the same campus since 1971, operating under the headship of its owner and founder, Tessa Swan.
Address: Capricho s/n, 29600 Marbella Malaga
Tel: +34 952 773248
Laude San Pedro International College
This is a large, vibrant school with excellent facilities offering a complete British education to pupils from 2 to 18 years of age. It offers an enhanced English National Curriculum with a strong focus on developing fluency in Spanish as a Second Language. The School’s program of study is certified in Spain and in England, with approved entry into UK and Spanish Universities.
Adress: Avenida La Coruña, 2, Urbanización Nueva Alcántara, 29670 San Pedro de Alcántara Malaga
Tel: +34 95 279 99 00
The English International College
Located in Marbella, the school offers The English National Curriculum in an international context to more than 500 boys & girls of many nationalities, ages 3 to 18 years. Although the predominant language is English, being the first language of 80 percent of their students, the remaining 20 percent presents them with a valuable diversity in culture and nationality.
Address: Urb Ricmar, Carretera Cadiz Málaga, 29600, Marbella
Tel: +34 952-83-1058/9
Mayfair Academy
Mayfair is an international school located in Atalaya Park (Estepona) provides primary and secondary education following the British curriculum, conveniently located for easy access form Marbella and Estepona. It offers excellent education at: reception, primary, secondary, and sixth form levels.
Address: Avenida Golandrina 16, Atalaya Park,, 29680 Estepona Malaga
Tel: +34 952 784923
Sotogrande International School
A place where students are encouraged to open their hearts and minds to the joy of learning, identify their passions and develop outstanding learning skills with a natural inquisitiveness. The school was founded in 1978 by a group of residents of Sotogrande who wanted to offer to the local and growing international community, a British-style education with a Spanish influence.
Address: Apartado 15,11310 Sotogrande, San Roque, Cádiz
Tel: +34 956 795 902
Sunland International School
Sunland International School is an independent co-educational school for students of all nationalities. The academic programme, offered in an Andalusian setting, is based on the National Curriculum for England; Key stages 1-4, although it incorporates elements of the Spanish national curriculum. The school is located on a spacious and secure campus to the west and north of Malaga.
Address: Ctra. Cártama Estacion-Pizarra s/n, 29580 Cártama Estacion Malaga
Tel: +34 952 42 42 53
St. Anthony’s College
St. Anthony’s College was established in 1968 and is an officially recognised school offering an English curriculum from Reception (age 3) to GCSE and GCE Advanced Level (age 16+) together with Spanish ESO and Bachillerato.
Address: Camino de Coin km 5.25, Mijas-Costa Malaga
Tel: +34 952 47 31 66
BEST SPANISH PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Colegio San Jose follows the Spanish curriculum from “infantil” to “secundaria”. Located in San Pedro Alcantara.
Bilingual Colegio Atalaya, Urbanización El Marqués, Calle Pico Alcazaba, 24-28, 29680, Málaga, Spain. For more information about this school, please contact Tel: +34 952 003 171
Colegio Alboran, Urb. Ricmar, s/n 29604, Marbella, Spain. For more information about this school, please contact Tel: +34 952 839 645
Colegio Torrequebrada, Ronda del Golf Este, n° 11. Urbanización Torrequebrada, Benálmadena, Málaga, Spain, please contact Tel: +34 952 57 60 65
Colegio Maravillas, Calle Santiago Rey s/n, 29630, Benalmádena, Spain, please contact Tel: 952 442 633
THE SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM
Pre-school Education (0-6 years)
A good way to integrate your children (and yourself into the Spanish-speaking community. Pre-school education (Educación Infantil) is divided into two 3-year stages (0-3 years and 3-6 years). Pre-school education is not compulsory but is free during the second stage (3-6 years) in state-funded schools. There is also a range of nurseries, both state-funded and private, some run by expats.
Compulsory Education (6-16 years)
This consists of two stages:
⦁ Primary education (Educación Primaria) from the age of 6 to 12
⦁ Lower Secondary education (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria – ESO) from the age of 12 to 16. Unlike UK schools, if children fail their end of year exams in at either primary or secondary levels, they risk having to repeat the entire academic year – a definite motivator!
Non-Compulsory Education (16-18 years)
Students can down one of two routes (as long as they have their certificate to show they have completed their ESO):
⦁ Upper level of secondary education (Bachillerato)
⦁ Intermediate vocational training.
The upper level of secondary education prepares students for university. Alternatively, they can opt for vocational training which begins with general training for the workplace and the moves into specialist areas and work experience placements.
Higher Education
Applicants for Spanish universities are expected to complete the Selectividad entrance exam in their final year of secondary school. Once accepted at a university students study for three years and gain either a licencia (in academic subjects) or a diploma in vocational or technical subjects. University graduates can then go on to do further study for the the equivalent of an MA or PhD.
Spanish university courses have been in a constant state of change over the last few years because the government has been working to bring them into line with EU regulations. In Spain it’s usual for students to go to the nearest university and live at home. There are several good universities in the area, including in Málaga, Córdoba, Granada and Seville.
When it comes to grants, it’s a familiar story – you’re very unlikely to get one. So whether your children decide on university in Spain or in the UK, it will be quite an investment.
