Schools in Barcelona
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The single, largest problem facing most international families when relocating to Catalunya is where to educate our children. Whether to follow the Catalan system or whether to opt for one of the numerous international schools is hotly debated amongst Expats. The Catalan language proves to be the deciding point for most parents, many of whom are unaware before moving to Catalonia that this is the language in which their child will be educated. Many are also unaware that all correspondence between parent and school will be conducted purely in Catalan. Whatever your choice, the following sections aim to give an insight into the options available to parents here in Catalonia and the complex lottery of applying for a state placement.
Bridget Nelson, founder of Sitges Playgroup and Planet English, has kindly given us her time to share her experiences of education in Catalunya, the options available to parents, how to apply for schools and how to prepare for that first day. -
International, private & public nurseries
Sending your child to nursery from an early age is not uncommon in Catalunya due to the limited childcare options for working mothers. The level of care is generally seen as good but as with anywhere, standards do vary. Applying for state nurseries takes place in May, and is based on a points system dependent on where you live, how many children you have at the nursery etc. It´s worth knowing that Llard d’infants and Guarderia are the same thing. If you see the word 'Parvulari', this indicates that the education centre is for the first ‘cycle’ at school, from 3-6 years. It is P-3, P-4 and P-5, the non-compulsory child education at schools. You often see Llars d'infants and Parvulari together.Anyone can apply for a place for their child in a private nursery, be it Catalan or International. If you would like to recommend a particular nursery, please do let us know by sending us your comments
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International, private & public schools
State Education in Catalunya is co-educational, free and conducted in Catalan rather than Spanish. Places are allocated according to where you live and although education doesn’t begin until the age of six almost all are at school (preescolar) full-time from the age of three. All children have the right to free education, however in many schools the demand simply outweighs the number of places resulting in a point system at the initial stages and then often a lottery is drawn with many parents unable to secure a place at the first school of their choice. Unlike in many European countries, there is limited job mobility within Catalunya, meaning that children normally remain at one school for the duration of their education and therefore it is not as common for places to open at a later stage. Please see below for a brief explanation of each of the stages of schooling for children and school listings in Barcelona.
Primary Education
Primary Education (educación primaria) in Catalunya is for ages 6 to 12 and consists of three two-year cycles. This compulsory educational program is designed to develop the child's personality and prepare them socially and culturally.
At this stage, the pupils study the following courses:
Environmental, social & cultural studies: biology, geology, etc. (conocimiento del medio natural, social y cultural)
Art (educación artística)
PE (educación física)
Catalan/Spanish language / literature (lengua catalana/literatura)
Foreign languages (lenguas extranjeras)
Maths (matemáticas)
Religion (religión) is optional. (There is separation of church and state as established in the Spanish constitution, however in 1954, Franco made an agreement with the Holy See that the Catholic religion is the official Spanish religion; the Church pays no taxes and in fact is subsidised and taught in schools from pre-school to bachillerato).Secondary Education
Obligatory Secondary Education, ESO, (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) is from 12 to 16. These years of study are to help students recognise and develop their aptitudes and interests and to teach them the values and skills of a modern democratic society.
The pupils study:
Natural sciences: biology / geology & physics / chemistry (ciencias de olas naturalezas)
Social sciences: geography, history, morality & ethics (ciencias socials conocimiento de medio)
Virtual and art and design, DT, (educación plástica y virtual)
PE (educación física)
Catalan/Spanish language / literature (lengua castellana y literatura)Foreign languages: English, French, German (lenguas extranjeras)Music (música)Technology (tecnología)
Religion (religión)
Fourteen is the pivotal age when a child's progress in school shapes their future academic possibilities. This is the last cycle of compulsory education and depending upon their academic success, they either take on vocational training or carry on with their studies for a further two or three years in university preparation, students with appropriate qualifications must take exams to enter into Spanish university.
Bachillerato is from sixteen to eighteen. This last stage of secondary education focuses on career decisions and college preparation. Subjects include art, natural sciences and health, humanities, and social sciences and technology.
Concertados are semi-private schools, run by individuals, collectives or businesses and are profit making educational institutions; however they are subsidised by the State.
If you would like to recommend a particular school, please do let us know by sending us your comments
Click here to view Barcelona's state, private and International schools
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Education - News and Stories
There is much information and many articles on the web regarding schooling. This section includes different pieces that have been forwarded to us by our members.
