Forums » Spain » English in Spain

• lucyh

  

  • 3 posts
   

  January 3, 2012 10:06:50 PM CET

  Hi Everyone,

   

  Does anyone have any experience of the public school system in Barcelona? I am moving out there in April with two kids, one 18 months, the other 5 years old. We can't afford private school so we are looking for a public primary school for our 5 year old boy.

   

  I am really worried about how he will cope in school with everything in Catalan, and we are thinking he might find it easier to settle in if a few of the kids speak English. Are there any areas where there are significant populations of expats that send their kids to public schools?

   

  My boyfriend is currenly living in Gracia, and likes it there but it's apparently very Catalan. Other areas we have considered include Poble Sec, Poble Nou, or maybe further out in Castadefels or Sitges.

   

  Any help on this or general advice on the public school system in Barcelona would be greatly appreciated.

   

  Thanks in advance!

   

  PS Neither my boyfriend or I speak any significant Spanish at the moment and no Catalan at all, although we fully intend to learn!
• Expatica

  

  • 84 posts
   

  January 4, 2012 11:30:25 AM CET

  Hey lucyh, Take a look at the Education section on Expatica site. Hope these articles will help! http://www.expatica.com/es/preschool-spain.html In addition, you can also consult one of our education expert directly via the "Ask the expert" tool: http://www.expatica.com/es/ask_expert.html

  
  This post was edited by Expatica at January 4, 2012 11:30:35 AM CET
• keithisco

  

  • 1 posts
   

  February 8, 2012 5:54:24 PM CET

  Expatica said:
  

  Hey lucyh, Take a look at the Education section on Expatica site. Hope these articles will help! http://www.expatica.com/es/preschool-spain.html In addition, you can also consult one of our education expert directly via the "Ask the expert" tool: http://www.expatica.com/es/ask_expert.html

   

  Be careful with the Spanish System, it is based on the USA model which (here) means that if your child fails Spanish and Maths(symbology is different to UK Maths) then your child will be forced to take the entire year again...

   

  He / she might be absolutely brilliant in Physics, Chemistry, Art etc, but absolutely no credit is given for this. Your child will be held back in these subjects as well. If at all possible, put your child into an English Curriculum school. Do not be lulled into thinking that an IES BiLingue school, is anything but a Spanish School.

   

  We moved from Madrid because the Spanish school she attended failed her in Spanish (just) and failed her in Maths (I checked the paper at her school and she got the correct answer on ALL of the questions, with the working out - but did not use the method she was taught!!).

   

   There is no room for independent analysis, no room for original thought - do as you are told... She is now at an Independent School in Alfas del Pi (Alicante) and is taking 3 IGCSE's 2 years earlier than her English counterparts.

   

  She is considered to be an A* Student in these exams, and her Maths she will take 1 year ealy (next year) and again is cited to be an A* Achiever.

  Children really only have 1 chance at secondary level, and I am happy to pay for this opportunity

   

  best regards

   

  Keith (keithisco@gmail.com)

• lucyh

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 9, 2012 3:01:55 PM CET

  keithisco said:
  

  Expatica said:
  

  Hey lucyh, Take a look at the Education section on Expatica site. Hope these articles will help! http://www.expatica.com/es/preschool-spain.html In addition, you can also consult one of our education expert directly via the "Ask the expert" tool: http://www.expatica.com/es/ask_expert.html

   

  Be careful with the Spanish System, it is based on the USA model which (here) means that if your child fails Spanish and Maths(symbology is different to UK Maths) then your child will be forced to take the entire year again...

   

  He / she might be absolutely brilliant in Physics, Chemistry, Art etc, but absolutely no credit is given for this. Your child will be held back in these subjects as well. If at all possible, put your child into an English Curriculum school. Do not be lulled into thinking that an IES BiLingue school, is anything but a Spanish School.

   

  We moved from Madrid because the Spanish school she attended failed her in Spanish (just) and failed her in Maths (I checked the paper at her school and she got the correct answer on ALL of the questions, with the working out - but did not use the method she was taught!!).

   

   There is no room for independent analysis, no room for original thought - do as you are told... She is now at an Independent School in Alfas del Pi (Alicante) and is taking 3 IGCSE's 2 years earlier than her English counterparts.

   

  She is considered to be an A* Student in these exams, and her Maths she will take 1 year ealy (next year) and again is cited to be an A* Achiever.

  Children really only have 1 chance at secondary level, and I am happy to pay for this opportunity

   

  best regards

   

  Keith (keithisco@gmail.com)

   

  Hi Keith

  Thanks for replying. Our son will be going into the primary system as he is only 5 and I'm hoping that by the time he gets to secondary he will be fluent in Spanish and well used to thier education system. 

  Otherwise we will have to start saving for his secondary eduation now. 

  Thanks

  Lucy

• lucyh

  

  • 3 posts
   

  February 9, 2012 3:01:56 PM CET

  keithisco said:
  

  Expatica said:
  

  Hey lucyh, Take a look at the Education section on Expatica site. Hope these articles will help! http://www.expatica.com/es/preschool-spain.html In addition, you can also consult one of our education expert directly via the "Ask the expert" tool: http://www.expatica.com/es/ask_expert.html

   

  Be careful with the Spanish System, it is based on the USA model which (here) means that if your child fails Spanish and Maths(symbology is different to UK Maths) then your child will be forced to take the entire year again...

   

  He / she might be absolutely brilliant in Physics, Chemistry, Art etc, but absolutely no credit is given for this. Your child will be held back in these subjects as well. If at all possible, put your child into an English Curriculum school. Do not be lulled into thinking that an IES BiLingue school, is anything but a Spanish School.

   

  We moved from Madrid because the Spanish school she attended failed her in Spanish (just) and failed her in Maths (I checked the paper at her school and she got the correct answer on ALL of the questions, with the working out - but did not use the method she was taught!!).

   

   There is no room for independent analysis, no room for original thought - do as you are told... She is now at an Independent School in Alfas del Pi (Alicante) and is taking 3 IGCSE's 2 years earlier than her English counterparts.

   

  She is considered to be an A* Student in these exams, and her Maths she will take 1 year ealy (next year) and again is cited to be an A* Achiever.

  Children really only have 1 chance at secondary level, and I am happy to pay for this opportunity

   

  best regards

   

  Keith (keithisco@gmail.com)

   

  Hi Keith

  Thanks for replying. Our son will be going into the primary system as he is only 5 and I'm hoping that by the time he gets to secondary he will be fluent in Spanish and well used to thier education system. 

  Otherwise we will have to start saving for his secondary eduation now. 

  Thanks

  Lucy