hi, my name is diane and myself, my partner and my 2 kids (boys aged 10 and 14) are in the process of starting our move to spain. We are going over in Jan 08 for a week to try and find out about the school system. My sons are in p7 and yr 3 in scotland, but every web site i look at gives different information, we were hoping to move to the torrevieja area of spain and i wondered if anyone could give us some info on state schools or international schools as i am sure i am not the only parent who has the sleepless nights of wondering what would be best, so if anyone has some information or have experienced what i am going through, i would love to hear from you all.

thanks in advance

 

Hi Diane

I read your post on Sharons forum and I have been through what you are currently going through and totally agree with you. The thought of how your children will settle into a new country as well as a new school is such a worry. I used to lye awake at night worrying how my three boys would settle into school and what would be the best choice for my eldest son (14). Would it be to go to a mainstream school or private. I was told that if he went to mainstream school he would benifit from it, having the language spoken to him all the time, meaning he would pick it up quicker and friends that he made would be from the same town, as if he went to private he may not get this. After much talking between us I did decide to put him in mainstream school and he loves it, he has made so many friends and I am told by one of his teachers he is an excellent student.
As for my other two children aged 11 and 7 there was no hesitation that they would go to mainstream school. They also settled into it very well and came out with friends on the first day. It did take the 7 year old about 2 weeks to get used to the fact he would not be able to do everything the other children were doing in class because of the language, but once he realised that he was fine and loves it. The thrill you get when you see your children talking in another language to their friends is amazing. The teachers are lovely at the boys school and are very helpful and have even translated in to english what was needed for a school trip and other things that would be going on in school.
I have no regrets putting the boys into mainstream school and they say they would never want to go back to england, so that pretty much sums up how they feel about it over here.
One thing I would like to say and this is only what a friend of mine said who lived around the area where you are thinking of going, is that she was not impressed with the schools over there and if she ever moved back to Spain it would be when her son had left school. I think they had some bad experiences around there with the schools and break ins, it just made her experience of living in Spain not a nice one!
I'm not saying it to put you off or frighten you because it is the best experience for the children living out here, but just wanted to mention it so you can be aware of this when looking for a school for your children.
Hope I have answered some of your questions and if there is anything else you would like to know then just email me back.
Regards Lisa,

Hi Lauren

I dont think Lisa will reply as she has moved back to the UK with her family. Its not right for everyone!

Shar