Want to Know More About International Schools in Spain?
Once you have decided that you are coming to Spain and you have children you really need to think about the education they are going to receive. Just a quick disclaimer here, these are my thoughts and in no way should be taken as gospel as each child is unique.
Firstly the age of the child is important. The younger they are the better the chance of picking up the language like a sponge and not having any issues with integration. If you take your 13 year old out of the Uk and put them into the Spanish education system then they will most likely sink without trace. The first year they will spend trying to work out the language and that is a year missed. Go back to this interview I did with Nick Snelling where we talk about the Spanish education system and ring fencing money for private school.
If you want to place your child into an international school then make sure you look at various factors. Firstly, look at staff turnover. Many schools in Spain have a very high churn rate of staff and therefore long term planning and stability within the school is difficult. Take local advice and if you can do a couple of things; First, check out back issues of the Times Educational Supplement for ads for staff if you can. Secondly speak to local people and parents, if this means waiting outside the school gate on a visit then do it. A bad decision here can affect the rest of your child’s life. Thirdly, talk with local estate agents specialising in relocation as they will usually know the inside stories of each school and its history.
On that final basis I am going to give you the list of international schools in Valencia in the order I think you should look at them.
1) Cambridge House. (Biased as my wife works there and my kids go there but it is really excellent. My wife is one of many members of staff who have been there for a decade now)
2) Los Olivos School. Excellent smaller school run as a teachers’ cooperative in Campolivar
3) Caxton College. If you are a snob then you will probably choose this one. Best facilities of any school around but they wear the badge of exclusivity with pride.
4) British School of Valencia. In the city itself and suffers therefore from lack of space but you get a good feeling there.
5) El Plantio in la Cañada. Does the IB and has the worst uniform in the World bar none. Your child will never forgive you. However if you like the International Baccalaureate it is a good option.
6) American School at Puzol. I had a big bust up with them a few years back as I dissed the school to a client. It has got better since. The new Headmaster complained bitterly to me. I told him some of the history and he stopped bugging me.
There are other options of course, certain schools call themselves international schools but are not really, they just have a bit more English in the timetable, and the German School and Liceo Frances are available for other expats with other first languages.
If you want to know any more about any of the options get in touch and I will give or get you some help on all aspects of education in Spain.
PS Many people choose to put their small children into Spanish school and then worry about their child picking up English or start to read in English. My wife has a new website Teach Your Child To Read which will help you teach your small child yourself through a free online reading course. Have a look if you are in that situation.
