Winkworth Spain Real Estate Blog

What do you need to know about school life on the Costa del Sol?

While there are many fine reasons to buy property on the Costa del Sol, including the gorgeous beaches, highly hospitable climate and rich gastronomic life, as a prospective resident of Spain, you may also be interested in knowing more about the region’s schools, so that you can make the best decisions for the education of yourself and your children.

A wealth of learning, fun and adventure

We understand that you may be worried by the effect that moving to the Costa del Sol may have on your children, including the challenge of adapting to an unfamiliar culture and climate. However, many concerns in this regard are largely unwarranted, given that compared to adults, children tend to be quick in adapting to lifestyle changes and picking up a new language.

The Spanish education system consists of four stages, with the middle two being compulsory. Children up to six years old can benefit from nursery and pre-school (educación infantil), before moving onto primary education until the age of 12 (educación o escuela primaria). Compulsory secondary education lasts until age 16 (educación secundaria obligatoria), before the child can move up to optional upper secondary education (bachillerato).

Finding the right school on the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol offers an abundance of schools and colleges, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to find one that is well-matched to your child’s needs. Many of the region’s schools are tailored to the needs of expatriates, providing intensive language or ‘bridge’ classes to accompany the usual curriculum for the first few weeks.

The sheer range of schools in the Costa del Sol region, including not only state schools but also international schools and bilingual schools across both the state and private sectors, is just one more of the many compelling reasons to set up home in this highly desirable part of the world.

Furthermore, raising your children on the Costa del Sol grants them plenty of exciting opportunities to explore, learn and develop themselves. It is, of course, great for your children to be able to speak a second language in today’s increasingly globalised world, but the locality’s warm weather also enables them to enjoy a rewarding outdoor life, instead of always having to stay indoors.

Contact our team here at Winkworth to learn more about the many rich educational opportunities that the Costa del Sol has to offer to its residents of all ages, as well as to begin taking advantage of our assistance in finding the perfect property in the region to buy or rent.