Moving to Málaga with children raises the same question in almost every family: how do schools actually work here? The Spanish system has different stages, a different cut-off for school years and a school day that can look very short to British parents. Once you understand the structure, choosing between a local state school, a semi-private one and an international school becomes much easier.
This guide explains the Spanish school system for families moving to Málaga and the Costa del Sol, with a year-by-year comparison with the UK, how admissions work in Andalusia, what a normal school day looks like and where the main British international schools are. Rules and dates change from one year to the next, so always check the details with the Junta de Andalucía (the regional government) or the school itself.
Spanish school years compared with the UK
The biggest surprise for most British parents is the cut-off date. In Spain, children are grouped by calendar year of birth, from 1 January to 31 December, not from September to August. A child born in November starts in the same class as a child born the previous January.
| Age during the school year | Spanish stage | Spanish year | Rough UK equivalent | Compulsory? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 | Early years, first cycle (escuela infantil) | Nursery | Nursery | No |
| 3 to 4 | Early years, second cycle (Educación Infantil) | Infantil 3 años | Pre-school | No, but almost everyone goes |
| 4 to 5 | Educación Infantil | Infantil 4 años | Reception | No |
| 5 to 6 | Educación Infantil | Infantil 5 años | Year 1 | No |
| 6 to 12 | Primary (Educación Primaria) | 1º to 6º | Year 2 to Year 7 | Yes |
| 12 to 16 | Secondary (ESO) | 1º to 4º ESO | Year 8 to Year 11 | Yes |
| 16 to 18 | Bachillerato or vocational training (FP) | 1º and 2º | Sixth form, Year 12 and 13 | No |
Schooling is compulsory from 6 to 16, but in practice nearly every child in Andalusia starts at 3. If your child is already in Reception or Year 1 in the UK, expect them to join an Infantil class in Spain, which is play-based and introduces reading more gradually than in England.
The three types of school
State schools (colegios públicos)
Primary state schools are called CEIP (Colegio de Educación Infantil y Primaria) and secondary schools are called IES (Instituto de Educación Secundaria). They are free, teach in Spanish and follow the national and Andalusian curriculum. Many state schools in Málaga are part of Andalusia's bilingual programme, which teaches some subjects partly in English.
Semi-private schools (colegios concertados)
These are privately run, often by religious orders or cooperatives, but publicly funded. Tuition for the compulsory years is covered, although families usually pay for extras such as uniforms, lunches or optional activities. Admission follows the same process as state schools.
Private and international schools
Fully private schools charge fees and set their own admissions. On the Costa del Sol there is a large group of British international schools that follow the English National Curriculum, with GCSEs and A levels or the International Baccalaureate. They are popular with families who expect to move again or who want their children to sit British exams.
British international schools in and around Málaga
The Costa del Sol has one of the highest concentrations of British schools in Spain. These are some of the best known, from Málaga city out towards Marbella. Fees vary widely by age group, so treat the price guide as a rough comparison.
| School | Area | Curriculum | Price guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| St George's School Málaga | Málaga city | British | €€€ |
| Novaschool Sunland International | Cártama | British | €€€ |
| Sunny View School | Torremolinos | British | €€€ |
| British College Benalmádena | Benalmádena | British | €€€ |
| Aloha College | Marbella | British and IB | €€€ |
| Swans International School | Marbella | British and IB | €€€ |
| English International College | Marbella | British | €€€ |
Before you commit, ask each school about class sizes, how much Spanish is taught, whether the school is accredited by a British inspection body or listed by the British Council, and how many pupils stay through to sixth form.
How admissions work in Andalusia
For state and semi-private schools, the main application window opens in March for places starting the following September. Applications are made online through the Junta de Andalucía's Secretaría Virtual or on paper at the school you put as your first choice. You list several schools in order of preference.
When a school has more applicants than places, points decide who gets in. The main criteria are:
- Living or working close to the school.
- Having brothers or sisters already at the school.
- Family income.
- Large families and single-parent families.
- Disability of the child, a parent or a sibling.
Arriving in the middle of the school year
Many families arrive in summer or mid-term, after the March deadline. That is normal. You can apply outside the main window through the school or the provincial education office in Málaga (Delegación Territorial de Educación), and the child is given a place at a school with spaces, which may not be your first choice.
Documents you will usually need
- Your registration on the town hall's population register (empadronamiento), which proves your address.
- Passports or NIE (foreigner's identity number) for parents and children.
- Your child's birth certificate, ideally with a sworn translation.
- Previous school reports, which help the school place your child.
- Your child's vaccination record.
What a school day looks like
Most state primary schools in Andalusia run a continuous timetable from 9am to 2pm, with a short break in the morning. That can feel early for working parents, so many schools offer extra services:
- Aula matinal, a supervised breakfast club from around 7:30am.
- Comedor escolar, the school canteen, from 2pm to around 4pm.
- Afternoon activities (actividades extraescolares), such as sport, music or English, until around 6pm.
These services are run under the regional Plan de Apertura de Centros and usually have a cost, with reductions depending on family income. Places can fill up quickly, so ask about them as soon as your child has a school.
Spanish lunch is later than in the UK, and many families eat as a family after 2pm. Children who stay for comedor have their main meal of the day at school.
The school calendar
The school year in Andalusia runs from around 10 September to the last full week of June. Main holidays fall at Christmas (roughly 23 December to 7 January), at Easter (Semana Santa) and around 28 February, Andalusia Day. Málaga province often has a short winter break called semana blanca around that date, but it is set each year by the provincial authorities. There is no October or May half-term as in the UK, although local holidays and long weekends (puentes) add a few days off.
Language support and textbooks
Children who arrive without Spanish are not left alone. In Andalusia, state schools can call on ATAL (Aulas Temporales de Adaptación Lingüística), temporary Spanish language classes for pupils from other countries. Younger children usually pick up Spanish faster than their parents expect, often within a school year.
Textbooks for the compulsory years are free in state and semi-private schools under the Junta de Andalucía's free textbook programme. You will still need to buy stationery, and many schools ask for a set of supplies at the start of the year.
Tips for the first few months
- Visit schools before you decide. Most head teachers are happy to show families around if you ask in advance.
- Learn a few school words: tutor (form teacher), AMPA (the parents' association), boletín de notas (school report) and reunión (parents' meeting).
- Join the AMPA. It is the quickest way to meet other parents and understand how things work.
- Expect plenty of communication in Spanish. Translation apps help with notes and circulars at first.
- Be patient in the first term. Most children settle by Christmas.
Meeting other families
Settling in is easier when your children have friends outside the classroom. Woltica connects families with children through the Organisations network, which gives schools and clubs a private Space for each class, and through My City, where you can see families with children in your area and suggest a meet-up. If you are planning a move, you can find out how Woltica works.