Zoe0212

That actually sounds like a better idea we just didn't know if you could turn up and have a look at the schools. Thought you would have to have an appointment booked first. Thank you for your advice I think a trip out there is our next move. Could you just tell me they say on one web page I've read getting a school place can be a long and expensive process. Is that for any school or just the private ones??

AdlT-resident

I found it easy!! I put my children into an international school first of all. That was easy, went to see them, looked around the school, said yes and that was that - it was expensive, but then they're private! I then took my daughter out of international school (she didnt like it) and into state school. We looked at the state school in our area, we walked in, asked if they could show us around which they did (maybe we were lucky that they were available and we didnt have to have an appointment). Anyway, they gave us a form to fill in, we needed a photocopy of her passport, copy of our rental agreement and our NIE number (which you get once you have an address). We took the form back in and she started the next day - and hated it BTW!!!! No money, altho schools do issue you with a book list of all the books that would be required which you have to go to the local book shop and pay for (apporx 200€), altho once you're a resident, I think you can claim the money back.

My daughter didnt settle at the state school, so we then put her into another one - because she was 12 it meant that we could put her into an institute (secondary school), hense we were able to change her school. She doesnt like that one much either, but there comes a point where she's gotta "put up and shut up" LOL - alot of her problems are more age related than anything (hormones, teenage stuff), but she absolutely hates Spain and would do anything to go back to the UK!!!!

So no its fairly easy and it doesnt cost anything other than the text books! Its also worth bearing in mind that if you come over to look, the schools break up for the very long summer holidays mid June, so it wont be easy to just go and look!

Jo xxx

Zoe0212

Well I just tried calling the primary school in Montesinos!! LOL didn't understand a word I said!!

ELJEFE

Zoe Zoe, I think you need a few Spanish lessons? Look up the school on Google, try to get there email, then write what you want to ask in English , run that through a free translator and then copy and paste the Spanish onto your email to the school.
For very beginners of Spanish I alway's suggest that they should get a "Sesame Street" DVD in Spanish to learn the pronunciacion of the Spanish alfabet before learning any words. It really does work. Get one on ebay.es
If you ever get here my secetary Natasha will help you in Montesinos her girl of 10 goes to that school.

__________________
http://stores.ebay.es/historiaespana

Zoe0212

I need something! The call didn't go as I wanted it too!!
Thank you for your advice sesame street here I come. We are hoping to come out to Montesinos in April to have a look round check out the schools. So I'll keep you posted.

menu72

Should always look at the school first then find the rental around that

calpe1stop

Having spoken to my wife who dealt with getting our son in school, their are certain times you can enrol for the new school year and of course being spain, Paperwork, for example your childrern will need a medical. I am trying to find the details, if I do I will post them here. This is for spanish schools I have no experience of international schools. HTH

AdlT-resident

I found it dead simple, I walked into the school, asked if they had any places for a 12yo, they said yes gave me a form to fill in, which requested two passport photos, passport number and my NIE number, address, previous school details etc and that was that.

The International school was a bit more difficult, the kids had to write an essay about their lives, likes, dislikes etc - and they wanted a deposit!!!

Jo xxx

Zoe0212

So you need NIE even if you're not working??

Val

Yes you do. As already said elsewhere you need one for many things.