has anyone put kids into state school

hello we are moving to costa del sol a.s.a.p with my kids has anyone done this and put there kids into state school ?

We know the area quite well as we have a mobile home there and have visited 7 times this year already.We are going to keep our business running in the uk and live in spain while we get a business up and running in spain.

does anyone know how we get them into school and what paper work we need.

Thank you

Hi there

It's a while since I enrolled my kids in the local state school (10 years ago) - I remember you have to have evidence that all their vaccinations are up-to-date and you have to have some passport photos.  Maybe others can fill you in on other stuff.  What age will your kids be?

 We were asked for NIE and padron also. In our experience the schools vary but each know exactly what they want. System is very different from the UK with the requirement to pass each year in order to move on. Relax and enjoy it! Best wishes

thanks for that but what is a padron and how do we get NIE ?

We did this a few years ago. We needed Birth Cert, (they call it ´´family book´´), passport photo, vaccinations, empadronamiento (padron) this you get from your local town hall. Health Card (copy of) We were asked for an NIE, our child does not have one, it´s not been a problem. I can´t remember if there was any thing else

This should be done in April. Best if you go to the school and ask them.

Did you know that you have to pay for all their school books, paper etc? For us it has been over 200€ this year and we only have 1 child. We are in catalunya it may be different for you. You must ask at the school.

Let us know how you get on.

Take care, Febe

a NIE is the European Identification Number, basically your ID number, there are number of threads on this subject and you need to apply for it through the Police.

A Padron is a registary certificate given by your local council to certify where you live. Necessary for allocating state schools, voting and other things like that. Obviously you have to have an address first before you can apply for one. It's really simple though you just go down to your local town hall, fill out the form show your ID, a utilities invoice with your address on it and it's done. It's been a while since I did it but I don't think it's changed. Very basic formality.

Note also that when we went to get our kids into the local school (they were 3 at the time) we tried to do it via the town hall who told us there were no places available (starting age by law is 6).  We went straight to the school instead and they started the next day :)

So if they fob you off for any reason at the town hall, just go straight to the school and talk to the headmaster (director in Spanish).  Actually, probably best you do that first anyway.

 All this information is available at the official sources,eg tax office,DWP, British consulate. It's nice to read of different experiences, but for hard facts-consult the experts (especially for tax!)

 We are in state school in Andalucia, and there is quite a formal procedure to follow and various paperwork to get through.  The enrollment process usually takes place April/May - look at the government pages juntadeandalucia  dot es under "estudiar" for full details, or if you dont speak Spanish I would recommend you get in touch with Lisa Sadlier who runs Family Life in Spain and Move to Malaga Spain  (sorry wont let me post links!)

Best of luck & enjoy!!

Can I ask what sort of business you are hoping to start up in Spain?

Can anyone tell me when it was that women stopped having children and commenced having baby goats??

hi there all

we too are moving to the costa del sol in the next 4 months

everything is so confusing from schools (our daughter is 5 now) to NIA to ITV and SUMA

were bringing a camper van with us so need to transfer to spanish plates

any help would be appreciated regarding cars and schools

kelbabe77

hello

which part are you moving to ? Do you have jobs to go to ?

We are moving to calahonda area and having a look at the schools in october half term when we are over there.

michael

hi michael

were moving to banalmadena area

no jobs as yet. but working on that.

how bout yourselves?

exciting but scary also

kelly

hello kelly

well we were not sure wether to sell our business in england or not but now we are going to keep it running until we start up another business in spain.we want to get over there a.s.a.p as had enough of england.

We have a mobile home which we brought in january and have been over 7 times already this year.even january and february it was warm through the day.

Yes it is quite confusing and worrying but to be honest its quite easy really.We have been given lots of advice on this website and also when we go over we speak to as many people as possible.

one thing i will say is though there are people that just like moaning on any website forum.i would not listen to them or you will be worried sick.There are thousands living in spain with kids in school.

Yes there is an economic downturn but that is in every european country at the moment.When we have been over there this year some people say it has not affected them and some people say it has.Even the ones it has say they would never come back to the uk.

My wife knows more about the schools so i will get her to reply to you.

Michael

i agree with you michael

ive been going to spain for 29 yrs now and like yourselves we go about 7 times a year

my nan owns an apartment there so cheap flights only for us

we have grown to love the place so much that being in england now depresses us

we have numerous friends out there who dont seem to struggle to get jobs so im not too worried bout that

the climate , lifestyle etc is so much better so i dont think any of us will regret moving

like yourselves lots of our friends would not return to england either which says it all really

we just cant wait to get there now. the sooner the better really

just have lots to tie up in england first. we have a few rental propeties here which will give us an income in spain b4 we get jobs so should be ok really

very exciting xx 

 Supremeclean1-what sort of business will you be starting in Spain?

Also,anyone bringing camper vans, caravans into Spain should consult with someone like Graham Shelton, who has a column in Mediterranean motoring and specialises in registering vehicles onto Spanish plates. See Costa Blanca News.It is not as straightforward as you think.

 Ypou may think people are moaning , when in fact they are merely being realistic!  

 We have been here for 6 years and our daughter was 8 when she went into the junior school and our son was 12 when he went into senior school.  It was relatively straight forward.  You need to go to the Town Hall for a Padron which is a piece of paper saying you live in the area.  As far as I can remember you just need the passports for everyone and an address.  I can't remember if we needed the NIE number for the school registration or just the passports but it is better to go to the school and ask once you have the Padron because if they don't need it, at least you can get your children straight in.  Registration is usually in April but if you ask at the school they maybe able to get them in sooner.  The NIE number you get from the Police station.  There is usually someone English speaking who will give you a time and appointment to get it and will give you forms to fill out and I think it is about 12 euros you have to pay for each one which you must do before your appointment.  It may be different to where you are going.  Most schools now recycle text books although depending on which year the children go into, may have to pay for them.  All exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers and colouring utensils etc you have to supply.

I hope this has been helpful and you enjoy Spain!