These days, it isn't just retired couples that are moving to Spain, many young families are now choosing to move to Spain to give their families and children a better life. Education is a concern for these families.

They obviously want to provide their children with a good education – can Spain offer this and how do you find a school in Spain?

Here is a brief guide to school education in Spain:

• 3-5 Optional Educacion Infantil (Pre-school Nursery)
• 6-11 Primary School – Educacion Primaria cursos (years) 1º, 2º, 3º, 4º, 5º, 6º.
• 12-16 Secondary School – Educacion Secundaria Obligatoria years 1º, 2º, 3º and 4º.
• 17-18 Optional schooling, like 6th form – Bachillerato 1º and 2º.

Pre-school education (3-5 years) is encouraged and is free, Children then go on to compulsory primary education. Primary school is split into 4 year groups covering 3 cycles (ciclos) – 6-7, 8-9, 10-11. After Primary School, children move on to their local secondary school which is split into 2 cycles – 12-14 and 14-16. Compulsory schooling ends at 16 when a child graduates with their certificate Graduado en Educacion Secundaria.

At 16 a child then has 4 main options:

1. Bachillerato – This is a bit like English A' Levels and is a 2 year course which is important for those wishing to attend university or other higher education.
2. Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio – Vocational training.
3. Garantia Social – 1 year of learning a profession.
4. Leave school and get a job.

Students can go on to University after successfully achieving the Titulo de Bachillerato and an entrance exam – Prueba de Aceso a la Universidad, or they can go onto a Technical College after Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio or the Bachillerato.

State Primary and Secondary education is free in Spain although parents must provide their children with text books and stationery. Some juntas (authorities), like Andalucia, have a programme which pays for core text books for children to allow all children the same right to education. Uniforms are not usually worn to state schools.

Local Spanish schools will be great for children of a primary age, who can pick up Spanish quickly. Sending your children to a Spanish school will also help you to be a part of the community.

To find a school in Spain, ask for information on local schools at your local town hall. Some village schools have a main administration office which may be based at another school and you may have to go there to register. Take passports, birth certificates, Certificados de Registro, padrons etc.

There are also many private schools, international schools and foreign schools in Spain. An international or foreign school may be best for your children if they are 11+. Children of a secondary age find it harder to pick up a new language and you don't want this to have a negative effect on their education. International schools work by teaching students in English but also giving them Spanish lessons.

If you live in an international area, there may be foreign schools available – British schools, French schools etc. Research online to find out what is available in your area and contact schools to arrange a visit and to see if there are places available.

Private schools, international schools and foreign schools generally require children to wear a uniform and also charge attendance fees, nothing like British private school fees!

The Spanish school year is shorter – September to mid/late June but Christmas and Easter holidays are shorter and there are no half terms. Your children will get various fiesta days off school and bank holidays.

Don't worry about your children - before you know it they'll be fluent in Spanish and enjoying their new life.