School and Education

The international fee-paying schools along the coast tend to follow a UK curriculum, although other qualifications such as the IB are available and there is a certain cross-over with the Spanish LOGSE. Most provide coaches to pick-up and drop-off pupils before and after school.

State Schools

Compulsory education termed the basic general education begins at six years of age in a primary school and lasts for eight years. At the age of 14, students receive a school-leaving certificate, which determines the course of their future education. 
Those with high marks are awarded a titulo de graduado escolar certificate and may attend a higher secondary school to study for their baccalaureate. Less academic students are awarded a school certificate, and attend a vocational programme providing specialised training for a specific career.

School Holidays

The academic year runs from the first week in September to the end of June, although there may be a slight variance, depending on area. The main holidays are at Christmas, Easter and the long summer break. School hours vary depending on the school and are usually from 0900 to 1600 with an hour's break for lunch. However, an increasing number of schools don't have a lunch break and finish classes for the day at 1.30 pm or 2.00 pm.

Most schools provide a subsidised bus service to take children to and from their homes in outlying regions and state schools generally provide an after school nursery (guardería) for working mothers.