Desirable 3 bed detached property located in La Marina, situated in a quiet cul-de-sac close to local amenities. 5 Mins from beach!
This property comprises of a spacious lounge accessible via a glazed terrace, independent large, extended newly fitted kitchen and a fully fitted shower room...
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The Spanish Education system has been subject to a number of reforms in recent years. Changes in Infant and Primary education have been somewhat more successful to date than those in the Secondary system. In most parts of Spain schooling is now available to children from the age of three, although the obligatory age for starting school is five years old. Children are admitted once a year in September, strictly according to the calendar year of their birth. This means that children born in January are the oldest in their class, and children born between October and December actually start school before their third birthday. The normal registration period for all ages is in May for the following September, and may be done via the local town hall, or by applying directly to a school.
Educación Infantil or EI lasts for three years and teaches children about social, personal and environmental values, as well as developing their physical and mental skills. They are gradually introduced to reading and writing from 4 years old and will have covered their alphabet by the end of EI, although fluent reading ability is not expected. EI is one of the newest areas of Spanish education and is generally well-taught by dedicated specialist teachers.
At six (or nearly six) children progress to Educación Primaria (EP). This lasts for six years and is divided into three cycles or "ciclos". The objectives of primary education are planned over each two year period, at the end of which a child, who is considered not to have achieved these objectives, may be required to repeat the second year of the cycle. Students study the following subjects throughout Primary education: Spanish language; Maths; Conocimiento del Medio (A general knowledge subject which includes biology, history, geography, general and local knowledge and social awareness); Physical Education; Art and craft and a second language, usually English.
In addition most students will study Religion which mainly consists of teaching Catholic doctrine. Schools are required to offer an alternative to children who opt out, but if there are not many, they may end up sitting in with another class or in the staff room with the class teacher. In some schools this time might be used to offer extra language support, but this would not be obligatory on their part. In many regions of Spain the local dialect and culture is also taught as a subject, although again, it is possible to opt out. English will be taught by a specialist, but there is no obligation for the class teacher to speak English. Classes are always mixed ability in Spain; the concept of "streaming" is unknown.
The state system provides support teams of psychologist, sociologist and speech therapist which are shared by several schools, and they may give foreign children language support if they have time. Children normally have the same class teacher for each two-year cycle. Teachers make themselves available one hour a week to speak to parents about their children's progress, which is well worth taking advantage of. There are also parents meetings every term to discuss class work and special projects and trips.
From about year 3 children are introduced to termly exams, but there is no equivalent to National testing in the Spanish system. Although state education is free, parents will have to buy all textbooks and materials. Uniforms are generally not worn, except in religious grant-assisted schools.