Hi,
My husband and I went to visit Ayamonte this week with a view to enrolling son in school. Had problems trying to get help at Galdames, which is nearest to our house, as only one young teacher spoke any English and was not particulary helpful, neither was anyone else in the school even though our helpful lawyer had written down in Spanish for me all questions I needed to ask. Came away feeling quite unhappy.Anyone out there had experience at any schools in Ayamonte or surrounding area as may consider driving him further afield. we realize his lack of Spanish at age 11 would be difficult for him and he doesn't want to be only English speaker at school. Any advice please. Have visited school in Tavira but would prefer him to attend a Spanish school if possible.

Sue

Hello Sue,
Any luck so far?
What about the other (2?) primary schools in Ayamonte?
Carol

Hi Carol,
Olivia has pm'd me to mention private school in Bellavista. Been on website but having difficulty understanding all pages. Would like to contact Matt Begley who apparently has visited school.

Sue

In an ideal world I would say forget Bellavista and send your boy to a Spanish school.

But your boy is 11 and that is a difficult age for trying to intergrate. His English is too far advanced and him taking on Spanish is not too far away from people our age trying to do it. In short, if I'm not making myself clear, he's missed the window of being able to learn it as a native. I would guess that kids up to the age of about 8, 9 or at a push 10 can still benefit from total immersion.

He can still do it - if he's of strong character. Anything other than the Ayamonte school should really be a last resort but thinking of his development (not only academically but socially too) is the top priority.

Good Luck

Hi Sue,
Yes, I've heard of the Bellavista school. I was wondering if you had looked at Padre Jesus, and Rodrigo de Xerez, both primary schools? I do not know anymore information about these schools, except for finding these names (and others nearby) on this link: http://www.quefuede.com/centrosciudades_ffgec.html
Am I correct in thinking that you are thinking of sending your son to a primary school? That is a good idea, since he can pick up his language skills, and make new friends from his neighbourhood BEFORE moving up to the secondary school. Remaining in the neighbourhood also would allow you to be "on hand" in case of any emergency (nothing scary, just the usual sports injuries, feeling "sick" at school phone calls, etc) during his first year at a spanish school.
Would it be so terrible for him to repeat his final year (in primary school) in an effort to improve his spanish? I guess it would depend on his size (many 11 year olds look older!) attitude & aptitude? This is a tricky decision and I wish you & your son the best,
Carol

Hi Sue
I have a friend who has gone out to Murcia to live with 2 children. Husband is a financial advisor and earns more here than he could in Spain therefore goes over most weekends. It is working for them and all are happy with the situation.
The girl is the eldest and should have gone to high school here last Sept 2006. She has not had as easy a time picking up Spanish as her younger brother who is hooked on football an out with the local boys all the time, in 12 months he is fluent and his cleverer older sister is still having a hard time.
I understand that foreign children have to have a certain standard of Spanish to go into high school or otherwise they are placed in a class with children from many european countries and their progress is very slow. My friend was quite relieved when I saw her last that her daughter had managed to be accepted with the Spanish children and was doing O.K. I guess Murcia will be different to Ayamonte with regard to many children of other nationalities but the next 5 years of your sons education are crutial to his future you need to find the best for him.

Do you say this because you think the school is not good?? Or just that you believe education should be free!!

hi from Sue_Tom,
finally arrived in Ayamonte so have changed id to sunshine sue.

For an update our son has enrolled in school in Bellavista and is very happy so far. We were very impressed when we visited the school and were made very welcome. He should have started in September but they have allowed him to go now.

Hi Sue,

Good to know you arrived ok and you son is enjoying school.

I should change my name to sunshine sam but the only thing is there isnt much sunshine at the moment!

absolutely true!

if, however you still want to go the spanish school route, he would be better off in a school with as few english kids as possible - he'll pick up the language much more quickly there

Hi,
The school is 96% spanish. Liam only started Monday and he is learning more Spanish words every day. The English teacher helps him out with any problems in classes and the other english boy in his class helps him to interprate.He goes off to school happy and confident already, he's happy = happy parents..We went to the plaza friday and he spotted 4 boys from his bus so he went off to play football with them.Ayamonte is not very big we are already recognizing faces as we walk around. He takes his skateboard and football down to local play area boys trying to talk with him I think as he gets more confident with the language local friendships will form.
Sue

Hi Sue,
Glad to hear things are going well for you & son. By the end of the summer holidays, your son for certain will have taken in & assimilated a lot of the spanish language (verbal). (Oh, to be young again!) Isn't it amazing what a skateboard and football can do to help start friendships? It's a bit more difficult for adults, though, unless there is a baby in tow.
Best wishes,
Carol

Hi my name is sofia,I have never used this service before and cannot find a way to post a message? So i am doing it the only way i can find how by replying:-)maybe that is the way:-) Not my strong point computers,sorry.
I am thinking of moving to ayamonte with my 8 year old son,if i can ever find work down there which is not proving to be to easy at the moment:-( Anyway i wanted to ask if anyone could recommend a primary school in ayamonte or if they are all pretty much the same? I would be very grateful for some information... Thankyou!
Sofia

Hi Sofia and welcome to the forum.

I live in Ayamonte and although dont have children of my own, I have friends who have their children in the primary schools here. There are two primary schools that friends have children in and they say they are great schools. I will find out the name of them and post on here when I have them.

On the subject of finding work here then I agree with you, it isnt easy. You will definately need to speak Spanish as the expat community is not very big here, hence little English speaking employment.

hI Sofia,

we moved here march with 11 year old son. He could not speak Spanish and neither could we so helping him with homework proves a little difficult. I know some English pay for tutors to help with homework. We visited a couple of schools and eventually decided on Entrepinos in Bellavista. This is a private school fees being around 3500e. Our son has happily settled in here and the school has an excellent reputation. The primary schools in Ayamonte itself I know some British children attend the school near the bullring, our friends son goes there but he is Spanish so communicating with the school was easier.