Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
#1
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
Hello,
We are 2 families planning a move to the Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria area in September 2010. Between us we have 4 children who, by then, will be one 9 year old and three 10 year olds.
Obviously a major concern is schools for the children, has anyone on the forum any experience of the schools in that area?
Are Spanish state schools generally welcoming to foreign children and do they provide extra help? I live in a multicultural part of the UK and my children's class always has a couple of kids in it who don't speak English and they are given lots of extra help and are readily accepted but I'm not sure whether the same would be true in the part of Spain we are headed to - does anyone have any experience or opinions?
I think (from online research) that there are 2 private schools (El Altillo in Jerez and El Centro Ingles in Puerto) which follow the Spanish curriculm but teach 50/50 in English and Spanish. This seems to me like it may be a good compromise for our kids and make settling in a bit easier, does anyone have any experience of either of these schools?
Thanks for the help
We are 2 families planning a move to the Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria area in September 2010. Between us we have 4 children who, by then, will be one 9 year old and three 10 year olds.
Obviously a major concern is schools for the children, has anyone on the forum any experience of the schools in that area?
Are Spanish state schools generally welcoming to foreign children and do they provide extra help? I live in a multicultural part of the UK and my children's class always has a couple of kids in it who don't speak English and they are given lots of extra help and are readily accepted but I'm not sure whether the same would be true in the part of Spain we are headed to - does anyone have any experience or opinions?
I think (from online research) that there are 2 private schools (El Altillo in Jerez and El Centro Ingles in Puerto) which follow the Spanish curriculm but teach 50/50 in English and Spanish. This seems to me like it may be a good compromise for our kids and make settling in a bit easier, does anyone have any experience of either of these schools?
Thanks for the help
#2
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
Hello,
We are 2 families planning a move to the Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria area in September 2010. Between us we have 4 children who, by then, will be one 9 year old and three 10 year olds.
Obviously a major concern is schools for the children, has anyone on the forum any experience of the schools in that area?
Are Spanish state schools generally welcoming to foreign children and do they provide extra help? I live in a multicultural part of the UK and my children's class always has a couple of kids in it who don't speak English and they are given lots of extra help and are readily accepted but I'm not sure whether the same would be true in the part of Spain we are headed to - does anyone have any experience or opinions?
I think (from online research) that there are 2 private schools (El Altillo in Jerez and El Centro Ingles in Puerto) which follow the Spanish curriculm but teach 50/50 in English and Spanish. This seems to me like it may be a good compromise for our kids and make settling in a bit easier, does anyone have any experience of either of these schools?
Thanks for the help
We are 2 families planning a move to the Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria area in September 2010. Between us we have 4 children who, by then, will be one 9 year old and three 10 year olds.
Obviously a major concern is schools for the children, has anyone on the forum any experience of the schools in that area?
Are Spanish state schools generally welcoming to foreign children and do they provide extra help? I live in a multicultural part of the UK and my children's class always has a couple of kids in it who don't speak English and they are given lots of extra help and are readily accepted but I'm not sure whether the same would be true in the part of Spain we are headed to - does anyone have any experience or opinions?
I think (from online research) that there are 2 private schools (El Altillo in Jerez and El Centro Ingles in Puerto) which follow the Spanish curriculm but teach 50/50 in English and Spanish. This seems to me like it may be a good compromise for our kids and make settling in a bit easier, does anyone have any experience of either of these schools?
Thanks for the help
I don't think you could expect any "extra help" from the state schools.
#3
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
in both primary & secondary schools they get a 'buddy' where possible to help translate for a short while & extra Spanish language lessons - in secondary this could be up to 5 hours a day!
#4
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
I don't know about in your area, but around here they get lots of extra help in State schools
in both primary & secondary schools they get a 'buddy' where possible to help translate for a short while & extra Spanish language lessons - in secondary this could be up to 5 hours a day!
in both primary & secondary schools they get a 'buddy' where possible to help translate for a short while & extra Spanish language lessons - in secondary this could be up to 5 hours a day!
#5
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
I think the "problem" here is that there aren't many/any foreign kids in state schools at all. El Puerto, being on the coast, might have some...i don't know. But in Jerez foreign kids are few and far between, and the couple that I am aware of are completely bilingual. I don't think there are enough foreign kids here for a system to have been set up to deal with them.
surely any foreign kids wouldn't just be left to flounder completely though?
mine are bi-lingual (or tri) & are often 'buddies' - but of course they weren't when they first started & they had some help too
#6
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
yes, that would make a difference - if there's not a need there won't be a solution
surely any foreign kids wouldn't just be left to flounder completely though?
mine are bi-lingual (or tri) & are often 'buddies' - but of course they weren't when they first started & they had some help too
surely any foreign kids wouldn't just be left to flounder completely though?
mine are bi-lingual (or tri) & are often 'buddies' - but of course they weren't when they first started & they had some help too
The buddy system would be interesting....I know of some schools here where not only are there no English speaking kids, but there are no English speaking teachers either!(and yes, that includes the English teacher) Some schools might find it hard to implement.
#7
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
I have no idea what would happen! I don't know if it is the responsibility of the school to ensure that all their students are able to speak Spanish, or if that resposibility falls to the parents.
The buddy system would be interesting....I know of some schools here where not only are there no English speaking kids, but there are no English speaking teachers either!(and yes, that includes the English teacher) Some schools might find it hard to implement.
The buddy system would be interesting....I know of some schools here where not only are there no English speaking kids, but there are no English speaking teachers either!(and yes, that includes the English teacher) Some schools might find it hard to implement.
they just don't get away with it for so long
there's probably some European directive stating that kids get help in school - as much as there is that paperwork should be available in whatever language is required
& it's probably implemented just as well..................
#8
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
yes, that would make a difference - if there's not a need there won't be a solution
surely any foreign kids wouldn't just be left to flounder completely though?
mine are bi-lingual (or tri) & are often 'buddies' - but of course they weren't when they first started & they had some help too
surely any foreign kids wouldn't just be left to flounder completely though?
mine are bi-lingual (or tri) & are often 'buddies' - but of course they weren't when they first started & they had some help too
The problem is when there are more than a few English kids in a school as they they stick together and dont mix.
#9
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
From my experience if they are the only non-Spanish kids in the school, then they will pick up the language really quickly and will be more or less fluent within a year
The problem is when there are more than a few English kids in a school as they they stick together and dont mix.
The problem is when there are more than a few English kids in a school as they they stick together and dont mix.
of course there are positives & negatives to all situations - my 2 certainly didn't suffer (spanish language-wise) from having other English speaking kids around, or from being given a bit of help at first
of course some kids rely on the help for too long - but the teachers are pretty good at spotting this & stopping the help
#10
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
I think it would also depend on the age of the kids & their attitude - & that of their parents
of course there are positives & negatives to all situations - my 2 certainly didn't suffer (spanish language-wise) from having other English speaking kids around, or from being given a bit of help at first
of course some kids rely on the help for too long - but the teachers are pretty good at spotting this & stopping the help
of course there are positives & negatives to all situations - my 2 certainly didn't suffer (spanish language-wise) from having other English speaking kids around, or from being given a bit of help at first
of course some kids rely on the help for too long - but the teachers are pretty good at spotting this & stopping the help
At the end of the day, most teachers are pretty rubbish (sorry teachers) and it is down to the child to want to learn and better themself, this attitude comes from the family.
#11
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
Absolutely, parents tend to forget the role they play! If the parents are interested in learning then the school matters much less. I have friends who went to mega-expensive private schools and others who went to cr*ppy comprehensives. Those who got good grades are normally from families who love learning, have encyclopedias, watch less TV, all that stuff.
At the end of the day, most teachers are pretty rubbish (sorry teachers) and it is down to the child to want to learn and better themself, this attitude comes from the family.
At the end of the day, most teachers are pretty rubbish (sorry teachers) and it is down to the child to want to learn and better themself, this attitude comes from the family.
my 14 yr old is so determined to do what she wants & the director has already been talking to her about Uni
yet I know several kids whose parents paid out for private international/British school who have ended up with barely a GCSE to their name & if they are lucky enough to be working, they are waiting table or similar
#12
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
Thanks for the help and advice lynxxa and veletta. Great to have some personal opinions from people who have experience, thanks for taking the time.
I suppose my thinking is that my heart says go with the local schools and I am pleased that we are going to an area where there are not too many expats as we do want to do our best to integrate as quickly as we can, on the other hand I also want the kids to have a good time and not make things tougher for them than we have too.
Just from reading the websites my understanding is that these bilingual schools which teach partly in English and partly in Spanish are aimed primarily at Spanish families that want to make sure that their children learn a very good command of English and that they follow the Spanish curriculum and exams. So I was thinking that they would not be as separate from the local community and the Spanish education system, as can happen with true International schools which are aimed at expats, so might be a good solution for us, finances allowing of course!
Anyway, as I said earlier, thanks very much for the advice and information so far given and I'm really pleased to hear all opinions. I think we will go out for a recce before too long and try and visit as many schools as possible.
I suppose my thinking is that my heart says go with the local schools and I am pleased that we are going to an area where there are not too many expats as we do want to do our best to integrate as quickly as we can, on the other hand I also want the kids to have a good time and not make things tougher for them than we have too.
Just from reading the websites my understanding is that these bilingual schools which teach partly in English and partly in Spanish are aimed primarily at Spanish families that want to make sure that their children learn a very good command of English and that they follow the Spanish curriculum and exams. So I was thinking that they would not be as separate from the local community and the Spanish education system, as can happen with true International schools which are aimed at expats, so might be a good solution for us, finances allowing of course!
Anyway, as I said earlier, thanks very much for the advice and information so far given and I'm really pleased to hear all opinions. I think we will go out for a recce before too long and try and visit as many schools as possible.
#13
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
Hi, we moved to Vistahermosa in El Puerto just over a month ago so hopefully I can point you in the right direction !! This is a lovely place to live, the lifestyle is very laid back and nothing like the UK. The streets are much safer for kids and there is much more for them to do. However it is difficult to intergrate older kids here as it is very Spanish with hardly any British, the kids therefore need to be able to speak a basic level of spanish before they arrive to help them to make friends. Ive put a few pointers on schools below;
State Schools - there are a couple of state secondary schools in El Puerto. My son is starting at IES Juan Lara in September 2010 which teaches 30% in english as it has become a bi-lingual school. One thing to note is that the Spanish system basically has a ruling that at the end of each school year the pupil sits exams which if failed means that the pupil has to retake that year again ! Hence why we have not put our son into the system until September at the start of the next school year. He is also attanding Trinity School in El Puerto over the summer to do an intensive Spanish course which cost approx £135 per week for 20 hours.
International Schools - The English Centre in El Puerto is basically a private school for the Spanish. It cost approx £1k to register and then fees of approx £500 pm plus uniform, lunches,books and travel. I have spoken to kids who attend there are they advise that although the school is headed up by an British lady, the kids are taught in Spanish, with a special enphasis on learning English. I dont have much info on El Atillo in Jerez apart from the fees which are just slightly cheaper than The English Centre.
My son has made a couple of spanish friends but is nervous about mixing and speaking Spanish, I guess you have to be cruel to be kind and make them mix and insist they learn as much Spanish as quicky as poss.
Hope that helps
State Schools - there are a couple of state secondary schools in El Puerto. My son is starting at IES Juan Lara in September 2010 which teaches 30% in english as it has become a bi-lingual school. One thing to note is that the Spanish system basically has a ruling that at the end of each school year the pupil sits exams which if failed means that the pupil has to retake that year again ! Hence why we have not put our son into the system until September at the start of the next school year. He is also attanding Trinity School in El Puerto over the summer to do an intensive Spanish course which cost approx £135 per week for 20 hours.
International Schools - The English Centre in El Puerto is basically a private school for the Spanish. It cost approx £1k to register and then fees of approx £500 pm plus uniform, lunches,books and travel. I have spoken to kids who attend there are they advise that although the school is headed up by an British lady, the kids are taught in Spanish, with a special enphasis on learning English. I dont have much info on El Atillo in Jerez apart from the fees which are just slightly cheaper than The English Centre.
My son has made a couple of spanish friends but is nervous about mixing and speaking Spanish, I guess you have to be cruel to be kind and make them mix and insist they learn as much Spanish as quicky as poss.
Hope that helps
#14
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1
Re: Jerez / El Puerto de Santa Maria schools
We just moved here from the US in August of 2010 and were told that we only had two choices for international schools, Centre Ingles (Pto Sta Maria) & El Atillio (Jerez). However, I keep on searching and found a new school in Jerez called MEMESTEO.
I was attracted to this school for their small classes (my daughter has only 6 kids in her class) and since it's a small school she would not get lost in the crowd. My wife and I are very pleased with our daughters progress at school and she has fit right in with the other kids. The classes are 50% in Spanish, 50% in English and all the teaches are fluent in English!
I would highly recommend MENESTEO to anyone who is looking to enroll their child in an International School in the Cadiz/El Pto Sta Maria/Jerez area. See link below for MENESTEO
http://www.menesteo.es/english/index.php
I was attracted to this school for their small classes (my daughter has only 6 kids in her class) and since it's a small school she would not get lost in the crowd. My wife and I are very pleased with our daughters progress at school and she has fit right in with the other kids. The classes are 50% in Spanish, 50% in English and all the teaches are fluent in English!
I would highly recommend MENESTEO to anyone who is looking to enroll their child in an International School in the Cadiz/El Pto Sta Maria/Jerez area. See link below for MENESTEO
http://www.menesteo.es/english/index.php