Agreed - this is so rude. I don't mind if it is true. I am sure the OP and her parents would be so gutted to read such a thing. Sometimes people do not have any choice, which does not mean that they do not care about their kids. They might come here precisely because of how much they care about having a future for their kids. Also, let me say that your acquaintances might be probably doing the same if they were in the UK, or if they were here but could speak some Spanish (what were they waiting for to learn, though?). I felt the need to reply and say that that is not the future that is waiting for someone who wants to come to Spain and is wishing to integrate and do whatever it takes to prosper which, sometimes, is actually not that much at all.

Hi everyone thank you for everyone who was being positive the fact I'm moving is something I can't change I have Spanish and Gibralten and English friends already over there and I would be integrating alot I mean I'm really exited to move and everything kind of scared now but next Wednesday I'll be in Spain looking at schools etc and I will get back to this thread after that to tell you how it went

British people who come to Spain are not fleeing war, they are not asylum seekers and very rarely are they even economic migrants

In the main part, they come to Spain because it is sunny. They don´t come for the food or the culture, or anything else

So for their kids´future to come a distant second to "it´s sunny" is pretty sad

Yes I understand that this opinion may be viewed as offensive by those who have made this decision. I also welcome some insight on why the decision is made. Maybe there is some other great motivation and benefit to their family that I have not thought of

We certainly did not come here for the sun as neither of us were sun worshippers, yes more pleasant weather might have been slightly relevant but I do not like it too hot so we had to do a lot of research to find the ideal place for us.

The idea was to experience a different culture, to live with Spanish people and experience life as they live it in an ordinary town that does not have an influx of holidaymakers.

Granted we were taking early retirement and not needing to find work so we could pick and choose were we lived and only had ourselves to worry about.

Rosemary

Absolutely Rosemary. Sorry, I was not insinuating that every single British person who moves to Spain do so purely for the sun

I am asking why parents with teenage children do so, and how they rationalise that decision, especially if they are over 14 and sent to a Spanish school

This is why the decision was made:

OK in this case it is a much more difficult situation!

Thanks for pointing that out

No problem.

Best of luck, Scarlett!

I know many Brits in Spain of working age with jobs, most speak very little Spanish.

Good luck. All you need is the right attitude.

The Anglophone-monoglot children in Spain remind me of the immigrant kids in Sweden who won't or can't integrate with Swedish society.

So you stayed after the match and drank beer with this bunch of druggies? Tut tut, you surprise me.

Dear Scarlett

I can't make any knowledgable comment on whether or not you would be given a place in a Spanish state school or how that would affect your future chances. As a parent of teenagers myself I wouldn't choose this for my daughters but I also know that if circumstances dictated that this was best for them then they would have4 to make the best of the opportunity. If a Spanish student came to the UK education system at your aga (and I have known this 3 times personally through my work) they would be supported as far as possible with bilingual students becoming involved, teachers of English taking responsibility for translation support and students wanting to connect with someone in a difficult situation and needing friends. Schools do not want their students to fail no matter what the challenges they face. In my experience, Spanish people are the friendliest, kindest people I have ever known and VERY supportive of those trying to speak Spanish in particular.

If your family has chosen this in the hope of finding a better life then you will likely learn to be like them and make the most of what comes your way. As for GCSEs, they are only a stepping stone to the next level and you are young enough and smart enough to deal with correspondence learning from the UK OR maybe sacrificing a year of exams etc to learn a new language.

I'm sorry your parents and you have been attacked in some of the responses and wish you al every success n your future. I wish I had given my daughters the gift of a second language and I am sure you will learn some tough but valuable lessons that will make you very sought after in the employment market when you are older.

Make the best of everything life brings you and work hard xx

My husband came to England from Spain at the age of 19 to do an Electronics degree at Leeds University. He lived with an English family and totally immersed himself in the English language from day 1. English is his 3rd language (Catalan 1st then Spanish)