The state education system is controlled on a region by region basis, with for example the Junta de Andalucia being responsible for all the provinces within Andalucia. While there is an over-riding national education policy, the regional councils have input on the infrastructure and schools themselves.

Enrolment is fairly straightforward and firstly will be based around a schools catchment area, this can be either your place of residency or also your place of work - when enrolling the school will require the following documents:

• proof of convalidation - your childs school record from the UK.
• your child's birth certificate or passport and proof of immunisations.
• proof of residence in the form of a bill in your name. If you haven't got one then a rent receipt, or lease is acceptable.
• several passport-size photographs.

The best time of the year to apply for a school place is around April, however if you are moving from another part of Spain or from elsewhere in Europe, then you can apply for a school place for your child at any time of year.

The Secretary of the school is usually your first contact and the above formalities are often overstated. My personal experience was extremely simple with just identification required and plenty of places available. We were also able to get our child in a chosen school, outside of our specific catchment area (based on recommendation from local people we had met)

Spanish Private International Schools will have there own independent education policy and enrolment requirements, but essential as you will be paying a substantial sum for your child's education there are few obstacles to enrolment.