Moving your family from Spain to the UK is one of the most common relocation routes we see at Ariston Education. Whether you are returning to the UK after years in Madrid, Barcelona, the Costa Blanca or the Balearics — or making a first-time move — the questions are usually the same: which year group will my child enter, will they manage in English, and how quickly can we secure a school place?
The UK and Spanish school systems are more similar than families expect in some ways (both run September to late June, both end compulsory education at 16) and more different in others (grading, year group numbering, exam structure). This guide covers the specifics that matter for Spanish expat families moving from Spain to the UK with school-age children.
Spanish to UK year group map
The most common mistake families make is assuming their child enters the same year group in the UK as in Spain. The numbering is completely different. Use this table as your reference:
| Child’s age | Spanish year group | UK year group |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 | Infantil (3º) | Reception |
| 5–6 | 1º Primaria | Year 1 |
| 6–7 | 2º Primaria | Year 2 |
| 7–8 | 3º Primaria | Year 3 |
| 8–9 | 4º Primaria | Year 4 |
| 9–10 | 5º Primaria | Year 5 |
| 10–11 | 6º Primaria | Year 6 |
| 11–12 | 1º ESO | Year 7 |
| 12–13 | 2º ESO | Year 8 |
| 13–14 | 3º ESO | Year 9 |
| 14–15 | 4º ESO | Year 10 (GCSEs start) |
| 15–16 | 4º ESO (finishing) | Year 11 (GCSE exams) |
| 16–17 | 1º Bachillerato | Year 12 / Lower Sixth |
| 17–18 | 2º Bachillerato | Year 13 / Upper Sixth |
The most critical transition is at age 11–12. A child completing 6º Primaria in Spain moves into ESO; in the UK, they enter Year 7 at secondary school — a bigger structural jump involving subject teachers, form groups and a significantly larger campus. Children facing this transition alongside a country change benefit considerably from preparation before the move.
Will my child manage in an English school?
This depends on their current English level, their age, and the type of school you choose.
Children under 10 adapt faster than their parents expect. Within one term, most are communicating confidently; within a year, fluency is the norm. The brain’s language acquisition window is genuinely wider at this age.
Children in Year 9 and above face a more academic challenge. They are learning content — history, biology, geography — in a language they are still acquiring. A child who speaks conversational English but has never studied the UK curriculum may find themselves significantly behind peers who have been on it since Year 7. Targeted support before the move closes that gap before it becomes a problem.
There is no language entrance test for UK state schools. Your child has the legal right to a place regardless of their English proficiency. Schools are required to provide EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, though the quality varies significantly between schools — it is worth asking directly about provision when visiting.
If your child is entering Years 10 or 11, start English academic support three to six months before the move. GCSEs begin almost immediately after arrival — there is very little runway.
Timing your move around the school year
The Spanish and UK school years broadly align, which helps with planning. UK schools run three terms: autumn (September–December), spring (January–April), and summer (April–July), with half-term breaks in October, February and May.
The best time to move, if you have any flexibility, is before September. Moving in July gives you August to confirm a school place, buy uniform and complete any entrance requirements — and it aligns with the Spanish summer holiday, so your child does not miss school in Spain either.
January, at the start of the spring term, is the next best option. Mid-term moves — arriving in October or March — are harder for children to navigate. If you can negotiate your start date by two to four weeks to align with a UK term boundary, it is worth doing.
State school, independent school, or international school?
State schools are free and legally required to offer your child a place. The challenge for families arriving from Spain is catchment: popular state schools fill up through proximity criteria. Families who have not secured an address in the right catchment before applying often find their preferred school full. A good state school in a desirable area is typically oversubscribed.
Independent schools manage their own admissions and are more flexible about mid-year applications and international pupils. Many have established EAL provision and offer Spanish at GCSE or A-level — useful for families who want to maintain their children’s Spanish academic heritage. Fees typically range from £5,000 to £20,000+ per term.
International schools teach the IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum. For families with children already in Bachillerato who want curriculum continuity, IB schools are often the preferred choice. Waiting lists in London are significant — apply as early as possible.
In-year admissions: moving mid-term
If your timeline does not align with a UK term start, you will be applying for a place mid-year. Here is what to expect.
For state schools: apply through the local council, not the school directly. The council runs the in-year admissions process. You will need a UK address — most councils accept a signed tenancy agreement before you have physically moved in. The council is legally obliged to offer your child a place within a reasonable timeframe, even if it is not your first-choice school.
For independent schools: apply directly to the school. Most consider mid-year applicants if places exist in the relevant year group. They are typically faster and more flexible than state schools for in-year placements, and experienced with international families arriving at non-standard points in the academic year.
Post-Brexit: what Spanish families need to know
Since Brexit, EU citizens including Spanish nationals no longer have automatic rights to live and work in the UK. If you are moving now, you will need a valid visa — typically a Skilled Worker visa for the working parent. Children of visa holders have the right to attend UK schools.
If you moved to the UK before 31 December 2020, you should have applied for EU Settled Status. Settled Status gives indefinite leave to remain and full rights to education. Late applications are still being considered by the Home Office.
Schools cannot ask about immigration status during the admissions process. The right to education is not tied to residency status under UK law.
Areas in the UK popular with Spanish families
Spanish families tend to cluster in specific areas, which is useful when deciding where to live.
London has the largest Spanish-speaking community in the UK, concentrated in Notting Hill, Fulham, Hammersmith, Clapham and Wimbledon. South West London in particular has high proportions of Spanish and Latin American families, and several schools in these areas have strong EAL provision and Spanish language programmes.
St Albans and Hertfordshire is popular with families who want excellent schools, lower housing costs than central London, and fast rail links into the city. It has a growing Spanish-speaking community.
Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol each have established Spanish communities with good school options across both state and independent sectors.
How to prepare your child before the move
Families who prepare academically before the move — not just logistically — consistently have smoother transitions. Key steps to take three to six months before relocating:
- Academic English support — conversational English is not enough for secondary school. Essay writing, reading comprehension and technical vocabulary need specific preparation.
- Curriculum gap analysis — the UK curriculum covers some topics earlier than Spain, some later. A short assessment identifies where your child will need to catch up.
- GCSE preparation if entering Years 10–11 — these exams start very soon after arrival. Pre-tuition in core subjects buys critical time.
- Year group orientation — understanding how UK secondary school works (subject teachers, form groups, timetabling) reduces first-day anxiety significantly.
How Ariston helps Spanish families
We work with a significant number of Spanish families relocating to the UK every year — both those returning after years in Spain and those making the move for the first time. UK school admissions from Spain requires planning: year group mapping, language assessment, catchment area research, and application timelines all need managing simultaneously. Our service combines school placement with academic preparation so you are not managing two separate processes with two separate providers.
We can help with identifying suitable schools in your target area (state, independent or international), managing the admissions process from Spain before you arrive, assessing and preparing your child academically ahead of the move, and providing ongoing tutoring once your child is settled in their new school.
Book a free consultation with our team →
Frequently asked questions
Does my child need to speak English to enrol in a UK school?
No. UK state schools cannot refuse a place based on language ability. Schools are required to provide EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, though the quality varies between schools — ask about specific provision when visiting.
My child is in 4º ESO in Spain — which year do they join in the UK?
A child in 4º ESO (age 15–16) would typically enter Year 11 — the GCSE exam year. This is one of the most challenging entry points as exams happen within months. We strongly recommend academic preparation before the move.
Will my child’s Spanish school grades be recognised in the UK?
UK schools use Spanish grades as context rather than formal equivalents. There is no automatic credit transfer between the two systems. Independent schools may use them as part of their admissions assessment; state schools treat them more informally.
Are there Spanish-language schools in the UK?
There are no state-funded Spanish schools in the UK. However, the Instituto Cervantes and some community organisations run part-time Spanish programmes in London and other cities, allowing children to maintain their Spanish education alongside their UK schooling.
We are moving in January — is it too late to find a good school place?
No, but act quickly. Contact the local council’s in-year admissions team as soon as you have a UK address confirmed — a signed tenancy agreement is usually sufficient. For independent schools, apply directly as many have mid-year availability.
Does Brexit affect my child’s right to attend school in the UK?
No. All children in the UK have the right to a state school place regardless of nationality or immigration status. Schools cannot legally ask about a family’s visa or residency status during the admissions process.
My child is bilingual in Spanish and English — will they still need support?
Bilingual children adapt faster than monolingual Spanish speakers, but still often benefit from curriculum support. UK school expectations around essay structure, exam technique and subject-specific vocabulary are different enough from Spain that even strong English speakers need adjustment time.
What is the difference between GCSEs and the Spanish ESO?
ESO is a four-year continuous programme leading to a general qualification. GCSEs are individual subject exams taken at the end of Year 11, typically across 8–10 subjects simultaneously. Students choose their subjects in Year 10 and sit high-stakes written exams in Year 11, receiving a grade of 9–1 in each subject. The shift from Spain’s continuous assessment model to UK-style exam-based assessment is significant and benefits from specific preparation.