Comparing the British and Spanish School Year

Considering a move to Spain with your family or simply intrigued by the Spanish schooling system? Then you’re in the right place! This post is a friendly guide to help you compare British and Spanish School Year equivalents.

Ever since I started my blog chronicling our expat adventures in Valencia, I’ve been flooded with questions about what it’s like to educate kids in Valencia. From the best schools to my own experiences juggling parenthood in a new country, you name it, I’ve been asked! And hey, that’s what inspired me to write several posts on the subject. If you haven’t already, you should totally check out my latest one, “How to handle back-to-school in Spain.”

In this post, I thought I’d chat about something useful: comparing the British and Spanish School Year system. I know firsthand some might find it confusing , so I’m here to break it down for you. Let’s navigate through how the Spanish education system structures grades based on your kiddo’s age. Hope you find it helpful!

British vs. Spanish schools

British Schooling Calendar

The British schooling calendar typically starts in September and ends in July, divided into three terms: autumn, spring, and summer. Each term includes breaks such as half-term holidays and longer vacations. Key dates to remember are term start and end dates, exam periods, and holidays like Christmas and Easter.

Spanish Schooling Calendar

In contrast, the Spanish academic year often begins in September and runs through June, divided into trimesters. The calendar includes various holidays, including national holidays and regional festivities. Understanding the Spanish schooling calendar involves knowing the start and end dates of each trimester, as well as breaks like Christmas and Easter holidays.

Spanish academic timelines

In Spain, the school year is divided into trimesters rather than terms like in the UK.

So instead of autumn, spring, and summer terms, they have the primer trimestre (first trimester), segundo trimestre (second trimester), and tercer trimestre (third trimester). Each trimester typically lasts around 10-12 weeks, with breaks in between. It’s a slightly different rhythm, but you get used to it pretty quickly!

Primer trimestre

This term aligns with the beginning of the Spanish academic year, typically starting in September and extending until December.

Segundo trimestre

This corresponds to the second part of the Spanish academic year, which usually begins in January and concludes around March or April.

Tercer trimestre

This maps to the final portion of the Spanish academic year, starting around April and concluding in June. Schools in Valencia start summer holidays at the last week of June, so a month earlier compared to the UK, meaning that we have 12 weeks of summer holidays instead of 6! 

Do Spanish schools have half terms?

In the Spanish education system, the concept of “half terms” or “mid-term breaks” as commonly understood in the UK may not be as prevalent. Instead, the academic year divides into trimesters, interspersing breaks or holidays between them.

These breaks may vary depending on the region or specific school, but they often include shorter breaks for holidays such as Christmas and Easter, as well as longer breaks between academic years. 

In Valencia, we have a handful of religious holidays, national holidays, public holidays including the Fallas break which is around mid March. 

“Puentes” in Spanish schools

In Spanish, “Puentes” refers to bridges, but colloquially, it describes long weekends or extended breaks that occur when a public holiday falls close to a weekend. During these periods, many people take advantage of the extra day off to travel or spend time with family and friends.

In the context of the school year, “puentes” can also provide additional days off for students and teachers, often extending a regular weekend into a longer break. However, these “puentes” are not as formally structured as half terms in the British education system. Instead, public holidays typically associate with them and may vary depending on regional or local calendars.

So, while “puentes” can offer extra breaks for students, they are not a standard part of the academic calendar in the same way that half terms are in the UK.

Comparing British and Spanish School Key Dates and Terms

When comparing the British and Spanish schooling calendars, it’s essential to note the differences in term lengths, holiday schedules, and exam periods. For example, while British schools have longer breaks in regards of half-terms, Spanish schools have less longer breaks during the year, but its compensated by longer summer holidays. 

British and Spanish School Year Equivalents: Understanding the Differences

1st Cycle (Primer Ciclo)

In Spain, “Primer Ciclo” is simply the first stage of primary school. It covers the initial three years of compulsory education, usually for kiddos aged 6 to 9.

2nd Cycle (Segundo Ciclo)

“Segundo Ciclo” in Spain refers to the second cycle of primary education. It typically includes the next two years of compulsory schooling, usually for children between the ages of 9 and 11. 

3rd Cycle (Tercer Ciclo)

The “Tercer Ciclo” in Spain refers to the third cycle of primary education, covering the final two years of compulsory schooling for children typically aged 11 to 12. 

ESO 

In Spain, “ESO” stands for “Educación Secundaria Obligatoria,” which translates to Compulsory Secondary Education. It typically spans four academic years, starting from the age of 12 or 13, after completing primary education. 

After completing “ESO” (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) in Spain, students usually have the option to pursue further education or training. The typical paths include:

Bachillerato

This is a two-year program that prepares students for university education. It offers a more specialised curriculum and allows students to choose from different academic tracks, such as sciences, humanities, or social sciences.

Formación Profesional (FP)

Students can opt for vocational training programs, which provide practical skills and knowledge in specific trades or professions. There are various levels of FP programs, from basic vocational training to advanced technical degrees.

Ciclos Formativos

These are vocational training cycles that offer specialised education in specific fields, such as healthcare, IT, tourism, and administration. They typically last two years and lead to professional qualifications.

British and Spanish School Year Map

Secondary Education  

Higher Advanced Level

Final thoughts

I hope this post has been a helpful guide for you in understanding the similarities and differences between the British and Spanish School Year. Whether you’re a parent trying to navigate the best options for your child or just curious about how things stack up in this part of the world, my aim has been to make it all a bit clearer and easier to relate to. You can find out more about the Valencian education system by going to their education website portal.