Swedish school in Spain

Same curriculum, different setting

A Swedish school abroad teaches according to the Swedish curriculum, with Swedish syllabuses and timetables. The subjects are the same, the knowledge requirements are the same, and the teachers hold Swedish teaching qualifications. The difference lies in the context: pupils encounter Spanish and English every day, classes are smaller, and some teaching may be mixed-age since the pupil base is smaller than at a large school in Sweden.

For families, that means children can move abroad, attend school in Spain and later return to a Swedish class without having to catch up on an entirely different system. Pupils receive written assessments each year up to and including Year 6.

Preschool and reception year

Preschool follows the Swedish curriculum, built on play and learning. Spanish and English come in naturally through everyday life – in songs, games and routines – rather than as separate lessons. The transition into the reception year happens within the same setting, which makes the step small for children.

The early years of primary school

From the reception year to Year 6, teaching takes place on site with qualified Swedish teachers. This is where the foundations in Swedish and maths are laid, while Spanish and English teaching is more extensive than at a school in Sweden. Small groups make it possible to tailor teaching individually, and digital tools such as laptops and iPads are part of learning.

Secondary school and sixth form

From Year 7 onwards, studies take place through established Swedish distance education providers – Sofia Distans for lower secondary and Hermods for upper secondary – with supervision and a study environment at the school. Pupils have their school day on site together with others, but course content, assessment and grades come from the distance school. The model works well for pupils who are self-directed and benefit from structure and support around them in everyday life.

This model is also what makes it possible to combine studies with elite sport, for example in Malmö FF's football academy or the padel and tennis pathway, since study time can be arranged around training sessions.

Supplementary Swedish tuition

For children attending a Spanish or international school, we offer supplementary Swedish tuition – teaching in the Swedish language and about Sweden, as a complement to regular schooling. Our school is approved by the Swedish National Agency for Education for supplementary Swedish tuition. It's an option for families who, for various reasons, have chosen a local school but want their children to keep their Swedish.

Oversight and regulations

A Swedish school in Spain operates within two systems at once: it follows the Swedish curriculum while also being subject to oversight from the Spanish education authorities – in our case, Junta de Andalucía (the Spanish education authority for Andalusia, the equivalent of Skolverket for schools operating in Spain). That means requirements on premises, safety and operations under Spanish rules, alongside the Swedish educational content. Read more on our pages about the Swedish National Agency for Education and supplementary Swedish tuition and Junta de Andalucía.

Returning to Sweden

The most common worry among parents is the return. Because teaching follows the Swedish curriculum, the pupil moves back into the same syllabuses their classmates at home have studied. Assessments and grades are issued within the Swedish system, which makes placing the pupil in the right year group straightforward. Many pupils also come home with stronger language skills and experience of changing environments – something that's difficult to practise any other way.

Good questions to ask

• Which year groups are taught on site, and which are taught remotely?
• What does supervision look like for distance-learning pupils?
• How much Spanish and English do pupils study?
• How does student health work, and how is extra support provided?
• What does schooling cost, and what's included?

For our answers, see grade levels and fees. If you have more questions, you're welcome to contact the headteacher.