'We're moving to Madrid. How do we compare schools without making a mistake?'
Families often begin with school rankings or attractive websites, but the practical questions are more personal: which campus serves your child's age, what language is used for everyday teaching, how does the curriculum compare with their current school, and what will the journey feel like in November rather than on a quiet summer visit? Start with the child and the actual timetable, then compare institutions.
Public admissions and private admissions are different processes
For publicly funded schools, procedures and dates are published by the Comunidad de Madrid and can change by academic year. Private and international schools may set their own admissions steps and availability. Do not assume that submitting an enquiry reserves a place, or that a deadline found in an old article remains valid. Always verify directly with the responsible body.
Check the official admissions route
For publicly funded places, consult the Comunidad de Madrid's current admissions page and the rules for the relevant school year. Do not rely on last year's dates. For independent schools, ask the school directly about availability and application steps.
Ask for a learning handover
Request recent reports, subjects studied, language of instruction, support plans where relevant, and any records the new school needs. Ask which curriculum differences may require bridging work.
Plan the first six weeks
Confirm the campus address, journey, lunch arrangements, clubs, homework system and contact for pastoral concerns. Arrange an early check-in with the new teacher rather than waiting for a problem.
What to collect before leaving the current school
Ask for recent reports, curriculum topics, reading and maths information, languages of instruction, relevant support plans and the contact who can answer a new teacher's questions. If changing between Spanish and British systems, ask the receiving school how it will assess placement and identify topics that have been taught in a different order.
Help your child settle, not just enrol
Plan a visit if possible, explain the new daily journey and identify one adult at the new school your child can approach. After a few weeks, ask about friendships, classroom confidence and homework expectations—not only grades.