An insight into Spanish education

In Spain, compulsory secondary education lasts for four years (ages12 to 16) and is known as ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria). At the end of the fourth year, students gain a certificate which is equivalent to GCSE.

At the age of 16 students then have the opportunity to go on to take the Spanish Baccalaureate (equivalent to A Level), or to opt for Vocational Training or even leave school and find a job. The difference between England and Spain is that here, students transfer to a different school post 16 and there are specialist schools for vocational education with appropriate facilities.

The EFA El Campico school in Jacarilla has been open for 40 years and offers both intermediate and advanced vocational training. Middle Grade Training Cycles (Ciclos Formativos de Grado Medio), have the ESO diploma as a basic requirement, and Superior-level Training Cycles (Ciclos Formativos de grado Superior) have the Spanish Baccalaureate as the principal requirement.

After completion of the Superior-level Training Cycle, students are entitled to direct entrance to several related University degrees.

The nature of vocational training at EFA Campico has changed dramatically over the 40 years and so the courses on offer at the school have evolved. At one time the training would have been solely directed to agriculture. However, there is now more of an emphasis on the service sector rather than production and computer courses are a key feature of the school.

For those who are interested, there is an exhibition in the Auditorium in Bigastro from today until Friday which shows the work of the school over the 40 years.