Tenerife Schools
Tenerife Schools Frequently Asked Questions
As a parent considering an English language education for your child in the senior school age group, you will have many questions.
Here are some answers to the more frequently asked questions.
What are my options?
In Tenerife, you can send your child to a Spanish state school or to an English language school.
To be accepted into a Spanish state school, you have to register yourself and your child as residents. Your child will then be placed into a Spanish school near where you live. This might not be the school closest to you and you don't really have any say in the matter.
As any state school, you will find that some Spanish schools are excellent teaching their subjects whilst some have a really poor track record.
The English speaking schools are fee paying schools. This means you have to pay a fee each term for your child's education.
Generally, the fee paying schools provide a high standard of teaching.
How Will My Choices Now Affect My Child's Future?
For many, taking the right course of action is a difficult decision.
After all, it's too early for your child to make career choices and the type of school they will attend will greatly affect their career path later.
If you choose a school where English isn't the primary language, then you must accept the fact that your child's development in English will to a great extent stop. Although they might speak English at home, and might even have extra lessons, there is no substitute for being taught in English curriculum by an English teacher.
This is likely to affect a child's ability to communicate in Britain and spoken English as grown-ups. They won't receive a proper introduction to English literature, they won't be taught correct English phraseology and as adults will very likely find it difficult to express themselves fully.
If you choose a Spanish speaking school, then your child will still be able to go to university in the UK. However, for some courses an extra year of university study is recommended or required to reach A-level standards in maths and physics.
On the other hand, in a Spanish speaking school your child will most likely be fluent in Spanish. If that is important to you, then the Spanish school might be your best course of action.
Will My Child to Be Able to Go to a University in the UK or Spain?
Yes, is the simple answer.
In the English speaking schools of Wingate, Yeoward and Trinity your child will receive a fully British education which, combined with good grades, will get them into virtually any university in the UK.
Also, the qualifications from the English schools are internationally recognised and are therefore sufficient for entry into Spanish universities.
As mentioned above, with a Spanish education your child can still go to a British university but may encounter some disadvantages during their studies.
Are the Qualifications in Tenerife Recognised in the UK?
A qualification from Wingate, Yeoward or Trinity is of course fully recognised in the UK as the schools have been approved and inspected by the English education authorities.
Basically, your child does not have any disadvantages whatsoever if they choose the British curriculum in an English speaking school.
What Is the Quality of the Education like?
As fee paying schools, all three English speaking schools have a very high standard of teaching. Wingate, Yeoward and Trinity have all passed the official inspections.
Furthermore, with small class sizes and qualified teachers children receive a lot of individual attention and receive the help they need to follow the teaching and achieve good results.
What Happens If We Have To Go Back to the UK?
It all depends how long your children have been in school in Tenerife, and which school they have been attending. If they have been in an English school, then of course, there is no problem with returning to the UK.
However, if they have been in Spanish school, there will be a lot of adjustment for your child on your return. Your child may have to go through an assessment so the school authorities can understand what your child’s knowledge and capabilities are, and as the UK curriculum is taught at a different pace compared to the Spanish curriculum, your child could possibly be moved down a year on your return.
Your child could also need extra English lessons to catch up with their classmates.
Are the Same Subjects Available in GCSEs and A-Levels?
As the English speaking schools follow the UK curriculum, the schools provide a choice of subjects, just like you would find in the UK.
Of course, just as in the UK you would find different schools are offering different subjects, you will find the same in Tenerife.
Are There Any Extracurricular Activities?
There is a good range of extracurricular activities available, ranging from dancing and theatrical work, martial arts, to football and computer activities.
What computer facilities are available?
At Wingate, there is a full computer lab where pupils are taught valuable computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, graphics and more. The children are supervised throughout to encourage proper and structured use of the computers.
If My Child's First Language Isn't English, How Will My Child Cope?
Wingate has many pupils whose first language isn't English. Many parents want their children to be fluent in English, and therefore choose to place their child at Wingate.
This is very positive for the school, as it helps to build tolerance for other nationalities and cultures in addition to the Spanish and English culture.
Children's friendships transcend any national boundaries and non-English pupils are not treated any differently.
Younger children will adapt very quickly and will understand everything that's going on at the school within weeks.