Moving to Portugal Forums

andycap · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:54 am Post subject: State Schools

We already have a home in Carvoeiro which we have been renting for holiday makers over the last couple of years and now plan to move permanently next year. We have a 10 year old son, does anyone know of any good state schools and if he is eligable to go to these schools instead of the expensive international schools. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has or knows of any english children currently attending a state school. Question

goispro · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 16 Home Country: portugal

I don't know anything about schools in the Algarve - hopefully they are better than the ones in our region! We brought our 13 year old and 8 year old out here to live last year, and the schooling has been quite a problem. The younger one has now settled in quite well, but the older one, now 14, is probably going to have to return to the UK before long. The system is very different from the UK, and seems to consist of vast amounts of copying, with very little attempt at encouraging any originality of thought or imagination. the school day is long - 9am to 5pm, with no art or music or drama in the curriculum, and no extra-curricular activities worth speaking of. From year 5 onwards they have a round of tests in every subject twice a term, i.e. 6 times a year, so they are constantly focussed on the next test. The teachers tend to be moved around every couple of years from school to school, and are on the whole, very dissatisfied with their lot.
My advice? Go for the expensive international school if you possibly can! It should be well worth it in the long run.

omostra06 · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:39 am Post subject:

some information on schools here that may help.
http://www.gekkoportugal.com/schools%20in%20portugal.htm

Bettie · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject:

I've only just joined this forum so am a bit late for the question. What did you do in the end? Did it work out for your son? My child went to a state school and, yes, the education system here is a lot different to what we were used to but she has now finished and passed her year 12, passed her driving test and has got a job. So it can't be too bad. Each child is different I guess.

One advantage I would say about state schools is that it makes children integrate into their community and speak Portuguese. I think International schools are more suited for children who won't be in Portugal for too long, like Forces families etc.

B

Bettie · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject:

I've only just joined this forum so am a bit late for the question. What did you do in the end? Did it work out for your son? My child went to a state school and, yes, the education system here is a lot different to what we were used to but she has now finished and passed her year 12, passed her driving test and has got a job. So it can't be too bad. Each child is different I guess.

One advantage I would say about state schools is that it makes children integrate into their community and speak Portuguese. I think International schools are more suited for children who won't be in Portugal for too long, like Forces families etc.

B

Bettie · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject:

I've only just joined this forum so am a bit late for the question. What did you do in the end? Did it work out for your son? My child went to a state school and, yes, the education system here is a lot different to what we were used to but she has now finished and passed her year 12, passed her driving test and has got a job. So it can't be too bad. Each child is different I guess.

One advantage I would say about state schools is that it makes children integrate into their community and speak Portuguese. I think International schools are more suited for children who won't be in Portugal for too long, like Forces families etc.

B

Bettie · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:

I've only just joined this forum so am a bit late for the question. What did you do in the end? Did it work out for your son? My child went to a state school and, yes, the education system here is a lot different to what we were used to but she has now finished and passed her year 12, passed her driving test and has got a job. So it can't be too bad. Each child is different I guess.

One advantage I would say about state schools is that it makes children integrate into their community and speak Portuguese. I think International schools are more suited for children who won't be in Portugal for too long, like Forces families etc.

B


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