What can I do if the school offers no language support?

Terms used

• Jefe de estudios — The jefe de estudios is the head of studies, the school manager in charge of academic organisation under the director.
• Inspección Educativa — The Inspección Educativa is the regional education inspectorate that supervises schools and checks they follow the rules.
• Consejería — The consejería is the regional government's education department.
• Defensor del Pueblo — The Defensor del Pueblo is Spain's national ombudsman, who supervises public administration and handles citizens' complaints.

Key rules

• Order: Go from tutor and head of studies to the director, then the inspectorate, then the regional department, then an ombudsman.
• In writing: Put every request in writing and keep copies, because spoken requests leave no proof.
• Ombudsman: An ombudsman complaint is free, needs no lawyer and must generally be made within a year of the facts.
• Status: Your immigration status does not affect your right to complain.

Escalate step by step, in writing

Your child has a right to schooling with support to overcome language gaps, whatever your immigration status. If the school offers none, escalate in this order. Start at the first step and move up only when the one before does not act.

1. The tutor and the head of studies

Write to the class tutor first, then to the head of studies (jefe de estudios). Say what support your child needs and ask for it. The message template below gives you wording to start from.

2. The school director

If neither acts, send a written request to the school director (dirección). Refer to your earlier messages and their dates.

3. The education inspectorate

Next, file a written complaint with the education inspectorate (Inspección Educativa) for your area. Inspectors supervise schools and can require a school to meet its duties. Ask your school or town hall which office covers you.

4. The regional education department

If the inspectorate does not solve it, go to the regional education department (consejería), or its provincial office. Office names vary by region, so check the exact name where you live.

5. The ombudsman, as a last resort

If the authorities still do not respond, you can complain to an ombudsman. Use the regional ombudsman where one exists, because regional education matters usually go there. Otherwise use the national Defensor del Pueblo. Examples of regional bodies are the Síndic de Greuges (Catalonia, Valencia), the Ararteko (Basque Country) and the Defensor del Pueblo Andaluz.

• It is free and you do not need a lawyer.
• You can file online, by post or in person.
• Contact the administration first.
• The ombudsman cannot overrule the authority. It can issue recommendations.

How to file

Send each complaint through the school's complaint process or through the general registry of the administration. Keep a copy of every letter and the date you sent it. The checklist below lists the steps in order.

Checklist

• Send a written request to the school director (dirección) if tutor and head of studies do not act.

• Complain to the regional ombudsman or the Defensor del Pueblo as a last resort, if the authorities do not respond.

• Keep copies of every letter and the date you sent it, using the school's complaint process or the general registry so there is proof.

What to watch out for

• Verbal requests leave no proof: If you only ask in person, the school can say it never received a request, and you cannot show the authorities what you asked for. Make every request in writing and file it through the school's complaint process or the general registry, keeping a stamped copy.

• Skipping steps slows your complaint: Going straight to the regional department or ombudsman can send your case back to the school, and ombudsmen usually expect you to have contacted the administration first. Go in order: tutor and head of studies, director, inspectorate, regional department, then ombudsman.

• Ombudsman complaints have a time limit: An ombudsman complaint must generally be made within 1 year of the facts, and the ombudsman can only recommend, not overrule the authority. Start the written steps early and file with the ombudsman well within the year.

Message asking the school for language support

Subject: Request for language assessment and support for my child

Dear [Director's or tutor's name],

My name is [your full name] and I am the [mother / father / guardian] of [child's full name], who is in [class and year] this school year.

[Child's name] has recently moved to Spain and does not yet speak Spanish well enough to follow lessons fully. [Add one sentence if useful: for example, the languages your child speaks, or how long they have been in Spain.]

I would like to ask the school to:

1. Assess [child's name]'s level of Spanish and of the other subjects.
2. Tell me what language support the school can offer, such as extra Spanish classes or a support group, and when it can start.
3. Name one person at the school I can speak to about how [child's name] is doing.

I would be glad to meet you to talk about this. I am available [days and times]. Please reply to me at [phone number] or [email address].

I would be grateful for a written reply, and I can bring any documents from [child's name]'s previous school if they help.

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards, [Your full name] [Phone number] [Date]

Frequently asked questions

Can I go to an ombudsman if the education authorities do not answer?

Yes, you can complain to the Defensor del Pueblo or to your region's own ombudsman, usually after you have first contacted the administration. Complaints are free, need no lawyer, and can be filed online, by post or in person. The ombudsman cannot overrule the authority but can issue recommendations.

How long do I have to file an ombudsman complaint?

You generally have to file within 1 year of the facts you are complaining about. So do not wait too long after the school or authorities fail to act. Your immigration status does not matter.