Talking with your child's school

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain with a child at school. You will find help with school platforms and notices, the class tutor and tutorías, interpreters and mediators, the parents' association (AMPA) and the school council, and class parent groups.

Start with "How do Spanish schools communicate with parents?" It shows you how to set up and read the platforms, agendas, email and notices the school uses, so you do not miss anything important. After that, read the other pages in the order that fits what you need first.

Key rules

• Interpreter cost: Interpreting or mediation provided through public or publicly funded programmes is free for families, while a private interpreter you hire is paid by you.
• AMPA fee: The AMPA fee is typically about 15 to 40 euros per family per year, and each AMPA sets its own amount.
• Official channel: The school or regional platform, formal written notices and the secretaría are the official channels; parent WhatsApp groups are informal and not official.
• Tutoría length: An individual tutoría usually lasts about 15 to 30 minutes and is booked in advance in the tutor's weekly family hour.
• Interpreter lead time: Arranging an interpreter or mediator usually takes several days to a couple of weeks, so ask as soon as the meeting is set.
• Progress reports: Most schools send written reports three times a year, usually in December, March and June.

Talking with your child's school: the whole process, step by step

• Get your login for the school platform from the secretaría (see: How do Spanish schools communicate with parents?): At enrolment or at the start of the school year

• Learn which channels count as official and which are informal (see: How do Spanish schools communicate with parents?): In the first weeks of the school year

• Ask the tutor for an individual tutoría, booked in the tutor's weekly family hour (see: How do parent-teacher meetings (tutorías) work in Spain?): Any time you have a concern; the slot is booked in advance, often one afternoon hour a week

• Ask the school to arrange an interpreter or mediator (see: How do I get an interpreter or mediator at school meetings?): As soon as the meeting is set, allowing several days to a couple of weeks

• Attend the tutoría, which usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes (see: How do parent-teacher meetings (tutorías) work in Spain?): On the day the school proposes

• Read the written school report, sent three times a year (see: How do Spanish schools communicate with parents?): Usually in December, March and June

• Decide whether to join the AMPA and the school community (see: What are the parents' association (AMPA) and the school council?): Whenever you wish; joining is voluntary

Documents you may need

• Your ID card — How do Spanish schools communicate with parents?

• An ID document — What are the parents' association (AMPA) and the school council?

• Cl@ve or a digital certificate — How do Spanish schools communicate with parents?

Talking with your child's school: questions that cross several articles

Who should I contact first with a school concern?

Contact your child's tutor first for concerns about learning, behaviour, classmates or wellbeing. Use the secretaría for paperwork such as certificates and platform logins. If the tutor cannot solve it, go to the head of studies or the director. Read How do parent-teacher meetings (tutorías) work in Spain? for the meeting itself.

Which platform will my child's school use?

The platform depends mostly on your region, for example iPasen in Andalucía, Racó in Cataluña or Raíces and Roble in Madrid, and many schools add a private app. Ask the secretaría which one your school uses and how to get your login. How do Spanish schools communicate with parents? explains how to set it up.

Which school items need my signature or reply?

Typical items are excursion permissions, image and data consent, who may collect your child, medication, and canteen or activity sign-ups. They come as paper slips, or through the platform or email. How do Spanish schools communicate with parents? shows how to decode them.

Can I ask for an interpreter when I book a tutoría?

Yes, ask the tutor or the head of studies for an interpreter or mediator when you book the meeting, and the school arranges it. Allow several days to a couple of weeks. Read How do I get an interpreter or mediator at school meetings? for the steps.