Changing schools because of bullying

Key rules

• Evidence: A transfer usually depends on the protocol or the inspector confirming the bullying, so ask for both in writing.
• Regional rules: Whether you can move outside the normal period depends on your region's admission order.
• Your child's view: Listen to what your child wants, and never frame the move as their fault.

Should your child move?

Moving is sensible when staying is not keeping your child safe or well. Staying and pushing the school's anti-bullying protocol is usually the better first step when the situation is recent or milder, the school's measures are working, and your child has support and wants to stay.

Move, or start the move, if one or more of these is true:

• The harassment is serious or has gone on for a long time.
• The protocol has failed or been ignored.
• Your child's health is affected: anxiety, refusing to go to school, or medical or psychological reports.
• Safety measures do not work.
• The aggressors cannot be separated from your child, for example in a small school.

Your child's view matters. Ask what they want, and make clear that moving is not their fault. A move works best when it is planned, ideally at a natural break such as the end of a term, and when the new school is told in advance.

Each case is different. A school counsellor (orientación), a psychologist or the school inspection service can tell you whether a move suits yours.

Start with the protocol, in writing

Even if you expect to move, begin here. The protocol result and the inspector's report are the evidence a transfer usually depends on.

1. Report the bullying in writing to the head teacher.
2. Ask for the protocol to be opened.
3. If the school does not act, involve the school inspector (inspección educativa).

Keep copies of everything, including messages, screenshots and incident records. If the school does not respond, keep proof that you asked. The documents list below shows what to gather.

Can you move quickly?

Often yes. Most regions allow a place outside the normal admission period for a pupil with documented bullying (acoso escolar), treated as a special or exceptional circumstance. Some regions also give priority or extra points in ordinary admission. Others allow a mid-year change through the admission commission, which can assign a place above the usual class size.

This is usually conditional on the protocol or the inspector confirming the situation. The rules and wording differ by region, so check your region's admission order.

Who decides

The regional education administration decides. Usually the inspector reports on the case, and the provincial education delegation or the regional education department authorises the move. Where there is an admission commission, it assigns a place in a school with vacancies, often after the inspection report. You make the request through your child's school or the delegation. The name of each body varies by region.

How long it takes

There is no single deadline. Urgent bullying transfers are commonly handled in days to a few weeks once the inspection report or protocol confirms the situation. The delays usually come from waiting for the inspection report, finding a school with vacancies and the commission's schedule. Ask the school or delegation when a place can be assigned.

Next steps

Use the decision, checklist, timeline and documents below to plan. The step-by-step mechanics of changing schools are covered in the changing-schools Topic.

Choosing between options

Should your child move school or stay and push the protocol?

• Move school: The bullying is serious or sustained, the protocol has failed or been ignored, your child's health is affected, safety measures do not work, or the aggressors cannot be separated.

• Stay and push the protocol: The case is recent or milder, measures that work are in place, or your child has support and wants to stay.

Use the school's protocol first, in writing. Move if it fails or your child's health suffers, and plan the move at a natural break with the new school informed.

Timeline and deadlines

• Get the inspection report or protocol result confirming the situation: before you request the transfer

• Request the transfer from the school or the education delegation: as soon as the report is available

• Wait for a school with vacancies to be found and the commission to assign the place: usually days to a few weeks

• Formalise enrolment at the new school: once the place is assigned

Timing varies by region and case, so confirm the expected wait with your education delegation.

Documents you need

• Transfer application form, from the school or the education delegation.

• ID of the parents and enrolment details of the child.

• Inspection report from the school inspector, which regions often treat as the key evidence.

• The school's protocol report or resolution, or proof that you asked for it and the school did not act.

• Written complaint to the school.

• Medical or psychological reports linking your child's symptoms to the harassment.

• Report from the school counsellor (orientación).

• Screenshots, messages and records of incidents.

• Any police report or prosecutor's file.

Checklist

• Ask your child what they want, and make clear the move is not their fault.

• Ask the school to open the protocol and involve the inspector if the school does not act.

• Ask a school counsellor, psychologist or the inspection service whether a move suits your case.

• Gather your complaint, protocol report, inspection report, medical or psychological reports and messages.

• Check your region's admission order for bullying transfers outside the normal period.

• Ask the school or education delegation to request the transfer.

• Ask when a place can be assigned and whether the new school has been informed.

Frequently asked questions

Who decides whether my child can move school because of bullying?

The regional education administration decides, usually the provincial education delegation or the regional consejería. The school inspector normally reports on the case first.

Can my child move school in the middle of the year because of bullying?

Yes, many regions allow a place outside the normal admission period when bullying (acoso escolar) is documented, as an exceptional circumstance. Some also give extra points in ordinary admission. It normally requires the protocol or the inspection to confirm the situation.

Should my child move if the school is still working on the protocol?

Staying can make sense if the case is recent or milder, the measures are working and your child wants to stay. Moving fits better when the harassment is serious or sustained, safety measures fail or your child's health is affected.