A normal school week: homework, extracurriculars and the parents' association

Terms used

• Tutoría — A tutoría is a meeting between a parent and the class tutor about a child's progress or behaviour.
• AMPA — The AMPA is a school's parents' association, which parents or guardians can join voluntarily.
• Consejo escolar — The consejo escolar is the school's governing body, where teachers, parents, pupils and the town hall take part in decisions.
• Deberes — Deberes is the Spanish word for homework.
• Concertada — A concertada school is privately run but publicly funded.
• ESO — ESO is compulsory secondary education, for pupils from about age 12 to 16.

Key rules

• AMPA: Joining the AMPA is voluntary and usually costs a small yearly family fee.
• Tutoría: Book meetings with your child's tutor in advance, through the channel your school uses.
• Homework: No national rule fixes the amount, so it depends on your school and teacher.
• Consejo escolar: Any parent or guardian can vote and stand in the elections held every two years.
• Activities: Afternoon activities are optional and charged monthly, with prices varying by school and town.

What a typical week looks like

Expect a school day with some homework, a class tutor you can contact, and optional activities in the afternoon. You are not required to do anything beyond keeping in touch with the school, but joining in is common and welcomed. Parents also have a formal voice through the AMPA and the consejo escolar.

Your child's tutor and tutorías

Every class has a tutor. This teacher follows the group's progress and behaviour and is your main contact.

• To talk to the tutor, ask for a tutoría. You can do it through the school agenda, a note, email or the school's online platform.
• Tutors usually have a fixed weekly slot for families, often one afternoon.
• Meetings are booked in advance.
• Schools hold a group meeting at the start of the year and individual meetings each term.

Platforms and slots differ by school, so ask which channel yours uses.

Homework

Homework (deberes) is common in primary school and generally increases with each year. No national rule sets how much. Each school and teacher decides within the school's own approach. Some regions and schools have introduced guidelines or cut homework, especially in the early years. If the amount worries you, raise it with the tutor first.

Afternoon activities and care

Activities are optional. Typical ones are sports such as football, basketball, gymnastics, judo and swimming, plus dance, chess, music, drama, robotics, English or French classes and homework help.

• They usually run after school, often 4 to 6 pm, or at lunchtime.
• The AMPA, the school or the town hall organises them, often through outside companies.
• Early-morning care and lunchtime supervision are also common.
• They are usually charged monthly per activity, a modest sum that depends on the activity and the region.
• Some regions or towns give discounts or grants to low-income families. Ask the school or your town hall.

The AMPA

The AMPA is the school's parents' association. Joining is voluntary and open to the parents or guardians of pupils.

• It usually charges a small yearly fee per family, commonly tens of euros. Its general assembly sets the fee.
• It often runs activities, early-morning and after-school care, school events, second-hand book exchanges and group purchases.
• Some activities cost extra, often less for members.

The consejo escolar

The consejo escolar is the school's governing body, so it is how parents get formal representation. It includes the head, the head of studies, a town hall representative, teachers, parents, pupils from ESO, a non-teaching staff member and a secretary. The AMPA designates one of the parent representatives. In concertada schools the owner is also represented.

Parents elect their representatives every two years, with half renewed each time. Any parent or guardian of a pupil can vote and stand. The council approves the school's educational project and rules of coexistence, takes part in choosing the head and in admissions, and approves the budget. Its size and details vary by region.

Use the checklist and the questions below for the practical steps.

Checklist

• Find out who your child's class tutor is.

• Ask the school which channel it uses to contact families: the agenda, email or an online platform.

• Attend the group meeting held at the start of the year.

• Book an individual tutoría in advance, with one meeting each term.

• Ask the school about the AMPA, its annual fee and the afternoon activities it organises.

• Vote in the consejo escolar parent elections, held every two years, or stand as a candidate.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to join the AMPA?

No, joining the AMPA is voluntary and open to the parents or guardians of pupils. It usually charges a small annual family fee, commonly tens of euros, set by each association. Members often pay less for activities, so ask the school what yours offers.

Can I vote or stand in the consejo escolar elections?

Yes, any parent or guardian of a pupil can vote and stand for the parent seats on the consejo escolar. Elections are held every two years, with half of the seats renewed each time. The AMPA also designates one parent representative.

Who organises afternoon activities and what do they cost?

Activities are organised by the AMPA, the school or the town hall, often through outside companies. They usually run after school, often from 4 to 6 pm, and are charged monthly per activity.