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Portuguese Education System
Administrated on mainland Portugal by 5 regional bodies, state education is free apart from books and meals. Pre-primary school (Jardims de Infância) can be fee paying or state run.
Education System Ages 3-18
Access to Portuguese State Schools
Recognition of Qualifications in Europe
Grants and Subsidies
Private Schools
British & International Schools
University Fees and Scholarships
Scholarships in other EU Countries
Tax Deduction of Educational Expenses
Home Education
Articles
Education System Ages 3-18
Jardims de Infância will take children from 3 years old (sometimes younger) to 6 years. Run by professional teachers and are often combined with a day centre for the elderly and sometimes a kitchen for meals on wheels. Normally closing at 3.30pm they often provide after school activities until 6pm.
Primary education (Ensino Básico) is compulsory (although there are something like 15% non attendants). Ensio Básico is split into 3 phases: 6-9, 10-11, and 13-15. Children aged 6 on or before the 15 of September must be enrolled for their first year at school during the annual enrolment period. The school year starts in mid September and finishes in mid June.
For the fist stage, students aged 6-9 are taught by the same teacher for all subjects, then different teachers for different subjects for the 2nd and 3rd stages. The principal subjects for the 6-9 year olds include mathematics, Portuguese, the environment, personal and social development, and religious education. The children are given a heavy workload of homework with particular emphasis on Portuguese handwriting which is more elaborate than our own.
During the 2nd stage the students are introduced to English, social science, art and technology. PE at best is a once a week activity and can be swimming (if there are the facilities), football for the boys, and basketball for the girls.
The 3rd stage is a continuation with the option of a second foreign language. The students are constantly assessed and need a high percentage of attendance to complete the year, if students show poor performance in more than three subjects, particularly mathematics and Portuguese, they may be held back a year.
Between the ages of 15 to 18 students can either go to Ensino Secundário or Ensino Profissional.
Access to Portuguese State Schools
All residents of compulsory school age should attend school. Residents also have access to secondary schooling and higher education. Registration with pre-schools normally occurs during June and July at the school. They usually require a medical check, birth certificate, health card and inscription form.
First time registration in primary schools takes place early in June at the school nearest the place of residence or nearest the place of work of the parent. Renewal of school registration usually takes place at the end of the previous year, at a time set by the school. First time registration for secondary schools normally takes place at the primary school, and before 15 July. Re-registration in secondary schools depends on exams, and takes place immediately after the results are published. Late registrations are submitted to the management of the school. Children coming from outside Portugal may register at any time, providing there are spaces in the school.
The documents required for school registration usually include the inscription form, proof of qualifications from the previous school, health card, photographs, and identification.
Recognition of Qualifications
Professional and technical qualifications are usually accredited to EU recognised levels. However, professional requirements do vary from country to country, and there is still no guarantee that qualifications from one EU country will be recognised in another. In principle, the certificate of general education provides for access to further education courses in other EU countries. However, all institutions have their own entrance requirements, especially in relation to language qualifications. Before starting a course, it is advisable to check whether the qualification will give access to the required profession or subsidised higher-level institution.
Grants and Subsidies
Additional support for fees, school meals and books. School students from families with limited incomes (generally families with less than the national minimum wage per family member) may also be eligible for free meals, school books and extra curricular activities. Secondary students may also obtain assistance with accommodation and fees. There is a special system of subsidised public transport for school students. Further information is available from schools or the education department of the local municipal council.
Private Schools
There are many private and co-operative schools teaching the Portuguese national curriculum. There are others teaching in foreign languages, following international curricular. Few of these international schools go up to secondary level. All private schools charge fees and should be registered with the Ministry of Education.
The recognition of an international curriculum by the Portuguese education system is not automatic and this should be taken into account when selecting which curriculum to follow.
British & International Schools
Oporto British School
Founded in July 1894, Oporto British School is believed to be the oldest British school in mainland Europe. It provides a high quality, British style education for boys and girls, age four to eighteen (currently of 19 nationalities).
OBS is a non-profit institution owned by a Council of Members (parents and former parents) which elects a Board of Governors. The Head of School is assisted by the Bursar and Heads of the Primary and Senior Sections. The majority of the teaching staff are native English speakers, mostly British with British qualifications but other nationalities (American, Irish, Portuguese, Australian and Dutch) are represented.
The curriculum in Primary (ages 4-11) and Senior Sections (ages 11-18) is based upon the English National Curriculum but adapted to local needs.
In Forms 10-13, students work towards the International General Certificate of Secondary Education and the International Baccalaureate. Students can thus move with relative ease to or from other British or English-medium international schools and to universities throughout the world. Current applications for further education are mostly being made to Europe and the USA.
The standard of English achieved amongst non-native English students is very high. Non-Portuguese students achieve considerable fluency in Portuguese - this being the second language of the school. French is also taught and there are opportunities for other languages through private teachers.
The school is small, with class sizes in Primary averaging 16, and 15 in the Secondary Section. Situated on a pleasant campus in the residential area of Foz at the mouth of the River Douro. Consistent with its small size, facilities are relatively modest.
The school follows the British pattern of academic year commencing in early September and ending in late June/early July. The main holidays are at Christmas, Easter and in the summer, with mid-term holidays and a number of local national holidays. The optimum time for entry is at the start of the academic year, but the school tries to accommodate newcomers at other times. A prospectus and other information is available from the Head's PA/Registrar.
Address: Rua da Cerca 326/350, Foa do Douro, 4150-201 Porto
Phone: (00351) 22616 6660 / Fax:(00351) 226166668
Age range: 4-18
Total pupils: 166 boys / 206 girls
Boarding: No
Teaching language: English
Oporto International School (CLIP)
A co-educational English medium school for students from Kindergarten to Form 12. The school has three sections, Lower School, Middle and Upper School, each of which is run by its own Head.
The primary commitment at CLIP - The Oporto International School is the preparation of students to be literate, competent, educated, skilled, informed citizens, capable of critical thinking and able to meet the transforming challenges of a complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.
The school's educational principles are: academic excellence, learning how to learn; co-operative learning; diversity and cross cultural education; democracy; personal needs and concerns; ethical and moral development; the arts; physical education; preparation for life-long learning.
The school offers a wide variety of after school activities and holiday programmes through the CLIP Clubs that are run at the school.
In addition the school runs the Phoenix Academy, which offers a wide range of adult educational programmes as well as the hiring of the state of the art facilities available.
Address: Rua de Vila Nova 1071, 4100-506 Porto
Phone: (00351) 226199160 / Fax: (00351) 226199169
Age range: 5-18
Total pupils: 206 boys / 167 girls
Boarding: No
Staff numbers: 30 full time / 12 part time
Maximum class size: 24
Curriculum: National Curriculum for England and Wales, IGCSE
Accreditation: Host country
Teaching language: English
Currency: Euros
clip.porto@clip.pt
University Fees and Scholarships
There is a national system of scholarships for payment of further education fees and living allowances. Access to these scholarships depends on family size, family income, and good results in the previous year of the course. Generally, students from families with less than the national minimum wage per family member are eligible. The value of the scholarship can be as high as 90% of the national minimum wage plus an allowance for accommodation up to 25% of the national minimum wage. Further education institutes also provide subsidised meals and some hostel accommodation. The welfare department of the further education institute can provide information about these scholarships.
Scholarships in other EU Countries
Citizens of member states of the EU have rights of access to further education institutions in other member states equal to those of citizens of the country. However, there are residency requirements ensuring pupils are eligible to local scholarships. There are EU schemes to provide scholarships for study in other EU countries, specific information may be obtained from the European Commission Delegation in Lisbon. Some Portuguese universities also have specific agreements with universities in other EU countries.
Tax Deduction of Expenses
Educational expenses for a resident tax payer and other family dependants may be deducted from income before calculation of income tax. Original receipts (with translations in Portuguese) are required to claim this deduction. Your tax advisor or accountant will be able to advise on which expenses are eligible. Teaching in foreign languages can be found through the yellow pages, adverts in the local foreign language press, or by consulting embassies and cultural missions of the countries concerned.
Home Education
Home Education (Homeschooling) is legal in Portugal, providing you make the inscription at the beginning of the year in any school. Children are allowed to be educated by their parents or home teachers providing they take examinations at the end of each cycle (4th, 6th, 9th, & 12th year).
Links
www.alternativelearning.org 
Homeschooling Social Register
Articles
Portuguese School: Pete & Billy's Experience
I had to take my 7 year old (8 in November) for his 1st morning in school today. He was a brave little soldier until we got into the classroom. I nearly brought him home with me as not a person in his school speaks English. I dont mind admitting I had a good cry when I got back to my apartment, wondering what the hell I had done. I was dreading picking him up at 12. Anyway, noon arrives and out of the classroom he pops...
Read Article
PLEASE NOTE: We do our best to keep the information on this site correct and up-to-date, however we advise that you check current rules and regulations specific to your individual circumstances with the relevant authorities/professionals and/or a solicitor.
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