Steps into Spain

Today marks the start of the PAU in Madrid — and if you have a teenager in second year of Bachillerato, you’ll know exactly what that means in your household right now.

42,047 students across Madrid begin their university entrance exams today , sitting papers over four days across the campuses of the city’s six public universities.

A few things worth knowing if you’re new to the Spanish system:

Madrid starts first — exams run 1–4 June here , while most other regions sit theirs on 2–4 June. Castilla-La Mancha and Cataluña don’t start until next week.

And it’s not the same exam everywhere. Each comunidad autónoma sets its own papers. The test a student sits in Madrid is different to the one sat in Andalucía, the Basque Country, or Cataluña. Same goal — university access — but different content, structure, and marking criteria depending on where you live.

In Madrid it’s known as the PAU. Elsewhere you’ll see it called EvAU, EBAU, or PEvAU. Different names, same nerve-wracking week.

Good luck to every student (and their parents). 💜

I was quoted this week on a topic I feel strongly about: what happens to British schools in Spain when private equity moves in.

The reality for many families is that the school they originally chose can become a very different school — different staff, different management, different feel.

The longer version is in the article (link in stories), but if you’re in the process of choosing a school right now and have questions, this is exactly what I help families think through.

To all book-loving families – this one's for you.

Madrid's Feria del Libro kicks off this Friday (May 29th) in Retiro and runs until June 14th. If you've never been, it's a brilliant outing – and not just for grown-up readers.

There's loads for kids too: stalls packed with children's books, author signings, storytelling sessions, and creative workshops.

This year's poster (Miguel Pang) centers on a pine tree in El Retiro, surrounded by readers in all sorts of quirky poses — the theme this year is humour and the joy of books. A nice one for the family!

https://ferialibromadrid.com/programacion/

Today's the day — the final school lists are published. That's the moment many families will finally know whether they've got a place at their school of choice.

What happens next?

Enrolment:
— Infantil and Primary: 11–25 June
— Secondary: 11 June–3 July

This can be done either through the school's website or in person at the school.

If you have just arrived in Madrid and didn't apply in March, the late admissions process (proceso extraordinario) opens at the end of June — drop me a message and I can help.

The question every family moving to Madrid asks us first:
Do I find the school first — or the house?

Honestly? It depends. And the answer might surprise you.

Next Tuesday, 26th May at 18h, I'm going live on YouTube with Angélica Miller from Relocation Angel Spain — my trusted housing specialist.

Between us we've helped hundreds of families land in Madrid without the chaos. Schools sorted. Housing secured. No outsourcing, no chaos.

Got questions? Bring them. We'll be answering live on YouTube
May 26th@18h (CET)

👉 Join Us https://youtube.com/live/rlv22Vnvzf0?feature=share "

The question every family moving to Madrid asks us first:
Do I find the school first — or the house?

Honestly? It depends. And the answer might surprise you.

Next Tuesday, 26th May at 18h, I'm going live on YouTube with Angélica Miller from Relocation Angel Spain — my trusted housing specialist.

Between us we've helped hundreds of families land in Madrid without the chaos. Schools sorted. Housing secured. No outsourcing, no chaos.

Got questions? Bring them. We'll be answering live on YouTube
May 26th@18h (CET)
👉 Join Us https://youtube.com/live/rlv22Vnvzf0?feature=share

British schools in Madrid are… committed to the uniform.

Blazer. Tie. Loafers. On a three-year-old. Running around a playground.

It raises questions. About practicality. About comfort. But it’s the uniform policy and it is what it is.

If you’re choosing a British school in Madrid, the full kit — coat, shoes, bag included — can run to €300+ per child. I break it all down in my latest video. Link in comments.

May is my favourite month in Madrid. Full stop. ☀️

Perfect temperature, the city is alive, and this weekend it's San Isidro — one of the best celebrations of the year.

Las Vistillas and Plaza de la Villa will be packed with chulapos y chulapas in traditional costume dancing the chotis in the street. The little ones in costume are so cute. 🥹

Full programme in stories — go enjoy it!

https://www.sanisidromadrid.com/programa