An Educational Guide To Gibraltar

Gibraltar's Education system, like that of the UK is excellent in preparing the student for higher education or employment.

Gibraltar's system of schools functions much like that of the UK, with a three tier system in place to afford students of Gibraltar the best formal education they can receive. The schools of Gibraltar follow the National Curriculum.

Primary Education begins at about 3-4 years, with preschool or nursery school, and while attendance is not mandatory, it is encouraged. Students learn more about the skills that it requires to be educated, such as interaction and other basic principles, more so than actual education, although the basic five courses are touched on in preschool and nursery school.

Education becomes compulsory at aged 4-5, where primary education begins. The first year, known as the reception year is attended for one year.  This gives basic knowledge and a good start to the students. Post Reception primary education begins and lasts for 8 years time. Education is on a co-ed basis for the first 8 years.

By about aged 12, the students of Gibraltar will begin education with only their own sex in attendance. They will attend for four years at which time they will receive final exams at age 16. Students who desire to continue their studies have the option to take two further years of study if they have passed four subjects. They will then sit for two further exams, at the end of each of the two years, their AS and A2, respectively.

Gibraltar college of Higher education does not provide for full time studies. The students of Gibraltar who desire degree level courses, as well as some non-degree courses on a full time basis are required to attend at another facility.

Gibraltar government does offer a scholarship and grant program though which they provide funds to those who wish to study in the UK. Student Loans programs are applied for in the UK proper method, and the student loan is reimbursed by the Gibraltar government.

Teachers in Gibraltar are trained in the UK by colleges and universities and must have Qualified Teacher Status and a UK registration number to be eligible to teach in the schools of Gibraltar.

The Gibraltar Minister for Education has offered his congratulations many years at the high marks and excellent passing rates of the student of Gibraltar, and the school system does seem to be one in which students excel. Gibraltar students regularly break their own records, as well as that of other areas with regard to the testing scores of Gibraltar students.

There are currently fifteen schools which are state run, and numerous private schools as well as one college.

Schools of Primary Education

    * Governor's Meadow School
    * Loreto Convent First School and Nursery (private)
    * Notre Dame First School and Nursery
    * St Bernard's First School and Nursery
    * St Christopher's First School
    * St Joseph's First School and Nursery
    * St Mary's First School
    * St Paul's First School and Nursery

Middle schools

    * Bishop Fitzgerald School
    * Loreto Convent Middle School (private)
    * Sacred Heart Middle School
    * St Anne's Middle School
    * St Christopher's Middle School (MOD)
    * St Joseph's Middle School

Secondary Education

    * Bayside Comprehensive School
    * Westside School

Special needs schooling

    * St Bernadette's School
    * St Martin's School

Religious schools

    * Hebrew School (primary and middle school)

Colleges

    * Gibraltar College