For International Families

You are not alone

There are many international families at CEIP Virgen del Carmen. You are not the first to arrive without knowing how the Valencian education system works. The beginning can feel overwhelming, but most things become clear with time and with the help of other families.

First steps

Itaca / Web Família

Itaca is the regional government’s digital platform where the school publishes communications, grades and authorisation forms. You access it with credentials provided by the school.

• School code: 46003846
• Access: https://itaca3.edu.gva.es/jwt/#/home

If you are a new family and do not have login credentials, you may need to go to the school office in person to get them.

Patience at the start of term

Communication from the school can be slow during the first weeks of September. Other international families have experienced the same — it appears to be normal. If you do not hear back straight away, wait a few days and try again.

Language of instruction

Language lines: Valencian and Spanish

CEIP Virgen del Carmen has two teaching streams:

• Línea en valenciano (Valencian-medium)
• Línea en castellano (Spanish-medium)

Parents vote on which language line they prefer for their child. If you do not vote, your child is assigned to fill spaces in the second Valencian-medium class.

The mixing of pupils between year groups is often driven by language line balancing requirements.

To be confirmed with the school. Check at the office or with your child’s tutor. The language line selection process may vary. Ask the school management at the start of term.

Authorisation forms

The school uses paper forms for many authorisations (trips, activities, collection by third parties, etc.). If you lose a form or do not receive one:

• You can write an authorisation by hand. The school accepts handwritten authorisations.
• Include the pupil’s details, what you are authorising, your full name, ID number (DNI/NIE) and signature.

Digital admin

Several administrative processes (enrolling in the Escola d’Estiu, applications to the Conselleria, etc.) require digital identification:

• Cl@ve — digital ID system for foreign nationals with a NIE (Spanish resident ID number)
• Digital certificate — a common alternative
• Sede electrónica — the Town Council’s and GVA’s online platform for administrative processes

If the online process does not work — and sometimes it does not — go in person. Most offices have in-person appointments available and it is often quicker than troubleshooting digital ID issues remotely.

Language adaptation

Reading and writing

Children are not expected to arrive at Year 1 already knowing how to read or write. Formal literacy teaching starts at school.

“Until age 7, some children’s brains are not fully ready.” — comment from other families in the class group

For children who are not native Spanish or Valencian speakers, the process may take longer. This is normal. The general recommendation from other families is to be patient and watch how your child progresses over the first few months.

Useful resources

Language exchange group

There is a WhatsApp group for language exchange between local families: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LLNI1ykUtrRLrHTBq7cq0c

Useful apps

Local services

Dentists:

• Dent — near the school
• Clínica RB — near the Mercadona
• Clínica Ruth Marco — in Foios

Swimming:

• Piscina Municipal de L’Eliana (municipal pool): residents ~25–27 EUR, non-residents ~34–36 EUR
• Mandor — private option

To be confirmed with the school. Check at the office or with your child’s tutor. Municipal pool prices may change each season.

Where to get a coffee:

• Zanto — specialty coffee
• Jenkins and Noble — burgers
• Hencko — sushi