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Find the right school for your child in Madrid and Málaga
I’ve visited over 300 schools and helped more than 500 families find the right fit for their children. Tell me about your family and we’ll take it from there.
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Diana ForbesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
In moving to a new country and choosing a new school for our 13-year-old, the stakes felt incredibly high. I can't imagine how many additional dozens of hours I would have had to invest in this decision had it not been for Sinead and her team at Steps Into Spain. I'm pleased to say that she not only found a fantastic match for our family's needs and values, but she made the process as simple and proactive as possible. I recommend her highly. At the risk of going on too long, let me share 3 things that made her my favorite resource in the entire process of moving to Spain: 1) She has been around and knows her stuff! She knows the schools, employee/leadership turnover, family experiences, history, the "vibe" of each school, and so much more. No amount of research or AI could match her expertise and experience provided and CUSTOMIZED specifically to benefit our values and our specific child. 2) There is so much here as an immigrant to Spain that "we don't know what we don't know." With several professionals, we've had to ask if things were happening on time, what the next step was, or if we were doing things correctly. We never had to worry about this with Sinead. Right away we had a checklist of her process and what to expect/next steps. She frequently checked in with email reminders and to see how we were doing. She would even send proactive emails once we were accepted like "So has the school sent you your welcome info yet?" Whatever system she uses for keeping tabs on her families and making sure nobody misses anything, it is impeccable. I joke that she's set the bar so high, she has ruined me for the rest of Spain. 3) I found Sinead to be incredibly professional, yet also personable and down-to-earth. Visiting schools with her was enjoyable and I got to be myself instead of nervous and worrying about remembering everything. She was able to truly get to know us and our child, and that helped us make decisions more easily. I usually second-guess big decisions like this, but Sinead's expertise and recommendations made this process easy by comparison.Posted on Google![]()
waffleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sinead and her team were a true blessing for our family settling in Madrid. She guided us through the entire process of finding the best schools for our daughter. From detailed insights to visits and interviews at the short listed schools, we were able to make the best decision and pick the best school for our 13 year old daughter. I cannot imagine a better and more profesional service with personal attention from Sinead from start to finish. I highly recommend steps into Spain. Thank you !!Posted on Google![]()
Camilla Elverum SmithTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Brilliant, knowledgeable, and a great resource for us when relocating to Madrid with two young children. Thank you so much for your help and your kindness, Sinéad and co <3Posted on Google![]()
Scott KellumTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sinéad has been an immense help in getting our family situated and into school in Spain.Posted on Google![]()
Aimi MuraruTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sinead was super supportive in helping us find a school for our kids in Spain, and went above and beyond to help us- finding the right fit, securing the spaces, liaising with the school and checking in regularly to help communication. She was friendly, professional and great to work with. Would highly recommend.Posted on Google![]()
Maira ShafieiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Sinead and her amazing team, Kari and Amy. Moving internationally with children can feel overwhelming, but they made the entire school search and transition to Madrid so much smoother for our family. From the very beginning, Sinead took the time to truly understand what we were looking for in a school for our children. She personally visited the schools for us, which gave us so much confidence while trying to make such important decisions from abroad. Sinead, Kari, and Amy were all incredibly responsive, supportive, patient, and helpful throughout the entire process. They assisted with communication between us and the school, answered countless questions, and guided us every step of the way during a very big life transition. We genuinely could not be happier with the school our children are now attending, and we are so grateful for all the care and dedication they showed our family. We highly recommend Sinead and her team to anyone relocating to Madrid and looking for support finding the right school for their children.Posted on Google![]()
Giorgia MarinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We moved from Hong Kong to Madrid with a 14 and 16 years old. Steps into Spain helped us to research schools, arrange visits and provided feedback on each school for us to consider. Sinead was very kind and proactive on "life" tips in Spain too and that was equally helpful to me. It was great to have this support to reduce the stress of the move, and we are also happy with our school choice. I can happily recommend Steps into Spain, our choices were fairly limited because our eldest boy was already in his IB Diploma year, but I can see just walking around Madrid how many international and bilingual schools are around, Steps into Spain can help a lot ! good luck with your movePosted on Google![]()
Kimberly LawrenceTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We reached out to Sinead months before we relocated from the USA to Spain. Thanks to her guidance, she made us aware of several resources available for special needs children in Madrid. She really knows a lot about the schools and processes which differ greatly from the US. Patience is key when dealing with Spanish bureaucracy and she forewarned us. Shortly after arrival, we engaged Sinead to help us communicate effectively with the local education department and government officials. She attended meetings with us and communicated with them continuously on our behalf. While we had an unusual situation where it took the government agency several months to approve our daughter for school placement, Sinead did not let up and maintained constant contact with us and them. Sinead really is a wonderful advocate for families and children. She is responsive, knowledgeable and a lovely person. We definitely would work with her again.Posted on Google![]()
Helena Requero BravoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We are so glad we found Sinead. We were planning to move from London to Madrid over the summer with our two daughters, and we knew that finding the right school was key to the success of the relocation plan. Even though I was born in Spain and I speak the language I was very worried as navigating the education system and application process can be daunting- not to mention having to do that while planning all other aspects of an international move! Working with Sinead was brilliant, we felt supported and reassured the whole way and her help was priceless: from doing the research, getting the expert insights, to visiting the schools and handling all the paperwork and deadlines. After that, the transition went smoothly. Two months into the school year, the girls are settled and happy :) Massive thanks!Posted on Google![]()
Ailyn La Torre La Torre PhotographyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I would highly recommend Sinead with Steps into Spain to anyone who needs any help with anything related to school in Madrid or anyone transitioning their children into the Spanish School system. Sinead was informative, patient and so wonderful to work with! 5 stars! Thank you again for all your help Sinead!
Sinéad Galvin
Founder
WHAT I DO
Finding the right school for your child in Madrid and Málaga.
Visas, housing and paperwork, through our trusted relocation partners.
Summer camps, language classes, extracurricular activities and private tutors.
Pricing Plan Packages
Whether you’re relocating to Madrid or Málaga or already living here, there’s a service to suit how much support your family needs.
Our Royal Treatment package is the most popular because it gives families everything they need: personalised advice, full admissions support and ongoing guidance until their child is successfully enrolled.
Ideal for families who want expert, one-to-one support in choosing the right school. We personally select three to four schools and accompany you on visits to share insights and honest advice.
Great for families who want school selection advice but prefer to handle enrolment independently. We'll choose up to three schools and provide detailed information.
Tailored for families applying to public or concertado schools outside regular deadlines. We’ll guide you through each step with clarity and calm, so you feel supported throughout the process.
Hourly services
Perfect for families needing guidance on a specific school-related question. Ideal when you don’t yet need a full school search but want expert clarity on one area or concern.
At Steps into Spain, we work closely with families to understand their priorities, practical realities and, most importantly, their child’s needs, so that every school recommendation is informed, realistic and tailored from the very beginning.
When you work with us, we take the time to get to know your family’s situation properly. If your child is old enough, we're always happy to include them at the appropriate stage of the process. Their voice matters, and involving them often helps make the transition smoother.
Together, we'll identify the school that best matches your child's needs, strengths and potential.
From the moment we begin working together, you’ll receive clear, unbiased advice tailored to your family’s specific needs. Every school we recommend is carefully selected with your family’s situation in mind — your practical realities, personal priorities and, above all, your child’s happiness.
Open, honest communication is at the heart of how Steps into Spain works. We’ll be there to answer your questions and guide you through every stage of the school admissions process, so you always feel informed, supported and confident in the decisions you make.
Together, we’ll find the right school in Madrid or Málaga where your child can truly thrive.
We take the time to properly understand your family’s situation, priorities and your child’s needs, so that any guidance we provide is genuinely tailored from the outset.
We help you understand how different school options work in real life, so you can make decisions based on genuine fit rather than assumptions or marketing.
We’ll prepare a carefully curated shortlist of schools for your chosen city (Madrid or Málaga), with availability confirmed, that truly reflects your child’s needs and your family’s priorities. Every recommendation is based solely on what best suits your situation—not a generic list.
If needed, we’ll also provide neighbourhood guidance to help you choose areas that align with your preferred schools, daily commute and family lifestyle.
If you’re visiting Madrid or Málaga before your move, we can arrange school visits and coordinate assessment dates for you. We’ll join you on visits to provide honest, independent insights, highlight what really matters and help you feel confident in every decision. Our goal is to make each visit meaningful and a positive step towards finding the right school for your child.
We’ll take care of all the practical steps—from school admissions forms and registration fees to managing communication with each school’s admissions team. You’ll have ongoing email and phone support throughout your school search journey, so you’ll always feel informed, reassured and supported, right through to your child’s first day.
Steps into Spain now offers personalised school search, admissions support, and relocation guidance for international families moving to Málaga and the Costa del Sol.
Leading our Málaga service is Nikko Hinderstein, an American who has lived in Spain since 2004 and been based in Málaga since 2017. As a mum herself, she understands first-hand what families need when settling into a new city and finding the right school for their child.
SINÉAD GALVIN
Hello! My name is Sinéad Galvin, and I am the founder of the boutique education consultancy, Steps into Spain. I am also a very proud (and busy!) mum of three.
Since founding Steps into Spain in 2020, I have assisted over 500 families in finding the school in Madrid that best suits their child.
My experience teaching English in public schools in Madrid inspired me to set up Steps into Spain, allowing me to share my insights and knowledge with often bewildered families.
I have personally visited over 300 schools and counting, and I am always speaking to parents at these schools to get all the latest news and updates to share with my clients.
Finding the right school for your child is a fundamental part of a successful move. A happy child means a happy parent and I am here to ensure that this process is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
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