Moving from Middle East to Madrid

[Bellaiaia]

Hola ladies,
I'm brand new to mums.net. A friend introduced me to it as I'm looking for help.

I'm an Italian mum living in Dubai with my husband and two girls (3 and 8 yo). After 6 years, my husband has been relocated from Dubai to Madrid and in less than 2 months we have to move there.
I'm looking for some advice regarding the life-style in Madrid.

First we need to find a apartment, my husband will be working in Avenida Manoteras, close to the University hospital Sanchinarro (NE Madrid). I'd like to find a pleasant neighborhood where kids can make easily friends, with also some facilities for them, as playground, parks, swimming pool.... ideally near Metro.

Secondly, a big task is to find a school for the kids. Now they are both in a British curriculum school and we want them not to lose their English language skills. However we can't afford right now an International school so I'm looking for advice regarding schools offering a good level of English as part of the curriculum possibly.

Then, since I'm a working mum and I really love my job as a school Librarian (in a British curriculum school), I'd like to find something similar. However I'm keen to adapt to other kind of jobs. I've looked online to find position for bilingual people (English and Italian)...I'm a bit lost.
Meanwhile I'm taking Spanish classes with my eldest daughter.

If you have any advice to help with my settling in Madrid, would be great.

Thank You

I can't help with the other stuff, but you could consider enrolling the children in an online school with a UK curriculum, such as interhigh.co.uk.

It is considerably cheaper than a physical private school. Lessons are via computer (with headsets, talking to other pupils/teachers).

Might help as an interim measure while you find something suitable.

Thank you CutesyUserName for your suggestion but I'm not really cut out for that sort of thing

No problem. But just so you are aware, you don't do anything. They do the lessons directly with their teacher/class, it doesn't involve you teaching them in any way. It is a private school, just run online. Hopefully you find what you need without too much hassle. Best of luck with your move.

Thanks.
I'll keep your suggestion on the list :)

Hello,
We too are moving next year. Does anyone have advice on english schools. Planning at looking at kings and runnymede...anyone have children there? any other schools I should consider?? Thanks everyone.