What is the consejo orientador?

It is a document a school gives to ESO students and their family with a recommendation on the most suitable academic, vocational or professional option for their next stage. It is regulated by the national ESO rules.

In which years is it given?

At the end of the second year of ESO and at the end of the stage. In the third year another one can be issued to propose a basic vocational course. Some autonomous communities also give it in other years.

Who prepares the consejo orientador?

The class tutor, with the rest of the teaching team and the guidance department. Each autonomous community sets the procedure and the model.

Do students have to follow it?

No. It is a recommendation for guidance only. The decision belongs to the student and their family, though it is worth talking it through with the school if they choose another option.

Where can I find the official model?

Each education authority publishes its own. For schools run directly by the national government, the models are in the annexes of their rules. In the autonomous communities it is usually in their ESO assessment rules or in their school management platform.

The consejo orientador in Spanish secondary school: what it is and how to prepare it

In this article

What the consejo orientador is
When it is given
Who prepares it, and what it takes into account
How to prepare it so it helps
For families: how to read it
Common questions

What the consejo orientador is

The consejo orientador is a document a school gives to ESO students and their families with a recommendation on the route that seems best for their next stage of education: Bachillerato and which modalidad, a vocational course (Formación Profesional), a diversified curriculum programme or another option.

It is regulated by the national rules that set the minimum ESO curriculum under the LOMLOE, in the part on tutoring and guidance. Each education authority then sets its own details.

Its value is not the paper. It is that it makes the school stop, student by student, and think about what suits each one.

When it is given

The national rules set these moments. Some regions also give it in other years, so check your region’s rules.

At the end of the second year of ESO
Given to the family. It includes a report on how far the objectives and competences have been achieved, and a recommendation for the best way to continue, which may be a diversified curriculum programme or a basic vocational course.
In the third year, if needed
When the teaching team considers a basic vocational course (Ciclo Formativo de Grado Básico) the best option for a student, it proposes it with a new consejo orientador issued for that purpose only.
At the end of ESO
Every student receives an individual consejo orientador with a recommendation on the academic, vocational or professional options that suit them best.

Who prepares it, and what it takes into account

In schools run directly by the national government, such as those in Ceuta and Melilla, the rules set it out: the class tutor prepares it together with the rest of the teaching team and the guidance department, and the head of studies coordinates it. The autonomous communities follow similar schemes with their own models.

Under the same rules, the recommendation takes into account the student’s academic record, interests, expectations and abilities, and the views of the student and their family. And it is not prescriptive: it is issued for guidance only. The final decision belongs to the student and their family.

How to prepare it so it helps

A few simple steps so the consejo orientador ends a conversation instead of being a formality.

Talk to the student first
A short interview in the second term gives the teaching team what grades do not show: interests, doubts and what matters to them.
Gather what the teaching team sees
Each teacher sees one part. A few lines from each on effort, interests and strengths make the recommendation fairer.
Offer options, not a single way out
A main recommendation and a reasoned alternative help more than one answer, especially in the fourth year.
Explain it in plain words
The family should understand why that option is recommended. Avoid jargon and explain what each route means.
Hand it over in a conversation
Better in a meeting with the student and their family than as one more piece of paper. It is the moment to answer questions.
Note what the student decided
Knowing what each student did with their consejo orientador helps you guide better the next year.

For families: how to read it

The consejo orientador is a recommendation from the team at school that knows your child best. It is not a grade or an obligation.

If you disagree with the recommendation, the most useful step is to ask the tutor or the guidance department for a conversation to understand their reasons. Sometimes the school sees something that is not visible from home, and sometimes you bring something the school did not know.

And remember that few decisions at this stage close the way: there are many routes between Bachillerato, vocational education and university.

Common questions

What is the consejo orientador?
It is a document a school gives to ESO students and their family with a recommendation on the most suitable academic, vocational or professional option for their next stage. It is regulated by the national ESO rules.
In which years is it given?
At the end of the second year of ESO and at the end of the stage. In the third year another one can be issued to propose a basic vocational course. Some autonomous communities also give it in other years.
Who prepares the consejo orientador?
The class tutor, with the rest of the teaching team and the guidance department. Each autonomous community sets the procedure and the model.
Do students have to follow it?
No. It is a recommendation for guidance only. The decision belongs to the student and their family, though it is worth talking it through with the school if they choose another option.
Where can I find the official model?
Each education authority publishes its own. For schools run directly by the national government, the models are in the annexes of their rules. In the autonomous communities it is usually in their ESO assessment rules or in their school management platform.

Let every consejo orientador follow a conversation

UTalento helps the guidance team prepare each conversation and remember what was agreed with each student, year after year. We will show you with your own school.

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The consejo orientador in Spanish secondary school: what it is, when it is given and how to prepare it