The British School of Barcelona - BSB City

The British School of Barcelona (BSB) is a leading international school in Spain, accredited as ‘Outstanding in Every Category’ by the British Government's Department of Education. It is the only school in Barcelona to hold this distinction, recognizing its excellence in teaching, student support, and overall educational approach.
With over 65 years of experience, BSB has a strong reputation for providing world-class education across its campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels, and Sitges.
The school has a multi-site campus, BSB City, for children aged 3-18 in the heart of Barcelona city. It brings to Barcelona the school’s international, future-facing BSB education to students from Early Years to Pre-University.

Primary Language(s)

English

Curriculum

British

Qualifications

IBDP, British iGCSEs

Age Range

3 - 18 years old

Welcome Note

Graded as ‘Outstanding in every category’ in our recent inspection, we have a proud, well-established reputation for providing a world-class international education to students from two to eighteen.
Academic outcomes are very important and BSB students obtain excellent examination results which enable them to access top universities in Spain and around the world. However, in order to thrive in a rapidly evolving world, young people need more than just top grades. They need to develop the skills and attributes they will require in a world where many jobs will be automated and distinctly 'human' qualities – creativity, curiosity, collaboration – will be prized above all else.
School should also be fun and BSB offers a nurturing environment where young people can flourish and emerge ready to take on the challenges that await them with confidence and certainty.
We'd love you to come and visit our campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels and Sitges to find out more about why BSB could be the right school for your child.
Neil Tetley
Executive Principal

School Ethos

The British School of Barcelona is a caring, learning community with high expectations.

Our Educational Aims
• Academic: We inspire all to be creative, curious thinkers within a culture of support and challenge.
• Character: We provide individual growth through high expectations; demonstrating commitment, resilience & respect for all.
• Global: We are global citizens, embracing difference, cared for and caring, and principled in our beliefs.

Languages

Primary Language

English

Additional languages offered

English is the school's vehicular language, complemented by the progressive teaching of Spanish and Catalan from Primary School onwards. In Secondary, pupils start studying French as a foreign language, with the option of continuing with the language until Pre-University. It also offers after-school clubs for Chinese and Spanish.

Language support available

We offer an extensive programme of EAL (English as an Additional Language)

Curriculum

The British School of Barcelona follows the British Curriculum and the vehicular language is English. This means that students become fluent in English as if they were native English speakers, regardless of their country of origin. For Spanish and Catalan language and culture subjects, the school follows the guidelines of the Catalan Department of Education and the Spanish Ministry of Education.
In the British model, the curriculum is highly personalised to facilitate independent and creative learning. Students can choose their own activities and subjects throughout Secondary and Pre-University to acquire a well-rounded education adapted to their interests and abilities.
BSB offers a holistic education that combines academic excellence with the development of key qualities and attributes such as communication, creativity, critical thinking and leadership. Its pedagogical approach is based on the development of nine BSB Learning Habits, structured in four areas: emotional engagement, critical thinking, strategic learning and collaboration.
The school encourages autonomy, teamwork and problem-solving, promoting learning that prepares students for the challenges of the future with confidence and security. It follows an inclusive and highly personalised model which ensures that all pupils reach their full potential.

Qualifications

Secondary students take the internationally recognised GCSE exams.
In Pre-University education, students study the International Baccalaureate (IB), which can be validated with the Spanish Bachillerato.

Facilities

BSB City comprises two buildings, spanning all educational stages: the Esperança Campus (ages 3 to 6) and the Lucà Campus (from age 6 onwards), which are conveniently located in close proximity in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona.

BSB City Esperança Campus
The BSB City Esperança Campus provides a nurturing, familiar environment, ensuring that the youngest children feel at home from their very first day in school, until they reach the age to move to the larger BSB City Lucà Campus for students until 18 years.
The Esperança Campus is located in a Modernist building near Passeig de la Bonanova and includes:
• 10 fairly sized teaching spaces with natural light
• A terrace
• Outdoor well-equipped learning and playground areas

BSB City Lucà Campus
The BSB City Lucà Campus is located in the same neighbourhood as the Esperança Campus, within walking distance.
It consists of two adjoining buildings and includes:
• 5,500 m2 of indoor spaces
• 1,200 m2 of outdoor spaces
• Top class learning spaces, including Science labs, an Art room and workshop areas
• Common student areas
• A purposely designed Hub for an outstanding Pre-University experience
• 23,000 m2 of first-rate, spacious sport facilities, both on-site and off-site
• Fantastic transport connection, both school’s and public

First Year Joining Fee

The matriculation Fee (non-refundable single payment) is €3,200. Subsequent siblings are €1,600.

Annual Tuition

Early Years

Nursery (Age 3)
o Annual fee: €12,200

Reception (Age 4)
o Annual fee: €12,200

Includes: Tuition, lunch, snack, morning "Guardería" service (from 8:30 am), school materials, books, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.
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Primary

Year 1 (Age 5)
o Annual fee: €14,100

Year 2 (Age 6)
o Annual fee: €14,100
Includes: Tuition, lunch, snack, school materials, books, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.

Year 3 (Age 7)
o Annual fee: €16,750

Year 4 (Age 8)
o Annual fee: €16,850

Year 5 (Age 9)
o Annual fee: €16,850

Year 6 (Age 10)
o Annual fee: €16,850
Includes: Tuition, lunch, snack, school materials, books, 1-to-1 devices & EdTech, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.
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Secondary

Year 7 (Age 11)
o Annual fee: €18,375

Year 8 (Age 12)
o Annual fee: €18,375

Year 9 (Age 13)
o Annual fee: €18,375

Year 10 (Age 14)
o Annual fee: €19,400

Year 11 (Age 15)
o Annual fee: €19,400

Includes: Tuition, lunch, school materials (including licenses for online textbooks), 1-to-1 devices & EdTech, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.
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Pre-University

Year 12 (Age 16)
o Annual fee: €18,900

Year 13 (Age 17)
o Annual fee: €18,900

Includes: Tuition, pre-university program, school materials (including licenses for online textbooks), 1-to-1 devices & EdTech, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.

Additional Fees

• External Examination Fees
• School Uniform
• School Lunch for Years 12 and 13
• After-School Activities
• School Transport
• Childcare Service before and after school
• Lockers’ annual maintenance fee from Year 7 to Year 13
• Educational visits, field trips and residentials

Discounts

• Discount on the matriculation fee is available for siblings (50% off).
• Discounts on the tuition fee are available for siblings from the third child onwards.
• The school fees are annual and are paid in ten instalments throughout the school year.
• There is a prompt annual payment discount of 2% received by bank transfer before the start of each academic year.

Current Fees

https://www.britishschoolbarcelona.com/fees/

Fees

School in Numbers

School size

2175 students across all BSB campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels and Sitges

Classes per grade / age

In Early Years, there are two classes per year group
In Primary, there are two classes per year group
In Secondary, there are two form groups per year group
In Pre-University, there are two form groups for Year 12 and one for Year 13

Class sizes

In Early Years there are 20 students maximum per class
In Primary School, 24 students maximum per class
In Secondary, an average of 24 students per class
In Pre-University, an average of 16 students per classroom

Nationalities

71 nationalities

Student Support

What learning needs the school can support

The British School of Barcelona has a Student Support Department that provides assistance and guidance for students' learning, emotional, social, and behavioural needs.
The team offers both in-class and out-of-class support, as well as workshops and fully personalised assistance, whether academic, emotional, or social. Support is provided when a student has a need identified by their teachers, family, or the student themselves. A student may require additional support for a limited period or throughout their entire school journey. The support is always tailored to the individual needs of each student.

What support staff are available

The student support department is made up of:
• Director of Student Support
• Child Protection and Wellbeing Coordinator
• Personal Development Coordinators
• Learning Support Coordinators
• Specialist Learning Assistants

The Student Support Services team holds a wide range of qualifications and specialisations, including:
• Psychology
• PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)
• Master’s in Intervention for Learning Difficulties
• Postgraduate Certificate: National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination
• Specialisation in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Children and Adolescents
• Master’s in Neuropsychology
• Postgraduate Degree in Emotional Education and Wellbeing
• Master’s in Inclusive Education
• Speech and Language Therapy

Admissions

Details of entry criteria

Early Years: Children applying for Nursery and Reception places are not required to have any prior knowledge of English.
Primary: Pupils applying for places at Years 1 and 2 must have an age-appropriate level of spoken English. Pupils applying for places in Year 3 and above at BSB School must have an age-appropriate level of spoken and written English. They will be required to sit an English language assessment. Previous school reports and a reference will also be requested. A meeting between the Head or Deputy Head of Primary and the pupil will be arranged.
Secondary: Students applying for places in the Secondary department (Years 7-11) must have an age-appropriate level of spoken and written English. They will be required to sit an assessment of English language. An academic school reference and the most recent school reports must be submitted. A meeting between the Head of Secondary and the pupil will be arranged.
Pre-University: Pre-University candidates (Years 12-13) will be required to provide evidence they have achieved five 9-4 GCSE’s, or their equivalent, in their previous school. Candidates will also be required to present past school reports and an academic school reference. Candidates will sit an English language assessment and a Maths assessment designed to assess if they have a level of English and Maths that will allow them to participate in the Pre-University curriculum. Beyond this, candidates may be asked to sit exams specific to the subject areas they wish to study, depending on each candidate’s individual application. These exams will be appropriate to the candidate’s year group.

Details of entry tests

In Primary and Secondary, students are required to sit an assessment of English language.
In Pre-University they are also required to sit a Maths assessment.

Further Information

Joining BSB follows an easy 7-Step Process:
1. Contact Us – Get in touch with our Admissions Team to discuss your child’s needs, check availability, and learn more about BSB.
2. Visit BSB – Attend an Open Day, book a private tour, or join a virtual event to experience our welcoming school environment.
3. Apply for a Place – Submit an online application with school reports, ID/passport, and any required references.
4. Assessment & Interview – Depending on your child’s age, they will complete an assessment and/or an interview with the Headteacher.
5. Offer of Place – If successful and a place is available, we will send a formal offer. If full, your child will be placed on a waiting list.
6. Complete Admissions Documents – Secure your child’s place by submitting required documents and paying the matriculation fee.
7. Start at BSB – Enjoy a smooth transition and become part of the BSB community!

Extra Curriculars

After-school activities take place from Monday to Thursday, from 16.00 to 18.00h (times vary depending on the club).
Clubs include: Football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, paddle tennis, guitar, piano, singing, choir, languages, plastic arts, technology, dance, table tennis, yoga, zumba, swimming, cooking, book club, mini science, mini robotics, video game programming, STEM, ballet, drama, aloha (mental arithmetic), Leaders of Tomorrow.