Costa Blanca International College vs The O'Brien International School

	C Costa Blanca International College Alicante, Spain	T The O'Brien International School Alicante, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €500 - 5,750	Fees / year €4,300 - 4,950
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Spanish Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 300	Pupils 50
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Spanish	Instruction language English, Spanish
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2013
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante, Spain. Located in the town of San Miguel de Salinas, about ten minutes from the city of Torrevieja.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Primary through college, including A-levels.
School type	School type —	School type British international school following the British curriculum.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation United Kingdom (British curriculum).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No definitive, school-published application or enrollment fee schedule is publicly available. Third‑party listings report a one‑off admission/registration fee of €500 and an enrolment deposit of €575. Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year) - The school does not publish a public, itemised fee schedule for the current academic year; therefore there is no confirmed, school‑published per‑term or per‑year breakdown available. Third‑party listings provide sample monthly/annual figures that have been reported for comparable year groups: Preschool reported at €520 per month (≈ €5,200 per year), Primary reported at €545 per month (≈ €5,450 per year), and Secondary/High School reported at €575 per month (≈ €5,750 per year). These figures are third‑party reports and are not a verified, school‑published fee schedule. Billing schedule and payment terms - There is no publicly available, school‑published statement of the billing schedule or the precise payment calendar for the current academic year. Third‑party information that lists monthly totals implies a monthly billing option may be used, but a definitive termly/annual/instalment schedule and due dates are not published. Expect the school to require payment either annually, by term, or by monthly instalments and to require an upfront registration/enrolment payment when a place is accepted, though the exact timing and any penalties for late payment are not publicly listed. Boarding / residence fees - Costa Blanca International College is listed as a co‑educational day school; no boarding or residential fees are publicly documented. If a boarding option is required, separate boarding providers or different schools should be considered because no board (pension) fees are published for this school. Other costs and common extras - Uniform: The school is recorded as having a mandatory uniform; however the cost of uniform items is not published. - School meals / comedor: The school offers a school meals service; meal pricing is not publicly listed. - Transport: A school transport service is recorded as available; specific routes and fares are not publicly listed. - Examination and external assessment fees: The school offers the International Baccalaureate and/or British curriculum qualifications; IB, GCSE or A‑level exam fees and any external assessment charges are not published and are typically billed separately by many schools. - Books, materials, excursions, extracurriculars and insurance: These common additional costs are not detailed in any publicly available school fee schedule. Parents should plan for additional annual expenses for textbooks, school trips and optional activities. Refund information - A school‑published refund policy for deposits, tuition or extras is not publicly available. There is no published public statement of which fees (if any) are non‑refundable or on what schedule refunds (partial or full) are issued. Fee payment options - The school does not publicly list accepted payment methods. In practice, private schools in Spain commonly accept bank transfer, direct debit/standing order or card payments; specific accepted methods and details (online payment gateway, card surcharge, account details for international transfer) are not publicly listed for this school. Parents should be prepared to arrange international bank transfer or card payment if required. Summary note on availability of detailed school figures - There is no school‑published, itemised fee schedule publicly available for the current academic year. Third‑party directories and local guides list the school and report sample admission and monthly tuition figures (examples cited above), but a full, authoritative per‑year, per‑term, and per‑year‑group breakdown with billing dates, refund rules and official payment methods is not published in a publicly accessible fee schedule. Where exact, school‑issued numbers and terms are required for a database, the school's official fee schedule or formal fee communication is needed to confirm final figures and terms.	Fee details Application / Registration fee - Registration (non-refundable): EUR 450.00. Tuition fees by year group (quoted amounts and annual equivalents) - Primary: EUR 430.00 per month. Annual equivalent (monthly × 10 months): approximately EUR 4,300. - Secondary: EUR 495.00 per month. Annual equivalent (monthly × 10 months): approximately EUR 4,950. - A-Level programme (4 A-Levels): EUR 565.00 (quoted for the 4-subject A-Level package). Annual equivalent (if billed over a 10-month academic year): approximately EUR 5,650. (Annual totals above are shown as monthly rate multiplied by 10 months to give a standard academic-year equivalent; the school publishes the monthly figures and published yearly ranges align with these annual equivalents.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is quoted on a per-month basis. Specific term invoicing frequencies are not listed alongside the monthly figures on the published fee schedule. - Exam fees: all exam fees must be paid by 31 January in the year prior to taking the examination. Late entries incur penalties (100% penalty for late entry periods as stated). Amendment fees apply when changing entry level and equal the entry fee plus any penalties incurred. An "Exams Fees in Advance" scheme is offered (payments from September to January may be accumulated for subsequent exam fees). - A 5% sibling discount applies to tuition. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for The O'Brien International School. No boarding fees are listed in the school's published fee material. Other costs and fees - Stationery fee: EUR 135.00 per annum. - Exam entry fees: charged per subject; costs for language and some international exam entries vary by exam board and subject (languages, Art & Design and some optional courses may have higher charges). These subject-specific exam charges and optional course costs are applied in addition to tuition and may require separate payment. - Optional additional costs: some optional courses may require study or investigation trips at additional cost; Art & Design and some international language exam entries can be markedly more expensive. Refund information - The registration fee is explicitly non-refundable. Exam-entry penalties for late entries are charged at the stated percentages and are not refundable. No separate general tuition refund policy is published alongside the fee schedule. Fee payment options - No specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer or credit card) are listed on the published fee pages. Contact details for the school's admissions/accounts team are provided for arranging payment and enquiries: telephone 965 076 678, mobile 615 466 398; e-mails theobrienlanguagecentre@gmail.com and info@theobrienlanguagecentre.es.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniform is mandatory.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Canteen on site.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is privately owned and directed by John Doyle O'Brien, who serves as Head of Centre. A Deputy Director (Sabrina Patiño) and an Administration and Examinations Officer (Victoria Ferrandez) support governance and operations.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details The O'Brien International School follows the British Council School Curriculum from the English Early Years Foundation Stage through Year 11, with mandatory Spanish instruction to ensure bilingual and bicultural learners. Early Years (Reception) is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the EYFS curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary (Key Stages 1–3) follow the English National Curriculum, taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week focused on core subjects in English and 20% dedicated to Spanish language and cultural studies. Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4 – Years 9–11) typically offers 10 International GCSE subjects, with 8 compulsory—English Language, Mathematics, Single Science, and Spanish—and 2 or more optional subjects including Computing, Economics, History, Geography, Sociology, Statistics, ESL, Business, Art, Music, Psychology, Physical Education, and Religious Studies; Career Guidance begins in Year 9 through the PSHE/Tutorial Programme and continues in Year 11 for post-16 planning. Sixth Form (Key Stage 5 – Years 12–13) requires English, Spanish Language, and Mathematics plus one from Business, Spanish, Geography, Economics, History, or Sociology, with individualised career counselling and university guidance to prepare for higher education. The curriculum includes a broad range of subjects across the arts, humanities, and sciences, with a strong emphasis on bilingual education and global citizenship.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression All Sixth Form students receive individualised career counselling and university guidance to prepare for higher education.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented The school provides for students who are particularly talented.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning Personal, Social and Emotional Development is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The Early Years curriculum is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the Early Years curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary follow the English National Curriculum, taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week in English and 20% in Spanish. PSHE is included in the curriculum to support social development and oracy. The school values pupil voice, with pupil input actively encouraged and students involved in setting personal outcomes. The SEND policy describes a holistic approach to development, including emotional and social well-being.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The O'Brien International School provides Psychopedagogical Attention and Guidance with a dedicated Psychopedagogical Office to support learning, personal, emotional, and social development. Individualized Action Plans and tailored strategies address each pupil's needs, with comprehensive guidance for students and families. In-school support is provided during school hours with a constant support team, and external experts in neurodevelopmental disorders collaborate as needed. No child is refused admission based on SEND. SEN is led by a SENCo and follows a graduated Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle, with collaboration with external agencies as required. The school is accessible, with wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities, and ongoing accessibility improvements.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language As a British School Overseas, the school follows the British Council Curriculum, with the English Early Years Foundation Stage and the English National Curriculum through to Year 11. Early Years instruction is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the Early Years curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary instruction is taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week in English and 20% in Spanish. Upper Secondary typically offers 10 IGCSE subjects, with ESL listed as an optional examinable subject. The curriculum supports bilingual and bicultural learning.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing The Psychopedagogical Attention and Guidance Office provides psychosocial support and guidance focusing on academic, personal, emotional, and social development. An individualized action plan approach and ongoing support are offered, with teacher training and family involvement. Pupil voice is valued, with pupil input and personal outcomes incorporated into planning. PSHE and Citizenship content in the curriculum support well-being and social development. Safeguarding and welfare are central to the school's approach.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Safeguarding policy was updated in July 2025; a safeguarding statement was published in August 2022. The O'Brien International School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, with comprehensive policies covering signs of abuse, responding to abuse, safe recruitment, bullying, online abuse, image use, and whistleblowing. Designated Safeguarding Lead is Sabrina Patiño, with contact details provided. The school complies with Spanish Ley Orgánica 8/2021 and UK Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, including staff DBS checks where applicable. Staff must report safeguarding concerns to the DSL, with clear procedures for initial reporting and escalation. Security Lead Officer Cristina Viera oversees security, conducts risk assessments, and provides training.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Located in San Miguel de Salinas, ten minutes from Torrevieja, The O'Brien International School & College is a small, close-knit campus that emphasises personalised instruction. The school continually invests in modern teaching resources and student-focused facilities to support learning. The school environment is designed to support a British-style education and ongoing academic development.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The school delivers the English National Curriculum (ENC) and offers GCSEs and A-Levels, with a UK-style academic calendar. All teachers are trained with UK qualifications or have experience teaching in ENC schools. The curriculum and assessment are designed to support progression to higher education and professional pathways.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Graduation 2023 and Moratalla field trip are part of student activity and extracurricular offerings.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Established in June 2013, The O'Brien International School & College began as a licensed examination and language centre in San Miguel de Salinas, ten minutes from Torrevieja. It has grown into a small, close-knit school offering personalised instruction across primary through college levels with experienced staff. The school follows the British curriculum and prepares students for GCSE and A‑Level qualifications through Edexcel, with a flexible enrolment policy allowing join at any point in the year. Its curriculum aligns with the Department for Education's 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, and 2025–2026 updates include Citizenship for Years 1–6, additional stand-alone Maths/English for post-16, and attention to reforms such as V‑Levels, Triple Science, and the Oracy framework. The school was listed by the British Council in 2023 and inspected by Penta in October 2023, reflecting external recognition of its approach.
Community	Community —	Community The school's student community features events such as Graduation ceremonies in 2023, 2019, and 2018 and a Graduation video from 2018. It also hosts Christmas events and field trips, including Moratalla, plus Remembrance Day observances and other activities that foster community engagement.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The O'Brien International School follows the British curriculum and prepares students for GCSE and A-Level qualifications through Edexcel. It is a small, close-knit school offering personalised instruction designed to help each student reach their full potential. The curriculum and policies align with the Department for Education's 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, emphasising structured progression and a broad, enriching range of subjects. This approach supports progression to university or apprenticeships and prioritises student choice and personal development.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Revision Classes Primary/Secondary are offered for students in the Spanish education system, from Primary through Bachillerato. The program runs two hours per week and is taught in Spanish by two native Spanish-speaking teachers. The language of instruction is Spanish, with small-group, personalised support. Remembrance Day is observed to honor those who died or suffered in conflicts, with readings, wreath-laying, and poetry.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing GCSE students spent a day away from desks and tablets in Moratalla, experiencing rivers, rocks, and canals and learning through measuring, observing, and photographing features. The field trip provided a practical, outdoor learning experience that complemented classroom work and helped students recall material for exams. The outing emphasises experiential learning and outdoor education as part of the school's approach to personal development and wellbeing.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision English is the main language of instruction; Spanish is mandatory across all levels. Russian is offered as a GCSE language subject (Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE). In Sixth Form, students are encouraged to study English, Spanish Language, and Mathematics, with continued language study integrated into the curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The O'Brien International School & College follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Year 11, with mandatory Spanish language instruction. Early Years (Reception, ages 5+) are taught in English, with 10–15% of the curriculum delivered in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary (Key Stages 1–3) use English for 80% of the 35-period week and Spanish language and cultural studies for 20%. In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), all students study English and Spanish Language as part of the bilingual offering.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. The school uses rolling admissions; applications are evaluated as they are received, interviews are conducted, and admissions are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all class places are filled. Families are encouraged to submit an application and participate in an initial discussion to assess whether the school can meet the child's needs. 2. If places are not immediately available, the child's name will be added to a waiting list upon receipt of the application and the registration fee. Parents may request to remove their child's name from the waiting list at any time. 3. Upon offer and acceptance, families agree that their child will be subject to the school's Rules and Regulations. The school promotes values such as Respect, Honesty, and Consideration for others; bullying and all forms of anti-social behaviour are strictly unacceptable. 4. The Head has sole authority to exclude a student from the school. Exclusions may be fixed-term (up to 45 school days in one academic year) or permanent for serious misconduct. Before expulsion, a meeting is typically held with the student and parents; the Head may expel immediately if warranted. The Head informs the Proprietor of exclusions and, where applicable, the management reviews to determine reinstatement; there is a right to appeal.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Scholarship Information: The school invites Year 11 students from the local area to apply for the annual Scholarship Program. The scholarship is open to students from any local school, and the award is valued at over €11,900. To register interest or reserve a place, contact 615 466 398, or visit the school website. Past scholarship winners include Logan Barbour and Rosanna de Leo (joint) – 2025, Ellie Warren – 2024, Taylor Hirst – 2023. Register now to take the Scholarship Examination during May half-term.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Rolling admissions policy means applications are evaluated as they are received and interviews are conducted, with admissions on a first-come, first-served basis until all class places are filled. If places are not immediately available, the child's name is added to a waiting list upon receipt of the application and the registration fee. Parents may remove their child's name from the waiting list at any time. Offers are made as places become available.
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