Holy Mary British Catholic School vs Richmond Park School

	H Holy Mary British Catholic School Madrid, Spain	R Richmond Park School Madrid, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year —	Fees / year —
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Catholic Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 750	Pupils 748
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 24
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2019
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Located on the outskirts of Madrid in the Mirasierra neighbourhood, Costa Brava 55, Spain.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Early Years, Primary, Secondary and IB (IB Centre).
School type	School type —	School type British international school in Madrid.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Dyslexia support and provision for gifted learners.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Spain
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure School day: 7:45-8:30 Breakfast Club/Morning Clubs; 8:50-16:15 EYFS; 16:30-17:30 Stay & Play/Extra-curricular activities; 8:50-16:30 Primary; 16:30-17:30 Clubs; 8:45-16:30 Secondary; 16:30-17:30 Clubs.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Bus routes operate with morning and afternoon services. 2025-2026 routes list a set of stops with approximate times: AM: 07:35 Velázquez 20; 07:36 Velázquez near Ramón de la Cruz; 07:53 Andrés Mellado 46; 07:55 Paseo San Francisco de Sales near Andrés Mellado; 07:58 Raimundo Fernández Villaverde 30; 08:23 Madre Molas near Apolonio Morales; 08:29 Avenida de Burgos 6; 08:38 Arzobispo Morcillo near Julio Palacios; PM: 16:45 Arzobispo Morcillo near Julio Palacios; 16:52 Avenida de Burgos 5; 16:53 Paseo de la Habana near Mateo Inurria; 17:05 Madre Molas near Raimundo Fernández Villaverde; 17:15 Reina Victoria 26; 17:17 Guzmán el Bueno near Paseo San Francisco de Sales; 17:20 Guzmán el Bueno 7; 17:38 Príncipe de Vergara near Ramón de la Cruz; 17:40 Príncipe de Vergara 9; times are approximate and final routes depend on demand. Contact the school for details.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Overview for the current academic year - Holy Mary British Catholic School does not publish a full, year-group breakdown of fees or a public term-by-term fee schedule for the current academic year. Application / registration fees - No publicly available, itemised application or registration fee is published. The school's published materials and public school-directory listings do not show a specific application or registration fee amount. Tuition fees (per year / per term) - The school does not publish tuition amounts broken down by year group or term. No official per‑term or per‑year fee schedule is publicly listed. - A third‑party school directory lists the school's day‑school annual fee range as approximately EUR 9,000 to EUR 16,000 per year; this is presented as a general day‑fee range rather than a verified, year‑by‑year schedule. Do not treat this as a detailed year‑group breakdown. Billing schedule and payment terms - A formal billing schedule (for example: number of instalments, dates, deadlines, early‑payment discounts, or late‑payment penalties) is not publicly available. Payment terms are not published in the school's public fee information. Boarding fees - The school is listed as a day school (coeducational day); boarding is not applicable. There are no boarding fees because the school does not offer boarding. Other costs and typical additional charges - School‑prepared lunches are included in the school fees. This is stated in public school-directory information. - Uniform is required; the presence of a required uniform is noted in public school listings (cost of uniform items is not published). - Typical additional costs that are not publicly quantified include: extracurricular activity fees, exam fees (IGCSE/A‑Level exam entries), school‑supplied device/material contributions, transport/bus fees where used, and special program or trip charges. Specific amounts for any of these items are not published. Refund information - No publicly available refund policy or schedule (for withdrawn students, cancelled enrolments, or returned registration fees) is published in the school's public fee information. Fee payment options - Specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, direct debit, credit card) are not published in the school's public fee information. No public list of payment channels or providers is available. Summary of findings and data gaps - The school's public listings and authoritative school directories confirm that Holy Mary British Catholic School does not make a detailed, year‑group or term‑by‑term fee schedule publicly available and does not publish application fees, billing schedules, refund terms, or payment‑method details. A third‑party directory provides an indicative day‑school annual fee range of EUR 9,000–16,000; boarding is not offered; lunches are reported as included and a uniform is required. Because the school does not publish a full fees schedule publicly, exact per‑year and per‑term fee figures, formal billing dates, refund conditions, and accepted payment methods were not available in public sources.	Fee details Application / registration fees - A registration (enrolment) fee is charged at the point of registration. The school's public materials confirm a registration charge is required but do not publish a fixed amount for the registration fee. Tuition fees by year group and per term - Richmond Park School operates a single tuition quota model rather than publishing separate, itemised termly fees by year group. The single quota covers core academic fees, insurance, meals (except Breakfast Club), swimming lessons within the curriculum, and materials and books for the British curriculum. The school's public materials do not list separate per-term or per-year tuition figures by year group. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed as a single quota and collected in 10 equal monthly instalments from September to June (inclusive), payable at the beginning of each month. Parents must accept the school's payment policy at enrolment. Boarding fees - Richmond Park School does not operate a boarding provision; boarding fees are not applicable. The school's published information sets out day-school hours and day services. Other costs and regular additional charges - Uniforms: Uniforms are supplied through an external supplier (E-Uniforms); the school provides the uniform specification and parents purchase items separately. Swimming costumes/uniforms are sold at the school. Specific uniform prices are not published in the school's general fee information. - Books and curriculum materials: The single quota includes books and materials for the British curriculum. Books and materials for the Spanish curriculum are not included and are charged separately. - School transport: Transport is not included in the single quota and is charged separately. Route maps and arrangements are published but individual transport prices are handled as a separate service. - Extra-curricular activities and clubs: Clubs and extra-curricular activities are not included in the single quota (with the exception that Morning Clubs are free). Prices for extra-curricular activities are billed monthly and will be charged through the regular monthly billing. Examples from the school's published activity documents include one-off registration fees and monthly charges for specific clubs (for example: a 20€ registration fee for some activities; municipal league monthly fees shown at 78€/month; sport-team uniform packages shown at about 120€; and staged reservation payments for some clubs such as 200€ in September, 200€ in January and 150€ in April for certain sports programmes). These amounts apply to specific activities and are additional to the single tuition quota. - Breakfast Club: Full-month charge is 64€ per month; occasional use is charged at 6€ per day. These charges are invoiced to the family account. - Stay & Play (after-school supervised collection 16:30–17:30): Full-month charge is 64€ per month; occasional use is 6€ per day. If the service is used without prior notice there is a 10€ charge for the first 20 minutes and an additional 10€ thereafter up to the service end time. - Summer school and short programmes: Summer school and short-course prices are published for each programme; for example, the school's summer programme documents list multi-week package prices and show a non‑refundable deposit policy for the summer programme (a stated deposit of 200€ described as non-refundable except for certified medical reasons). Summer-programme payments, instalments and cancellation terms are specified in each programme form. Refunds and cancellations - A general tuition refund schedule (for annual tuition or the single quota) is not published in the school's public fee information. Specific programmes show their own refund/cancellation rules: for example, the summer school registration form states a 200€ deposit that is non-refundable except for documented medical causes and that the school reserves the right to cancel a programme and return payments. Refund or withdrawal terms for standard annual tuition are set by the school's payment policy but are not itemised with fixed refund tables in the publicly-available material. Fee payment options - The school accepts payments only by SEPA direct debit or by bank transfer in accordance with applicable regulations; credit-card payment is not listed as an accepted method in the published payment terms. Parents are required to agree to the school's payment policy at the time of enrolment. Extra-curricular third-party providers and summer programmes may require transfers to separate bank accounts as indicated on their programme forms.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Uniforms are provided by E-Uniforms. The uniform design blends traditional and contemporary elements to reflect the school's identity. Uniforms can be ordered online via the E-Uniforms platform and delivered to home or the school; brown shoes must be worn with the uniform and white trainers are worn only on PE days, with Early Years pupils allowed white trainers.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Dining follows a varied and nutrient-rich diet. The monthly dining menu is published; vegetarian options are available on request. Meals are included in the single quota fee (Breakfast Club is excluded).
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school operates as Richmond Park School S.L., a Spanish limited liability company based in Madrid.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers the national curriculum of England & Wales adapted to align with the Spanish national curriculum so that graduates can be validated by the Spanish Ministry of Education. It serves pupils from Nursery 1 to Year 13 and provides the IGCSE (Year 11), International AS Level (IAS level; Year 12), and International Advanced Level (IA Level; Year 13). English is the language of instruction.	Curriculum details The school offers a curriculum based on the English National Curriculum but broadened by co-curricular subjects such as communication and thinking skills. EYFS starts in Pre-Nursery through Reception with a British programme and specialist teaching in PE, Music and Spanish. The Primary curriculum follows the National Curriculum with Spanish language and humanities; the core subjects are Literacy and Maths, with additional subjects including Science, Computing, Geography, History, Art and Design, Music, PE, PSHE, and Spanish, with the core subjects taught discretely and others integrated within topics. The Secondary curriculum provides continuity with a broad and balanced programme; Key Stage 3 includes English language and literature, Mathematics, Science, Spanish studies, Computing, Geography, History, Art and Design, Music, Physical Education and PSHE; Key Stage 4 includes English language and literature, Mathematics, Science (3 sciences), Spanish studies, Physical Education, and two optional subjects, leading to examination at IGCSE. The school has an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Centre) to prepare post-16 students for university, with the Diploma Programme recognised by universities worldwide.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Guidance and support helps students progress to leading universities in the UK, Spain, the US, and across Europe. The Sixth Form provides personalised university guidance, including CVs, personal statements and interviews, and students attend local and international university fairs.	Higher education progression The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is offered through the IB Centre; the Diploma Programme is designed to prepare students for university and is recognised by universities worldwide.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented The school recognises and supports pupils who are particularly able or gifted.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school is a British Catholic School in Madrid, Spain, with a community focused on student development.	Social & emotional learning Wellbeing is at the heart of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Emotional and social development is emphasised as a core part of the EYFS curriculum. The Primary and Secondary curricula include PSHE as a defined subject to support social and emotional learning, with PSHE listed for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. The school fosters a calm, respectful learning environment where staff and students interact positively and values are promoted. Weekly assemblies cover a wide range of topics and celebrate achievements, reinforcing social and emotional development.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Young people develop with different needs and progress at different rates. The school recognises, encourages and supports such needs, including dyslexia and those who are particularly able or gifted. The additional learning needs co-ordinator liaises with teachers to support students requiring extra assistance with classroom strategies and individual education plans. Students with learning difficulties are supported by a dyslexia consultant who works with the leader for exams access to ensure students know how to manage their time in assessments. The school uses standardised testing at the end of Years 1, 3, and 6 and regular class assessments to monitor progress.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language English is the language of instruction at Richmond Park School. The standard of written and spoken English is excellent, and teachers help students to expand their vocabulary and incorporate subject-specific terminology. In the International Baccalaureate Centre, languages offered include Spanish, English, and French. The English National Curriculum underpins the curriculum and English language development is a central focus across year groups. Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 include English language and literature as core subjects.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Wellbeing is at the heart of the EYFS, with the EYFS emphasising emotional and social development and wellbeing as a foundation. The PSHE program supports mental wellbeing by addressing personal, social and health education across year groups. Personal, spiritual, moral and cultural development is well provided for, with weekly lessons and assemblies fostering a calm, respectful atmosphere and opportunities to study global issues. Weekly assemblies cover a wide range of topics and celebrate achievements, contributing to students' wellbeing. The Vision emphasises nurturing wellbeing and healthy lifestyles as part of a holistic education.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Policies are in place for health and safety, safeguarding, child protection, anti-bullying and online safety, enabling students to feel safe and confident as they learn. All teachers have safeguarding training and a designated safeguarding leader coordinates this area of care. All adults who work at the school are required to provide police check certificates to the administration, and new staff from other countries must present an International Child Protection Certificate. There is a nurse on site and first aid resources, including a first aid room, to attend to sick or injured pupils. The school has clear procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns and for taking appropriate action.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Located on the outskirts of Madrid in the Mirasierra neighbourhood at calle Costa Brava 55, Richmond Park School is designed as a modern educational facility. The school provides learning spaces for different ages and subjects with increased emphasis on new technologies, sports and arts. Learning spaces were designed through a collaborative project between educators and architects to ensure they are effective in size and design. Outside spaces play a lead role in programmes, with outdoor areas designed to widen educational experiences and the setting facing the Madrid mountains enhancing these spaces. There are dedicated spaces to encourage culture and arts, including a large multi-use hall with a backstage for music, drama and public speaking. A downstairs dining room overlooks a swimming pool and interior garden, reinforcing social spaces.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The school is a major centre for students' physical education and sports. Facilities have been designed with input from expert physical education teachers to maximise the sports programme. The programme aims to be extensive and outstanding. Outside spaces support physical education as part of the overall programme. A swimming pool is part of the facilities and the dining room overlooks it.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The school teaches according to a curriculum based on the English curriculum, expanded by themes and global projects. Education is provided in Early Years, Primary, Secondary and IB. Learning spaces are designed by educators and architects to be effective and appropriately sized. There is an emphasis on new technologies to support teaching. There are dedicated spaces for music, drama and public speaking, including a large multi-use hall with a backstage.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Extra-curricular activities are provided outside school hours and continually expanded. As a Sports Centre, the school offers a wide range of activities to promote a healthy lifestyle. More morning clubs, municipal leagues and football federation leagues are planned, with the format of activities revised. Registration is via the Parent Bookings app, available from June 2025. Morning clubs run 7:45–8:30; after-school clubs run 16:30–17:30; federated football and swimming sessions run 18:00–22:00 for Reception to Year 12. Breakfast Club and Stay & Play provide before- and after-school supervision.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Richmond Park School opened in September 2019 in a residential area north of Madrid, offering a British education from pre-nursery to Year 6. Key Stage Three was authorised in 2020, and the first Year 10 cohort was admitted in September 2022. The secondary school facilities were new at the time of inspection, with modern classrooms, science laboratories, a theatre and a sports centre to support a growing pupil body. The school draws students from other international and Spanish schools; there were 109 students in Years 7–10 in October 2022, with intake expected to grow to three classes per year.
Community	Community —	Community There is a busy programme of extra-curricular activities, before and after school and at lunchtime, including breakfast club, football and swimming, with inter-house and inter-school fixtures to encourage teamwork. External speakers regularly lead assemblies and PSHE activities, and a Student Council in the secondary school gives students a voice, with two representatives per year group who help organise charity fundraising events. Residential trips such as Year 8 geography and science visits to Gredos broaden learning beyond the classroom. The school also runs community events such as the Christmas Market which has raised funds for VIPEIKA.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The curriculum is the national curriculum of England and Wales adapted to meet Spanish requirements so that graduates' education is validated by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The school offers pre-university examinations typical for British schools: IGCSE (Year 11), International Advanced Subsidiary (IAS level; Year 12), and International Advanced Level (IA level; Year 13). The senior years include an intensive guidance programme with individual interviews, career workshops, visits from various professions and universities, and assistance with applications to UK, Spanish, Dutch, and US universities.	Academic & intellectual The school offers education in Early Years, Primary, Secondary and IB. The curriculum is based on the English curriculum, significantly expanded by themes and global projects. The school focuses on the academic and holistic development of each student, underpinned by core moral and ethical values such as respect, kindness and integrity, to empower students to achieve high-level knowledge, understanding and skills.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative An array of extra-curricular after-school activities is offered, including modern dance, flamenco, drama, choir, and debating. The program also includes chess and a range of sports clubs, and ballet is part of the arts offering with instruction from a young age. Ballet starts from age 3 and Flamenco from age 3, and Football is offered from age 4. These activities develop creative performance and teamwork alongside academics.	Arts & creative The school has specific spaces for music, drama and public speaking, including a large multi-use hall with a backstage used daily for the arts and performances.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The school is committed to education in the arts and the promotion of culture. The curriculum is based on the English curriculum, significantly expanded by themes and global projects.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies After-school activities cover a wide range, including football from age 4, ballet from age 3, flamenco from age 3, and study skills from age 11. Additional clubs include drama, choir, chess, and debating, providing opportunities for teamwork, creativity, and social engagement. These activities foster camaraderie and time-management skills. They support personal development alongside academic study.	Social & hobbies Extra-curricular activities are continually expanded. The school offers morning clubs (7:45–8:30) for Years 3 to 10, municipal leagues (football, basketball, volleyball) for Years 3 to 9, and federated football and swimming for Reception to Year 12. Activities are viewable and registerable through the Parent Bookings app.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Football from age 4, Ballet from age 3, and Flamenco from age 3 are offered as part of the extracurricular program. There are multiple sports clubs and physical activities to promote student wellbeing. The school provides a broad range of after-school activities such as modern dance, flamenco, drama, choir, and debating to encourage healthy, active lifestyles.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school has a major centre for physical education and sports and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Dining follows a balanced, nutrient-rich menu with vegetarian options. Breakfast club runs from 7:45 to 8:30 with breakfast provided, and Stay & Play offers after-school supervision from 4:30 to 5:30.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision English is the language of instruction, and the curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum. Spanish is taught as a language; the Primary curriculum includes the official Spanish language and humanities (Conocimiento del Medio). Key Stage 3 includes English language and literature and Spanish studies, and Key Stage 4 includes English language and literature and Spanish studies. The IB Centre offers languages including Spanish, English and French.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions Ask for an appointment to meet our Directors of Education to learn about the school's vision, the curriculum and approaches to teaching and learning. Presentations can be attended individually or as a group. Registration follows: after successful assessment, a place is offered once the final documentation is completed and the registration process proceeds, with steps including child evaluation, submission of child documents, and registration. Richmond Park School uses a single quota fee system. The fee covers academic fees, insurance, meals (except Breakfast Club), swimming lessons in the Curriculum, and materials and books within the British curriculum; it does not include school transport, uniforms, books and materials for the Spanish curriculum, clubs, extra-curricular activities or trips. The single fee is charged in 10 installments from September to June, payable at the beginning of each month, and payments are accepted by direct debit under SEPA regulations or bank transfer; parents must agree to the school's payment policy at enrolment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships IB Centre scholarships: for the 2025/26 Year 11 cohort, up to 10 scholarships are available. Discounts on tuition include 2% per A* in the official 2026 summer IGCSE Cambridge results, 1% per A, and an extra 10% discount for students with A to A* results in all grades up to 10 IGCSEs. Admissions requirements for entry include proving a good level of English (First Certificate or Advanced Cambridge) or taking an oral and written test at the school, passing a maths test, submitting a letter of application and positive references, and completing an interview with the IB Coordinator and Secondary Leader (with parents present). Age range is 16–18. Enrolment in the Diploma Programme requires choosing subjects from the list offered by the school, with prior knowledge considerations; admission also covers students who have completed Spanish ESO or equivalent and hold 5 IGCSE qualifications, among other academic and personal trajectory requirements. Students with Additional Learning Needs may access the IB Centre in line with IB requirements.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist There are long waiting lists for all EYFS and KS1 classes.
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