Institució La Farga vs St. Patrick's International School
Institució La Farga and St. Patrick's International School are both in Barcelona, about 12 km apart. Both schools follow a British curriculum. Published annual fees are €4,000 - 12,900 at Institució La Farga and €9,905 - 10,425 at St. Patrick's International School, which puts St. Patrick's International School roughly 20% higher. Institució La Farga takes pupils from 3 to 18, and St. Patrick's International School from 0 to 18. Institució La Farga is the larger school, with around 1,530 pupils to St. Patrick's International School's 198. Typical class sizes are 20 at Institució La Farga and 16 at St. Patrick's International School.
Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain. It is situated on Camí de Sant Cugat al Papiol, 36-46. The school is part of the Institució Familiar d'Educació network.
Location
C/ Major, 37-39, Sant Joan Despí, 08970 Barcelona.
Stages
Stages
Early Childhood Education; Primary Education; Secondary Education; Baccalaureate.
Stages
Pre-Nursery & Early Years; Primary; Secondary education
Tuition (regular school fees) — by year group - Guardería (nursery/early years): EUR 350 per month; equivalent annual figure given as EUR 3,875. Per-term equivalent (three-term academic division) = EUR 1,292 (annual ÷ 3). Per 10-month billing equivalent = EUR 387.50 per month. - Infantil (pre-primary) / Primaria (primary) / ESO (lower secondary): EUR 220 per month; equivalent annual figure given as EUR 2,200. Per-term equivalent (three-term academic division) = EUR 733.33. Per 10-month billing equivalent = EUR 220 per month. - Bachillerato (upper secondary): EUR 650 per month; equivalent annual figure given as EUR 6,910. Per-term equivalent (three-term academic division) = EUR 2,303.33. Per 10-month billing equivalent = EUR 691.00 per month (annual ÷ 10).
Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's standard practice for spreading the annual charge is to prorate costs into 10 monthly payments across the academic year (commonly used format for academic billing). Use of the 10-month proration is how monthly equivalents above are presented. Late-payment terms, specific instalment due dates, and any applicable administrative late fees are handled under the school's payment policy.
Boarding / Residence - Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school (no boarding fees apply).
Other costs and recurring extras - School lunch (comedor): typical range indicated between EUR 120 and EUR 172 per month depending on options selected; an institutional cost line for La Farga shows EUR 172 per month for lunch in one comparative study. - Material escolar (school materials): an annual cost of approximately EUR 220 is shown as a typical annual materials expense. - Transport (school bus): a typical monthly transport charge is shown around EUR 150 per month. - iPad / new-technology kit (when applicable): an annual technology fee/item is shown in the comparative breakdown at EUR 492 (one-off or annual depending on the provision model). - Insurance and small annual items: typical entries include school insurance and pastoral/psychopedagogical support fees (examples in the school-comparison breakdown include small annual charges such as EUR 73 for insurance). - Uniform / clothing: a specific single annual uniform amount is listed as part of the comprehensive cost breakdown where applicable; the comparative breakdown includes a clothing/uniform line in its totals. Individual uniform prices vary by item and are charged separately.
Refunds and cancellations - No centrally published, itemised refund schedule for tuition or registration fees was found in the public fee summaries consulted; refunds and cancellation terms are managed under the school's enrollment and payment policy and typically depend on timing of withdrawal and which specific fees or services were paid. Parents should expect that one-off registration fees and specific service charges (e.g., ordered technology kits, uniform suppliers) may be non-refundable once purchased.
Fee payment options - Common payment methods in the documents reviewed include bank transfer and recurring monthly instalments (prorated payments). Credit-card acceptance and direct-debit arrangements are commonly available at similar schools; specific accepted methods (credit card, direct debit, bank transfer, on-line payment portal) are applied according to the school's finance office procedures.
Brief note on coverage: the figures above are extracted from recent comparative fee breakdowns and school-fee summaries for La Farga and present the regular tuition, registration, common ancillary services (lunch, transport, materials, technology) and the standard billing format (10 monthly instalments). Some specific items (exact instalment due dates, precise refund conditions, optional extracurricular pricing, and any targeted discounts or sibling reductions) are determined by the school's current payment policy and enrolment contract and are handled administratively by the school's finance office.
Fee details
Inscription (application) fees
- Pre-Nursery: EUR 450. - Early Years and Primary: EUR 2,500.
Tuition (published by school stage)
- Pre‑Nursery / Early Years Foundation Stage / Primary: EUR 845 per month. - Secondary: EUR 910 per month. - Swimming (Primary): EUR 38 per month.
Annual and recurring mandatory charges
- Annual reservation fee: EUR 350 per year. - Medical insurance: EUR 175 per year. - Accident insurance: EUR 375 per year.
Book / materials (annual)
- Year 1: EUR 175 per year. - Years 2–4: EUR 215 per year. - Years 5–6: EUR 240 per year. - Secondary: EUR 425 per year.
Uniform and typical uniform item prices (examples)
- The published monthly fee includes breakfast, lunch and snack; school supplies; one‑day excursions; psychology service; digital platform; language and co‑curricular lessons (Chinese, piano, dance, yoga, mindfulness, Spanish, Catalan, French); and curricular subjects according to the British Council.
Per‑term and per‑year equivalents (calculated example)
- The school publishes tuition as a monthly amount. The following per‑term and per‑year figures are calculated examples based on a 10‑month billing period (September–June) and a three‑term academic year; these per‑term and per‑year figures are derived from the school's published monthly fees by simple arithmetic and are shown here for budgeting purposes only. (This calculation method uses the typical Spanish school-year rhythm of classes running from September to June.)
- Pre‑Nursery / EYFS / Primary (published EUR 845 per month): - Example annual (calculated) = EUR 845 × 10 = EUR 8,450 per year. - Example per term (calculated) = EUR 8,450 ÷ 3 = EUR 2,816.67 per term. - Secondary (published EUR 910 per month): - Example annual (calculated) = EUR 910 × 10 = EUR 9,100 per year. - Example per term (calculated) = EUR 9,100 ÷ 3 = EUR 3,033.33 per term. - Swimming (Primary) (published EUR 38 per month): - Example annual (calculated) = EUR 38 × 10 = EUR 380 per year. - Example per term (calculated) = EUR 380 ÷ 3 = EUR 126.67 per term.
Boarding
- No boarding provision or boarding fees are published; boarding is not listed as an offered service.
Refunds and cancellations
- No published refund or fee‑cancellation policy for tuition, inscription, reservation, insurance or other fees is available on the school's published fee pages. Parents should note that no explicit refund information is provided in the published fee schedule.
Billing schedule and payment terms (published details and notes)
- Tuition is presented on the school's pages as a monthly charge by stage and as specific annual charges for reservation and insurance; the school also lists an annual reservation fee and annual insurance/accident charges. No full termly billing schedule (dates for invoice due‑dates, instalment options or late‑payment penalties) is published with the fee amounts.
Fee payment options
- The published fee pages do not specify accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, direct debit, online payment services, etc.). No payment‑method details are published alongside the fee schedule.
Summary for parents (concise)
- Inscription: Pre‑Nursery EUR 450; Early Years & Primary EUR 2,500. Monthly tuition: Primary stages EUR 845/month; Secondary EUR 910/month. Annual reservation and insurance charges apply (reservation EUR 350; medical EUR 175; accident EUR 375). Book packs and uniform items are additional and itemised on the school's uniform and book lists. No boarding fees, no published refund policy, and no published payment‑method details are shown in the school's public fee pages.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Uniform policy: School uniform for cycles Initial through Baccalaureate includes a navy blue blazer, medium gray trousers (primary students wear shorts), blue Oxford shirt, navy blue jumper with a pointed collar, navy long socks when wearing shorts, and black dress shoes. If a coat is worn, it should match the blazer and be dark in color. A navy blue LF logo hoodie is available to students and is not part of the sports uniform. Sports uniform includes white socks, athletic shoes, La Farga technical T-shirt, shorts, and a sports bag.
Uniform requirement
The school has uniforms for Pre-Nursery, Early Years, Primary and Secondary. Formal school black shoes are mandatory; trainers are not allowed except on PE days.
Food options
Food options
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Food options
A healthy menu designed by a nutritionist uses high-quality, locally sourced and ecological products. Summer and Winter menus are published.
House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The school is privately owned by Institució Familiar d'Educació and promoted with a cooperative spirit by parents to provide integral education. In September 2001 the centre joined the concert regime established by LODE and LOMCE.
Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Offers Educació Infantil (early childhood), Educació Primària (primary), Educació Secundària (secondary), and Batxillerat (baccalaureate). The teachings imparted at the centre adjust to current legislation and to the curricula of the educational stages the school provides. The centre's mission is to place its pedagogical knowledge and educational experience at the service of families, so that students become integral persons, solidary citizens, and competent professionals, through personalized attention and the promotion of academic excellence in diversity, the pursuit of truth, and the practice of Christian virtues. The vision is to become a humanist and innovative educational institution that contributes to the improvement of society through the comprehensive formation of many families and education professionals. The values are based on Christian humanism: respect for every person, personal integrity with autonomy, responsible use of freedom, and a climate of optimism, trust and collaboration. General objectives include promoting coexistence, educational equity, helping each student relate to themselves, others and the world, and ensuring a firm yet flexible application of norms.
Curriculum details
St. Patrick's International School follows the British Curriculum. It offers Pre-Nursery & Early Years (0–3 and 3–5 years), Primary (6–12 years), and Secondary (13–18 years), with Secondary education in process under an International Bachelor program. The Pre-Nursery & Early Years program is multilingual. The school emphasizes English-language immersion, aiming for total immersion in English while engaging with international programs.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
Batxillerat results in PAU exceed 100% pass rate. In recent years PAU results have surpassed the standard pass rate, indicating strong academic performance.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
The school accompanies students from early years through to university. Graduates progress to higher education, and PAU results indicate success in university admissions. The centre emphasizes personalized attention to prepare students for higher education.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
The school recognizes five dimensions in the development of the whole person: physical, intellectual, transcendent, emotional, and social. A prevention-focused Plan for convivencia is central to the educational project, with specific actions addressing all aspects of convivencia. A proactive Convivència Commission leads the plan and ensures regular meetings to monitor progress and share decisions. The general objectives include promoting educational equity and respect for diversity, helping each student relate to themselves, to others, and to the world, and fostering a culture of dialogue and non-violence. A Personal & Family Project and tutor programs support holistic development, with objective setting and reflection involving both students and families, while most activities use thinking routines and cooperative groups to develop emotional and social competencies.
Social & emotional learning
The school is described as a family, with a cozy and stimulating environment where close relationships with children are fostered and families are invited to participate in their child's educational journey. All children are happy, well attended, and feel committed to the school's values within a family environment. The British Council has accepted St Patrick's International School as a British school, and the school follows the guidelines of the British government related to curriculum, regulations and internal organisation.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Reading activities and materials may be approached in Catalan, Spanish, or English. For example, a class mural or a topic can be treated in knowledge of the environment or a reading can be undertaken in Catalan, Spanish, or English. English is included as one of the language options for classroom reading and discussion.
English as an additional language
The school teaches in English with total immersion.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Mediation is used as a preventive strategy in conflict management, with trained mediators involved as needed. There are protocols for serious incidents and for safety, including a bullying prevention and action protocol. The center emphasizes wellbeing through the Convivència plan and explicit routines that promote respect, dialogue, and social-emotional development. Decisions and actions are communicated to families and staff, with visible documentation and regular meetings to support ongoing wellbeing efforts.
Mental wellbeing
The school provides a cozy and stimulating environment that fosters close relationships with students and engages families in their child's educational journey. Children are supported to be happy and feel valued within a family setting.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
The school has safeguarding and child-protection procedures, including a protocol for prevention, detection, notification, referral, and coordination of situations of child and adolescent maltreatment with social welfare and the education department. Protocols cover serious incidents and abuse cases, with a disciplinary framework for student behavior and clear steps for interdepartmental coordination to protect students.
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
The school is located in Mira-sol, Sant Cugat del Vallès, at Camí de Sant Cugat al Papiol, 36. It is a private school owned by Institució Familiar d'Educació. It has been promoted with a cooperative spirit by parents to provide students with a comprehensive education. The school offers Infant Education, Primary Education, Secondary Education, and Bachillerato. Since September 2001, the center has been under a government concert regime. The school's mission emphasizes personalized attention to each student and family.
Facilities overview
The school is housed in a renovated Catalan masía (Can Trias de Bes) in Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona, serving Pre-Nursery through Secondary. It sits in a natural environment with a large garden and outdoor area for activities that support creativity and social-emotional development. The main building has been renovated to a cozy, modern atmosphere, and classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. A large area for sports and multiple outdoor learning spaces are available on campus.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
A large area for sports supports a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, enabling students to participate in diverse sports.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
The school offers Educació Infantil (Early Childhood Education), Educació Primària (Primary Education), Educació Secundària (Secondary Education), and Batxillerat (Bachillerato). It is a private center owned by Institució Familiar d'Educació. The curriculum aligns with current Catalan and national legislation and the decrees that establish the curricula. The center has been under a concert regime since September 2001. The school emphasizes personalized attention to students and families as part of its educational model.
Academic facilities
Classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. The school follows a British educational system. There is an ALN (Additional Learning Needs) department and an English Additional Learning department to support students with special educational needs.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
The convivencia plan promotes participation in complementary activities, extracurricular activities, and educational leisure activities in the surrounding community. It establishes and energizes a convivencia commission to oversee convivencia. It includes safety-oriented protocols such as a protocol for serious incidents with minors, a protocol of prudence and safety for staff, and a protocol for bullying. It outlines annual convivencia objectives and related actions. It provides for weekly communication with families, including meetings with the teaching staff, parent meetings, periodic interviews, and coordination meetings.
Extra curricular facilities
Lunch Clubs during the day and After School activities in the afternoons, along with a wide range of other extracurricular activities.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Institució La Farga is a private school in Sant Cugat del Vallès. It is owned by the Institució Familiar d'Educació and was established with a cooperative spirit by parents to provide students with an integral education within the law. The center offers Educación Infantil, Educación Primària, Educación Secundària and Batxillerat and has legal personality recognized by law. In September 2001, the school entered the regime of public-concert funding established by the LODE and LOMCE. Approximately 800 families are part of the center, corresponding to about 1,530 students who come from nearby towns and travel to the center with their families, by public transport or school transport.
History
Gemma Izquierdo is the Head and Founder of St. Patrick's International School. She states that five years ago she pursued her dream and founded the school to provide total immersion in English in Barcelona. The school offers activities such as yoga, piano, Chinese, cooking, mindfulness, Montessori, dance, weekly reading and writing, and music to support the development of each child. The school emphasizes developing each child's potential within a multilingual setting.
Community
Community
La Farga forms a close educational community in which families, students and staff share a mission of integral education with Christian humanism and personalized attention. The student body comprises about 1,530 students from nearby towns who travel to the center with their families or by public or school transport. There is a strong sense of belonging, evidenced by many alumni enrolling their children and by former staff who continue to work at the school. The community emphasizes convivencia and values aligned with its educational approach.
Community
Family involvement is central to the school's community. Daily routines are shared with families via a private internal platform; the school also organizes open days, conferences and workshops to support parents, and assemblies and certificates promote emotional intelligence and core values. At least one personalized annual meeting is offered with each family, along with a September welcome meeting, two annual progress reports for each child, and access to psychological support if needed.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
The school has a School Council (Consell Escolar) and an AMPA (Parent Association). The Plan de Convivència outlines family and student involvement through class assemblies, Team Leader meetings, assemblies, celebrations and sports competitions. Parents participate in Reunions de pares and interact with teaching staff, with information channels including a weekly newsletter and email communications. The document describes roles and responsibilities for family participation and coordination to support convivencia. The school promotes a culture of dialogue, peace and non-violence, in line with its values.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school offers early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, and the baccalaureate program. The school is owned by the Institució Familiar d'Educació and was promoted with a cooperative spirit by parents to provide students with comprehensive education, in line with current legislation and the school's own character. As of September 2001, the center entered the regime of concerts (public funding) established by LODE and LOMCE. Teaching at the center aligns with current legislation and its internal regulations; it has been duly authorized (DOGC 723) and carries code A08025885 in the Department of Education's register, and enjoys legal personality conferred by law.
Academic & intellectual
Multiple intelligences are developed to enhance creativity and initiative. English immersion and multilingual education support language development and cognitive growth. The school follows the British curriculum guidelines to deliver a global education. Best international learning programs are selected to optimize each child's potential.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
The Primary program includes piano, swimming, dance, yoga, Chinese, German or French, mindfulness, and cooking. After-school activities include Drama and Art as well as language options in German and French. All extracurricular activities are in English except languages.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
The school is multilingual with total English immersion. English, Spanish, Catalan and French are taught, with German and French available as after-school languages. From the Pre-Nursery stage multilingual development is a core aim through international teaching methods.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
The school is family oriented, fostering close relationships with children and actively involving families. The day‑to‑day program emphasizes independence, collaboration, and personal, social and emotional development through Golden Rules and Assemblies with Certificates. Families participate in school life.
Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
Students are encouraged to be creative, curious and independent thinkers who can work effectively alone and in teams. The school aims to develop personal, social and emotional growth and to prepare pupils for future global communities, supported by assemblies with certificates. Values include empathy, creativity, discovery, diversity, initiative and motivation to learn.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The plan for coexistence and the school's values emphasize a culture of peace and non-violence. It promotes dialogue and mediation as key tools for managing conflicts. It supports inclusion and respect for diversity, fostering a climate of optimism, trust, and collaboration. The center engages all members of the school community in promoting coexistence and the school's climate.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Physical education supports gross motor and mental growth through sport. Mindfulness and yoga are integrated into the program to promote wellbeing. After-school activities include football and other options that contribute to students' health and well-being.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English is used as a daily language of communication across the school, integrated into the curriculum and day-to-day activities. La Farga uses a plurilingual approach to language education. English is not confined to language classes but is used in various contexts, including presentations and conferences.
Language provision
Languages taught include English, Spanish, Catalan and French. Additional languages offered at the school include Chinese and German. English is the language of instruction in Pre-Nursery & Early Years through immersion, and English language and literature are taught in Secondary.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
English must be a friendly language and present in daily life. Therefore, at La Farga we have stopped viewing English as a subject and have established English as the natural vehicle for daily communication in the school, across other subjects, in presentations, and in conferences.
Bilingual teaching
The school provides English immersion in Pre-Nursery & Early Years. It is multilingual in Primary, with English, Spanish and Catalan, and other languages offered at school. In Secondary, English, Spanish, Catalan and French are taught as subjects within the British Curriculum.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
Total English immersion is provided in Pre-Nursery & Early Years. The Primary program supports multilingual development with English, Spanish, Catalan and other languages offered at school. In Secondary, English is studied alongside other languages such as Spanish, Catalan and French.
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
The British Council recognizes the school as a British school, and it follows guidelines set by the British government for curriculum, regulations and internal organization.
