International School of Madrid - Secondary vs Runnymede College

	I International School of Madrid - Secondary Madrid, Spain	R Runnymede College Madrid, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €6,955 - 16,465	Fees / year €8,850 - 22,500
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, French Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils 800	Pupils 1,090
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1971	Opened 1967
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location The school is located at Calle Salvia 30, La Moraleja, Alcobendas, Madrid 28109, Spain. It sits in the La Moraleja area in the north of Madrid. Runnymede College is Madrid's oldest British international school, founded in 1967. It serves pupils from age 2 to 18.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Pre-Prep; Prep School; Senior School; Sixth Form
School type	School type —	School type Private, co-educational UK-curriculum school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Discrete provision for SEND
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation British
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Non-denominational
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application / Enrolment - There is no separate public application fee listed. A one-off Enrolment Fee of EUR 3,500 is payable on acceptance to secure a place; this enrolment fee is non-refundable. Re-registration for continuing pupils carries a fee of EUR 600 per child (this re-registration fee is deducted from the following academic year's first term tuition). Tuition fees (per term) — current published year - Pre‑Nursery: EUR 2,950 per term (three terms per academic year). - Nursery – Reception: EUR 3,500 per term (three terms per academic year). - Year 1 – Year 3 (Pre‑Prep): EUR 4,200 per term (three terms per academic year). - Year 4 – Year 8 (Prep): EUR 5,500 per term (three terms per academic year). - Year 9 – Year 11 (Senior): EUR 6,750 per term (three terms per academic year). - Year 12 – Year 13 (Sixth Form): EUR 7,500 per term (three terms per academic year). Note: tuition amounts are published on a per‑term basis; the school operates a three‑term academic year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are published and billed on a per‑term basis (the school year runs September to August and is organised in three terms). The Enrolment Fee is payable on acceptance; the Re‑registration Fee is charged annually and credited against the following year's first term invoice. Specific invoice dates, payment due dates, instalment options and late‑payment terms are not listed in the public fee summary. Boarding - Runnymede College is a day school; there are no boarding fees. Other compulsory and common additional costs - Lunch charges (termly): 1st term EUR 875; 2nd term EUR 615; 3rd term EUR 615. Annual lunch billing is typically the sum of the three term amounts. - Medical Insurance: EUR 40 (listed as an additional fee). - School outing (one‑off): EUR 115. - Bus transport (termly and annual examples): La Moraleja/El Soto (one way) EUR 415 / EUR 315 / EUR 315 (terms 1/2/3) — annual EUR 1,045; La Moraleja (two ways) termly EUR 735 / EUR 550 / EUR 550 — annual EUR 1,835; Elsewhere (one way) termly EUR 645 / EUR 485 / EUR 485 — annual EUR 1,615; Elsewhere (two ways) termly EUR 1,130 / EUR 850 / EUR 850 — annual EUR 2,830. - External examination charges (published examples): IGCSE EUR 205 per exam; A Level EUR 545 per exam; AS exams and EPQ EUR 275 per exam; language exams (IELTS, DALF C1/B2) EUR 250 per exam. Uniform and shop purchases - Uniform and other school shop items are handled through the school's retail channel; specific item prices are not listed in the public fee summary. (Uniform purchasing is a separate cost in addition to published tuition and mandatory additional charges.) Refund information - The Enrolment Fee (EUR 3,500) is explicitly non‑refundable. No other specific refund terms for tuition or other fees are published in the school's public admissions/fees material. Fee payment options - The public fee summary does not list specific payment channels (for example: bank transfer, credit card or direct debit). Invoicing and payment instructions are provided to families through the school's enrolment and billing communications.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 18.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Uniform is mandatory. Girls wear a white blouse or short-sleeved polo with badge, a navy jumper and blazer with piping, and a grey skirt (Nursery–Year 6 summer dress); a navy anorak completes the outfit. Boys wear a white shirt or short-sleeved polo with badge, a navy jumper and blazer with piping, grey trousers (shorts permitted in the junior school) and a tie; a navy anorak completes the look. A gym kit is worn for PE (tracksuit, blue shorts, T-shirt).
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch is provided with monthly menus that are regularly reviewed; meals are cooked in brand new kitchen facilities by our Kitchen staff; the menus follow FAO and Comunidad de Madrid guidelines; there is always a grilled meat and/or fish option with vegetables, fresh salad and fruit, and water or milk; alternate menus for special diets can be downloaded as PDFs.
House system	House system —	House system The House System comprises four houses: Austen, Keynes, Locke and Newton. Every pupil is assigned to a House on joining; family members are in the same House. House Points are awarded for conduct and work, and scores are announced at assemblies; the winning House receives the House Cup and an Interhouse Sports Cup is awarded.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is independent, not owned by a private group or investor. A charitable foundation, Fundación Runnymede College, exists to support its work.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details The curriculum follows the English National Curriculum. The Senior School operates a weekly timetable of fifty 40-minute lessons. All pupils are taught by subject specialists in mixed-ability classes, with ability/experience sets in English, Languages, Maths and Science where appropriate. The school teaches Spanish Language & Literature and Spanish Social Sciences to Spanish-speaking pupils, and the staff includes native English-speaking teachers and teaching assistants.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results A Level results 2024: There were 78 pupils in the cohort; A* 28%, A-A 63%, A-B 88%, A*-C 96%. Pupils will be going to top universities in the UK, the US, Spain and Europe.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates pursue higher education at leading universities worldwide. Over the past 15 years, 684 Old Runnymedians have gone on to study at universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL and LSE. In recent years, graduates have headed to the United States (e.g., Harvard, Stanford, UPenn, Brown) and to Spanish institutions such as ICADE, IE and ICAI.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The school believes children flourish best when personal, social and emotional needs are met and there are clear, developmentally appropriate expectations for behaviour. Personal, Social and Health Education is a key part of the curriculum, delivered through bespoke PSHE and assemblies to develop resilience, self‑awareness and respectful relationships. Form Teachers and the pastoral team lead ongoing PSHE programmes, with emphasis on trust, support and a caring community. The Prep and Senior Schools foster leadership and social responsibility through the House system, pupil councils and other activities. The school provides a safe, structured environment where staff model positive conduct and pupil wellbeing remains central to school life.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Runnymede College provides SEND support within an inclusive framework. The Inclusion policy states that teachers plan to ensure equal access to learning for all pupils, including those with SEN and those with English as an additional language, and to remove barriers to achievement. A full SEND policy governs procedures and support, with a dedicated SEND team and a named Educational Psychologist. The school employs a full-time Educational Psychologist who works with the Coordinador de Bienestar y Protección to develop individual support plans. There is close liaison between families, subject staff, tutors and external specialists to ensure appropriate provision, including assessments for exam access where applicable.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language English is the language of instruction in most lessons, with staff modelling high‑quality English in both speaking and writing. All Pre-Prep teaching staff are native English speakers and support language development to help pupils access the curriculum. The English Across the Curriculum policy places responsibility for developing English on all staff in English‑taught subjects, and encourages structured talk and vocabulary development across the curriculum. The policy also supports EAL learners with targeted materials and additional language support where needed. Inclusion and curriculum policies confirm that pupils with English as an additional language are supported to participate in all subjects.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing The school prioritises pupils' emotional and mental well‑being, with a safeguarding and welfare framework led by designated staff including the school nurse. Two staff are trained in Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA) to help identified pupils, and PASS (Pupil Attitudes to Self and School) has been introduced for Years 3–13 with an age‑appropriate intervention plan. Regular Team Around the Child meetings with pastoral staff, DSLs, the school nurse and the educational psychologist review needs and plan support. PSHE and wellbeing education address health, relationships and online safety to build resilience. On‑site medical care and staff first‑aid training support pupils' health and safety on campus.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Safeguarding and child protection are central to school life, with a team of designated safeguarding leads covering each section of the school. Staff receive safeguarding training and the school nurse coordinates welfare and protection activities, including communication with Spanish safeguarding authorities. Pupil welfare is recorded and tracked using safeguarding systems such as My Concern, and the safeguarding team is clearly identified to pupils and staff. The school maintains formal safeguarding policies, including a Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy, and keeps records alongside PSHE and health policies. The inspection and internal procedures emphasise prompt, confidential handling of safeguarding concerns and regular staff training.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The Prep School Building and the Frank Murphy Memorial Library were completed this summer. The redesign of the entrance and outdoor areas features cobbled pathways and landscaped gardens, creating a central campus square. Prep School pupils and staff are enjoying bright new classrooms, labs, and music and drama spaces. The Frank Murphy Memorial Library has a wooden structure and a glass-and-stone facade and provides a quiet place for study on campus. This sixth phase of the campus development will conclude with the development of new sports facilities next summer.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities A federated artificial grass football pitch. Enlarged hard-surface courts for multiple sports and activities. A dedicated space for non-sporting activities with improved shading. The Julia Powell Sports Hall provides PE facilities on campus.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The Science Faculty has excellent laboratory facilities to bring Biology, Chemistry and Physics to life on the timetable. Senior School's Science labs are on campus and used for practical work.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Chess Club runs twice weekly (Tuesdays or Thursdays, 4–5 pm) and hosts internal tournaments. Steam Club covers augmented and virtual reality, 3D design, image and video editing, creative electronics and computational thinking. Drama Club, Ballet, and a Music Academy with instrumental lessons and ensemble performances are offered. The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is available, with Bronze and Silver from lower years and Gold in the Sixth Form.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Runnymede College was founded as a private school in September 1967. The primary school was inaugurated in 1987. Since 1990, the entire school has been located in La Moraleja, in the north of Madrid. The school is divided into Pre-Prep (Pre Nursery to Year 3), Prep (Years 4 to 8) and Senior School (Years 9 to 13).
Community	Community —	Community The History department plays a significant role in the wider life of the school, organising whole-school debates and memory events such as Black History Month and Holocaust Memorial Day. It runs annual trips to Berlin and China to enrich students' experiences. The school emphasises involvement in co-curricular life beyond the classroom.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Runnymede College provides a first-class British education within an international setting. It offers an academically excellent, all-round liberal humanistic education designed to prepare pupils for adult life. Sixth Form leavers gain places at Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group universities in the United Kingdom and Ivy League institutions in the United States. In 2025, 84% of pupils secured a place at their first-choice university, with many graduates continuing to study in the UK, the US, or Spain.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Music, drama, and sport are integral to school life. Drama Club and Music Extra Curricular Activities are offered as part of the extracurricular program, and Ballet and other arts activities are available. These elements contribute to a broad arts experience beyond the classroom.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The Foundation Stage is delivered in an English-language environment. The Curriculum follows the English Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, with seven interlinked areas of learning across three prime areas and four specific areas. While other languages spoken by children are valued, language development is assessed in English under the British Curriculum.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Students engage in a broad range of extracurricular activities, including chess, Steam Club, drama, ballet, music, and sport (e.g., Ski & Surf). The House System fosters teamwork and competition, with House Points, the House Cup, and an Interhouse Sports Cup awarded at the end of each term. Runnymede teams also participate in inter-school competitions across Madrid.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Since 2014, Runnymede College has offered the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Programme, providing opportunities to develop skills, stay physically active, give service to the community, and gain adventure experiences. The Award helps learners develop leadership, teamwork, organisation, resilience, and problem-solving, with international recognition of achievements.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Leadership development is embedded through the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Programme (Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels) and the House System, which fosters student leadership, initiative, and teamwork across the College. The DofE programme emphasises leadership and communication skills, while the House System uses points and cups to incentivize achievement and leadership in conduct and academics.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Education at Runnymede extends beyond the classroom; music, drama, and sport play integral roles in school life, broadening horizons and fostering resilience, teamwork, and leadership. The Headmaster emphasizes a liberal, humanistic ethos with strong family partnerships, trust, support, and respect within a well-resourced learning environment.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision Senior School follows the English National Curriculum. Local requirements mean Spanish Language & Literature and Spanish Social Sciences are taught to Spanish nationals. In Year 4 pupils are introduced to French in one weekly lesson; in Year 9 French is studied in sets. Spanish nationals study Lengua Española, while non-Spanish nationals study Spanish in ability/experience groups.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations null
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions The school is a selective entry school. The admissions process is designed to ensure pupils joining the school can cope with the British curriculum and enjoy their learning experience, with the Headmaster personally overseeing every application alongside the admissions team. The steps are: APPLY (enquire and arrange a visit), VISIT US (meet the Headmaster or Assistant Headmistress and tour the campus), ENTRANCE TEST (where places are available, entry into Year 1 and above requires admissions tests), and ENROL (enrolment paperwork after tests and interview if a place is available). Entry requirements by year group include accepting children from age two in Pre-Nursery/Nursery/Reception; Years 1–3 with a short entry assessment in Mathematics and English plus a recent school report; Years 4–8 with Mathematics and English assessments (Year 5 also includes CAT4); Years 9–11 with CAT4 along with Maths and English tests and a recent school report; Year 12 is highly selective with at least eight GCSEs at grade A or higher, entrance assessments in Mathematics and English, CAT4, and an interview, plus submission of a recent school report and mock GCSE results; Year 13 is not available as both A Level years must be completed at Runnymede.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Fundación Runnymede College scholarships give talented local students from Alcobendas public secondary schools the chance to study at top UK and US universities. Fundación Runnymede College was established to fund British higher education for pupils with outstanding academic records, providing information, assisting with applications, and paying fees and accommodation for the successful candidate in partnership with the Ayuntamiento de Alcobendas. The First Series invited Primero de Bachillerato pupils to apply; a Second Series was launched on February 27, 2025 to extend access to top UK and US universities, with a registration deadline of Monday, March 31. Applicants must have English at C1 level and an average grade of 9.5, and all applicants will be interviewed and sit tests in English and Maths. The Foundation's scholarships are described as providing opportunities for Alcobendas students to pursue study at prestigious universities in the UK and the US.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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