IPS Cascais British International School vs PaRK International School - Alfragide

	I IPS Cascais British International School Lisbon, Portugal	P PaRK International School - Alfragide Lisbon, Portugal
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €11,548 - 17,755	Fees / year €9,380 - 20,850
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP), Reggio Emilia Approach
Pupils	Pupils 440	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Portuguese
Opened	Opened 1982	Opened 2003
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location IPS Cascais British International School is located in Bicesse, north of Cascais, Portugal. It is 25 kilometres from the centre of Lisbon. The campus address is Rua da Lagoa 171, 2645-344 Alcabideche, Portugal. The school serves a diverse international community with students from over 40 nationalities.	Location Lisbon, Portugal. PaRK International School operates on three campuses in the Lisbon area: Alfragide, Praça de Espanha, and Restelo. The Alfragide campus is at Estrada de Alfragide, 94, Amadora; Praça de Espanha is at Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 52, Lisboa; Restelo is at Av. das Descobertas, 21, Lisboa.
Stages	Stages Foundation Stage to Year 9 is offered. iGCSEs are taken in Year 11. 6th Form (Years 12–13) coming soon.	Stages Early Learning School (Ages 1 to 5); Junior School (Grades 1 to 5); Lower Senior School (Grades 6 to 8); Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9 to 10); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 to 12); A Levels (Grades 11 to 12).
School type	School type British international school delivering the National Curriculum of England.	School type Private international school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 440 pupils from over 40 nationalities.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning support and EAL rooms are available.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Portugal	Country affiliation Portugal
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Door-to-door bus service runs daily in mornings and evenings, with extensive routes including Restelo, Praça de Espanha, Alfragide, and other areas in Lisbon and surrounding districts (Oeiras, Algés, Campo de Ourique, Campolide, Alameda, Saldanha, Marquês de Pombal, Amoreiras, Chiado, Santos, Alcântara, Ajuda, Belém).
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Initial / Application charges - Registration (one‑off, non‑refundable on acceptance): EUR 4,000. Split into two equal payments if the child starts in Nursery (FS1) or Reception; the second payment is due on entering Year 1. - Annual enrolment/registration charge (invoiced annually): EUR 925. Tuition fees (per term) — full detail by year group - Nursery (mornings only) — per term by number of mornings: - 1 morning: EUR 2,705 - 2 mornings: EUR 2,825 - 3 mornings: EUR 2,950 - 4 mornings: EUR 3,065 - 5 mornings: EUR 3,190 - Nursery (full days) — per term by number of full days: - 1 day: EUR 2,780 - 2 days: EUR 2,970 - 3 days: EUR 3,170 - 4 days: EUR 3,360 - 5 days: EUR 3,541 - Reception (per term): EUR 3,612 - Years 1 & 2 (per term): EUR 4,514 - Years 3 & 4 (per term): EUR 4,838 - Years 5, 6 & 7 (per term): EUR 5,144 - Years 8 & 9 (per term): EUR 5,343 - Year 10 (per term): EUR 5,610 All per‑term tuition figures above are published as the standard per‑term charge. Family discount for third child and subsequent (applied to the youngest children): 20%. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard due date: fees and other charges are due on or before the first day of each term. Alternative instalment schedules are available where published; when paying in three instalments for the academic year the due dates for the three instalments are: 1st instalment by 26 August 2025, 2nd instalment by 26 December 2025, and 3rd instalment by 26 March 2026. - Payment conditions: acceptance of a place is confirmed only once required initial charges and completed documentation have been received; enrolment and registration fees are not refundable if the child does not attend. Late payment may attract interest and outstanding reports/documentation may be withheld until accounts are settled. Specific cheque clearance periods apply (Portuguese cheques: 2 days; UK cheques: 15 days; other cheques: 20 days). Payment by certain voucher systems must be processed in advance to allow for handling time. - Acceptance for less than a full term: enrolment during the first half of a term attracts a full term's fee; enrolment during the second half of a term attracts a half‑term's fee. Notice of withdrawal must be given in writing at least 90 calendar days before expected departure. If proper notice is not provided, one term's fee may be charged in lieu of notice. Boarding fees - Boarding provision is not listed among the school's standard fee charges for the current primary/secondary provision; there are no published standard boarding fees in the school fee schedules for the current academic provision. Other costs and regular additional charges - Lunch: - Nursery & Reception — per term: EUR 440; per day (1–4 meals/week): EUR 8.00 - Years 1 and up — per term: EUR 509; per day (1–4 meals/week): EUR 9.00 - Occasional lunches (payable on the day by 10:00): EUR 9.50 per day. - Bus transport (per term) — standard routes and fares: - 0–5 km (examples: Alcabideche, Estoril, Linhó): EUR 1,087 per term - 5–10 km (examples: Carcavelos, Cascais, Malveira da Serra, Oeiras): EUR 1,181 per term - +10 km (examples: Paço de Arcos, Lisboa): EUR 1,418 per term - Occasional trip (daily rate): single ride EUR 23; return EUR 31 - Discount on transport: second and subsequent children at the same address: 10%. Additional charges may apply for addresses outside usual routes. - Additional services / charges (examples and per‑session rates): - Special Education Needs (SEN) support: EUR 35 per session (30 minutes) - EAL / language tuition: EUR 35 per session (30 minutes) - Psychological & orientation services: EUR 40 per session (45 minutes) - Student transfer process administration: EUR 50 per student - After‑school VivaHUB activities and other extra‑curricular programmes are charged separately (prices vary by activity). Uniform items are charged separately (uniform cost varies by item and purchase). Refunds and cancellation - Enrolment/registration fees are non‑refundable once paid and a place is accepted. If a child is enrolled but does not attend, enrolment and registration fees are still payable and non‑refundable; the first term's fees remain payable. Refunds of tuition are not made if the school is forced to close for reasons beyond its control (force majeure). Refunds will be made for lunch or transport services that have not been provided; lunch credits may be issued when a child is absent for three or more authorised days. Notice and withdrawal rules (90 calendar days' written notice; charge in lieu of notice where applicable) apply as stated in the school's payment regulations. Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods: Bank transfer; TICKET, EDENRED, COVERFLEX or UP Portugal (voucher/payment providers); bank cheque; cash. Bank transfers should be made to the school owner's bank account; payments via voucher providers must be made four weeks prior to the first day of each term to allow processing; cheque clearance times apply as above. Credit card payment is not listed among the standard options. All bank charges are borne by the payer unless otherwise arranged. Discounts - Family discounts noted in the current fee schedule: third child and subsequent: 20% discount applied to the youngest children. Transport discount for second/subsequent children at same address: 10%. Other sibling discount structures or early‑payment discounts may be specified in the school's published payment regulations. (Amounts and procedural dates are the school's published charges and terms for the current published fee schedule.)	Fee details Application & registration fees - Registration fee (first-time applicants, per student): €90 for all year groups. - Enrolment (one-time, new students): amounts vary by stream and year group: - Bilingual stream (1–5 year olds): €935. - Bilingual stream (Grades 1–4): €1,325. - English stream (Grades 1–5): €1,325. - Grade 6 (English stream): €1,880. - Grades 7–8 (English stream): €4,075. - IGCSE (Grades 9–10): €5,200. - IB / A Level (Grades 11–12): €5,250. - Re-enrolment fee (current students, non-refundable, charged in April): amounts vary by year group (examples: Bilingual 1–5: €590; Bilingual Grades 1–4: €700; Grade 6: €890; IGCSE: €950; IB/A Level: €1,080). Tuition fees by year group (academic year 2025/26) - Bilingual stream - 1–5 year olds: Annual €9,380; Termly (x3) €3,126.67; Monthly (x10) €938. (Includes annual student insurance and food service). - Grades 1–4: Annual €12,125; Termly €4,041.67; Monthly €1,212.50. (Includes insurance and food service until Grade 5). - English stream (Senior pathway and full English tuition levels) - Grades 1–5: Annual €13,500; Termly €4,500; Monthly €1,350. - Grades 6–8: Annual €13,700; Termly €4,566.67; Monthly €1,370. - IGCSE (Grades 9–10): Annual €17,150; Termly €5,716.67; Monthly €1,715. (Exams not included). - IB / A Level (Grades 11–12): Annual €20,850; Termly €6,950; Monthly €2,085. (Exams not included). Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing frequency options: annual (September), termly (payments due in September, December and April) or monthly (payments spread over September–June). - Invoicing timing: school tuition invoices are issued by the 5th business day of the month in which they fall due; other charges are invoiced separately (within 10 business days of the following month). Parents/guardians should review invoices and raise queries within 48 hours. - Payment methods accepted: ATM reference (as shown on the invoice), direct debit, education tickets and bank transfer. Direct debit is normally collected mid-month (debited by the 12th each month for 2025/26 statements). If a direct debit fails, payment will be requested by ATM reference or bank transfer. - Overdue invoices: for the 2025/26 schedules, overdue invoices will incur an interest charge of 5% over the total amount due. - Sibling discount: families with three or more children enrolled receive a 10% discount on the annual tuition applicable to the third-youngest child onwards. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered at PaRK International School campuses; there are no boarding fees in the school fee schedules. (PaRK IS references access to boarding at other Inspired schools but does not list boarding charges for its Lisbon campuses.) Mandatory charges and other regular fees - Global study / digital platform and related charges (invoiced annually in October): - Grades 4–5: Global Study Platform + Inspired AI + MDM — €75. - Grades 6–10: Global Study Platform + Inspired AI + Inspired Metaverse — €100. - Grades 11–12: Global Study Platform + Inspired AI + Inspired Metaverse + sweatshirt — €145. - Examination and assessment charges (invoiced annually as indicated): - IGCSE exams (Grade 10): €160. - AS level exams (Grade 11): €200. - A level exams (Grade 12): €300. - IB exam fees (Grade 12): €900. - Vocational programme (Grade 10, one-time when incurred): €50. - Other charges (examples and typical invoicing): - Extracurricular activities: termly commitment; fees vary by activity (see activity catalogue). - Transport: varies by route; invoiced termly (Nov, Jan, Apr); specific route prices vary. - School trips (internal/ external): termly invoicing; example internal trip fee shown as €24. - Student replacement card: €7 (when incurred). - Translation of documents: €0.10/word (when incurred). - Food service (Grades 6–12): €145 monthly (when incurred); for younger years food service is included in tuition and discounted in December/April as noted. - Supervision period (6:00 pm–6:30 pm): €70 monthly (when incurred) for 1-year-olds to Grade 5; late-collection penalties also apply. - English Second Language tuition (examples): Grades 1–5: €540 (5h/week); Grade 6 (6.5h/week): €660 (termly invoiced); Grades 7–8 (9h/week): €840 (termly invoiced). - Wellbeing individual support (Grades 6–12): €45/hour (monthly when incurred). - iPad acquisition for Grades 4–5 (Apple iPad Air 11" Wi‑Fi 128GB with keyboard, pencil and 1 year insurance): shown as €1,131 or an alternative entry figure €377 (invoice options listed); iPad rental (Grades 4–5): €105 (termly). Refund information and non-refundable charges - Enrolment fees for new students are non-refundable. Re-enrolment fees for current students are non-refundable and are charged in April. Registration and re-enrolment notes in the fee schedule indicate these items are non-refundable as specified. - Extracurricular activities require a full-term commitment; if a student withdraws or discontinues participation during the term, the full term fee remains chargeable (exceptions apply only if the activity is cancelled or minimum numbers are not met). Fee payment options and administrative notes - Accepted payment methods: ATM reference (on invoice), direct debit, education tickets, bank transfer. Direct debit is the standard monthly collection method; failed direct debits will be re-requested by ATM reference or bank transfer. - Invoicing and review: invoices are issued in advance according to the chosen billing frequency; parents/guardians must review invoices and notify the finance office within 48 hours if corrections are required. - Overdue handling and administrative charges: for 2025/26 schedules, overdue invoices attract a 5% interest charge; other administrative fees (for example, contract-change requests) are set out in the fee schedules.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school has guaranteed entry to Inspired Boarding Schools. Inspired boarding provides 24-hour pastoral support and exclusive access to state-of-the-art facilities for sports and academics after school, within a welcoming home-from-home environment.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniform is compulsory for all children from Year 1 onwards. Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) do not require a uniform, but clothing should be appropriate for activities including physical education. Primary uniform (Years 1–6) includes grey trousers/shorts or tartan skort, white polo shirt with logo, navy pullover, softshell jacket, and blue floral summer dress; PE kit includes a white short-sleeve t-shirt with logo, blue shorts, tracksuit bottoms and jacket. Secondary uniform (Years 7–11) includes grey trousers/shorts or tartan skirt, white polo shirt with logo, navy pullover, and softshell jacket; footwear must be smart and closed-toe; PE kit includes a white t‑shirt, navy shorts, tracksuit top and bottoms. Uniforms can be purchased from TOGS Uniforms; PTA runs second-hand uniform sales.	Uniform requirement The uniform is mandatory for all students from the 1-Year-Old groups to Grade 10. IB Diploma and A Levels students (Grades 11-12) follow a smart casual dress code for daily wear and use the PaRK IS formal uniform for specific school events. For Physical Education, all students wear the Sports Uniform.
Food options	Food options Meals / Lunches: The school provides healthy, balanced hot meals prepared by a local catering company, cooked on-site and eaten in the dining room. FS1 (Nursery) lunches are eaten in the classroom, KS1 and KS2 eat in the dining room; a vegetarian option is available; the school maintains a nut- and sesame-free environment.	Food options Healthy and nutritionally-balanced meals are provided by our catering partner Go Natural. Menus are updated monthly; vegetarian options and a salad bar are available; meals are prepared by a chef and approved by a nutritionist, with accommodations for allergies.
House system	House system —	House system The PaRK IS House System has four Houses: Hillary & Tabei, Cousteau & Andresen, Vasco da Gama & Mother Teresa, and Armstrong & Johnson. From Grade 1 onward, students are allocated to a House and participate in cross-age activities and competitions.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership IPS Cascais is a member of Globeducate.	Governance and ownership PaRK International School is an Inspired School, part of Inspired Education Group, a leading global network of premium schools. This affiliation provides access to international best practices and collaboration with other Inspired schools worldwide, including global exchange programmes.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details IPS Cascais follows the National Curriculum for England, adapted to an international context. In Primary, core subjects are English, Mathematics, and Science, with additional language provision including Portuguese and Dutch, and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In Year 7, pupils receive a language taster in French (Term 1) and Spanish (Term 2), before choosing a language option from Term 3 onward. In Secondary (Years 7–11), pupils follow the National Curriculum for England and prepare for iGCSEs, with iGCSE study beginning in Year 10 and examinations in Year 11. A Sixth Form (Years 12–13) with A Levels is coming soon, and a new Secondary School campus will open in September 2026 to deliver Years 7–13.	Curriculum details PaRK International School provides a bilingual education from Early Learning through Grade 4, followed by the Cambridge International Pathway from Grade 5, including the IGCSE, A Levels, and the IB Diploma Programme. The curriculum integrates technology and 21st-century skills across the subjects. Academic stages include Early Learning (Ages 1-5), Junior School (Grades 1-5), Lower Senior School (Grades 6-8), Cambridge IGCSE (Grades 9-10) and the IB Diploma Programme or A Levels (Grades 11-12). The school operates on three campuses in Lisbon: Alfragide, Praça de Espanha, and Restelo. In 2025, IBDP results were strong with an average score of 35, 29% of students scoring 38 points or more, and a top score of 45.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio The school has a 1:10 staff-pupil ratio. Average class size is 22 pupils.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IBDP exam results 2025 show an average score of 35, with 29% of students scoring 38 points or more, and a top score of 45.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Globeducate pupils secure places at leading universities worldwide; in 2020/2021 our students gained admission to 25 of the world's top 50 universities.	Higher education progression PaRK IS provides individualised university and careers counselling from Grade 10. One in three Inspired students secures a place in Russell Group or Ivy League universities. About 90% of Inspired students are accepted to their first-choice university. The school offers an SAT pathway with an official SAT centre on campus and partner SAT prep providers, Arete Education and The Classroom Door, for additional admissions support.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Nsouli Scholars is an Inspired initiative enabling up to 50 students at any one time to attend Inspired schools on full scholarships. The programme supports access to academics, arts and sports, and PaRK IS participates in this global programme. In 2022, Inspired's IB Diploma Average Point Score was 35 (world average 31.98), with 27% of A Level grades being A*, illustrating the level of exceptional performance within Inspired schools.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Pastoral care nurtures pupils in a supportive, inclusive environment. A buddy system helps integrate new students and ensures no child feels left out. Staff collaborate closely with families, and parents are encouraged to contact staff about concerns. The safeguarding and wellbeing framework supports social and emotional development through PSHE and classroom activities, promoting emotional health and safe relationships. The school emphasizes respectful relationships and peer support to help pupils thrive academically and personally.	Social & emotional learning The Well-Being Department creates a respectful, safe and happy environment across PaRK IS's three campuses. The school supports students' social and emotional development, focusing on self-knowledge, self-regulation, social relationships and decision-making. The Social Skills Programme runs bi-weekly for Grades 1 to Senior School. The Fellowship Programme engages students in Grades 5 to 12 in community service. A dedicated psychology team supports Learning Diversity Students, and safeguarding, mindfulness and inclusion initiatives are part of the wellbeing framework. External speakers are invited throughout the year to enrich students' experiences.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Learning Support and EAL departments provide extra help and guidance. Additional English language classes are available for non-native speakers who need extra support to adapt to school in English. The school is fully accessible to all students, no matter their needs. The learning support services help ensure inclusive participation in the curriculum.	Special educational needs (SEN) PaRK IS has a specialised psychology department and dedicated teams for Learning Diversity Students. The resources support inclusive practices and targeted support for diverse learning needs. Support is embedded within the Well-Being framework across the three campuses.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Learning Support and EAL departments provide extra help and guidance. Additional English language classes are available for non-native speakers who need extra support to adapt to school in English. The school is fully accessible to all students, no matter their needs.	English as an additional language The school provides bilingual education from Early Learning through Grade 4. From Grade 5, PaRK IS follows the Cambridge International Pathway, including IGCSE, A Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. The education is multilingual, helping students become proficient in more than one language.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Emotional well-being is a focus within the safeguarding curriculum. Safeguarding in Curriculum covers emotional well-being and how to seek help from trusted adults through PSHE and Computing lessons, assemblies, and external input. The approach supports students' resilience and ability to seek support when needed.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is a core focus of the Well-Being Department across three campuses. The department provides a psychology team, mindfulness and social-skills initiatives, and safeguarding. External speakers contribute to wellbeing and resilience education throughout the year. The wellbeing programme supports students' confidence and resilience alongside their academic journey.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding IPS Cascais is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. The Safeguarding Leadership Team includes a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy DSLs. Key safeguarding policies include the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, Online Safety Policy, and Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy. Safeguarding in the Curriculum weaves safeguarding through learning and assemblies, including healthy relationships, online safety, personal safety and consent, emotional well-being, and how to seek help from trusted adults. Safer Recruitment is followed to ensure suitability of staff and volunteers, and staff receive regular safeguarding training, with a culture of vigilance and partnership with families.	Safeguarding Safeguarding is integrated into the Well-Being framework and managed across PaRK IS campuses. The Well-Being Department coordinates safeguarding alongside mindfulness, fellowship and social-skills initiatives to foster a safe school culture.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview IPS Cascais Primary School moved into purpose-built, eco-friendly premises in September 2010. The Secondary School site is a brand-new development located about five minutes away from the Primary. The buildings are designed to support learning and are arranged to create a cohesive, safe and inclusive environment. The Primary building has no stairs, with bright, spacious classrooms and outside spaces, and an atrium used for shows and events. A new gymnasium and theatre are coming soon, and an additional sports field and a multipurpose pavilion will accompany the Secondary facilities as construction progresses.	Facilities overview PaRK IS operates across three Lisbon campuses: Alfragide (ages 1 to 18), Praça de Espanha (ages 1 to 10), and Restelo (ages 1 to 10). Alfragide is the largest campus and features brand-new modern buildings on an extensive site. The Alfragide campus has technology-enabled classrooms with cutting-edge technology and sound-blocking features. The campus includes an auditorium, music studios and an arts hub, and has labs and a MakerSpace Room. The Alfragide campus offers multi-sport facilities including a pavilion, gymnasium, football field, exterior basketball court and multi-use rooftop spaces. The Extracurricular Activities at Alfragide include visual arts, dance, martial arts, team and individual sports, personal development activities, and PaRK Music Academy with six studios and two rehearsal rooms, with some activities run off-campus through partners.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities IPS has a multipurpose field within the school grounds. A hardcourt is available for basketball, tennis, and handball. Smaller green areas cater to younger pupils. An additional sports field will be added to the Primary site once the Secondary construction is complete, along with a multipurpose pavilion for sports and theatre productions.	Sports facilities The Alfragide campus offers multi-sport facilities including a pavilion, gymnasium, football field, exterior basketball court and multi-use rooftop spaces.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Classrooms are bright and spacious, equipped with learning resources, interactive and offline whiteboards, and all have outside space for outdoor learning and group work. The Atrium (Main building) houses specialist rooms for music, languages, and art, a library with a dedicated Librarian, and a dining room with meals cooked onsite. Learning Support and EAL rooms are available to assist diverse learners. The Primary School features Trombe walls, green roofs, and other eco-features as part of its sustainable design. A brand-new Secondary School is underway nearby to extend the academic facilities.	Academic facilities Technology-enabled classrooms are fully equipped with cutting-edge technology and sound-blocking features. Auditorium, Music Studios and Arts Hub are on site. Labs and MakerSpace Room are available for science and technology work.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Beyond the Classroom includes Pastoral Care, Additional Services, Alumni, PTA and International Experiences. VivaHUB offers After School and Summer programmes. Outdoor learning areas support Duke of Edinburgh skills development. The school emphasizes a broad programme of activities that extend learning beyond classroom lessons.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include visual arts, dance, martial arts, team and individual sports and personal development activities. The PaRK Music Academy provides six fully equipped studios and two rehearsal rooms. Some activities take place off-campus with partners.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History IPS Cascais British International School is located in Bicesse, north of Cascais, about 25 km from central Lisbon. The school began with 5 pupils and has grown over the last 40 years into a united international community of around 440 children from more than 40 nationalities. The curriculum follows the National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage to Year 9; in Years 11, students work toward iGCSEs, and A levels are planned for the future. A new secondary school is opening in September 2026 to provide Years 7–13, and the current secondary provision is expanding accordingly.	History Open since 2003, PaRK IS began with O Parque Taguspark; a second sponsored school in Lisbon opened about a year later. The first non-sponsored school, O Parque Belém, opened in 2006, followed by the Restelo Primary School in 2008 and a Cascais campus in 2010. In 2016, O Parque Bilingual Schools became PaRK International School, opening Grade 7 in Lisbon; Praça de Espanha campus opened in 2017. PaRK IS joined Inspired in 2018; a new Alfragide campus opened in 2019, and IB Diploma Programme certification was awarded in 2020; the first IB Diploma cohort graduated in 2022, with Cascais closing that year to make way for King's College School, an Inspired school.
Community	Community IPS Cascais hosts a diverse international community of around 440 pupils from more than 40 nationalities. The school is a member of Globeducate and collaborates with partner organizations, including WWF and Eco-Schools. Community life is enriched by activities organized through the PTA, including events such as a cheese and wine evening, Halloween and bake sales, a Christmas fair, an International Day, a carnival parade, and other fund‑raisers. Parent Representatives meet with the Head of School regularly to foster strong links between home and school.	Community The PaRK IS community operates across three Lisbon-area campuses: Alfragide, Praça de Espanha and Restelo. The Well-Being Department creates a respectful, safe and happy environment across all campuses, supporting physical, emotional and mental health, with a Social Skills Programme, the Fellowship Programme, a specialised psychology team, and mindfulness initiatives; external speakers are invited during the year. The Buddy System welcomes new students and the four Houses structure fosters belonging and character development through cross-age activities, with values such as fair play, teamwork, citizenship, responsibility, and resilience. As an Inspired School, PaRK IS benefits from international practices and collaboration, including global exchange opportunities within Inspired."
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The IPS Cascais PTA builds strong links between school and home to enhance pupil education. Each class elects a Parent Representative who meets with the Head of School to receive updates and help coordinate class communications. The PTA supports local and international charities and funds educational experiences and activities for the children, with events such as Cheese & Wine, Halloween costume swaps, Usborne book sales, second-hand uniform sales, Halloween bake sales, a PTA Christmas fair, International Day, a carnival parade, bake and book sales, a PTA quiz night, and a Summer fayre. The PTA also offers keep‑fit sessions and tennis lessons for parents, and maintains policies and channels for safeguarding and parent feedback.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Regular visits and field trips complement classroom topics and provide practical, real-world context. Overnight stays and extended visits occur annually for children from Year 3 up. The Journey outdoor learning program develops practical skills such as shelter building, knots, fire and cooking, and also promotes communication, collaboration, resilience and leadership. A British-style House System promotes teamwork and belonging, while the Student Council gives pupils a voice in school life.	Academic & intellectual PaRK IS offers co-curricular clubs including The Duke of Edinburgh International Award, Model United Nations, Business Club, Drama Club, Visual Arts Club, Yearbook & Journalism Club, Chess Club, Performance and Band Club, and Choir Club. From Grade 5 onwards, students can take part in MyTime activities, choosing options to develop creativity and curiosity. The Personal Development & Technology strand includes Aloha (maths and mental arithmetic), Book Club, Creative Writing, The Inventors - STEM activities, Minecraft for Education, Coding, Why Lab (Science), Sewing Atelier, Photography and Study Room. Activities occur at lunchtime, after school, and sometimes evenings or weekends, varying by campus.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative VivaHUB includes a broad slate of arts and performance clubs such as Circus Club, Dance Club, Drama Club, Fairy Tales & Performance, IPS Choir, Power of Pronunciation, and Sing-Along Club. CreativeHUB offers Art Club, Arts & Crafts, Carpentry Club, Crochet Club, Little Carpenters, Mandala Club, Scrap 4 Fun, and Woodcrafting. Music is a valued part of the curriculum with specialist instrumental tuition, singing, and performances, and annual musical matinees and soirees showcase student talents.	Arts & creative Performing Arts extracurricular activities include Dance classes (Creative Dance, Ballet, Hip Hop), Drama and Musical Theatre. The PaRK Music Academy offers study in instruments and voice, including singing, choir and music production, with ABRSM certification available. Visual Arts are supported by Porta Amarela workshops across all campuses, promoting creativity through arts and crafts, music and performance. The school hosts music events and performances throughout the year to showcase student talents.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language IPS Cascais participates in international experiences as part of Globeducate, with opportunities to study abroad at fellow Globeducate schools and to attend holiday camps. Pupils can choose from summer holiday camps in England, Canada, and Andorra. Locations include Stonar School near Bath, Blyth Academy campuses in Ontario, and Agora Andorra.	Cultural & language Model United Nations is among the co-curricular clubs. PaRK Choir is open to students from Grade 1 and up, with weekly rehearsals after school and performances at campus and community events. The school emphasises multilingual learning in a bilingual environment, with Portuguese and English used for communication. These activities contribute to international engagement and cultural awareness across PaRK IS.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies VivaHUB provides a full after-school programme with a variety of clubs, including sports, arts, cooking, lego, and more. The VivaHUB programme categorises activities into ArtisticHUB, CreativeHUB, CulturalHUB, InnovationHUB, and WellbeingHUB with many club options. This range allows pupils to explore new hobbies and develop diverse interests.	Social & hobbies MyTime is available from Grade 5, once a week, offering a range of activities including sport, art, music, drama or technology. The Chess Club, Book Club and Creative Writing provide social and recreational engagement, alongside Dance classes and PaRK Music Academy. Choir activities connect students across campuses, with performances at campus and community events. These activities occur during lunchtime, after school or occasionally evenings and weekends.
Community & service	Community & service The PTA strengthens links between school and home, supports charities, and funds educational experiences and activities for pupils. Charity work is a regular feature, with events such as Cheese & Wine evenings, book sales, Halloween activities, an International Day, and a PTA Christmas fair. IPS Cascais partners with WWF and Eco-Schools to promote environmental stewardship and a Green Flag journey.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Pupils can participate in a Student Council that elects representatives and meets with staff to ensure the school community has a voice. Children join a British-style House System to foster teamwork and leadership as well as a sense of belonging. Older alumni return for work experience and to assist with after-school training of school teams. The PTA also provides leadership opportunities by connecting families with school activities and fundraising.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Pastoral Care prioritises safeguarding and pupil welfare, with a buddy system to help integrate new students and prevent anyone from feeling left out. Learning Support and EAL offer extra help for non-native English speakers to ease transitions. VivaHUB WellbeingHUB includes mindfulness and other wellbeing-focused clubs and activities to support physical and mental health.	Lifestyle & wellbeing PaRK IS offers a wide range of sports and martial arts across three campuses, including Capoeira, Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Taekwondo, plus team sports like Basketball, Football, Volleyball and Rugby, and individual sports such as Fencing, Indoor Climbing, Parkour, Tennis, Swimming, Padel, Skateboarding, Roller-skating, Surfing, Fitbox, Fitness Club, Gymnastics and Yoga. Football and Gymnastics are offered by Sporting Club Portugal with a tailor-made PaRK Academy. Swimming lessons take place at partner facilities Joaquim Chaves Fitness and Holmes Place. The PaRK Music Academy and Performing Arts programmes provide opportunities for creative and physical activity that support wellbeing.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The curriculum is delivered in English by native speakers, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for pupils who do not yet speak English. The main additional language offered within the curriculum is Portuguese. Dutch is offered for Dutch-speaking families with 2–3 hours per week. In Year 7, pupils sample French in Term 1 and Spanish in Term 2, then choose a language to develop in the coming years.	Language provision English and Portuguese are the core languages, with a bilingual Early Learning environment from age 1 and a Grade 1–4 bilingual programme blending the National Portuguese Curriculum with Cambridge International Curriculum. By the end of Grade 4, students are bilingual in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, and Grade 5 onwards is taught fully in English at the Alfragide campus. Additional languages are available: in Grades 7–8, Spanish or French is studied as an Additional Language; in Grades 9–10, students may choose Spanish or French as a Second Language in IGCSE; IB Diploma options may include School-Supported Self-Taught languages in a Language A other than Portuguese or English.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching PaRK IS Praça de Espanha provides a truly bilingual education in English and Portuguese from age 1, with two highly qualified educators in each classroom. The Early Learning programme creates a bilingual environment where one teacher speaks only Portuguese and another only English, enabling natural language acquisition. The bilingual approach uses a project and play based method with a Reggio Emilia inspired philosophy, supporting exploration in both languages across maths, science, reading and writing. The Junior School (Grades 1–4) combines elements of the National Portuguese Curriculum with the Cambridge International Curriculum, strengthening bilingual skills and preparing students for the fully English taught programme from Grade 5 at the Alfragide campus.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Foundation Stages learn English through full immersion in an English environment. The language of the school, the playground, and the corridors is English, helping non-native speakers settle in and progress in an English-language environment. An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides support for Reception to Year 6; the school values linguistic diversity and encourages pupils to develop and use their home language in their play and learning.	Immersion programs From age 1, PaRK IS Praça de Espanha offers immersion in English and Portuguese. The Early Learning environment uses two teachers, one speaking Portuguese and one English, to support language immersion. The approach relies on project and play based learning with a positive discipline and a Reggio Emilia inspired practice to develop literacy and communication in both languages. By Grade 5, students transition to the fully English taught curriculum at the Alfragide campus.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards null	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations COBIS; Globeducate member	Accreditations IBO, Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, UCAS, Learnfire, official SAT centre
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions IPS Cascais welcomes children from all over the world and is currently enrolling, accepting applications throughout the school year. IPS Cascais offers the National Curriculum for England to primary and secondary-aged students and is a proud member of Globeducate. The admissions process comprises six steps: express your interest; visit the school or schedule a meeting; submit the Registration Form and send previous school reports; pupil sits an entry task; confirmation of place; pay charges to secure the pupil's seat. Places are mainly awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability. Priority is given to siblings of current students; children whose first language is not Portuguese or who have had the majority of their education in English; first-language English speakers; and families from organisations with whom IPS has long-standing protocols. A new Secondary School opens in September 2026; it will move to a new campus with specialist facilities near the current site and will deliver an educational programme from Years 7 to 13, preparing pupils for universities worldwide.	Admissions 1. Enquiry Form: Fill in the Enquiry Form to apply to any of our campuses (Alfragide, Praça de Espanha or Restelo). This form should also be completed if you wish to book a visit or to learn more about PaRK International School. 2. Application Form: Complete the Application Form sent by our team. If applying to Junior School onwards, upload the latest school reports in the Open Apply portal or send them to our Admissions team. 3. Campus Meeting: After the application forms are complete, book a meeting with the campus of your choice (Alfragide, Praça de Espanha or Restelo) at a convenient date and time. This meeting can be a campus visit or an online meeting, depending on the family's preference. 4. Registration Fee: If you would like to continue with the admissions process, there is a non-refundable €100 Registration Fee. 5. Interview: Interview with the Psychologist (from Grade 1 onwards). For IGCSE and IB / A Levels applicants, if necessary there may be an extra interview with the Deputy Head of Academics or IB / A Levels Coordinator to discuss IGCSE and IB / A Levels subject choices, respectively. 6. Evaluation: From Grade 5 onwards, there is an Evaluation following the interview - an online, age-related objective assessment test (GL Cognitive Ability Test 4). There can also be an online language assessment test (English or Portuguese) at this stage if required. 7. Offer Letter: Each student's admission is determined by the School Board with the advice of the respective Head. The decision is communicated by email to the parents along with the necessary steps to complete the enrolment, including the payment of the enrolment fee. Based on this, the child will be given a conditional or unconditional offer (conditional offers may require the parents to agree to booster lessons in English prior to admission to PaRK IS). 8. Formal Registration: The official registration takes place in June. At that time, the Parent/Guardian needs to deliver the required documents for the student's process. Your child is now a PaRK IS student!
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Nsouli Scholars Programme: The Nsouli Scholars Programme is a global initiative that enables 50 extraordinary students at any one time to attend any of Inspired's prestigious schools on a full scholarship for the duration of their education. The endowment honours Nadim Nsouli. In recognition of Mr Nsouli's Lebanese heritage and Inspired's commitment to inclusivity, several scholarships will be awarded to individuals of Lebanese origin.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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