SEK International School Catalunya vs The British College of Gavà

	S SEK International School Catalunya Barcelona, Spain	T The British College of Gavà Barcelona, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,740 - 9,360	Fees / year €8,190 - 15,360
Age range	Age range 0 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils 1,020	Pupils 450
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Spanish	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1995	Opened 2015
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in the Els Tremolencs residential estate in La Garriga, Barcelona. La Garriga is in the Vallès Oriental region, about 30 minutes from Barcelona, and at the foot of the Montseny Nature Park. The campus spans 100,000 m2 with separate buildings for Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and boarding, and includes a woodland area used as an extension of the classroom.	Location The British College of Gavà is located in Gavà, Catalonia, Spain. The campus sits among pine trees in lush gardens with modern, spacious premises about 20 minutes from Barcelona city. The school's address is Carrer de Josep Lluís Sert, 32, 08850 Gavà, Barcelona. The campus is completely enclosed for safety, and car drop-off happens on site.
Stages	Stages Early Childhood; Preschool; Primary; Secondary; Baccalaureate	Stages Early Years Foundation Stage; Primary; Secondary; IB Diploma Programme (IBDP); IB Career-related Programme (IBCP).
School type	School type Private international school with international boarding. Full English-language immersion and trilingual education (Spanish/English/Catalan). The school covers all educational stages, from 4 months to 18 years. The school is the only institution in Catalonia accredited to deliver the full International Baccalaureate continuum (IB PYP, MYP, DP).	School type British international school offering IGCSE and IB programmes.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Spain	Country affiliation United Kingdom
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details BCG offers a daily bus transport service to and from the school, organized around families' needs. Modern buses are used and comply with safety rules, with a monitor supervising the route. Car drop-off can be completed within school premises.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - Application (registration) fee: EUR 665 (non‑refundable). - Reservation / enrolment deposit: EUR 1,570 (one‑off deposit, normally credited against the first-term tuition). Tuition fees by year group (reported figures for the current academic year) - Early years / Nursery: approximately EUR 645 per month (≈ EUR 7,740 per year). - Primary School: approximately EUR 675–760 per month (≈ EUR 8,100–9,120 per year). - Lower Secondary (ESO / Middle Years): approximately EUR 765–795 per month (≈ EUR 9,180–9,540 per year). - National Baccalaureate: approximately EUR 820 per month (≈ EUR 9,840 per year). - International Baccalaureate (DP): approximately EUR 935 per month (≈ EUR 11,220 per year). Per‑term amounts (illustrative): when annual tuition is billed in three equal term instalments, a useful planning figure is the annual amount divided by three (for example, an IB DP annual figure of EUR 11,220 corresponds to approx. EUR 3,740 per term when invoiced in three instalments). Boarding fees - Boarding options offered: full boarding (monthly including weekends), weekly boarding (Monday–Friday), and flexi / specific‑day stays; full board and laundry and academic support are included in boarding services. - Reported full‑boarding cost (published third‑party listings): around EUR 7,500 per year (full‑boarding annual estimate). Other recurring and optional costs - School uniform: SEK uniform is required; uniforms are sold via El Corte Inglés (cost borne by families). - School transport (bus): routes are supervised and available; transport is typically charged separately from tuition. - Extracurricular activities and music lessons: many extracurricular activities are charged monthly. Example published extracurricular rates include instrument lessons and activities such as: - One 30‑minute individual music class: EUR 69 per month; two 30‑minute individual classes: EUR 138 per month. - Group and sports activity monthly fees typically range from about EUR 39 to EUR 78 per month depending on frequency and activity. - Federation or competition fees and single annual charges (e.g., federation registration) are billed separately and may appear as a single non‑refundable charge in the autumn instalment (example: a federation file fee ≈ EUR 75). - Summer programme fees and short residential courses (when offered) are charged separately; example short‑course full‑board week fees have been published in the range of EUR 370–490 per week for specific summer programmes. Billing schedule and payment terms - Published information for SEK schools shows two common billing patterns used within the SEK network: (a) tuition invoiced as three equal instalments (one per academic term) and (b) tuition collected as monthly instalments during the school year. Families should plan for either a termly or monthly instalment structure; some schools within the SEK group offer discounts for single annual payment. - Typical administrative practice within the SEK group is to bill tuition in advance; late or unpaid fees can affect continuation of enrollment and the release of academic records. Refunds and withdrawal - No detailed, school‑specific public refund policy for SEK International School Catalunya is posted in the school's public pages. Group fee policies published for other SEK schools indicate that termly tuition payments are generally treated as non‑refundable once a student has attended classes for the term and that refunds or exceptions are handled on a case‑by‑case basis. Reports and transfer documents are typically withheld until outstanding fees are settled. Fee payment options - Common payment methods used across SEK schools include bank transfer / direct bank deposit, direct debit, and debit/credit card (card payments may carry a commission). Employer payments and cheques are accepted in some SEK locations. Families typically receive invoices with the bank details or payment instructions. Notes for budgeting - Tuition figures above are the principal component of school costs; add separate charges for boarding (if applicable), transport, uniform, extracurriculars, activity trips, examination fees and optional programmes (summer courses, music school, sports academy). Example extracurricular and music fees are published in the school's extracurricular programme documentation. (End of fees overview)	Fee details Annual tuition fees by year group (2025/26 academic year) - EYFS (Nursery and Reception, Ages 3–4): EUR 9,010 per year. - Lower Primary (Key Stage 1, Years 1–2, Ages 5–6): EUR 11,140 per year. - Upper Primary (Key Stage 2, Years 3–6, Ages 7–10): EUR 12,940 per year. - Secondary (Key Stage 3, Years 7–9, Ages 11–13): EUR 14,140 per year. - Secondary (Key Stage 4, Years 10–11, Ages 14–15): EUR 15,290 per year. - Sixth Form (Years 12–13, Ages 16–17): EUR 15,360 per year. Equivalent billing breakdowns (school billing practice and arithmetic conversions) - The school bills annual tuition in 10 monthly instalments (September to June). Monthly instalment amounts (annual fee ÷ 10): - EYFS: EUR 901.00 per month. - Lower Primary: EUR 1,114.00 per month. - Upper Primary: EUR 1,294.00 per month. - Secondary KS3: EUR 1,414.00 per month. - Secondary KS4: EUR 1,529.00 per month. - Sixth Form: EUR 1,536.00 per month. - For database display using a per-term equivalent (simple division by three): - EYFS: EUR 3,003.33 per term. - Lower Primary: EUR 3,713.33 per term. - Upper Primary: EUR 4,313.33 per term. - Secondary KS3: EUR 4,713.33 per term. - Secondary KS4: EUR 5,096.67 per term. - Sixth Form: EUR 5,120.00 per term. Application, enrollment and annual charges - Non-returnable admission fee (payable on acceptance of a place): EUR 2,900 per pupil. No reimbursement is made in case of cancellation of a place at any time. - Annual re-enrolment fee (billed in February; includes materials, books, tech fee and insurance): EUR 680. This re-enrolment fee is non-refundable. - A separate (one-off) assessment fee of EUR 30 is charged for certain admissions assessments (applies to assessments described in the admissions process). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is presented as a full-year figure corresponding to a 10-month school year; invoices are issued and collected by direct debit in advance during the first five days of each month (payments are required monthly, September–June). - All fees, charges, residential trips, buses, excursions, extracurricular activities and similar items are charged by direct debit; extracurricular activities are charged termly. - If direct debit is not possible, an exception request must be submitted by email to the financial director for consideration. A bank rejection charge of EUR 15 applies each time a payment is rejected. - Advance (single) payment of the full annual tuition is eligible for a 1.25% discount if the full-year payment is made before July 15 (request must be made within the school's stated deadlines). Contact the school invoicing address for administration of advance payment. Sibling discounts - 3rd child: 10% discount. 4th child: 15% discount. 5th and subsequent children: 20% discount. Valid sibling accreditation must be presented where required. Other costs and compulsory items - School lunches are compulsory and are included in the tuition fee; packed lunches are not permitted. - School uniform is compulsory and is required for all students; uniform costs are charged to families. - Only students starting Year 7 are required to purchase a Chromebook (one-off cost borne by the family). - External examination and National Curriculum Test charges are additional where applicable; these amounts are added to the billed invoices when relevant. - School bus (transport) is optional and attracts a separate charge; transport registration is requested at enrolment and occasional or daily tickets may be available at a higher unit cost. Transport fees follow the school's payment and cancellation rules. - Optional extracurricular activities, residential trips and special events are charged separately and billed by direct debit; invoices for these items are issued before the event takes place. Refund and withdrawal rules (fee consequences) - The admission fee (EUR 2,900) is non-returnable. The re-enrolment fee (EUR 680) is non-refundable. No reimbursement is made in case of cancellation of a place at any time once admission fees are paid. - Parents of pupils intending to leave the school in June must provide written confirmation of departure before 28 February; no refund will be made if notice of departure is given after 15 April. - For permanent withdrawal, the school requires at least three months' notice by email to the school's designated address; parents must pay the school's fees during the three-month notice period. If a student starts during an ongoing month, the full monthly tuition fee for that month is payable and no refund is issued for partial months or absences. Fee payment options - Primary payment method: direct debit from a bank account; all invoices are collected by direct debit and parents sign an authorization form for the school to collect payments. Exceptions to direct debit require an approved request to the financial director. - The school administers advance/full-year payment discount requests and invoicing queries through the school invoicing contact (invoices@bcgava.com) and finance office channels. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; the published fee schedule and terms describe day-school tuition, compulsory lunches, optional transport and no boarding fees.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements Boarding is on campus in La Garriga, 35 km from Barcelona, at the foot of the Montseny biosphere reserve. Four accommodation options are offered: full boarding (full month including weekends), weekly boarding (Monday to Friday), and stays on specific days, with separate boys' and girls' boarding houses providing double or triple rooms. The two predominant languages in the boarding house are Spanish and English, and international students may access a language program for learning Spanish with personalised or small-group classes, including entry into officially recognised language exams. Boarders receive full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner), laundry service, and academic support from teachers and school counsellors.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The SEK Uniform has identified and stood our students apart for over 50 years. Second Baccalaureate-Diploma students may wear regular clothes instead of the uniform, but students are generally expected to wear the SEK uniform and to dress smart casual for certain occasions. Uniforms and sports kit are available for purchase on the El Corte Inglés website (uniform details are provided in the School Uniform and Sports Kit information).	Uniform requirement BCG has a school uniform that all students wear daily, except those in Year 12 and Year 13. The uniform varies slightly by academic level, and there is a separate sports uniform for Physical Education.
Food options	Food options We have our own kitchens and prepare meals at the school. Meal planners are provided each term with daily dinner recommendations and nutritional analysis. Special dietary needs are catered for. EN ISO 9002 quality certification has been obtained.	Food options Lunch is freshly prepared on-site daily and served in multiple shifts from 12:00 to 14:00. Menus are designed to align with nutritional guidelines and the Mediterranean diet, and accommodate dietary needs including allergies, intolerances or health requirements.
House system	House system —	House system The school uses a house system with four houses: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow. Each pupil is allocated to a house; house points are awarded for altruistic acts, participation and academic success; the houses compete for the House Cup at the end of the academic year.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership SEK-Catalunya is part of SEK Education Group, with over 130 years of experience and history and more than 10 schools worldwide.	Governance and ownership The British College of Gavà operates as part of Education in Excellence, SL, and is a member of Inspired Education Group.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details SEK-Catalunya is a multilingual school teaching through English, Catalan and Spanish. 70% of the curriculum is delivered in English, 15% in Catalan and 15% in Spanish. From year 5 of Primary Education, a fourth language (French or German) can be studied. The school integrates the International Baccalaureate Programme continuum, teaching the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). It provides full English-language immersion.	Curriculum details IB Diploma Programme is offered for students aged 16–18 and includes six subject groups (Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, The Arts) with a core comprising Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity and Service, and the Extended Essay. The Diploma Programme develops reflective, independent, globally minded learners and includes an Education for Sustainable Development project as part of CAS. The school also offers the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), a vocational pathway with partner organisations in Performing Arts, Innovation in Sports and Entrepreneurship. In Secondary, the curriculum runs English National Curriculum up to GCSE (Year 11) before students move into the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. Primary (Year 2–6) delivers English-language learning with EAL support; French begins in Year 3; Spanish and Catalan are taught as foreign languages, with emphasis on multilingual development and cultural understanding. Education for Sustainable Development is a fundamental thread throughout the school.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The IB Diploma provides access to universities worldwide.	Higher education progression The Diploma Programme is respected by leading universities worldwide and provides a rigorous pre-university pathway; The Career-related Programme equips students with a vocational pathway and partnerships with external organisations; DP/CP graduates typically progress to higher education at universities worldwide.
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 SEK-Catalunya's mission is to help students become proactive global citizens by providing learning experiences that focus on concept-based inquiry and reflection, helping them develop intellectually and emotionally. The school emphasizes emotional development as part of its educational aim. SEK Education Group's values include physical and mental health and respect for diversity, guiding classroom practice toward wellbeing and inclusion. The ethos supports individual students and their world and encourages responsibility and freedom within a pluralistic framework, fostering personal growth and social awareness.	Social & emotional learning Daily PSHE sessions address social and emotional development; regular wellness sessions support mental health for students and staff; an extensive pastoral network includes tutors, pastoral leads, listening mentors and a peer-support programme.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The Department of Psychopedagogy and Guidance produces reports on student progress for teachers and families; it puts procedures in place for the detection and diagnosis of learning difficulties; it supports pupils with high educational abilities. In compulsory secondary education (ESO) and baccalaureate, it provides advice regarding university and international training options.	Special educational needs (SEN) Two SEND Coordinators, Laia Boix (EYFS & Primary) and Alba Rosas (Secondary & IB); two SEND Teaching Assistants; Wave-based provision (Wave 1: quality-first teaching; Wave 2: targeted small-group/individual interventions; Wave 3: personalised long-term support); inclusive access arrangements for assessments in line with JCQ and IB; an intervention teacher in the primary school coordinates Wave 2 with support from the secondary librarian; Parent involvement through IEPs and reviews.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Full English-language immersion. Trilingual Spanish/English/Catalan education. In boarding, the two predominant languages heard are Spanish and English, providing language immersion and bilingual/intercultural exposure.	English as an additional language The school recognises that English as an Additional Language learners may show learning difficulties not related to SEND; a careful assessment approach distinguishes EAL-related language needs from SEND, with a graduated approach to language and learning support across the curriculum.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing SEK-Catalunya places importance on physical and mental health as part of its values. In the Boarding context, there is a Psycho-Pedagogical, Emotional and Social Focus, with staff trained to provide emotional support and a school psychologist as part of the Psycho-Pedagogical Department.	Mental wellbeing Well-being is integrated with safeguarding. Daily PSHE sessions support social and emotional development; regular wellness sessions are available for students and staff; a comprehensive pastoral network provides mental health and wellbeing support.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Boarding adheres to the school policy on Safeguarding of Young People / Child Protection; admitted students are subject to safeguarding policies. The Internal Regulations promote a calm, trusting, and empathetic environment for the SEK community.	Safeguarding The school has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL. The DSL coordinates safeguarding and wellbeing, manages referrals to local authorities and relevant agencies; staff receive safeguarding and anti-discrimination training; online safety policies and procedures are in place.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview SEK-Catalunya is located in the Els Tremolencs residential estate in La Garriga, Barcelona, about 30 minutes from Barcelona and at the foot of Montseny Nature Park. The campus sits in quiet, secure surroundings with 30,000 m2 of buildings spread across 100,000 m2 of grounds, and a woodland area at the rear used as an extension of the classroom. It features intelligent classrooms and a dedicated science floor with physics, chemistry and natural sciences laboratories, plus a specialist library and a central exhibition space. A MakerSpace and robotics classrooms support project-based learning, alongside age-specific libraries for Nursery to Primary and for Secondary students. An Art Space hosts the Trinity College London Primary Musical Programme, with a Music School floor, instrument classrooms and a concert hall.	Facilities overview The British College of Gave0 sits on a large, green campus set among pine trees and gardens. The premises are modern and spacious, equipped with the latest teaching technology to support learning. The school is fully enclosed on campus for safety, with separate areas for Early Years, Primary and Secondary education. Core facilities include three science laboratories, a large sports hall and a multi-purpose auditorium, complemented by outdoor playing fields and dedicated learning spaces such as Forest School.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities SEK-Catalunya has a full range of sports facilities on campus. It includes a heated, covered swimming pool and a sports centre with a multi-sports court for basketball, indoor football, artistic skating, hockey on skates and a climbing wall. There are open-air pitches and courts for basketball, handball, hockey on skates, football, padel and volleyball, plus covered facilities for taekwondo, ballet, modern dance, fitness and psychomotor activities. A woodland area supports outdoor activities such as hiking, cross country, slacklining, orienteering, abseiling, lateral climbing or bouldering, zip wires and rope bridges.	Sports facilities Outdoor 3G football field is surrounded by pine trees, with a volleyball area and basketball courts available for use during breaks and lessons. The campus also features a dedicated Forest School area for the younger students, integrating outdoor learning with physical activity. A fully equipped indoor sports hall and gym support a wide range of team sports and fitness activities. The facilities are used for internal sports sessions and can be shared with other international schools for competitions.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Intelligent classrooms provide the latest technology and teaching resources. A dedicated sciences floor includes two physics, chemistry and natural sciences laboratories, two classrooms, a specialist library and a central exhibition space. MakerSpace and robotics classrooms enable hands-on creation and programming. Libraries serve Nursery, Preschool and Primary as well as Secondary students. New Technologies include virtual environments, iPads, netbooks and a 3D printer; from Primary Year 6, Bring Your Own Device with charging lockers and a portal for applications. An Art Space supports Trinity College London's Primary Musical Programme, with a Music School floor and instrument classrooms and a concert hall.	Academic facilities Secondary buildings are dedicated to the upper school and provide facilities for IGCSE and IB programs. Two large IT classrooms are fully equipped with iMacs. Google Classroom and Google Suite support digital learning and access to coursework anywhere. Three purpose-built science laboratories—physics, chemistry and biology—are modern, bright, spacious and aligned with safety standards. Classrooms are large, bright, and well ventilated, with high-definition interactive displays and the tools teachers and students need.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities An Art Space supports the Trinity College London Primary Musical Programme and a Music School floor with instrument classrooms and a concert hall. The woodland and nature spaces underpin outdoor and interdisciplinary activities, while extensive sports facilities support a broad sports program and outdoor adventure activities.	Extra curricular facilities Music facilities include instruments, practice rooms, performance opportunities and music clubs. Drama and Dance programs promote performances inside and outside the classroom, including musicals, plays, assemblies and recitals. Forest School activities for younger learners connect in-class work with outdoor nature. An e-Athletes programme provides flexibility in scheduling to integrate sport and academics. These offerings complement the core curriculum and contribute to a broad range of extracurricular activities on campus.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History SEK International School Catalunya was founded in 1995 as a private trilingual school (Catalan-Spanish-English) located in the Els Tremolencs estate in La Garriga, Barcelona; it offers international boarding on campus. It is part of SEK Education Group, which has over 130 years of teaching experience and nine schools worldwide. It is the only school in Catalonia accredited to teach all three International Baccalaureate Organisation programmes—the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP)—alongside the Spanish national curriculum. The SEK Group is rooted in a hundred-year family tradition of freedom and autonomy, free from religious, political or financial ties, and develops education through its own unique system and resources. Camilo José Cela University was established in 2000 to foster teaching, research and innovation.	History The British College of Gavà was founded in September 2015. It forms part of Inspired Education Group. The school provides a British education for pupils from Nursery to Year 13. The official inauguration of the new building was planned for January 2020.
Community	Community SEK-Catalunya is a private IB World School with a diverse community of cultures and nationalities who live, study, and call it home. Outdoor learning is central to the learning day, and the school offers numerous extracurricular and cultural activities to support all-round development. Activities include football, golf, horse-riding, and piano, as well as visits to museums and historic sites to connect with local culture. This immersive experience helps students develop as global citizens.	Community The British College of Gavà occupies a large, green campus just 20 minutes from Barcelona, with pine surroundings and modern, spacious facilities. Forest School allows the youngest children to combine in-class activities with nature. The auditorium is a multi-purpose venue used for assemblies, guest lectures, student presentations, and musical and theatre performances. Three science laboratories, a dedicated sports hall, and a dining hall support a broad on-campus experience.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school provides a wide range of complementary activities designed to develop the individual personality and interests. Students can join the Debate Club and participate in MUN events, and there is an academic stay to NASA in Houston to broaden learning in science, technology and mathematics. Maker Space offers programming, robotics, multimedia design and 3D printing, with augmented reality. SEK-Catalunya is accredited to offer the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.	Academic & intellectual The Diploma Programme is rigorous and broad for students from 16 to 18 years of age. The Diploma Programme curriculum allows students to thrive holistically and develop breadth and depth of knowledge. The Diploma programme requires academic competence, commitment and resilience while encouraging caring action in the community and the pursuit of extracurricular activities. At BCG, students have the choice of a wide range of subjects, including the arts, and the Diploma Programme core includes TOK (Theory of Knowledge), CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and Extended Essay; The ESD project forms an integral part of the CAS programme, and the Duke of Edinburgh award is also featured.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Artistic activities include a School of Music linked to the Trinity College London, a drama group, and opportunities in arts, dance and photography. Students can unleash creativity through theatre, visual arts and performance. The School of Music provides linked programmes with Trinity College London.	Arts & creative The Auditorium is a multi-purpose venue used to host assemblies, guest lectures, student presentations, as well as musical and theatre performances. Music is offered with access to instruments, practice rooms, performance opportunities and different music clubs. Drama and dance are promoted through full-scale musicals, plays, class productions, assemblies, monologue competitions and poetry recitals.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language SEK-Catalunya is a multilingual school, teaching through English, Catalan and Spanish. 70% of the curriculum is delivered through English, with 15% in Catalan and 15% in Spanish. From year 5, students can study a fourth language: French or German. Exchanges are available with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and the United States.	Cultural & language The language of instruction at the British College of Gavà is English. Languages taught include English, Spanish, Catalan and French, with English as the language of instruction and additional language provision supported by language clubs and projects. There is an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme; a Russian-speaking teacher supports English language acquisition; multilingual staff and the Young Interpreters initiative assist new families. The school's language policy confirms English as the language of instruction across year groups, with ongoing language development and multiple pathways for language learning.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Cultural and recreational activities include outings to cinema, theatre and museums, cultural visits in Barcelona, and themed days at the boarding house. The programme also includes routes to other towns and cities and outings to sporting events. A broad extracurricular offering includes sports, arts, and cultural activities.	Social & hobbies Music, drama and dance programs provide a range of performance opportunities and clubs for students. The e-Athletes programme supports flexible scheduling so students can balance academics with sport and gaming commitments, integrated with the regular school day.
Community & service	Community & service Complementary activities are designed to care for the individual personality development. The learning goals include social commitment and service learning.	Community & service The IB Diploma Programme includes CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), with students participating in a variety of activities and completing a community project under supervision. The ESD project forms an integral part of CAS and supports sustainable development goals. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is also featured as part of the CAS programme.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Learning Adventures programme emphasizes leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Debate and public speaking are supported through the Debate Club and MUN events, offering opportunities to develop communication and leadership abilities.	Leadership & professional CAS fosters leadership through Creativity, Activity and Service, including community projects and awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh. The e-Athletes programme includes a Programme Coordinator to help integrate students into normal school life and support their professional and personal development.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports activities on and off school grounds include swimming, football, padel tennis, basketball and volleyball, with additional outdoor options such as skiing, water sports and hiking. The boarding house is located in Montseny Natural Park, providing access to outdoor sports and nearby cultural and coastal activities in Barcelona. Mental and physical well-being is a core learning goal.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus sits on a very large site among pines, just 20 minutes from Barcelona city, with safety features including a completely closed premises. The campus features a three-lache of science laboratories, a magnificent sports hall and a multi-purpose auditorium for physical and artistic activities. There are outdoor facilities including a 3G football field, volleyball and basketball courts, and play areas; the dining hall menus follow nutritional recommendations and the Mediterranean Diet, adapting to health requirements and allergies.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Languages of instruction are English, Spanish and Catalan; additional languages offered are French and German from Year 5. The school provides International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP, MYP and DP) alongside the Spanish national curriculum.	Language provision English is the language of instruction across the curriculum. Spanish is compulsory for all students up to Year 12; Catalan is compulsory for Spanish native students, while non-native learners follow English-based courses; French is taught as a second language. Three English Language Pathways are available in Years 10–11: Pathway 1 English Language iGCSE and English Literature iGCSE; Pathway 2 English as a Second Language iGCSE and English Literature iGCSE; Pathway 3 English as a Second Language iGCSE. EAL support is provided for non-native English speakers, including assessment and tailored learning plans. All non-language subjects are taught in English. The school offers extra-curricular language clubs and Teach the Teacher initiatives to promote multilingualism.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school offers trilingual education in English, Spanish and Catalan. From year 5 of Primary, a fourth language (French or German) can be studied.	Bilingual teaching English is the language of instruction across the curriculum. Spanish is compulsory for all students up to Year 12; Catalan is compulsory for Spanish native students, while non-native learners follow English-based courses. French is taught as a second language. The school also runs language clubs to promote multilingualism.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs The curriculum is delivered primarily in English, with 70% of the curriculum taught in English, and 15% in Catalan and 15% in Spanish.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations NEASC accreditation; CIS membership	Accreditations IB World School since 2021; authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career-related Programme (CP); language of instruction listed as English and Spanish on IB information page.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions STEP 1: Request information via the web, email or telephone. This initial contact helps the admissions team understand your child's profile and family needs. Limited places apply, so early inquiry is advised. You will receive information on available programmes and entry requirements. STEP 2: If you like, arrange a visit to the school with the admissions department. Visits provide an opportunity to meet the admissions team and see the facilities. You can ask questions about the programmes and the admissions timeline. Availability of visit slots may vary. STEP 3: Arrange interview and entrance test. The admission and documentation process is conducted through MY SEK Admissions. When applying for the admission test, essential information is required to create access to the platform. The Admissions Committee will review the information and schedule the next steps. STEP 4: Documentation upload and final decision. Tutors receive login credentials to provide and upload the necessary documents according to the stage. Documents must be uploaded before attending the interview. Required documents include identity documents for both parents and student, birth certificate, and progress reports; additional documents may apply per academic cycle. The final decision is issued by the Admissions Committee.	Admissions Submit an Inquiry: Complete the form at the bottom of the page so our admissions team can contact you. Schedule a Visit or Call: Book a visit to our campus or schedule a call with our team to learn more about our school and get your questions answered. Assessment and Requirements: Students from Year 4 onwards will be invited to English and CAT4 assessment at BCG; a non-refundable €30 admissions assessment fee applies. Secondary students will also need a reference letter from their current/previous school. Admission Confirmation: If the results are what is expected, your child's place will be reserved upon payment of the admission and matriculation fees. Enrollment Process: We will send further instructions to start submitting all required documents and complete the enrolment process.
Scholarships	Scholarships SEK Scholarships include multiple programs through the Felipe Segovia Foundation. SEK Excellence Scholarships provide 50% of the cost of SEK university baccalaureate education (IB or other Baccalaureate) over two years at SEK schools, including Catalunya Barcelona. SEK Scholarships for Sports Performance recognise student-athletes who represent their school in competitions, while SEK Scholarships for Sporting Talent reward high levels of sporting and academic achievement. Maria de Villotta Scholarship for Personal Effort supports a student to study at SEK schools; Felipe Segovia Award to Best SEK Student recognises outstanding scholars. Scholarships are awarded by a Scholarship Committee based on academic merit, portfolio and other criteria; documentation includes academic records, personal portfolios, and letters of recommendation; decisions and timelines are published by SEK Education Group's scholarship program.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Waiting List: If no place is available, parents may place their child's name on the waiting list for the school. The school cannot guarantee when a place may become available. There is no appeal process for admission to the school. The decision of the principal is final.
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