St. Patrick's International School vs The Olive Tree School

	S St. Patrick's International School Barcelona, Spain	T The Olive Tree School Barcelona, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €9,905 - 10,425	Fees / year €9,300 - 13,600
Age range	Age range 0 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 16 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 198	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size 16	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2010
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location C/ Major, 37-39, Sant Joan Despí, 08970 Barcelona.	Location Carrer les Modistes 8, Sant Pere de Ribes, 08812 Barcelona
Stages	Stages Pre-Nursery & Early Years; Primary; Secondary education	Stages Nursery & Reception (Saplings); Primary School; Secondary School; ages 3–16
School type	School type British School	School type British international school following the British Curriculum; NABSS-regulated
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Pupils come from 30 nationalities; English is the common language
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Inclusive SEND policy; SEND specialists and classroom teachers ensure needs are understood and met; SENCo leads provision, coordinating universal and targeted support and PPPs; staff training and family involvement.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United Kingdom	Country affiliation United Kingdom affiliation; British International School following the British Curriculum; NABSS-regulated
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Not religious	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Inscription (application) fees - Pre-Nursery: EUR 450. - Early Years and Primary: EUR 2,500. Tuition (published by school stage) - Pre‑Nursery / Early Years Foundation Stage / Primary: EUR 845 per month. - Secondary: EUR 910 per month. - Swimming (Primary): EUR 38 per month. Annual and recurring mandatory charges - Annual reservation fee: EUR 350 per year. - Medical insurance: EUR 175 per year. - Accident insurance: EUR 375 per year. Book / materials (annual) - Year 1: EUR 175 per year. - Years 2–4: EUR 215 per year. - Years 5–6: EUR 240 per year. - Secondary: EUR 425 per year. Uniform and typical uniform item prices (examples) - Pre‑Nursery smock: EUR 25; summer shorts: EUR 20; winter tracksuit: EUR 45. - Primary backpack: EUR 40; smock: EUR 35; winter jacket: EUR 65. - Secondary formal shirt: EUR 50; jumper/jersey: EUR 55; winter jacket: EUR 69. What the monthly tuition covers - The published monthly fee includes breakfast, lunch and snack; school supplies; one‑day excursions; psychology service; digital platform; language and co‑curricular lessons (Chinese, piano, dance, yoga, mindfulness, Spanish, Catalan, French); and curricular subjects according to the British Council. Per‑term and per‑year equivalents (calculated example) - The school publishes tuition as a monthly amount. The following per‑term and per‑year figures are calculated examples based on a 10‑month billing period (September–June) and a three‑term academic year; these per‑term and per‑year figures are derived from the school's published monthly fees by simple arithmetic and are shown here for budgeting purposes only. (This calculation method uses the typical Spanish school-year rhythm of classes running from September to June.) - Pre‑Nursery / EYFS / Primary (published EUR 845 per month): - Example annual (calculated) = EUR 845 × 10 = EUR 8,450 per year. - Example per term (calculated) = EUR 8,450 ÷ 3 = EUR 2,816.67 per term. - Secondary (published EUR 910 per month): - Example annual (calculated) = EUR 910 × 10 = EUR 9,100 per year. - Example per term (calculated) = EUR 9,100 ÷ 3 = EUR 3,033.33 per term. - Swimming (Primary) (published EUR 38 per month): - Example annual (calculated) = EUR 38 × 10 = EUR 380 per year. - Example per term (calculated) = EUR 380 ÷ 3 = EUR 126.67 per term. Boarding - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published; boarding is not listed as an offered service. Refunds and cancellations - No published refund or fee‑cancellation policy for tuition, inscription, reservation, insurance or other fees is available on the school's published fee pages. Parents should note that no explicit refund information is provided in the published fee schedule. Billing schedule and payment terms (published details and notes) - Tuition is presented on the school's pages as a monthly charge by stage and as specific annual charges for reservation and insurance; the school also lists an annual reservation fee and annual insurance/accident charges. No full termly billing schedule (dates for invoice due‑dates, instalment options or late‑payment penalties) is published with the fee amounts. Fee payment options - The published fee pages do not specify accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, direct debit, online payment services, etc.). No payment‑method details are published alongside the fee schedule. Summary for parents (concise) - Inscription: Pre‑Nursery EUR 450; Early Years & Primary EUR 2,500. Monthly tuition: Primary stages EUR 845/month; Secondary EUR 910/month. Annual reservation and insurance charges apply (reservation EUR 350; medical EUR 175; accident EUR 375). Book packs and uniform items are additional and itemised on the school's uniform and book lists. No boarding fees, no published refund policy, and no published payment‑method details are shown in the school's public fee pages.	Fee details Registration & Admissions Fees - Registration fee: €2,830 payable on admission for pupils entering above Nursery/Reception; this fee is paid once and is non-returnable. - Reduced registration fee for a second child: €1,830. - Waiting-list fee: €300 per child to join the waiting list; this fee is non-refundable and is deducted from the registration fee if the child subsequently registers. Tuition fees (annual amounts by year group) - Nursery (age 3): €9,300 per year. - Reception (age 4): €9,300 per year. - Year 1 (age 5): €11,900 per year. - Year 2 (age 6): €11,900 per year. - Year 3 (age 7): €11,900 per year. - Year 4 (age 8): €11,900 per year. - Year 5 (age 9): €11,900 per year. - Year 6 (age 10): €11,900 per year. - Year 7 (age 11): €13,100 per year. - Year 8 (age 12): €13,100 per year. - Year 9 (age 13): €13,100 per year. - Year 10 (age 14): €13,600 per year. - Year 11 (age 15): €13,600 per year. (Annual tuition figures as published for the current school fees schedule). Sibling discounts - A 30% discount in tuition is applied for a third child and any subsequent children from the same family. Billing schedule and payment terms - The public fee materials list annual tuition amounts and registration/ waiting-list fees but do not publish a detailed billing schedule (for example: per-term invoice amounts, instalment deadlines, required deposits, or late-payment penalties). The school requires payment of the registration fee to secure a place. Boarding - Boarding fees: Not applicable. No boarding programme or boarding fees are listed in the school's publicly published admissions and fees materials; the school operates as a day school for ages 3–16. Other costs and regular extras - School lunches: Contracted school lunch price is €8.95 per day when taken every weekday of the month; occasional daily lunches are priced at €9.95 per day. - Uniform, books, learning resources, exam fees, extracurricular clubs, individual music tuition, transportation, or other optional charges are not itemised in the published annual-fee graphic. Specific optional-cost items and their prices are not publicly listed. Refund information - Registration fee and waiting-list fee are explicitly stated as non-returnable/non-refundable. No public, detailed tuition-refund scale (for withdrawal part-way through the year, prorated refunds, or exceptional refunds) is published in the fee materials. Fee payment options - The school's publicly available fee pages and admissions information do not specify accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit/debit card, direct debit) or invoicing methods. The registration fee is required to secure a place. Brief summary of missing or unspecified items (for clarity) - The published materials provide annual tuition amounts by year group, registration and waiting-list fees, sibling discount and lunch prices, but they do not publish: a full per-term breakdown or instalment schedule; payment deadlines or late-payment penalties; accepted payment methods; a detailed list of additional compulsory fees (uniform, learning resources, exam or activity fees) or their prices; nor a formal, detailed tuition-refund schedule for mid-year withdrawal. These items were not located in the school's publicly posted fees and admissions pages.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has uniforms for Pre-Nursery, Early Years, Primary and Secondary. Formal school black shoes are mandatory; trainers are not allowed except on PE days.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options A healthy menu designed by a nutritionist uses high-quality, locally sourced and ecological products. Summer and Winter menus are published.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Regulated and authorised by The British Council via NABSS.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details St. Patrick's International School follows the British Curriculum. It offers Pre-Nursery & Early Years (0–3 and 3–5 years), Primary (6–12 years), and Secondary (13–18 years), with Secondary education in process under an International Bachelor program. The Pre-Nursery & Early Years program is multilingual. The school emphasizes English-language immersion, aiming for total immersion in English while engaging with international programs.	Curriculum details The Olive Tree School offers pupil-centred learning for 3-16 year olds. Montessori- and Waldorf-inspired pedagogy places thinking, exploration and creative problem solving at the heart of learning; the curriculum sits alongside the British framework, with pupils taking UK GCSE assessments at age 16. The Olive Tree School is a Pearson Edexcel GCSE centre. Class sizes are small, about 20 pupils, and the total pupil roll is around 200.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes around 20 pupils. The school has about 200 pupils.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results GCSE results show strong progress across 2015-2025. 64% of pupils achieved grade 7 or above across all subjects and 94% achieved grade 5-6 or above. In English, 67% achieved grade 7+ and 100% achieved grade 4+; in Maths, 82% achieved grade 7+ and 100% achieved grade 4+; in Science, 43% achieved grade 7+ and 99% achieved grade 4+.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
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 The school is described as a family, with a cozy and stimulating environment where close relationships with children are fostered and families are invited to participate in their child's educational journey. All children are happy, well attended, and feel committed to the school's values within a family environment. The British Council has accepted St Patrick's International School as a British school, and the school follows the guidelines of the British government related to curriculum, regulations and internal organisation.	Social & emotional learning Welfare is a priority for pupils aged 11–16. A trusted tutor supports each pupil with a consistent daily tutor, and mentoring occurs every two weeks in a safe, private space. There is an open-door policy with the three heads for emotional support, and a school psychologist is available for private sessions when beneficial. A PSHE programme runs weekly to address identity, relationships, safety, health, and related topics. The school also offers a Girls' Talk Club for 11–16 year olds and an LGBTQ+ Club to explore gender, equality, and related issues.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The Olive Tree School has an inclusive SEND policy with SEND specialists and classroom teachers who ensure that every child's needs are understood and met, aiming for each child to reach their full potential. The school has named SENCo leaders in primary and secondary, external SEND training for staff, and a structured approach (assessment, planning, provision, review) to identify and support pupils with SEND, with regular liaison with families. SEND staff include dedicated specialists and a Speech and Language Therapist, and there is a formal process for monitoring and adjusting provision.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school teaches in English with total immersion.	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school provides a cozy and stimulating environment that fosters close relationships with students and engages families in their child's educational journey. Children are supported to be happy and feel valued within a family setting.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is supported through a robust welfare framework: a dedicated tutor for each pupil, regular mentoring, and an open-door policy with senior leaders. A school psychologist provides additional professional support, and PSHE is designed to create a safe space for discussion of health, relationships, and life choices. The welfare and mentoring programmes reinforce emotional and social development alongside academics.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding A designated safeguarding lead is in place, with safeguarding and pupil welfare embedded in the school's support structures. The SEND policy and welfare provisions include regular family liaison (at least every half-term) and ongoing staff training on SEND and safeguarding-related practices to ensure pupils are supported in a safe, inclusive environment.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is housed in a renovated Catalan masía (Can Trias de Bes) in Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona, serving Pre-Nursery through Secondary. It sits in a natural environment with a large garden and outdoor area for activities that support creativity and social-emotional development. The main building has been renovated to a cozy, modern atmosphere, and classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. A large area for sports and multiple outdoor learning spaces are available on campus.	Facilities overview The Olive Tree School has a Science lab, an ICT room, a busy Art studio, two peaceful libraries, a vibrant Music room, outdoor classrooms, two vegetable plots, and a theatre. Four upright pianos are placed around the school for pupils to enjoy playing. A 1000 square metre sports hall provides indoor space for physical education and sport. The school was founded in 2010 and moved to its current premises in 2012, and it now educates around 200 pupils in small, family-feel classes of about 20.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities A large area for sports supports a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, enabling students to participate in diverse sports.	Sports facilities A 1000 square metre sports hall provides indoor space for physical education and sport.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Classrooms are equipped with the latest technology. The school follows a British educational system. There is an ALN (Additional Learning Needs) department and an English Additional Learning department to support students with special educational needs.	Academic facilities The school has a Science lab, an ICT room, a busy Art studio, two libraries and a theatre to support academic work. It follows the British Curriculum as a British International school and offers iGCSE exams at age 16. English is the language of instruction, with pupils from around 30 nationalities.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Lunch Clubs during the day and After School activities in the afternoons, along with a wide range of other extracurricular activities.	Extra curricular facilities Each class performs a Shakespeare production in the theatre and a termly Theme Day explores a single theme across disciplines. There are half-termly trips to the coastline, Roman and prehistoric sites, local festivals and arts venues in the city. Book Club involves reading and discussing a novel with classmates. Science Week features visiting speakers, workshops and a pupil-led Science Fair. Arts Week celebrates the arts with visiting artists, pupil productions, workshops and visits to Barcelona, followed by recitals and Summer/Winter Concerts.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Gemma Izquierdo is the Head and Founder of St. Patrick's International School. She states that five years ago she pursued her dream and founded the school to provide total immersion in English in Barcelona. The school offers activities such as yoga, piano, Chinese, cooking, mindfulness, Montessori, dance, weekly reading and writing, and music to support the development of each child. The school emphasizes developing each child's potential within a multilingual setting.	History The Olive Tree School was founded in 2010 in a small house to provide warm, personalised teaching and creative, high-quality learning. The school moved to its current premises in 2012 and now has around 200 pupils. The original aims are kept: small, family-feel classes of about 20 pupils and close, trusting bonds with adults. The education is pupil-centred, drawing on Montessori and Waldorf-inspired approaches that encourage thinking, exploration and learning in nature.
Community	Community Family involvement is central to the school's community. Daily routines are shared with families via a private internal platform; the school also organizes open days, conferences and workshops to support parents, and assemblies and certificates promote emotional intelligence and core values. At least one personalized annual meeting is offered with each family, along with a September welcome meeting, two annual progress reports for each child, and access to psychological support if needed.	Community The Olive Tree School provides a framework of School Life that supports pupil welfare and enrichment, including a Pupil Welfare program and a Pupil Enrichment Programme. After-School Clubs, Inspiring Speakers, and a Calendar of events are part of school life, fostering a connected community. The school also emphasizes open communication with families through ongoing activities and opportunities to participate in learning through its calendar and events.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association Family Learning Forums invite families to regular workshops and talks on practical ways to support your child's education. Last year, topics included helping your child become an independent learner; anxiety in adolescence and how to pre-empt it; your child's online life; fostering a love of reading; the child-centred approach between ages 3-6; and how to help your child with primary mathematics. Open Classrooms invite families into their child's classroom once a month to see their work. Twice a year, Open Forum events give families the chance to set the agenda for a round table with the headteachers and school owners. Parents can use the Open Door Policy to talk with a headteacher about any aspect of their child's learning or welfare. The Events Committee is a group of parent volunteers who plan a calendar of social events enjoyed by the school community, such as an International Food Fair, a Christmas Fair, a Spring Book Fair and a Summer Garden Party.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Multiple intelligences are developed to enhance creativity and initiative. English immersion and multilingual education support language development and cognitive growth. The school follows the British curriculum guidelines to deliver a global education. Best international learning programs are selected to optimize each child's potential.	Academic & intellectual Primary Pupil Enrichment Programme runs on Wednesday afternoons and includes Forest School in the woods, swimming with trained instructors, and cultural trips and workshops in Barcelona (Picasso Museum, Miró Foundation, Science Museum, the port, Botanical Gardens and historic districts). Students also participate in Making a Difference charity activities, an annual drama production in the theatre with costumes and music, and an overnight trip to a farm or place of natural interest. The Secondary Enrichment Programme extends learning beyond the curriculum with topics such as Ancient Civilizations, Antarctica, NASA space exploration, and World Religions, and it includes a Shakespeare production in the theatre each year. It also features a Book Club, Model United Nations, Science Week and Arts Week, and concludes with Summer and Winter Concerts.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The Primary program includes piano, swimming, dance, yoga, Chinese, German or French, mindfulness, and cooking. After-school activities include Drama and Art as well as language options in German and French. All extracurricular activities are in English except languages.	Arts & creative Arts and performing arts are central to The Olive Tree School's culture. An annual drama production in the theatre with costumes and music and termly instrument recitals are complemented by Summer and Winter Concerts. After-School Clubs include Junior and Senior Musical Theatre with full productions, and LAMDA acting examinations. Piano, guitar, drums and other instrumental lessons are available; there is a vibrant Music room with multiple upright pianos.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school is multilingual with total English immersion. English, Spanish, Catalan and French are taught, with German and French available as after-school languages. From the Pre-Nursery stage multilingual development is a core aim through international teaching methods.	Cultural & language Primary enrichment includes cultural trips and workshops in Barcelona such as the Picasso Museum, Miró Foundation, Science Museum, the port, Botanical Gardens and historic districts. A Shakespeare production in the theatre takes place each year for secondary students. Secondary enrichment also includes a termly Theme Day, a Book Club and Model United Nations. LAMDA (London Academy graded examinations in Acting) is offered as part of After-School Clubs.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school is family oriented, fostering close relationships with children and actively involving families. The day‑to‑day program emphasizes independence, collaboration, and personal, social and emotional development through Golden Rules and Assemblies with Certificates. Families participate in school life.	Social & hobbies After-School Clubs cover sport, arts and crafts, and performance. Primary Football and Primary Volleyball and Secondary Football/Volleyball are available, along with Secondary Basketball. Taekwondo has run for more than 10 years, with grading day. Contemporary Dance, Coding, Sewing, Junior and Senior Musical Theatre and instrumental lessons (piano, guitar, drums) are also offered.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Making a Difference is a charity-focused activity within the Primary Enrichment Programme. The Events Committee coordinates community service projects and cultural festivals to engage families and the wider community.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Students are encouraged to be creative, curious and independent thinkers who can work effectively alone and in teams. The school aims to develop personal, social and emotional growth and to prepare pupils for future global communities, supported by assemblies with certificates. Values include empathy, creativity, discovery, diversity, initiative and motivation to learn.	Leadership & professional Model United Nations provides a platform for pupils to engage in mock diplomacy; Debating Club is offered as an After-School Club. LAMDA offers graded acting examinations. Inspiring Speakers brings professionals from various fields to talk with pupils about careers and pivotal experiences.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical education supports gross motor and mental growth through sport. Mindfulness and yoga are integrated into the program to promote wellbeing. After-school activities include football and other options that contribute to students' health and well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Forest School sessions are led by a trained Forest School Instructor. Swimming is offered as part of Primary Enrichment. There are Primary Football, Secondary Football, Primary Volleyball, Secondary Volleyball and Secondary Basketball clubs. Taekwondo has run for over 10 years with grading. Contemporary Dance and instrumental lessons support physical and creative wellbeing.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Languages taught include English, Spanish, Catalan and French. Additional languages offered at the school include Chinese and German. English is the language of instruction in Pre-Nursery & Early Years through immersion, and English language and literature are taught in Secondary.	Language provision English, Spanish and Catalan are taught. The school follows the UK GCSE system and is an authorised Pearson Edexcel exam centre.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school provides English immersion in Pre-Nursery & Early Years. It is multilingual in Primary, with English, Spanish and Catalan, and other languages offered at school. In Secondary, English, Spanish, Catalan and French are taught as subjects within the British Curriculum.	Bilingual teaching The Olive Tree School teaches in English, Spanish and Catalan.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Total English immersion is provided in Pre-Nursery & Early Years. The Primary program supports multilingual development with English, Spanish, Catalan and other languages offered at school. In Secondary, English is studied alongside other languages such as Spanish, Catalan and French.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards null	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations The British Council recognizes the school as a British school, and it follows guidelines set by the British government for curriculum, regulations and internal organization.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Express interest and initiate the admissions process: Families contact the admissions department to express interest in joining The Olive Tree School. Admissions staff pass the family's details to one of the four headteachers to arrange a visit and discuss the child's profile, including educational history and any needs. Previous school reports for the past two years and any educational psychologist's reports are requested to inform the assessment. The school provides English education for ages 3–16 and teaches the British National Curriculum. 2. Documentation review and language/SEND assessment: The headteachers consider the previous reports and any additional documentation provided by the family. They evaluate the child's level of English and any special educational needs. The process takes into account the child's age, educational history, and language needs. There is no formal exam or entry test. 3. Two-day taster and family visit: If the headteachers believe the school may meet the pupil's needs, a two-day taster visit is offered for the child in the classroom. The family is provided with a tour of the school and a meeting with a headteacher. The aim is for the class teachers to further evaluate the child's suitability to join the class and the school. The process ensures the family can experience the environment before a decision is made. 4. Two further taster days and pre-trial form: The two taster days take place; Parents complete a ‘pre-trial' form before or on the first day. Observations are made by the teacher and passed to the headteacher. The headteacher makes a decision regarding the child's admission. 5. Communicating the decision: The admission decision is communicated by the admissions department. If admission is denied, the family is given clear reasons why the school cannot meet the child's needs. The headteachers may offer detailed guidance in finding a more suitable school. 6. Registration and waiting list option: If admitted, the family is guided through the administrative process; registration forms are completed and the matriculation fee paid. If there are no spaces in the desired year group, the child may be added to a waiting list. 7. 8-week evaluation after joining: After joining, the pupil's progress is monitored for eight weeks. Any concerns are relayed to the headteachers and the SENCo, with transparent communication to the family. If no concerns arise, the child remains on the school roll. 8. Monitoring and potential withdrawal if concerns persist: If initial concerns arise, targets are set and monitored from weeks 2–4. By Week 8, headteachers decide whether the child can continue at The Olive Tree or whether the place should be withdrawn under the registration terms. If withdrawal is decided, the school offers support and guidance in finding an alternative school.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Joining the waiting list is possible when there are no spaces in the relevant class. Joining the waiting list does not guarantee a place for September 2026. The fee to join the waiting list is 300€ per child and is non-refundable; if you subsequently register your child with us, the fee is discounted from the registration fee. Places are allocated strictly in chronological order from the date the child entered the waiting list. From 1 April 2026, places that become available are assigned to waiting list children strictly in chronological order from their waiting list entry date.
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