The Ark Christian School vs The British College of Benalmádena

	T The Ark Christian School Malaga, Spain	T The British College of Benalmádena Malaga, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €4,545 - 9,005	Fees / year €4,000 - 7,000
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 International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Catholic Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 350	Pupils 805
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Spanish
Opened	Opened 2009	Opened 2000
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Calle Río Darro, 1, 29651 Las Lagunas de Mijas, Málaga, Spain. The Ark Christian School serves students aged 3–18 and operates in the Fuengirola area on the Costa del Sol.	Location Urb. Torremuelle, Paseo del Genil s/n, 29630 Benalmádena Costa, Málaga, Spain
Stages	Stages Early Years; Primary; Secondary; A-Levels	Stages Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception; Primary School; Secondary School; AS/A Level
School type	School type British international school; independent, charitable (non-profit) organisation	School type British international school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Over 40 nationalities represented; the largest groups are Spanish and British
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Highly personalised, targeted interventions and adjustments in learning objectives coordinated by the special educational needs coordinator
Country affiliation	Country affiliation British	Country affiliation British and Spanish
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Christian	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Primary: 9:00am–3:00pm (Mon–Fri); Secondary: 9:00am–4:00pm (Mon–Fri)	School day structure School day starts at 09:00 and ends at 16:00. Infants, Primary and Secondary have a 20-minute break from 10:30 to 10:50. Nursery and Reception have lunch from 12:00 to 13:00 and a break until 13:30. Primary lunch is from 13:05 to 14:05. Secondary lunch is from 13:45 to 14:30. Secondary is divided into eight 45-minute periods; after-school activities and support lessons are offered daily.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details The school has a bus service with two routes: Las Chapas – Torremuelle and Guadalmar – Torremuelle; pick-up and drop-off times/points are published for each school year
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Registration / Application Fees - Non‑refundable registration fee for a new student: EUR 500.00. - Registration fee for renewal: EUR 295.00. - If registration for Year 10 or Year 12 is completed after the first term, the registration fee is increased by EUR 400.00. Tuition fees by year group (annual and monthly breakdown) - Pre‑reception and Reception: Annual fee EUR 4,545.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 454.50. - Years 1 and 2: Annual fee EUR 4,829.20 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 482.92. - Years 3 and 4: Annual fee EUR 5,446.70 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 544.67. - Years 5 and 6: Annual fee EUR 5,820.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 582.00. - Years 7, 8 and 9: Annual fee EUR 7,003.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 700.30. - Year 10: Annual fee EUR 7,850.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 785.00. - Year 11: Annual fee EUR 8,829.00 — billed as 9 monthly payments of EUR 981.00 (special billing period applies). - Year 12: Annual fee EUR 8,883.50 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 888.35. - Year 13: Annual fee EUR 9,005.40 — billed as 9 monthly payments of EUR 1,000.60 (special billing period applies). Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing: school fees are payable monthly, due before the 10th of each month. - Standard billing period runs from September to June. - Exception for Year 11 and Year 13: fees are billed from September to May (9 months). - Receipts are issued between the 1st and the 10th of each month. - On acceptance a deposit of EUR 1,000.00 is required. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school (no boarding provision); no boarding fees apply. Other costs and routine extras - Early morning care (08:30–09:00): EUR 3.00 per day or EUR 45.00 per month. - After‑school club (15:00–16:00): EUR 6.00 per day or EUR 72.00 per month. - Examination fees for Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 are charged separately and are payable in January of the year the examinations are taken. - Textbooks and materials are included in the published school fees. Discounts that affect fees - Sibling discount: 5% for the second child; 50% for the third child; 50% for the fourth child. - Full‑year payment discount: a percentage discount is applied if the full year is paid by the specified early‑payment deadline (discount deadlines and rates apply; check billing communications for the current deadline). Deposit and refund information - The acceptance deposit is EUR 1,000.00. - The deposit will be refunded when a student leaves after Year 11, Year 12 or Year 13 provided all fees have been paid in full. - The deposit will be refunded when a student leaves earlier if a full term's notice has been given and all fees have been paid in full. - If a student leaves without having given one term's notice, the deposit is forfeited. - If fees are in arrears when a student leaves, the deposit will be used to cover arrears and any remaining balance will be returned. - If the full year's fees are paid in advance and the student leaves early, the pre‑paid months are not refundable. - The registration fee is non‑refundable. Fee payment options and related terms - Payments can be made by bank transfer or by credit/debit card. - Receipts are issued monthly (between the 1st and 10th). - When paying by bank transfer, the student's full name must be provided and the payment concept specified. - The school reserves the right to withhold admission, notes, reports, or student records until financial obligations are met.	Fee details Application / registration fees - The school does not publish a stated, public one‑time application or enrolment fee for the current academic year. External Costa del Sol school guides report that a one‑time registration/enrolment fee for similar British international schools typically ranges from approximately EUR 100 to EUR 2,000 (amounts vary by school). Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑term guidance) - The British College of Benalmádena does not publish a year‑by‑year, per‑term fee schedule that is publicly available for the current academic year. The following figures are market estimates from independent guides for this school and comparable British international schools on the Costa del Sol; they are presented as estimated annual tuition ranges by stage (not official published school figures): - Early Years / Nursery & Reception (Pre‑Nursery to Reception): approximately EUR 4,000 – EUR 9,000 per year. - Primary (Years 1–6): approximately EUR 6,000 – EUR 11,000 per year. - Secondary (Years 7–11 / Sixth Form Years 12–13): approximately EUR 7,000 – EUR 15,000+ per year depending on year group and programme. - Per‑term or per‑installment amounts are not published by the school. As a practical guide, if a school bills termly, expect roughly one‑third of the annual figure per term; if billed in 10 monthly instalments, expect roughly one‑tenth per month. Some regional school practices (examples from comparable British schools) include 10 monthly instalments or termly billing and discounts for a single annual payment. These are common regional billing patterns rather than the British College's published policy. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's publicly accessible pages do not include a detailed billing schedule or formal payment terms for tuition (due dates, penalties, sibling discounts, etc.). Market guides indicate common local practice is annual, termly or multi‑instalment billing with a one‑time enrolment/matriculation payment in many schools; specific terms for this school are not publicly published. Boarding fees - The British College of Benalmádena operates as a day school; there is no published boarding provision or boarding fee schedule. Other costs and typical additional fees - Uniforms: Uniform items are mandatory and can be purchased at the school; no public price list is published for uniform items. - Lunch / catering: School lunch is compulsory for Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3; the school operates an in‑house catering service, but per‑pupil lunch pricing is not published. - School bus: The school runs bus routes (detailed routes/times are published), but bus fares / seasonal rates are not published on the site. - Extracurricular activities and clubs: The school offers extracurricular programmes; some activities may carry additional charges but specific prices are not publicly listed. - Examination and external assessment fees: External exam boards (IGCSE, A‑Level) typically charge per exam; exam fees for candidates are common at British international schools though the school's public pages do not list the amounts. Refund information - The school does not publish a public refund policy or a detailed statement of refund conditions for enrolment, tuition or ancillary charges in its publicly visible information. Regional practice for comparable schools commonly treats certain one‑time enrolment/matriculation fees as non‑refundable, but no specific published refund rules for this school were found. Fee payment options - The school's public pages do not list accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit/debit card, direct debit). Contact details are published for direct enquiry (telephone and email) for admissions and accounts, but explicit payment method options are not posted. Brief summary of availability and reliability of the figures provided - A complete, itemised, year‑by‑year and per‑term fee schedule for the current academic year is not published in the school's publicly available materials. The tuition ranges above are independent market estimates from Costa del Sol and international school guides and should be treated as indicative rather than official school rates. Key operational items (uniform purchase at school, compulsory early‑years lunch, school bus service and day‑school status) are stated by the school in its public pages.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Boys: Checked trousers up to year 1, grey trousers from year 2 onwards, beige long-sleeved shirt or polo shirt in hot weather, green V‑neck jumper, winter coat, tie, green socks, and black shoes. Girls: Checked skirt with straps up to year 1, beige long-sleeved shirt or polo shirt in hot weather, green V‑neck jumper, winter coat, tie, green socks or tights, and black flat shoes. PE kit: White T‑shirt with red and green details, green shorts or tracksuit, green socks, and white trainers. All items can be purchased at school.
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school provides a three‑course lunch cooked fresh daily in the school kitchen and served in the dining hall. Menus are planned following the Diet Therapy guidelines of the University of Navarra and are supervised by AENOR. The cafeteria also offers sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Pupils may bring their own packed lunch, except for Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 where school lunch is compulsory.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Established in 2009 by the Ark Christian Church, The Ark Christian School is an independent, charitable (non-profit) organization with its own statutes and finances. The school is governed by a Board of four members who attend the Ark Church; the Headteacher works closely with the Board.	Governance and ownership Family owned.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details British National Curriculum for ages 3-18, leading to IGCSE and A Level examinations; British and Spanish Curriculum.	Curriculum details The British College of Benalme1dena follows the Cambridge curriculum pathway. After being awarded the IGCSE certificate, students undertake a two-year AS/A Level course leading to Cambridge GCE Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level examinations. A broad range of AS/A Level subjects is offered, including English Language, English Literature, History, Geography, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, Biology, Spanish, Physics, French, Chemistry, Art and Design, Business Studies, Physical Education, Travel & Tourism, Music, Information Technology, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Digital Media and Design, and Economics. The senior pathway combines IGCSE preparation in the secondary years with progression to A Levels in the Sixth Form. The curriculum is delivered across Pre-Nursery to Primary and Secondary School levels, culminating in Cambridge qualifications at AS/A Level.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IGCSE results 2025 show 97 students sat IGCSEs, with 78% achieving A–C grades; First language English achieved 97% A–C; Co-ordinated Sciences 92% A/A/B; Extended Mathematics 98% A–C; Additional Mathematics 100% A/B; History 99% A–C; Art and Design 99% A–C; French 100% A–C. AS/A Level results 2025: 96 students sat four AS/A Level examinations; 97% of students passed all subjects; Mathematics 100% pass rate; Further Mathematics 99% A*; Chemistry 100% pass; Physics 100% pass; Biology 99% pass; History 100% pass; Art and Design 100% A/B.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have access to universities in the United Kingdom, Spain, and globally. Students typically choose four A Level subjects and must pass at least three to gain direct access to Spanish public universities. In the United Kingdom, admissions follow the UCAS points system. The school assists with university entry, including EVAU-related registration through UNEDasiss in Malaga.	Higher education progression In 2023/2024, 100% of Year 13 students gained places at universities for entry at the start of the 2024/2025 academic year. Graduates attend a range of universities including the University of Westminster, IE University (Madrid), University of Granada, University of Manchester, and others listed on the school's progression page.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented The curriculum develops each child's individual talents.	Gifted and talented Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards celebrate high achievement by our students; Cambridge Examination Board information shows that each year some students achieve Top in Spain or Top in the World for IGCSE, AS and A Level. Notable examples include Top in Spain for Cambridge A Level Business Studies (June 2025) and Top in the World for Cambridge IGCSE Foreign Language Mandarin Chinese (June 2024). The school credits students and teachers for these achievements, reflecting the school 0s commitment to high attainment.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning Respect for the individual, a love of learning, and a caring environment where students feel valued and learn to love and respect others.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Support is provided through highly personalised, targeted interventions, with adjustments to learning objectives coordinated by the special educational needs coordinator.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language Education is delivered in English and the curriculum is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing A psychology department is run by a clinical psychologist to support student wellbeing; PSHE is a high-profile part of the curriculum, encouraging responsible and respectful behaviour.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The Ark Christian School's ethos is based on Christian principles and endeavours to help each child learn to respect themselves and others; while the ethos is Christian, doors are open to all children.	Safeguarding Safeguarding policies and procedures are thorough and a high priority for all staff; there is a fully equipped infirmary and a full-time doctor on site; staff working with younger pupils have high awareness of child protection issues; a guardian angels system provides help and support for new pupils.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Modern classrooms are equipped with large interactive whiteboards. The school has three science laboratories with the latest technical devices, a big gymnasium, a music room, and an art room. Primary and Secondary libraries are on site, along with three fully-networked computer resource centres. There is a totally equipped infirmary and a concert and drama hall. The campus includes seven play areas with sports facilities, the main one being a large, shaded park with a multi-sports area.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The campus has seven play areas with sports facilities across age groups. The main park is large and shaded and includes a multi-sports area.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Three science laboratories are equipped with the latest devices. There are three fully-networked computer resource centres with the latest computing equipment. Classrooms feature large interactive whiteboards. The school also has a music room and an art room. An infirmary is on site, and there is a concert and drama hall.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Ark Christian School hosts the Instituto Canzion music school whose teachers provide music lessons for our students and direct our choir.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The Ark Christian School was established by the Ark Christian Church in 2009. The church still embraces the school, which worships in the church buildings on Sundays, but the school has its own statutes and operates as an independent, charitable (non-profit) organisation with independent finances. The school is governed by a Board of four members who all attend the Ark Church, and the Headteacher works closely with the Board and attends monthly meetings. The school is located in Las Lagunas de Mijas, Málaga, and teaches the British National Curriculum for children aged 3-18, leading to IGCSE and A Level examinations.	History Established in September 2000, The British College of Benalmádena is family-owned. It is housed in a purpose-built building in Torremuelle on the coast of Benalmádena. The school has grown to about 805 pupils aged 1–18 and represents more than 40 nationalities, with the largest groups being Spanish and British.
Community	Community The Ark Christian School is described as 'The British School Where Values Matter' and is guided by Christian principles. It presents itself as a welcoming second home where students are secure, respected, and important as individuals and as part of the school community. The school follows a constructivist approach to learning, with active and collaborative learning between teachers and students. The school hosts the Instituto Canzion music school whose teachers provide music lessons for students and direct the choir.	Community The British College of Benalmádena fosters a diverse and inclusive school community. It aims to create a happy and caring learning environment, where diversity is celebrated and an understanding of difference is promoted. Pupils are encouraged to become confident, knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and responsible adults who can contribute to modern society, with empathy for diverse cultures and a passion for learning. Parents participate in school life through assemblies and events, such as Our carnival party and La Chandeleur, and attend foundation and primary assemblies.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The Ark Christian School teaches the British National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and 2. The curriculum is broad and cross-curricular, with active learning and opportunities to create and think critically. Students follow the English National Curriculum leading to IGCSE and A Level examinations for older students. The school serves children from 3 to 18 years old.	Academic & intellectual Following the British Curriculum alongside the Spanish Curriculum, The British College of Benalme1dena delivers Cambridge IGCSEs and GCE AS/A Levels, with Spanish Language and Literature, Geography and History taught in Spanish. This dual qualification pathway enables access to universities in Britain, Spain, the United States or elsewhere, with direct access to Spanish universities for those choosing Spain. From Year 7, a second language is introduced and students can opt for French. The average class size is around 20 pupils, and the pupil-to-staff ratio is about 13:1 to 14:1, enabling tailored support.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school hosts the Instituto Canzion music school, whose teachers provide music lessons for students and direct the choir. Music is taught as an Additional Subject. Art is taught as part of the curriculum alongside other arts subjects.	Arts & creative Extra-curricular activities include singing in the choir, music lessons, ballet, drama club and art club, with IT club and homework club among other options. A range of arts opportunities is provided to enrich creative development beyond lessons. The theatre is featured through theatre trips and related events as part of the enrichment programme.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Spanish language is studied as part of the curriculum; the school is a British school that enriches its program by studying the Spanish language. Spanish Literacy is taught as a core subject. The British and Spanish Curriculum is described as being enriched by studying the Spanish language.	Cultural & language From Year 7, a second language is introduced and students can opt for French. French cultural activities, such as La Chandeleur, are part of school life.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies PSHE is taught as an Additional Subject, supporting students' social and emotional development. The Primary curriculum emphasizes cross-curricular topics and active learning that foster collaboration and personal development. The curriculum also highlights English and Spanish language study as part of a broader educational approach.	Social & hobbies Every weekday, from Monday to Friday, between 4 and 5 p.m., Nursery to Year 13 pupils may join a wide range of after-school activities, including choir, music, ballet, IT club, art club, homework club, chess club and drama club.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service PSHE is given a high profile and pupils have opportunities to develop confidence; assemblies celebrate learning and support character development. The school has participated in Save the Children activities and Ukraine relief efforts, acting as an ambassador in Spain for Save the Children and raising funds and purchasing medical equipment for Ukraine.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Head girl and head boy, their deputies and prefects actively organise events such as the Christmas concert and the summer fair. A Sixth Form career advisor team provides assistance with university applications and career guidance. Leadership development is also fostered through experiential trips, such as the Sierra Nevada trip that encourages leadership and camaraderie.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Christian values permeate the whole school experience, including respect, equality, compassion, thankfulness, justice and forgiveness. As a charitable non-profit organization, the school balances its finances with a focus on providing education and welfare for students. The ethos emphasizes character development, helping each child learn to respect themselves and others.	Lifestyle & wellbeing PSHE forms an integral part of the curriculum at all levels, promoting personal, social and health development. Healthy eating and physical exercise are emphasised, and safeguarding policies are thorough. The campus includes a full-time doctor, an infirmary, and a guardian angels system to help new pupils feel at home.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English and Spanish are taught as part of a British and Spanish curriculum.	Language provision Spanish Language and Literature, Geography and History are taught in Spanish. From Year 7, an additional language is introduced and students may opt to study French. The curriculum follows the British Curriculum, leading to Cambridge IGCSEs and GCE AS and A Levels, while Spanish-language subjects contribute to the Spanish Certificate of Secondary Education and Spanish Baccalaureate.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The Ark Christian School offers a bilingual program with British and Spanish curricula.	Bilingual teaching The school uses a dual British-Spanish curriculum. Subjects from the British Curriculum are taught, while Spanish Language and Literature, Geography and History are taught in Spanish. From Year 7, an additional language is introduced and students can opt for French.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Fall 2025/2026 applications are now open. Registration can be completed by calling the school office to make an appointment, or through the school's web page. If you request a place online, fill in the corresponding form. The school will contact you after receiving your request. 2. To register a student, the father/mother/guardian must make an appointment with the principal and come accompanied by the child. This is listed as part of the admissions process. The appointment takes place at the school to begin the registration. You will receive further instructions after the appointment. 3. Depending on the year you are requesting a place for, the student might need to sit an entrance examination. The entrance exam is noted in the admissions information. Exams may be described as part of the entry requirements for certain cohorts.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →