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San Anton School

Malta, Mgarr

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 1 - 16 years
Pupil numbers 1300
Type Co-educational
Opened 1988
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

San Anton School is an independent, co-educational Maltese school for ages 1–16, located at Mgarr. Founded in 1988 by the Parents Foundation for Education, it occupies its Imselliet campus. The school offers a bespoke curriculum from nursery to the senior sector, built around 21st-century learning skills. The Junior Sector uses the Learning Outcome Framework with differentiated learning and enquiry-led approaches, and Performing Arts productions are part of the junior experience. In the Senior Sector, a broad range of subjects is offered, with small class sizes and a favourable staff–student ratio that supports individual progress. Pastoral care is Catholic-inspired, with career guidance and preparation for higher education. The campus includes 22 tumoli of grounds with wheelchair accessibility, four ICT laboratories, seven science laboratories, art rooms, a library, a chapel, two dance studios, and a 735m2 multipurpose hall. The San Anton Sports Complex provides sport facilities, and an Outdoor Education Area completed in 2025.

San Anton School, L-Imselliet, l/o Zebbiegħ, MGR 2850, Mgarr, Malta

The Essentials

San Anton School has 1,300 pupils, instruction in English.

Location

Located in Malta's rural heart, in the tranquil valley of Imselliet. The campus sits on 22 tumoli of striking grounds near the rural village of Mgarr. The address is L-Imselliet, l/o Zebbiegħ, Mgarr 2850, Malta.

Stages

Day Care; Early Years Experience; Junior Sector; Senior Sector

Type

Independent, co-educational, mixed-ability school

Additional learning support

The Diverse Learning Team provides inclusion for all children with a statement of support. The team includes Diverse Learning Coordinators, Learning Support Educators, an Educational Psychologist, and a Diverse Learning Officer. An Individualised Education Programme (IEP) is created and monitored, with transition plans to support progression between sectors.

Country affiliation

Malta

School day structure

Early morning supervision is offered 07:30–08:30. Kinder 1 to Pre-Grade run 08:30–12:30; Grades 2–7 run 08:30–14:30; Senior Sector runs 08:30–15:00. An optional 12:30–14:30 afternoon programme is available, with an optional extracurricular programme from 15:00.
Diving Deeper

Food Options

The school has an in-house canteen and a tuck shop on site.

House System

The school runs a house system with colours; students wear house-colour t-shirts for house activities. Blue House won the Colours Cup in 2023-2024.

Governance and Ownership

The school is a non-profit foundation. The School Board is elected by the parents/guardians and the employees. The Parents Foundation For Education finances the school.
Fees
Application fees

- No specific non‑refundable application or registration fee amount for the 2026/27 scholastic year is published by the school; a detailed, itemised application fee figure is not publicly available.
- At registration there is a Parents' Foundation for Education (PFE) contribution that is payable by contributors/parents; this PFE contribution is handled under the Foundation's Contribution Rules and may be refundable only under the terms and timetable determined by the Foundation.

Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year)

- The school does not publish an itemised tuition fee schedule (by year group or per term) for the 2026/27 scholastic year in its publicly accessible information; therefore specific per‑term or per‑year tuition figures by year group cannot be provided.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- No published, detailed billing schedule (dates for invoice issuance, due dates for term payments, or late‑payment penalties) is available in the school's public materials for 2026/27. Parents should note that formal billing and contractual payment terms are managed by the school and the Parents' Foundation in accordance with their internal rules.

Boarding fees

- San Anton School operates as a day school (day care through senior sector) and does not list boarding provision or boarding fees; there are no published boarding fee categories.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- Uniforms: School uniforms are sold through the school's designated uniform supplier and are available to purchase online or in‑store. Specific uniform item prices are set by the supplier and are not published as a consolidated school fee; expect separate payment to the uniform vendor.
- Textbooks and learning materials: Textbooks are available via an external bookseller link promoted by the school; the cost of textbooks and classroom materials is charged separately and varies by year group and subject.
- Transport: School transport, when used, is often arranged through third‑party transport providers and billed separately from school tuition; transport provider charges vary and are not included in the school's unpublished tuition schedule.
- Extra‑curricular activities, school trips, examination fees or special programme costs may be charged in addition to tuition; no consolidated published list of these extra charges is available.

Refund information

- Refunds of the Parents' Foundation for Education contribution are governed by the Foundation's Contribution Rules (including rules and any resolutions determining refund timing and method). Refunds of this PFE contribution are not automatic on withdrawal; they are processed under the terms and timetable set by the Foundation. No school‑published refundable‑deposit amounts or a standard tuition refund policy (for partial terms, early withdrawal, or similar) is publicly available.

Fee payment options

- The school's public materials do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, bank transfer, direct debit or cash) for tuition and other charges. Parents should expect standard institutional payment channels to be administered by the school's accounts office. Contact or accounts channels are the normal route to arrange or confirm payment methods and schedules.

Brief summary of findings and limitation

- A detailed, itemised fee schedule for the 2026/27 academic year (application fees, per‑term tuition by year group, billing dates, and formal payment terms) is not published in the school's publicly available documentation; the Parents' Foundation for Education contribution and its refund rules are documented, uniforms and textbooks are available via specified suppliers, and the school operates as a day school. Because per‑term and per‑year tuition figures and a formal billing schedule for 2026/27 are not publicly available, specific numeric fee amounts by year group cannot be provided here.
Academics

San Anton School teaches Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 1 to 16.

Curriculum

The school has a broad and balanced curriculum across nursery to senior sector, built around 21st-century learning skills. The Junior Sector's academic programme is based on the Learning Outcome Framework and international curricula, with differentiated learning and enquiry-based approaches; Performing Arts productions are part of the Junior Sector experience. In the Senior Sector, a broad range of subjects is offered, with small class sizes and a favourable staff-student ratio that supports individual progress. Pastoral care is Catholic-inspired, and the school provides career guidance and prepares students for further education. The overall approach prepares learners for higher education and responsible citizenship.

Student Teacher Ratio

Small class sizes with a favourable staff-student ratio.

Higher Education Progression

Senior Sector provides career guidance and prepares students for further education.

Gifted and Talented

Diverse Learning program; learning is differentiated to access the curriculum.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school has an Emotional Wellbeing Team, a multi-disciplinary group that supports psycho-social needs. It includes counsellors, a family psychotherapist, a youth worker and PSCD teachers, who deliver classroom input and one-to-one therapy as needed. Regular talks and activities related to personal and career growth are organised for students and parents, and the team holds regular meetings with families to develop holistic care plans. The team's work is guided by the San Anton School Child Safeguarding Policy and related policies.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The Diverse Learning Team supports inclusion for all students with a statement of support. The team comprises Diverse Learning Coordinators, an Administrator, Learning Support Educators, class support LSEs, an Educational Psychologist, the Diverse Learning Officer and Heads of Departments. They work to ensure students participate in the school community and receive support to reach their maximum potential academically, socially and emotionally. Collaboration with parents/guardians is emphasised, with regular progress feedback and open dialogue. An Individualised Education Programme (IEP) is created for each student, monitored and updated; transition plans exist to ensure smooth progression between sectors. The Educational Psychologist conducts psycho-educational assessments in-house to develop a holistic profile and coordinates accommodations and services as needed in partnership with parents and external professionals.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school uses a bilingual approach.

Mental Wellbeing

The Emotional Wellbeing Team supports students' mental health and wellbeing. It is a multi-disciplinary team including counsellors, a family psychotherapist, a youth worker and PSCD teachers, delivering in-class support and one-to-one therapy as needed. Regular talks and activities related to personal growth are organised for students and parents, and staff meet regularly to monitor trends and adjust support. Regular parent meetings help implement holistic care plans for students requiring additional support.

Safeguarding

San Anton School has a Child Safeguarding Policy that informs the team's work and guides the care and safeguarding of students.
Parent Experience

History

San Anton School opened its doors in 1988 at Villa San Anton in Attard, Malta, when a group of forward-thinking parents formed a non-profit school that placed the child at the centre of learning. Within two years it moved to the current, purpose-built premises in Imselliet. The school originated as the original school of the Parents Foundation for Education. The Parents Foundation for Education was established in the mid-1980s by a group of parents to create an independent school financed by the collective effort of the parents. The notarial deed establishing the Foundation was published on 2 July 1988.

Community

Located in Malta's rural heart, in the tranquil valley of Imselliet on 22 tumoli of grounds, San Anton School offers a countryside environment that supports inspired learning. It is independent, co-educational and mixed-ability, educating over 1,300 students aged 3 to 16 from Pre-Grade through to the end of compulsory education. The school combines a broad-based curriculum with a bilingual approach and a mix of traditional and progressive pedagogies. The San Anton School Community Social Engagement Programme brings the school community together to give back to society, with annual charitable initiatives and projects such as Paint a Better Picture, a collaboration with Din l-Art Ħelwa to restore a historic 15th-century panel painting of St Anthony Abbot at the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Valletta; students learn from professional art conservators and community leaders, gaining insights into the art world while protecting Malta's artistic heritage.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The School Board is elected by the parents of legal guardians of the children attending the School as well as the employees. The current Board includes parent members and a teacher representative. The School originated with the Parents Foundation for Education, a parent-led initiative to finance and establish the school. The notarial deed establishing the Foundation was published on 2 July 1988. The Parents Foundation For Education was formed in the mid-1980s by parents to create an independent school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The school sits on 22 tumoli of grounds in Imselliet with full wheelchair accessibility and two lifts. Indoor facilities include well-appointed classrooms with interactive screens, Pre-Grade classrooms with adjoining ensuite facilities, tutorial rooms, four ICT laboratories, seven science laboratories, an industrial science preparation room, three art rooms, a library with computer workstations, a chapel, an indoor gymnastics gymnasium with air track and Olympic equipment, two dance studios with mirrored walls and Harlequin sprung flooring, a 735m2 multipurpose hall used for indoor sports and performing arts, a Home Economics Food Lab, a Health & Social Care Room, a multisensory room, a Board Room, a Tuck Shop, a Nursing Clinic and an indoor multi-level car park. Outdoors include a nature area with a garigue, a pond, wooden pathways and a conservatory; a new outdoor education area completed in 2025; a day-care turfed picnic area shaded by mature Carob trees; two large outdoor recreational areas with rubber surfacing; and a volleyball court. The San Anton Sports Complex (5394m2) features three 5-a-side pitches with artificial turf, a short turf pitch, a four-lane 200m athletics track, an amphitheatre, shaded picnic areas and an outdoor car park.

Sports Facilities

The San Anton Sports Complex spans 5394m2 and includes three 5-a-side pitches with artificial turf and a short turf pitch. A four-lane, 200m athletics track is on site. A 983m2 volleyball court and two large outdoor recreation areas with rubber surfacing support a range of sports and activities. Inside, there is an indoor gymnastics gymnasium with air track and Olympic-style equipment, and a 735m2 multipurpose hall used for indoor sports as well as performing arts, plus two dance studios with mirrored walls and Harlequin sprung flooring.

Academic Facilities

Indoor facilities include well-appointed classrooms with interactive screens, Pre-Grade classrooms with adjoining ensuite facilities and tutorial rooms. Four Computer and Information Technology Laboratories and seven science laboratories, plus an industrial science preparation room, support STEM and other disciplines. Three Art Rooms, a Library with computer workstations, a Chapel, and a Performing Arts studio, along with two dance studios, provide spaces for creative work. A Home Economics Food Lab, a Health & Social Care Room, a Multisensory Room, a Board Room, a Tuck Shop, a Nursing Clinic and an indoor multi-level car park complete the on-campus academic environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Beyond the Classroom offers a varied extra-curricular programme outside school hours. Programmes and clubs include Multi Sports, Football, Athletics, Pickleball, Martial Arts, Stagecoach, Gymnastics, Ballet, Yoga, Art, Science Investigation Club, Cooking Club, Spanish, Mandarin, Computer Coding and STEM activities. The San Anton Summer Club provides after-school sports activities and supervised excursions. The programme helps students explore new interests, develop skills and form friendships beyond the regular curriculum.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

San Anton School provides quality education through a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes each student's unique abilities and a holistic formation that builds character and safeguards wellbeing. The curriculum is designed around 21st‑century learning skills, helping students develop resilience, creative and critical thinking, social responsibility, and cultural, global, and environmental awareness. The learning journey runs from nursery through the senior sector, with the aim of preparing learners to be active, responsible citizens of the modern world. Outdoor Education extends Numeracy, Literacy, Science, Music, and Movement into outdoor settings, and a dedicated Outdoor Education Area of about 5500 square metres was completed in 2025.

Arts & Creative

The Expressive Arts include Visual Arts and Performing Arts, with a focus on igniting imagination and unlocking creative potential. Visual Arts exposes students to diverse techniques and artists, complemented by regular trips to museums and exhibitions for inspiration. Performing Arts showcases range from concerts and demonstrations to musicals and productions, highlighting drama, music, and dance. Gallery spaces for Visual Arts and Performing Arts display student work and projects.

Cultural & Language

L-Isfida Msella is a Maltese-language reading challenge that began in 2021, created by the head of the school. Participants read Maltese-language books from a age-appropriate list, covering varied stories and genres to appeal to all tastes, with an accompanying project for each book. The final stage requires writing a 500‑word novella inspired by a chosen book, and Maltese authors are invited to edit the stories before publication in a locally published volume. Participants who complete L-Isfida Msella receive a copy of the book, a commemorative medal, and a voucher. Spanish and Mandarin language clubs are also offered as part of the extra-curricular programme.

Social & Hobbies

An extensive extra-curricular programme provides opportunities to explore new interests, build confidence and friendships outside school hours. Programmes and clubs include Multi Sports, Football, Athletics, Pickleball, Martial Arts, Stagecoach, Gymnastics, Ballet, Yoga, Art, Science Investigation Club, Cooking Club, Spanish, Mandarin, Computer Coding, and STEM activities. Optional overseas trips are organised annually for Senior Sector students to broaden learning through real-life experiences. These activities complement classroom learning and contribute to a well-rounded school experience.

Community & Service

The San Anton School Community Social Engagement Programme promotes social‑emotional learning, empathy and social responsibility through annual charitable initiatives. This year's programme, Paint a Better Picture, collaborates with Din l‑Art Ħelwa to restore a 15th‑century panel painting of St Anthony Abbot in Valletta, exposing students to professional conservation practice and Malta's artistic heritage. Students learn from art conservators and community leaders, gaining insights into the art world while contributing to heritage protection for future generations.

Leadership & Professional

The Student Council provides students with opportunities to take on leadership roles, promote the voice of the student body, solve problems, and make an impact in the community. The council supports both Junior and Senior Sector members, with roles including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Events Organiser, as shown by current Student Council members and leaders. The school also runs the Sports Career Development Programme (SCDP), designed to support highly proficient or potential athletes by integrating sport with the academic curriculum and offering certification (MQF levels 1–3) and a multi-year pathway. These leadership and career development initiatives foster teamwork, representation, and broader professional growth within the school community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The Emotional Wellbeing Team, a multidisciplinary group of counsellors, a family psychotherapist, a youth worker and PSCD teachers, provides one-to-one sessions, in-class support, and regular talks for personal and career growth. The team follows a Child Safeguarding Policy and related procedures to guide care and therapeutic work, with ongoing parent communication to support holistic student wellbeing. The school's Physical Education programme, aligned with a broad sporting calendar, aims to develop a lifelong healthy lifestyle by exposing students to a variety of disciplines and promoting physical and social wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision

English is used in communications with international applicants. Placement tests in admissions include English and Maltese, and international applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English. The bilingual approach indicates a dual-language emphasis within the school context.

Bilingual Teaching

The school has a bilingual approach.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis and are subject to availability within the relevant entry level. Children may be registered after birth for entry into Pre-Grade (equivalent to KG1), which is the compulsory start of schooling at San Anton School. If capacity is reached within the relevant entry level, applicants are placed on a waiting list. Siblings of registered children have a guaranteed place if they are registered by not later than three months from the end of the year in which the siblings were born, as per the Parents Foundation for Education Contribution Rules. Parents must inform the Head of Admissions if their child suffers from any condition, learning difficulty or disability and consequently have any particular needs; they should collaborate fully and in a timely manner with the School and follow the professional recommendations regarding their child's educational interest and wellbeing.

Waitlist

A waiting list is used when capacity is reached at the relevant entry level; the Enrolments team manages the list and places vacancies as they arise to offer places to applicants on the list.
School Events
The school has not added events