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Aspire International School

Portugal, Algarve

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €7,055 - 13,995
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, German
Typical class size 12
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Aspire International School Algarve is an independent international school for ages 3 to 18, delivering a British-style curriculum throughout the school. In the Early Years, AIS Algarve follows the Early Years Foundation Stage with Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception, and provides weekly Portuguese language exposure alongside Jolly Phonics for literacy. Primary education follows the English National Curriculum, with small class sizes and specialist teachers in Art, ICT, PE, Performing Arts and Music, plus English as an Additional Language support. The Secondary programme follows the British National Curriculum from Key Stage 3 through iGCSEs and A levels, with iGCSEs taught to Pearson Edexcel and A levels offered with Edexcel accreditation. The curriculum includes PSHE and Mindfulness and a balanced programme of sports, arts and clubs. The campus between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago features outdoor areas, a cap of 12 per class, with Portuguese language integrated through Portuguese Push.

R. Manuel Teixeira Gomes, 8135-106 Almancil, Portugal

The Essentials

Aspire International School has typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.

Location
Located at Rua Manuel Teixeira Gomes, 8135-106 Almancil, Algarve, Portugal. Aspire International School Algarve sits between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago in the Algarve. The campus serves an international community with programmes from Preschool to A level.

Stages
Preschool ages 3 to 5; Primary ages 5 to 11; Secondary ages 11 to 14; GCSE/iGCSE ages 14 to 16; A level ages 16 to 18

Type
Independent international school
Diving Deeper

House System
The school uses a house system with inter-house events. An example is the Inter-House Cross Country.

Governance and Ownership
The school is independent. It is led by School Director Ian Bailey.
Fees

Annual tuition at Aspire International School ranges from EUR 7,055 to EUR 13,995 for 2026/27.

Application / Joining Fees

- Joining (administration) fee: EUR 195 + IVA.
- Non-refundable deposit to secure a place: EUR 600 per child (deducted from fees as EUR 200 per term or EUR 60 per month over 10 months / EUR 75 per month over 8 months). The deposit is non-refundable.

Tuition fees by year group (amounts shown are annual, with termly and monthly instalment options)

- Preschool (Ages 3–5): Annual EUR 7,055 — Termly EUR 2,422 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 748 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 748.
- Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2): Annual EUR 8,230 — Termly EUR 2,826 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 872 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 872.
- Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6): Annual EUR 9,950 — Termly EUR 3,416 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 1,055 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 1,055.
- Key Stage 3 (Years 7–8): Annual EUR 12,500 — Termly EUR 4,292 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 1,325 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 1,325.
- Key Stage 4 (Years 9–10): Annual EUR 13,995 — Termly EUR 4,805 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 1,483 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 1,483.
- Key Stage 4 (Year 11): Annual EUR 13,995 — Termly EUR 4,805 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 1,854 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 1,854.
- Key Stage 5 (Year 12): Annual EUR 14,995 — Termly EUR 5,148 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 1,589 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 1,589.
- Key Stage 5 (Year 13): Annual EUR 14,995 — Termly EUR 5,148 — Monthly (10 months) EUR 1,987 — Monthly (8 months) EUR 1,987.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Early-bird discount: 5% discount on the annual fee if paid in full before 31 March 2026.
- Termly payment dates (three instalments for the academic year shown): 1st instalment due 1–10 September 2026; 2nd instalment due 2–10 January 2027; 3rd instalment due 3–10 April 2027. Termly payments are subject to 3% interest on the base price.
- Monthly instalments: two offered schedules — 10 monthly instalments or 8 monthly instalments. Payments over 10 months are due by the 10th of each month starting 10 August and are subject to 6% interest on the base price. Payments over 8 months are due by the 10th of each month starting 10 August and are subject to 4% interest on the base price. All payment instalments must be paid by the stated due dates.
- Late payment penalties: EUR 50 flat penalty plus 0.5% per month on overdue accounts.

Sibling and other discounts

- Sibling discount: first sibling receives a 5% discount; second and subsequent siblings receive a 10% discount.

Boarding fees

- No boarding fees are published in the schools published fee schedule; the fee schedule lists only day-school tuition and associated administration/deposit charges.

Other costs and additional fees

- The published fee schedule includes the joining administration fee and deposit described above and does not itemise charges for stationery, exam entries, excursions, or extra-curricular club fees within the main tuition table. Separate downloadable documents for uniform and lunch menus are provided as distinct items alongside the fee schedule. Parents should note that uniform and lunch arrangements are handled as separate items in the schools documentation.

Refund information

- The enrolment deposit (EUR 600 per child) is explicitly non-refundable. No other refund terms are detailed within the published fee schedule document.

Fee payment options

- The published fee schedule sets instalment options and dates but does not list specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer, direct debit or credit/debit card) within the fee schedule PDF. Payment method details are provided separately to families as part of the schools enrolment and invoicing process.

Sanctions and administration

- No re-enrolment fees are charged. Late-payment penalties and monthly interest on instalment plans apply as stated above. Sibling discounts apply as noted.
Academics

Aspire International School teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
AIS Algarve follows the British National Curriculum across all year groups. Preschool uses the Early Years Foundation Stage with Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception, weekly Portuguese language exposure, and Jolly Phonics for early literacy. Primary education is based on the English National Curriculum, with a weekly Portuguese language focus, small class sizes, and specialist teachers in Art, ICT, PE, Performing Arts and Music, plus EAL support. The Secondary programme follows the British National Curriculum, guiding students from Key Stage 3 through IGCSEs and A levels, with core subjects including English, Maths, Science and Humanities; preparation for iGCSEs is provided toward Year 9. GCSE/IGCSE and A level offerings are described on dedicated pages; AIS GCSE uses Pearson Edexcel, and A levels are offered with Edexcel accreditation. The curriculum emphasizes PSHE and Mindfulness and includes a balanced programme of sports, arts, and clubs.

Student Teacher Ratio
The school has small class sizes and personalised attention, with teachers able to mentor each student.

Higher Education Progression
The school prepares students for higher education with university preparation support and careers guidance; it aims to help students gain entry to top universities worldwide through its IGCSE and A level pathways.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Student wellbeing is central to AIS. Pastoral care is a core part of school life, with staff providing guidance and support to help students feel safe and valued. The school supports new students to settle in, helping them build friendships and feel comfortable in their learning environment.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
AIS supports students with a range of learning needs, with teachers working closely with families to identify appropriate strategies and provide tailored support; additional support can be provided to help students progress.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the main language of instruction; additional language support is available where needed, particularly in the early years. AIS offers instruction in English and Portuguese, with additional modern languages available. Speech and language therapy and EAL support are provided where needed.

Mental Wellbeing
Student wellbeing is central; pastoral care supports students' mental, social, and emotional development, with staff available to speak with students about concerns and to promote a safe, respectful environment.

Safeguarding
Pastoral care and wellbeing policies promote a safe environment, with clear procedures to address concerns about behaviour or bullying; bullying is not accepted and is addressed promptly.
Parent Experience

Community
The Aspire International School Algarve hosts a range of community events that engage families and the local Algarve community. Recent events include a Wonderful Community Day with a family market (June 15, 2025), a Preloved Family Market (June 14, 2025), a World Children's Day community walk in Almancil (June 1, 2025), a Coastal Clean-Up in Vale do Lobo (May 20, 2025), and an Aspire Beach Clean-Up (May 20, 2025). Other activities include AIS Spring Fair 2025 – Full Schedule (March 28, 2025) and Spring Fair 2025 – Let's Make It Bloom! (March 21, 2025), and a Multicultural Fair (A Reflection on Our Incredible Multicultural Fair, November 8, 2024).

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has an active PTFA (Parent, Teacher & Friends Association) and the PTFA fosters meaningful connections between staff, students, and families.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Aspire International School Algarve has spacious outdoor areas and purpose-built classrooms. Modern facilities support every stage of a student's journey. AIS emphasises small class sizes, with a maximum of 12 students per class to enable individualized attention. The campus is located between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago in the Algarve, Portugal.

Sports Facilities
The school has a swimming pool used for summer camp activities. The curriculum includes Physical Education as a specialist subject.

Academic Facilities
The school follows a broad British curriculum, with iGCSEs and A levels supported by Pearson Edexcel accreditation. Aspire provides specialist instruction in Art, ICT, Physical Education, Performing Arts, and Music. Portuguese language and culture are integrated, with one day per week dedicated to Portuguese.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Aspire offers a wide range of clubs and enrichment activities. There is an active PTFA (Parent, Teacher & Friends Association) that supports the school community.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Aspire International School provides lunchtime and after-school clubs to extend learning beyond the classroom. These enrichment activities cover a broad range of interests, encouraging independent thinking, collaboration, and curiosity across academic disciplines. The timetable balances core subjects with clubs to help pupils pursue strengths and develop new skills. PSHE and Mindfulness are prioritized to support pupils' self-esteem, confidence, and emotional intelligence as part of holistic development.

Arts & Creative
Art, Music, Drama and Sport are included in the timetable, with a strong emphasis on Expressive Arts. Expressive Arts & Design is explicitly highlighted in the Early Years as music, dance, role-play, and hands-on creativity. The timetable also provides opportunities for Arts with lunchtime and after-school clubs, and Dance/Expressive Arts showcases that highlight student creativity.

Cultural & Language
Portuguese Language & Culture is a core focus under the Portuguese Push initiative, offering immersive language learning from preschool through A Level. Primary teachers are fluent in Portuguese, and KS3 features equal Portuguese and English instruction; there is an after-school Portuguese club for extra support. Cultural immersion includes celebrating Portuguese holidays and traditions and project work around Algarve landmarks, history, and artists, with strong community links including language and cultural exchanges and local partnerships.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers a broad range of clubs and enrichment activities, including sports and arts. Inter-House Cross Country fosters teamwork and school spirit. Students can take on leadership roles such as Head Girl, prefects, Sports Captain, and House Captain, developing responsibility, communication, and initiative.

Community & Service
The school engages with the local community through environmental and charitable initiatives. Portuguese language and culture activities include beach clean initiatives, and there are tree-planting projects in Almancil; Spring Fair events support Mudaki and local partners, with opportunities for student involvement in music, dance, and community service.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities are available across the student body, including serving as Head Girl and prefects, as well as roles such as Sports Captain or House Captain that empower students to lead peers and plan activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school offers a holistic program including sport and physical education, PSHE and Mindfulness, and a broad range of after-school clubs. Inter-House Cross Country and other sports promote fitness and teamwork, while Dance/Expressive Arts showcases support creativity and wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
Preschool, Primary and Secondary follow the English National Curriculum. One day per week is devoted to the Portuguese language in Primary. In Secondary, core subjects include English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Portuguese, ICT and Modern Foreign Languages. Specialist English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided for students who are new to English.
Reputation

Accreditations
Pearson Edexcel accreditation — Aspire International School Algarve is accredited to deliver the Pearson Edexcel British Curriculum, including iGCSEs and A levels, with globally recognised qualifications.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Families can begin the admissions process by getting in touch with the AIS admissions team. They answer initial questions and guide you through the next steps, including arranging a visit to the school.
2. You can arrange a visit through Schedule a Tour. AIS also offers up to three free trial days for students prior to enrolment.
3. Initially, AIS asks for basic information about your child's age, previous schooling, and any specific learning needs; the admissions team will guide you through the rest of the process step by step.
4. AIS accepts children from Preschool through to Secondary and Sixth Form. English is the main language of instruction, with additional language support available where needed. The school is non-selective and does not conduct assessments before enrolment; if obstacles to learning exist, please notify so appropriate support can be provided.
School Events
The school has not added events
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