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Oporto British School

Portugal, Porto

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €9,690 - 17,280
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 558
Type Co-educational
Opened 1894
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Taught languages Portuguese, French
Typical class size 17
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Oporto British School (OBS) is a British international school in Foz do Douro, Porto, educating pupils from age 3 to 18. The curriculum combines the Early Years Foundation Stage and the British framework with Cambridge IGCSE studies and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, offering an international education from Early Years through Secondary. Portuguese is taught in Lower Primary, reflecting the local context. Founded in 1894, OBS sits on a campus overlooking the Douro River. Facilities include a Primary Building with EYFS and Primary classrooms, a Library, IT rooms, and the Farn and Teage Buildings for specialist spaces; Teage Hall hosts music and drama. Campus Development Plan adds a Primary Building with 16 classrooms, a dining room, and a Multipurpose Building with labs and a pastoral hub, plus expanded sports facilities. Notable programs include OBSMUN, robotics and coding, science and arts clubs, School Orchestra, Choir, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Rua da Cerca, 338 - Foz do Douro, Porto, Portugal, 4150-201

The Essentials

Oporto British School has 558 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English.

Location
Located in Foz do Douro, Porto, at the top of the hill overlooking the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean. The campus is compact and interconnected across age groups, with facilities including the Original Building, Farn Building, Primary Building, and Blue House. The address is Rua da Cerca, 338, 4150-201 Porto.

Stages
Early Years, Primary and Secondary

Type
A British International School providing an exceptional educational experience for 3- to 18-year-olds.

Pupil Nationality Mix
577 students enrolled; 30 nationalities represented.

Additional learning support
The Learning Development Department provides support to 3-18 year old students who have significant potential; Gifted and Talented; English as an Additional Language (EAL); and Special Educational Needs (SEND). We offer inclusive, individually tailored education that celebrates the successes of all.

Country affiliation
British international school
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is required; all items must be purchased from Manzana Verde, the school's uniform provider. Summer Uniform is a white polo shirt with a mid-grey pinafore/skirt/skorts/shorts/trousers, grey or navy socks, and black or navy shoes. Winter Uniform includes a tie (from Form 1), a long-sleeved white shirt (from Form 1), a mid-grey pinafore/skirt/skorts/trousers, a navy blue jumper, and black or navy shoes; Pre-Prep wear an OBS hoodie and a grey dress for girls; coats should be navy blue or red; IBDP students dress smart casual.

Food Options
A dining room is planned as part of the Future Campus, to be housed in the New Multipurpose Building.

House System
The school has three houses: Bragança Dragons, Lancaster Roses and Windsor Royals.

Governance and Ownership
The OBS was founded as a not-for-profit educational trust. The school is governed by an Association that elects the Board of Governors.
Fees

Annual tuition at Oporto British School ranges from EUR 9,690 to EUR 17,280 for 2026/27.

Admission fees

- Registration (application) fee: EUR 150, non-refundable and payable with the application.
- Acceptance (matrícula) fee: EUR 450, one-off payment when accepting an offered place; non-refundable.
- Refundable deposit: a refundable deposit equal to one term's tuition is required before admission; this deposit is returned when the pupil leaves provided a full term's written notice of withdrawal is given (or the pupil is a Form 12 leaver) and there are no outstanding debts. Interest is not paid on the deposit.

Tuition fees (per year group) — amounts shown as annual / per term (3 terms) / monthly (10 months)

- Pre-Prep, Prep & Reception: Annual EUR 8,990 / Term EUR 3,090 / Monthly (x10) EUR 965.
- Primary (Forms 1–5): Annual EUR 10,475 / Term EUR 3,605 / Monthly (x10) EUR 1,125.
- Secondary (Forms 6–8): Annual EUR 12,155 / Term EUR 4,180 / Monthly (x10) EUR 1,300.
- IGCSE (Forms 9–10): Annual EUR 14,445 / Term EUR 4,960 / Monthly (x10) EUR 1,550.
- IBDP (Forms 11–12): Annual EUR 16,580 / Term EUR 5,690 / Monthly (x10) EUR 1,770.

Other mandatory charges

- Capital and maintenance charge: Annual EUR 700 per pupil, charged at the start of the academic year.
- Pupil insurance: Annual EUR 50, charged on the first invoice of the year. Details of cover are available from the school's finance office/portal.
- Examination fees: variable; external exam costs for IGCSE/IB are invoiced to parents and must be paid in advance. (For the 2025/2026 year the school lists examination charges as variable.)

Optional / additional recurring costs

- Canteen (school lunches): Primary meals EUR 5.35 per meal; Secondary meals EUR 6.45 per meal. Meals are invoiced monthly.
- After Care (Primary): EUR 5.00 per hour; charged monthly and applied after the stated school finishing times.
- Co‑curricular activities, trips and events: some activities are free, others have a cost; associated costs and invoicing arrangements vary by activity and will be billed when applicable.

Uniform and typical item costs (examples of compulsory items and prices)

- Short- or long-sleeve striped polo shirt (badged): around EUR 20.50.
- Jumper (badged with school logo): around EUR 37.50.
- Long-sleeve shirt / blouse (2-pack): around EUR 47.50.
- School trousers / skirts / shorts: typical prices around EUR 33–37.50 depending on item.
- PE kit items (sports T-shirt, hoody, sports pants): typical prices EUR 20.50–35.00.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Payment frequency options: (a) Annual payment — single annual payment due in September; (b) Termly payment — three payments due in September, January and April; (c) Monthly payment — ten monthly payments from September to June. Invoices are due by the 10th day of the corresponding month. For pupils who start or leave mid-year the Monthly payment option is the only available method.
- Surcharges for late payment (per outstanding invoice, per month of delay) for 2025/2026: Annual payment option EUR 175; Termly EUR 100; Monthly EUR 60. Repeated late payment may lead to penalties, removal of fee discounts and refusal of readmission; unpaid debts may be pursued by legal means.

Discounts and family reductions

- Reduction for families with more than two children at the school: 25% reduction on the third child's tuition; 50% reduction on the fourth child's tuition and for any additional children. The reduction level will be adjusted if one child leaves.

Notice of withdrawal and refund rules

- Notice of withdrawal: parents must give one full term's written notice to the school when withdrawing a pupil. Failure to provide the required notice may affect return of the refundable deposit. The refundable deposit is returned only if the one-term notice requirement is met and there are no outstanding debts. Registration and acceptance fees are non-refundable.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable: Oporto British School operates as a day school and does not publish boarding fees.

Fee payment arrangements and bank details

- The published fee pages set out invoicing and due dates and the available payment frequencies; the school provides bank account details for transfers (example bank details published in school documentation: IBAN PT50 0007 0513 0000 7560 0053 4, SWIFT/BIC BESCPTPL, Novo Banco). Parents are asked to reference the pupil name when making transfers and to supply proof of transfer when required. Specific invoice payment instructions and the definitive bank details appear on the school invoices and finance communications.

Refunds and non‑refunds (summary)

- Registration/application fee and acceptance/matrícula fee: non-refundable. Refundable deposit: refunded only if the required one-term written notice is given (or on Form 12 leaving) and there are no outstanding debts. Other charges (capital/maintenance, insurance, exam charges when invoiced) are treated as billed and refunds are subject to the school's published policies and the notice conditions above.

Notes on surcharges and changes

- Fees are normally reviewed annually and may change at the start of a new academic year; the school reserves the right to adjust fees at other times with reasonable notice. Parents contract to pay fees on the published schedule and surcharges apply for late payment as stated.
Academics

Oporto British School teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers a broad, logically sequenced international curriculum taught in English, spanning Early Years through Secondary and culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IGCSE. The programme includes Early Years (EYFS), Lower Primary, Upper Primary, KS3, IGCSE, and IBDP; Portuguese is taught in Lower Primary.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is 16.

Higher Education Progression
Secondary education culminates with the IB Diploma Programme, combining breadth of offer, independent extended research and presentation, preparation for life as a university student, and the opportunity to exercise further responsibility within the school community.

Gifted and Talented
The Learning Development Department provides support for Gifted and Talented/Academically able students, EAL and SEND. Provisions include in-class support and targeted sessions, liaison with teachers and parents, access to OBS Educational Psychologist, and tailored groups to develop specific abilities; education is inclusive and designed to help all students reach their potential.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The well-being, welfare and development of every individual in the school community is a cornerstone of Oporto British School. Each person is confident, secure, well-motivated and happy. Inter-personal relationships are fostered in an environment of mutual trust and respect, and individuals are encouraged to be independent while also working effectively as part of a team. There is an atmosphere of cooperation and friendliness, with a system for recognizing and addressing behaviour concerns. OBS provides a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where staff have pastoral roles and pupils can take on leadership responsibilities to support others.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
OBS recognises students with special (or additional) needs as those with learning difficulties or disabilities requiring different or additional support from peers. Provision for SEND and English as an Additional Language (EAL) is coordinated by a dedicated Head of Learning Support (SENDCo). The SENDCo oversees IEPS and pupil passports and leads targeted interventions. EAL support is provided within the school to supplement language development.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction in all but Modern Foreign Languages and Portuguese History. OBS provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support within the school to supplement an existing or developing level of language.

Mental Wellbeing
OBS promotes positive mental health and wellbeing for the whole school community. Mental health and emotional wellbeing are recognised as crucial factors in learning and achievement. All staff have a role to help everyone learn about maintaining positive mental health and to access help when needed, and the school works to reduce stigma and provide support networks.

Safeguarding
OBS recognises its moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils. There is a dedicated Safeguarding Team and all staff receive annual safeguarding training. Staff are alert to signs of children in need, including those under severe academic pressures, at risk from eating disorders and mental health concerns, and follow procedures to ensure that pupils receive effective support, protection and justice. The Child Protection Policy sets out roles and responsibilities, safeguarding training and procedures for dealing with concerns.
Parent Experience

History
OBS opened in 1894 with 11 British boys under Reverend William Slyman Picken. The school house in Foz do Douro, initially rented, was purchased in 1922 and remains part of the facilities. Non-British boys were admitted in 1902 and girls in 1914; after the Second World War the roll exceeded 100. In the 1960s a parallel Portuguese course was introduced alongside the English curriculum, and a major building programme in the 1970s and 1980s expanded capacity to more than 200 pupils. In the early 1990s OBS introduced post-IGCSE pathways leading to the International Baccalaureate Diploma; the school now hosts a mix of international and local families with pupil numbers in excess of 570.

Community
OBS maintains a family-focused community with a broad co-curricular life. The school hosts a varied events calendar including a Solidarity Concert, an International Food Festival, La Fête de La Francophonie for Form 6 to 9, a Duke of Edinburgh journey, a photography competition, and an IB Art exhibition. The Carol Service at Stella Maris Church has become a highlight of OBS life. Alumni gatherings and other community events are part of school life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
All parents and teachers can join the PTA. The PTA promotes strong links between families and the school and organises fundraising and community events. Interim Membership for current pupils' parents/guardians enables attendance and voting at the AGM. The annual membership fee is €10 per year.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
OBS is located in Foz do Douro, Porto, at the top of a hill overlooking the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean. The campus is compact and interconnected across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary, ensuring a natural progression between stages. Current facilities include a Primary Building with EYFS and Primary classrooms, a Library, and IT rooms, with specialist spaces in the Farn and Teage buildings. Teage Hall hosts music, drama, and performance spaces, and Blue House houses administrative offices and learning spaces. A Campus Development Plan adds a New Primary Building with 16 classrooms, a dining room, aftercare, reading corners, and a New Multipurpose Building with labs, a science prep room, a Pastoral and Learning Hub, and a multimedia room, along with New Sports Facilities including indoor basketball, volleyball, and football, and an outdoor football field.

Sports Facilities
New Sports Facilities include indoor basketball, volleyball, and football. There is an outdoor football field on campus. The school has a Sports Pavilion and other sports facilities to support a range of activities. The development plan includes athletic spaces as part of the expanded facilities.

Academic Facilities
The Primary Building houses EYFS classrooms, Primary classrooms, a Library, and an IT room. The Farn Building includes an Art room and IT room. The Teage Building and Blue House host administrative offices and learning spaces. The Campus Development Plan adds a New Primary Building with 16 classrooms, a dining room, aftercare, and reading corners, and a New Multipurpose Building with Labs, a Science Prep room, a Pastoral and Learning Hub, and a Multimedia room, plus an Auditorium/Multipurpose room. The New Multipurpose Building includes a dining room and labs, a science prep room, and spaces for pastoral work and multimedia activities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
OBS offers a range of co-curricular clubs, activities and sports delivered through internal clubs and partnerships with external providers. Students can explore arts and drama clubs, chess, robotics and coding activities. They can join competitive sports teams across a variety of sports to participate in inter-school tournaments. A peripatetic music teaching team provides instrumental lessons and platforms for performances and musical examinations. Older students may participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has a range of co-curricular clubs, activities and sports delivered through internal clubs and partnerships with external providers. The school has chess, robotics and coding activities, and there are Science Club activities for secondary students. The school has peripatetic music teachers offering instrumental lessons and platforms for performance as well as musical examinations.

Arts & Creative
The school has arts clubs and drama as part of the co-curriculum. The School Orchestra, School Band and OBS Choir provide performance platforms and opportunities for musical examinations. There are primary and secondary visual arts clubs including Art Club Primary, Portuguese Art Club Primary and Escola das Artes Secondary.

Cultural & Language
Model United Nations is offered through OBSMUN. OBSMUN conferences bring delegates from international schools to debate topics across multiple committees. The 2025 conference includes committees such as WHO, DISEC, Security Council, ECOSOC, HRC and the General Assembly. OBSMUN is open to secondary students who can apply to be delegates and may take staff roles.

Social & Hobbies
The school has a wide range of social and hobby clubs including Chess Primary, Art Club Primary, Drama for Primary, and the Escola das Artes. There are performance and music groups such as School Orchestra, OBS Choir and School Band. There are many sports and movement clubs including Tennis, Running, Rugby, Football and Yoga.

Leadership & Professional
Older students can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The co-curriculum provides leadership opportunities through clubs and student involvement. The Inventors and Robotic Academy clubs and the School Orchestra, Drama and performing groups offer teamwork and leadership experiences.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has sports teams and activities across age groups, including Football, Rugby, Tennis, Running and Volleyball. Yoga is offered for younger pupils and movement-based activities such as Ballet and Hip Hop are available. Karate and other movement clubs are also offered.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction in many Secondary subjects is English. Portuguese is taught as either Portuguese Language and Literature or Portuguese as a Foreign Language, along with Portuguese History and French as a Foreign Language. Portuguese is offered at IGCSE as either First or Foreign Language, with Spanish and French among the available IGCSE options. For the IB Diploma Programme, a wide range of subjects is offered, including Spanish and French.

Bilingual Teaching
English is the language of instruction for many Secondary subjects. Subjects taught in English include Mathematics, Science, English Language and Literature, History, Geography, Computing, Physical Education, Music, Art and Drama. Portuguese is taught as either Portuguese Language and Literature or Portuguese as a Foreign Language, along with Portuguese History and French as a Foreign Language. In the IB Diploma Programme, a wide range of subjects is offered, including Spanish and French.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
CIS, COBIS, IB; ISI and IGEC inspections; IB Diploma Programme accreditation; Headmaster part of HMC; ISI inspection March 2025; CIS reaccreditation May 2016; IAPS member.
Admissions

Admissions
Visit the School. Contact the admissions office to arrange a visit. Inquiries can be directed to the admissions officer, Alexandra Monteiro, at +351 226 166 665 (landline) or +351 935 140 160 (mobile/WhatsApp). Applications are considered throughout the year.
Fill in the Application Form. Complete one Application Form per child applying. After you submit, you will be asked to settle the non-refundable registration fee. The Apply Now option is available to submit the application.
Assessment and Interview. We will contact you to arrange an interview and assessment with the relevant Academic Coordinator or Head of Section. Wherever possible presential interviews will be held at the school. Prior to the assessment meeting you will have to submit copies of your child's previous school reports, as well as any documentation to support Learning Needs (if applicable).
Offer of a Place. Within 10 days of the assessment, we will inform you of the decision on whether a place will be offered. If there are no vacancies, your child will be placed on the waiting list and you will be updated on the status of your application.
Acceptance of a Place. Once a place is offered, you have 15 days to accept the offer. You will be asked to return the signed Acceptance Form and payment of the Acceptance Fee and submit any missing documentation. You are then required to pay the refundable deposit within five weeks to guarantee your child's place.

Waitlist
If there are no vacancies, the child will be placed on the waiting list and you will be updated on the status of your application.
School Events
The school has not added events
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