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The International School of Madeira

Portugal, Madeira

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Portuguese
Fees €5,300 - 8,974
Ages 3 - 10 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1997
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum
Taught languages English, Portuguese
Typical class size 12
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Preschool
Introduction

The International School of Madeira is an international day school offering Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary curricula for children aged 3 to 10. Established in 1997, it delivers an English National Curriculum with an international perspective through bilingual English-Portuguese instruction. The Infant School (ages 3–6) follows the Cambridge EYFS framework, organized around six curriculum areas and designed to support bilingual and multilingual learners. The Primary School (ages 6–10) uses the Cambridge Primary Curriculum across more than ten subjects, including English, mathematics and science, with Cambridge Primary English and mathematics strengthening core skills. The school supports bilingual or multilingual learning paths and can adapt the curriculum to a Portuguese program. Class sizes are small, with no more than fifteen pupils per class. Pastoral care and enrichment opportunities underpin a holistic approach. ISM maintains strong links with Madeira's secondary schools, and alumni include professionals across medicine, engineering, education and research opportunities.

Rua da Levada de St. Luzia 40, 9050-219 Funchal, Portugal

The Essentials

The International School of Madeira has typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English, Portuguese.

Location
The International School of Madeira is located in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. The address is Quinta Martins, Rua da Levada de Santa Luzia 40, 9050-219 Funchal, Portugal. The school serves children from ages 3 to 10 through its Infant School (ages 3–5) and Cambridge Primary (ages 6–10). It offers Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary curricula with bilingual English-Portuguese instruction.

Stages
Infant School (Nursery to Reception; ages 3–5) and Primary School (Grade 1 to Grade 4; ages 6–10).

Type
International day school offering Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary curricula with bilingual English-Portuguese instruction.

School day structure
Infant School runs September to July; Primary School runs September to June.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Meals are provided for students; there is a meals menu.

Governance and Ownership
Owned and governed by ISM Education Unipessoal LDA, trading as The International School of Madeira.
Fees

Annual tuition at The International School of Madeira ranges from EUR 5,300 to EUR 8,974 for 2026/27.

Application and annual administrative fees

- Enrolment fee (first registration): €350.
- Re-enrolment fee: €80 (annual).
- Administration charge: €350 (annual).

Tuition fees by year group (annual, termly, monthly)

- Nursery: €5,300 per year; €1,767 per term; €442 per month.
- Pre-school: €5,400 per year; €1,800 per term; €450 per month.
- Reception: €5,500 per year; €1,833 per term; €458 per month.
- Grade 1: €5,600 per year; €1,867 per term; €467 per month.
- Grade 2: €5,700 per year; €1,900 per term; €475 per month.
- Grade 3: €5,800 per year; €1,933 per term; €483 per month.
- Grade 4: €5,900 per year; €1,967 per term; €492 per month.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are billed on an annual basis and may be paid as a single annual payment, three termly payments, or twelve monthly payments.
- Fees for students joining mid-year are adjusted on a pro‑rata basis.
- Discounts are offered for early payment of fees and for the enrolment of siblings (details and eligibility arranged through the school office).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as an Infant and Primary day school.

Other costs and optional extras

- Optional extras billed monthly:
- Catering: €112 per month.
- Homework Club: €50 per month.
- The annual administrative and enrolment charges listed above are additional to tuition.

Refund and mid‑year adjustment information

- Fees for students who join mid‑year are adjusted on a pro‑rata basis.

Fee payment options (scheduling)

- Payment scheduling options: one annual payment, three termly payments, or twelve monthly payments. Pro‑rata adjustment applies for mid‑year starts.
Academics

The International School of Madeira teaches Cambridge (Primary), EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 10.

Curriculum
The Infant School follows the Cambridge Early Years (EYFS) curriculum for ages 3 to 6, organized around six curriculum areas and designed to support bilingual and multilingual learners. It supports learners whatever their level of English when they begin and can offer a bilingual or multilingual approach if home languages differ from English. The Primary School follows the Cambridge Primary Curriculum for ages 6 to 10, providing a well-rounded education across more than ten subjects, including English, mathematics and science. Cambridge Primary English strengthens reading, writing, speaking and listening, while Cambridge Primary Mathematics builds mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills. The curriculum is highly flexible, allowing ISM to adapt it to the learning environment, cultural context and a Portuguese program, with enrichment and broader development opportunities.

Gifted and Talented
Enrichment provision provides additional support in all classes while also challenging students who demonstrate advanced understanding through targeted curriculum interventions.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral care is at the heart of ISM's Infant School, providing emotional and social support to help children settle in. A holistic approach supports each child's social, emotional, and cultural development, helping them gain confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self. The Cambridge Early Years curriculum is child-centred and play-based, designed to develop at each child's own pace and focuses on social and emotional development. Classrooms and outdoor spaces encourage collaboration, creativity, and exploration. Cambridge Early Years also supports bilingual and multilingual learners, making it accessible to children from diverse language backgrounds.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Enrichment provision provides additional support in all classes. Targeted curriculum interventions foster mastery of key skills and concepts.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
It supports learners, whatever their level of English when they begin the programme. A bilingual or multilingual approach is offered if learners have a home language other than English. The Cambridge Early Years Curriculum also supports bilingual and multilingual learners.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care is at the heart of ISM's Infant School, providing emotional and social support to help children settle in. The pastoral program uses thoughtful guidance and structured routines and maintains open communication with families. A holistic approach supports social, emotional, and cultural development. This helps children gain confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self.
Parent Experience

History
Established in 1997, The International School of Madeira provides the English National Curriculum with an international perspective to children from 3 to 10 years in Madeira. The school offers a bilingual syllabus where primary-age children from the age of four are immersed in English, thinking, learning, playing and communicating in English; as a result, pupils attain fluency in both English and Portuguese by the time they leave. Class sizes are small, with no more than fifteen pupils per class, enabling teachers to give individualized academic and emotional development in a caring, family-oriented atmosphere. The school maintains strong links with Madeira's secondary schools and counts doctors, engineers, mathematicians and teachers among its alumni.

Community
ISM presents its community as nurturing and kind, and has pursued a pioneering vision and commitment to innovative approaches since its founding in 1997. Education is a partnership, with schools and families working together to support each child's success. The environment is designed to be welcoming, supportive, and inclusive, with small class sizes enabling individualized attention. ISM maintains strong links with Madeira's secondary schools, creating pathways for students beyond primary and strengthening the wider learning community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Infant School has classrooms and outdoor spaces thoughtfully designed to encourage creativity, exploration, and collaborative learning. The environment is welcoming, engaging, and caring, with pastoral care at the heart to help children settle in. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to education, supporting social, emotional, and cultural development as part of daily learning. The Cambridge Early Years (EYFS) curriculum guides the Infant School, helping children progress with confidence in both English and Portuguese. The Primary School provides a stimulating and supportive learning environment, following the Cambridge Primary Curriculum across more than ten subjects and incorporating enrichment opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

Academic Facilities
The Infant School delivers the Cambridge Early Years (EYFS) Curriculum for children aged 3 to 6, providing a holistic, play-based start to learning and supporting bilingual and multilingual learners. This program emphasizes development across six curriculum areas and fosters curiosity, independence, and confidence. The Primary School follows the Cambridge Primary Curriculum for ages 6 to 10, with more than ten subjects including English, mathematics, and science, and a focus on critical thinking and collaboration. The English language component of Cambridge Primary strengthens reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while ISM also supports bilingual or multilingual learning paths. ISM emphasizes a holistic approach with enrichment provision and pastoral care to support learners across the curriculum.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Enrichment opportunities exist inside and outside the classroom. Hands-on experiences and interactive lessons are embedded across a broad curriculum, including creative expression through art and music in the Infant School. The Primary School provides enrichment and academic extensions to challenge students and support diverse learning needs. These enrichment provisions accompany the core Cambridge curriculum to foster independent thinking, collaboration, and personal development.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Cambridge Primary Curriculum guides students aged 6 to 10 through a well-rounded education including English, mathematics, science, and more than ten subjects. Cambridge Primary English strengthens reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The curriculum is flexible to fit ISM's bilingual and Portuguese program, ensuring alignment with local language context. The school emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and communication to prepare students for future study and life.

Arts & Creative
Infant School fosters creativity through art and music as part of early-years development. Enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom support artistic expression and creative learning. The holistic approach integrates creative activities across the curriculum.

Cultural & Language
ISM provides bilingual and multilingual learning with English and Portuguese programs. Cambridge Early Years supports learners with diverse language backgrounds and offers a bilingual or multilingual approach when English is not the home language. The Primary Curriculum includes a Portuguese program integrated with the Cambridge pathway.

Social & Hobbies
ISM is described as a vibrant learning community where students grow as leaders, innovators, artists, and confident communicators. Prospective families are guided toward participation in co-curricular opportunities and pursuing personal passions. Enrichment opportunities and a balanced education foster social development and creativity.

Leadership & Professional
The admissions process seeks learners with a positive attitude, a commitment to learning, and a willingness to contribute to school life. ISM describes students as potential leaders, innovators, and artists and emphasizes opportunities to develop leadership skills. Co-curricular options support entrepreneurship, career development, and professional skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pastoral care provides emotional and social support in both Infant and Primary phases. A holistic approach emphasizes well-being, resilience, and personal development. Structured routines and strong family communication help children feel valued and ready to learn.
Languages

Language Provision
ISM uses Cambridge Early Years (EYFS) for ages 3 to 6 and Cambridge Primary for ages 6 to 10. Cambridge Primary English strengthens reading, writing, speaking and listening. The curriculum includes English as a language of instruction and a Portuguese program as part of adaptation to the local context.

Bilingual Teaching
ISM provides a bilingual and multilingual learning environment. The Cambridge Early Years curriculum supports bilingual and multilingual learners, making it accessible to children with diverse language backgrounds. It also offers a bilingual or multilingual approach for learners whose home language is not English.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Begin the enrolment process by completing the online application form for each child. If you are enrolling multiple children, submit one form for each child. After submission, you will be contacted by the admissions team to continue the application process. The admissions process seeks learners who demonstrate a positive attitude, a commitment to learning, and a willingness to contribute to school life. 2. Applications may be submitted up to two years in advance. Availability beyond Reception depends on student withdrawals, making early entry into Nursery highly recommended. This process ensures families plan ahead for start dates. Prospective families are invited to explore ISM and discover the enriching experiences that await their child. 3. To begin the enrolment process, complete the form below. If you are seeking to enrol multiple children, submit one form for each child. After submission, you will be contacted by our admissions team to continue the application process. The enrolment form collects parent and child information including parent title, name, email, phone, child name, date of birth, desired start date, and how you heard about ISM.
School Events
The school has not added events
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