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Swans International School - Primary Campus

Spain, Málaga

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees €8,750 - 20,500
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 800
Type Co-educational
Opened 1971
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages Spanish, French
Typical class size 12
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Social and Hobbies, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Swans International School is a long-established institution in Marbella, providing a bilingual education based on the British National Curriculum alongside the Spanish Primary system. Founded in 1971, the school has expanded into a multi-campus environment where students progress from Foundation Stage through to the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The Primary Campus at El Capricho emphasizes a family-oriented atmosphere and a core commitment to literacy, earning it the nickname "The Reading School." Facilities include an indoor, chlorine-free ozone swimming pool and specialized science laboratories. The school is particularly noted for its "nothing without hard work" ethos, which is reflected in its consistently high academic achievements and its unique dual-qualification program, allowing students to meet both UK and Spanish educational requirements. Beyond the classroom, the enrichment program is a central feature, offering diverse opportunities from professional-level theatre productions to a student-run radio station and a competitive national-level debate team.

Av. de Ceuta, 2, Residencial, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

The Essentials

Swans International School - Primary Campus has 800 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Marbella, Málaga, Spain. Primary Campus: El Capricho s/n, Marbella 29602. Secondary Campus: Lago de los Cisnes, s/n, Marbella 29602.

Stages
Foundation Stage for ages 3-5; Primary School for ages 5-11; Secondary School for ages 11-16; Sixth Form for ages 16-18. GCSE/IGCSE are offered in Years 10-11 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered in the Sixth Form.

Type
International school following the British curriculum with GCSE/IGCSE in Years 10-11 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form.

Pupil Nationality Mix
More than fifty nationalities represented.

Additional learning support
Learning Support is available; a dedicated Learning Support team identifies and provides linguistic or academic support for new students and those with additional needs.

Country affiliation
Spain
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Swans School requires all students to wear a uniform. Marbella's climate means the Summer Uniform is worn most of the year, with a Winter Uniform introduced after the Autumn Half Term; Primary pupils wear navy shorts or trousers, a pinafore dress or summer dress, a yellow polo shirt with the logo, and a navy jumper, while Year 6 adds blazer, tie, jumper, white shirt and navy trousers or skirt. Secondary Winter Uniform includes a blazer with jumper, a white shirt and Swans tie with navy trousers or skirt; Summer Uniform uses a white shirt and tie with the blazer not compulsory, and Sixth Form dresses in smart attire rather than a standard uniform, with formal dress required for formal events.

Food Options
Swans provides freshly prepared, home-cooked meals every day for students and staff, prepared in-house with fresh ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Frozen or pre-packaged options are avoided. Every two weeks, international dishes are added to the menu, inspired by Student Council suggestions.
Fees

Annual tuition at Swans International School - Primary Campus ranges from EUR 8,750 to EUR 20,500 for 2026/27.

Application & Entrance Fees

- Entrance (non-returnable) fee by stage: EUR 1,975 (Foundation Stage), EUR 2,975 (Year 1–Year 6), EUR 3,975 (Year 7–Year 13).
- Refundable deposit on acceptance: EUR 1,000. The deposit will be refunded in June provided the School receives written notice of withdrawal at least one full term in advance by the published deadlines; the deposit is forfeited if a place is accepted but not taken up.

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

- The school does not publish a full, detailed tuition table by year group and per term in its public materials; published third‑party listings report annual day‑student fee ranges rather than a complete per‑year, per‑term schedule. Reported annual fee ranges vary by source and by year group, with typical estimates for the current academic year falling approximately in these bands: Primary/early years roughly EUR 6,500–11,000 per year; Secondary (up to IGCSE) roughly EUR 8,700–16,000 per year; Sixth Form / older students reported at the higher end up to around EUR 20,000–21,000 per year. These figures are reported as annual day fees and are presented as ranges rather than a published per‑year fee table.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition and other school fees are payable in advance and must be paid no later than the end of the first week of each term. A surcharge applies to any fees unpaid by the end of the first week of term. Parents who expect difficulty must meet the School's Managing Director before term begins to agree alternative arrangements. A full term's written notice is required to withdraw a pupil; specific notice deadlines for deposit‑refund consideration are 1st September (Autumn term), 20th December (Spring term) and 30th March (Summer term).

Boarding fees

- Swans International School operates as a day school; boarding provision is not applicable and no boarding fees are published.

Other costs and mandatory extras

- Uniform: Parents are responsible for providing and maintaining the full school uniform for the academic year. The school operates an on‑site uniform shop with published opening hours. Costs for uniform items are not published in the public uniform policy.
- Stationery and materials: Parents must supply specified stationery and equipment by year group; stationery is available at the school stationery shop. Specific prices for stationery packs are not published in the terms and conditions.
- School meals: The school provides freshly prepared, home‑cooked meals daily; meal provision is described but individual meal prices or charging arrangements are not publicly listed.
- Additional support and specialist provision: If a pupil requires additional tuition or placement in a smaller support group, this provision is chargeable to parents at the current private tuition rate (or at a reduced support‑group rate where applicable) and must be paid in advance. Other ancillary costs that may be charged include specialist assessments, optional trips, examination fees and ad‑hoc activity costs, where applicable; specific charges for these items are not published in the publicly available terms.

Refunds and cancellation

- Fees are non‑refundable for absence during term and are not reduced except in exceptional circumstances at the School's sole discretion. The refundable deposit is returned in June if written notice of withdrawal is given at least one full term in advance by the published deadlines; the deposit is forfeited if a place is accepted but not taken up. A surcharge is applied for late payment.

Fee payment options

- The School's public terms and quick‑link pages do not list specific payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, direct debit) in the published materials. Payment method details and a full, itemised fee schedule are provided in the School's admissions/fee documentation rather than in the public terms; therefore specific accepted payment methods are not available in the public materials reviewed here.
Academics

Swans International School - Primary Campus teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
Swans follows the British curriculum alongside the Spanish ESO Curriculum, structured into distinct educational stages. Foundation Stage covers ages 3-5 (Early Years and Reception). Primary Education covers ages 5-11. Secondary Education covers ages 11-18, with the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams in Years 10-11. Sixth Form covers ages 16-18, preparing students for higher education with the International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. The Spanish ESO Curriculum includes specialised Social Sciences and Spanish Languages and Literature for both Primary and Secondary Education.

Exam Results
The Swans IB and IGCSE Class of 2025 achieved remarkable results. The IB cohort posted a 100% pass rate, with eight students scoring over 40 points and one achieving a perfect 45. IB scores of 38+ roughly equate to AAA at A Level, and 45 points roughly equate to 4 A*s. Graduates have secured places at top universities worldwide, including LSE, ESADE, Cambridge, Imperial, and University College Utrecht.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have secured places at top universities worldwide, including LSE, ESADE, Cambridge, Imperial, and University College Utrecht.

Gifted and Talented
Enrichment activities are available beyond the standard curriculum, including Arts, Music and Theatre and sports. The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award since 2013, and enrichment opportunities such as the Debate Club, Student Council and various charity initiatives.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has two campuses in Marbella, Spain: Swans School Primary at El Capricho, Marbella, and Swans School Secondary at Lago de los Cisnes, Marbella. A brand new, purpose-built secondary facility was constructed in Sierra Blanca for Years 6–13 in 2006. The school educates children of more than fifty nationalities, and many teachers have been with the school for over a decade.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides a broad academic program across its Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form, with dedicated staff and provision supporting diverse learners.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The content indicates a bilingual and international environment across the campuses, with English as the primary medium of instruction in the secondary and sixth-form offerings.

Mental Wellbeing
The school emphasizes a supportive and inviting environment as part of its learning experience, including social-emotional care within its enrichment and pastoral programs.

Safeguarding
The school operates an open-door policy and offers a structured program for safety and well-being, aligned with its long-standing educational mission.
Parent Experience

History
Swans first opened its doors to the local community in 1971. The original villas are now part of a modern primary school facility, while a brand-new, purpose-built school was constructed in Sierra Blanca for Years 6-13 in 2006. Across two sites, Swans educates children of more than fifty nationalities. Many teachers have been with the school for more than a decade, with some serving over thirty years. The school regularly competes with the best students internationally and sends graduates to some of the world's top universities.

Community
Swans has a diverse international community with students from more than fifty nationalities. The enrichment program includes the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, The Debate Club, Student Council, and Charity Work, which provides life skills beyond the standard curriculum. Prospective families are invited to visit Swans to experience the school's atmosphere. There are testimonials from former students that reflect the long-standing connections within the community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Swans operates across two Marbella sites: Swans School Primary on El Capricho and Swans School Secondary on Lago de los Cisnes. The Primary site uses the original villas as part of its facilities, while a brand-new, purpose-built campus in Sierra Blanca has housed Years 6–13 since 2006. Across the two sites, Swans educates children of more than fifty nationalities. Foundation Stage covers ages 3–5, Primary 5–11, Secondary 11–16, and Sixth Form 16–18. GCSEs are taken in Years 10–11 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma is offered in the Sixth Form.

Academic Facilities
Swans International School follows the British primary and secondary curriculum, with GCSEs in Years 10–11 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma in the Sixth Form. The curriculum emphasises English fluency and a strong focus on maths, science and computer programming.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The enrichment program teaches life skills and provides character-building experiences outside the standard academic curriculum.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Foundation Stage runs from age 3 to 5; Primary runs from age 5 to 11; Secondary runs from age 11 to 16 with a broad GCSE curriculum. Sixth Form is for ages 16 to 18, and the International Baccalaureate is offered there. A brand new, purpose-built school was constructed in Sierra Blanca for Years 6-13 in 2006.

Cultural & Language
The school has two sites in Marbella: Swans School Primary on El Capricho, s/n and Swans School Secondary on Lago de los Cisnes, s/n. The school educates children of more than fifty nationalities.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers an enrichment program that teaches life skills and provides character-building experiences outside the standard academic curriculum.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has existed since 1971 and is dedicated to teaching and learning for over 50 years, with a supportive and inviting environment where pupils enjoy learning and feel safe.
Languages

Language Provision
English is taught as part of the British curriculum, while Spanish is included within the Spanish ESO Curriculum. Spanish Languages and Literature are offered as a subject in both Primary and Secondary Education.

Bilingual Teaching
The school follows the British curriculum alongside the Spanish ESO Curriculum, indicating a bilingual educational model using English and Spanish.
Admissions

Admissions
The school charges an entrance fee of €1,975 for Foundation Stage, €2,975 for Year 1–Year 6, and €3,975 for Year 7–Year 13, payable when a place is offered; a refundable deposit of €1,000 is payable on acceptance of the school place, with the deposit refunded in June provided written withdrawal is received at least one full term in advance; the deposit is forfeited if a place is accepted but not taken up; if the deposit is not collected by 1 September, it may be transferred to the Swans Library Fund. If no place is immediately available, applicants are placed on a waiting list for the relevant year group and the School will notify parents/guardians when a place becomes available; applicants who do not maintain contact with the School within one academic year of placement on the waiting list will be removed; parents/guardians must notify the Admissions Secretary of any change of contact details. All new entrants are subject to a six‑month trial period, which may be extended for a further six months where a pupil's effort or behaviour does not meet required standards; during the trial or extension the School may take appropriate action, including termination of enrolment, if standards are not met. A full term's written notice is required to withdraw a pupil, with deposit refund deadlines of 1 September (Autumn), 20 December (Spring) and 30 March (Summer). Fees are payable in advance, no later than the end of the first week of each term; if parents anticipate difficulty in making payment they must meet the School's Managing Director before the term begins to agree alternative arrangements; failure to comply may result in loss of place. A surcharge is applied to any fees unpaid by the end of the first week of term. Fees are non‑refundable for absence unless exceptional circumstances apply. Sibling discounts apply to tuition fees: second child 3%, third child 15% and fourth child 20%. Where a pupil is assessed as requiring additional tuition or placement in a smaller support group, provision will be charged to parents at the current private tuition rate (or at a reduced rate where applicable) and must be paid in advance, no later than the end of the first week of term. Progression to the next year group is not automatic; the School may withhold progression where a pupil's academic performance, effort or English language proficiency is insufficient; the School will notify parents of any required interventions; costs for assessments may be charged to parents unless expressly stated otherwise. Pupils must wear the uniform and comply with the Uniform and Appearance Policy; items must be clearly labelled; the School accepts no liability for unlabelled items; stationery and equipment must be supplied as specified for the year group; a list of compulsory items will be provided at the start of term; the School may require assessments to determine a pupil's needs at cost to parents unless stated otherwise. The Home‑School Agreement requires parental support; there is a zero‑tolerance policy toward aggressive or abusive behaviour by pupils or parents/guardians; the School reserves the right to terminate the contractual relationship for serious or repeated breaches; digital conduct, safeguarding and medical protocols apply; consent to use pupil images is granted by enrolment (with opt‑out possible in writing); the School may amend these Terms and Conditions with 28 days' publication notice; deposit forfeiture provisions apply as stated; Administrative Procedures are published by the School.

Scholarships
The school awards a scholarship covering the entire Primary Education phase (Year 2 to Year 7) in collaboration with Marbella Town Hall; the scholarship was announced July 31, 2024 and was awarded to a local Marbella student.

Waitlist
If no place is immediately available, applicants are placed on a waiting list for the relevant year group; the School will notify parents/guardians when a place becomes available; applicants who do not maintain contact with the School within one academic year of placement on the waiting list will be removed; parents/guardians must notify the Admissions Secretary of any change of contact details.
School Events
The school has not added events
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