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The British School of Córdoba

Spain, Córdoba

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 457
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1998
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP)
Taught languages Spanish, French
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Located in Córdoba, The British School of Córdoba provides education for ages 2 to 18 as a day and boarding school. It delivers a British education in English under the English National Curriculum, aligned with Andalusia and Spain. Primary follows Key Stage 1 and 2, with core subjects and modules in History and Geography, Music, Art/Design and Technology, and language immersion in English and Spanish. In Secondary, students study the British curriculum through IGCSEs and A Levels; Year 13 pupils study A Levels, and most Year 12 pursue the IB Diploma. In Sixth Form, students can pursue IB Diploma or AS/A Levels, complemented by Unifrog and a Gatsby-style careers programme with university guidance. The school operates across two campuses about 500 meters apart, with a nursery, a modern Primary building and a spacious Secondary/Sixth Form complex, plus a Boarding House with 24/7 supervision and specialist labs and modern sports facilities.

C. México, 4, Nte. Sierra, 14012 Córdoba, Spain

The Essentials

The British School of Córdoba has 457 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location

The British School of Córdoba is located in the northwest of Córdoba, Spain. The campus comprises two buildings about 500 metres apart, surrounded by gardens. The Boarding House, El Mirador del Británico, is in a quiet residential area nearby and is supervised 24/7 by House Parents. Visit address: C. México, 4, Nte. Sierra, 14012 Córdoba.

Stages

Foundation (3 to 5 years); Primary (5 to 11 years); Secondary (11 to 16 years); Sixth Form (16 to 18 years)

Type

Day and Boarding

Pupil Nationality Mix

A diverse community with many nationalities; the school aims for a balance between local and international families.

Country affiliation

British

School day structure

Morning service starts at 7:30; Classes run from 9:00 to 16:30 (winter); After-school activities start at 16:30.

Bus service

Bus routes cover most areas from which students travel.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

The Boarding House, El Mirador del Británico, is located in a quiet and secure residential area of Córdoba, a short distance from the campus. It provides comfortable and modern facilities with shared bedrooms, a study area, a spacious common room, dining facilities, and green outdoor spaces. It is supervised 24/7 by dedicated House Parents, offering a safe, supportive, and family‑like environment where students can focus on their studies, develop independence, and enjoy a vibrant community life.

Uniform Requirement

Uniform is required for pupils in Years 2–11, with separate summer and winter editions. Girls wear a white blouse with a green border and a skirt (styles vary by year; Year 2–5 use skirts with straps, later years feature strapless or other skirt styles), and a red jumper; boys wear grey trousers with a white shirt, a tie (clip-on for Years 2–6, regular from Year 7), and a red jumper. Year 2 may wear the tracksuit as part of the uniform; Sixth Form wears grey trousers with a green jumper; a PE uniform is worn for sport; shoes must be black, navy blue or brown (no trainers).

Food Options

School menus are designed to comply with nutritional recommendations and the principles of the Mediterranean diet. Latest menus are downloadable by month, with options including Normal, Vegetarian, Gluten‑free, Foundation, and Special. Each campus has its own kitchen where trained staff prepare healthy meals daily and accommodate dietary needs.

Governance and Ownership

The British School of Córdoba was founded in 1998 by a group of parents. It is governed by a General Meeting of Shareholders, and notices of shareholder meetings are downloadable.
Fees
Application / Admission fees

- The school requires a non‑refundable admission (right of admission) fee to reserve a place. The admission fee is charged at first enrolment and is not refundable under any circumstance.

- The school also charges a non‑refundable annual enrollment (matrícula) fee that must be paid to confirm a place for the year.

Tuition fees by year group (amounts and structure)

- Tuition is billed as a recurring school fee with different rates by year group (Early Years / Foundation, Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form). The school publishes separate charges for tuition, and additional optional services (transport, morning club, boarding) are billed separately.

- The school's published historical fee schedule (example figures previously used in public fee notices) included the following illustrative amounts (monthly basis, 10‑month schedule) for earlier academic years: Foundation (F1–F2) approximately EUR 537 per month; Years 1–6 approximately EUR 710 per month; Years 7–10 approximately EUR 710 per month; Year 11 approximately EUR 840 per month; Years 12–13 approximately EUR 840 per month. The same historical notices showed an admission fee in the region of EUR 2,306 and an annual enrollment fee around EUR 771. These figures are provided here only to show the typical fee categories and historical scale.

Per‑term / per‑year presentation

- The school normally expresses tuition as a monthly instalment (domiciled payments) over the school billing cycle (commonly 10 monthly instalments covering September to June) and also offers alternatives such as annual prepayment in some years. For reporting in an external database you should record both the annual equivalent and the monthly/term instalment option when the final current‑year figures are available.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- All invoicing is handled by direct debit (domiciliación bancaria). Invoices are presented at the start of each month (the school specifies presentation during the first five days of the month). Returned direct‑debit transactions incur an administrative charge (example: EUR 5).

- Standard instalment plan: ten monthly payments (September–June) is a recurring model the school uses; the school has also historically permitted payment by annual prepayment with a small discount. The school may allow staged payment of admission costs (example: a deposit and the balance by direct debit across instalments) subject to arrangement.

- Failure to pay: non‑payment of multiple monthly invoices can lead to suspension of the pupil's attendance, retention of academic records, and potential loss of the school place. The school requires families to keep payment details current and to provide 20 days' notice for any change to bank details to avoid rejected payments.

Boarding fees (where applicable)

- The school operates a boarding residence (El Mirador del Británico) close to campus and offers personalised boarding accommodation for international and resident students. Boarding covers supervised accommodation, meals, study spaces, pastoral support and a dedicated tutor. Specific boarding fee amounts are charged in addition to day‑school tuition; those boarding fees are billed separately as part of the overall package for boarding students.

Other costs and optional services

- School meals (comedor) are mandatory for pupils and are included or charged as a separate line depending on the student's programme. Some historical schedules show school‑meal charges included within certain year‑group package rates; in other cases meal charges are itemised. External exam/ homologation fees and university application fees (e.g., UCAS) are not included in standard tuition and must be paid in advance when required.

- Transport: the school operates optional school‑bus routes. Past published monthly transport rates (illustrative) included an approximate rate of EUR 135 per month for return journeys and EUR 94 per month for one‑way usage. Transport is an optional service contracted and billed in addition to tuition.

- Morning care (Aula Matinal): optional before‑school care has been offered historically with a monthly fee (example figure in previous notices around EUR 58 per month).

- Materials and books: the tuition fee generally includes standard school materials and insurance; exceptions typically include voluntary reading books and personal electronic devices which families must provide and pay for separately. Uniforms are required and are paid for by families according to the school's uniform policy.

Refunds and withdrawal

- Admission and enrollment (matrícula) fees are non‑refundable in all circumstances. No refunds are given for student absence due to illness or other causes. Any withdrawal from the school must be notified by email to the school's designated address with at least three months' notice; if three months' notice is not provided, the family remains liable for three months' fees from the date the school receives notice.

- In exceptional circumstances such as temporary or permanent closure of the school due to pandemic, terrorism or similar events, the school states it will not be responsible for refunding fees. Annual tuition can be subject to small exceptional increases (the school has previously set a cap on mid‑year increases of up to 5% in exceptional circumstances).

Accepted payment methods and practical payment details

- The school requires payment by direct debit to a Spanish bank account (families sign an authorisation form for domiciliación bancaria). Historical communications list specific bank accounts for transfers, and the school charges a small fee for returned direct‑debit transactions. For international families the school indicates flexible payment options are available to support international arrangements, and the international admissions team manages individual payment arrangements for boarding/international packages.

What the fees include and exclude (summary)

- Included (commonly): tuition delivery, most standard school materials, basic insurance, one routine sitting of Cambridge/Edexcel exams included within standard tuition in some years, pastoral care and administrative costs tied to schooling.

- Excluded (commonly): external homologation or official examination fees outside the included exam provision, university application fees (UCAS and similar), voluntary leisure books and individual electronic devices, and optional services such as transport, morning club and boarding (where applicable).

Concise note on availability of a current published price list

- The school publishes formal terms and conditions and information about payment processes and boarding, but a publicly accessible, fully itemised current‑year price list for tuition and boarding is not posted in a consistently accessible public PDF on the school site. The most recent fully itemised fee listing located in public sources dates from earlier years and third‑party school‑fee listings; the school confirms fees are reviewed annually and invoicing is handled via the school's admissions/parent portal. Where precise current‑year numeric rates are required for your external database, the school's admissions/finance contacts maintain the definitive current schedule.
Academics

The British School of Córdoba teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum

The British School of Córdoba offers a comprehensive British education delivered in English, following the English National Curriculum with regional requirements of Andalusia and Spain. The Primary curriculum follows Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, with core subjects such as Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science, and includes History and Geography, Music, Art/Design and Technology and Castellano. In Secondary, students study the British curriculum and progress to IGCSEs and A Levels; All Year 13 pupils currently follow the A level programme and most Year 12 pupils study the IB Diploma. The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course for students aged 16 to 19, including core components Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and six subjects across groups. In Sixth Form, students can study the IB Diploma or AS/A Level qualifications, complemented by a university applications platform (Unifrog) and a Gatsby-style careers programme. The school provides university guidance to support transitions to higher education.

Student Teacher Ratio

The staff-pupil ratio is good throughout the school.

Exam Results

IB Diploma graduates achieved a 100% pass rate in 2025, with all graduates securing a place at university in Spain or abroad and an average IB score of 32.84 (vs global 30.58). One student achieved 41 points, placing them in the top 5% worldwide. A-Level students also achieved the results needed to move on to their chosen universities, and IGCSE results were strong, with the majority exceeding minimum ESO requirements and an overall pass rate of 80.4% across subjects.

Higher Education Progression

IB Diploma graduates achieved 100% university placement, with an average score of 32.84 and one student scoring 41 points; A-Level and IGCSE results supported progression to universities in Spain and abroad. The IB Diploma is recognized by universities worldwide, and the school provides comprehensive university guidance to support applications and transitions to higher education.

Gifted and Talented

Differentiation throughout the school ensures the more able are suitably challenged.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Pastoral care and emotional wellbeing are central to The British School of Córdoba. The school provides ongoing pastoral support through international mentors and a dedicated wellbeing program. An Educational Psychologist serves as a mentor for international students, supporting emotional, academic and social adjustment through individual meetings, wellbeing questionnaires and group sessions. The mentors work closely with the boarding team, academic tutors and families to ensure comprehensive follow‑up and a positive experience. Pupils are encouraged to talk to a trusted person about any worries, in a culture of openness, trust and transparency. The school's holistic approach fosters resilience, inclusion and personal growth across all year groups.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Students with a strong command of English can fully immerse in the British curriculum, while others can benefit from intensive English tuition tailored to their level. A dedicated Spanish tutor, experienced teachers and the pastoral care team provide academic, cultural and social support to international students throughout their journey. The International Study program offers language support options to help students adapt to the curriculum and integrate with peers. The International Mentors monitor language development and wellbeing during transition, ensuring a smooth progression to mainstream classes.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported through the school's pastoral care system and international mentors. An Educational Psychologist provides wellbeing support and individual and group sessions for students adjusting to life in Córdoba. The pastoral care team collaborates with families and staff to monitor emotional health and respond to concerns. Language and cultural adaptation support helps reduce stress and build confidence, contributing to a safe and supportive environment where students feel valued and cared for.

Safeguarding

The British School of Córdoba is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, health (including mental health) and safety of its pupils, creating an open, safe, caring and supportive atmosphere. The school outlines staff responsibilities to act on concerns, including reporting to appropriate authorities within 24 hours of disclosure or suspicion. A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL oversee safeguarding procedures with trained staff and regular updates. The Board and leadership ensure safe recruitment practices and cooperation with external agencies as part of safeguarding. The policy defines harm and abuse and enforces a whole‑school approach to online safety, data handling and safeguarding records, with guidance provided to parents and pupils on obtaining support.
Parent Experience

History

Founded in 1998 by a group of parents seeking an alternative, personalized, high‑quality education, The British School of Córdoba began on the La Colecilla estate with 60 pupils in five primary classrooms. In 2003 the school moved to its current Calle Mexico 4 campus, inaugurated by the British Ambassador Sir Peter Torry. The Foundation expanded in 2006 with the purchase of the Platero Nursery, extending the infant section, and the school has since received recognitions including the Andalucía Excelente Award in 2017, the European Technology and Innovation Award in 2022, and the Cordobeses of the Year Award in 2024. The head office was expanded in 2018, and the school marks 27 years of operation in 2025.

Community

The British School of Córdoba is a private, co‑educational British school for pupils aged 3 to 18, following the British curriculum with IGCSEs and A Levels. Classes are taught mainly in English, with one hour of Spanish in primary and secondary, and French taught from Year 6 through Year 9 as part of the curriculum. The school offers an extensive extracurricular program, a school uniform, daily transport, a breakfast club, and nutritionally balanced menus designed to meet dietary needs, with health and safety provisions in place. The school community is multinational, with pupils from many nationalities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The British School of Córdoba is spread across two campuses in the northwest of Córdoba, about 500 meters apart, on an extensive site with well-equipped buildings set among gardens. The Foundation stage operates in a nursery building located 500 meters from the main campus, offering a learning garden, classrooms with adjacent services, a library, kitchen, office and staff areas. Primary is housed in a modern main building with bright, creatively designed classrooms that support active, student‑centered learning. Secondary and Sixth Form occupy a modern, state‑of‑the‑art building linked to the original structure, with spacious classrooms, three laboratories, a new art room, a photographic studio and a large music studio with practice rooms. The Boarding House, El Mirador del Británico, is nearby in a quiet residential area, offering comfortable facilities, shared bedrooms, dining, a common room, outdoor spaces, and 24/7 supervision by House Parents to support a home‑like, community life.

Sports Facilities

The school provides a gymnasium for indoor sports. Outdoor facilities include a football field and a volleyball court, with an American track used for athletics and conditioning. The campus supports a broad sports program and related activities, including golf, tennis, basketball and volleyball as part of the extracurricular offering. Facilities are complemented by appropriate spaces for PE and sports activities as part of the school environment.

Academic Facilities

The Secondary & Sixth Form building is modern and spacious, with bright classrooms and dedicated specialist spaces. It includes three science laboratories, a new art room, a photographic studio and a large music studio with individual practice rooms. The Primary building features colourful, well‑designed classrooms that support creative, active learning. The Foundation level provides a nursery environment with a nearby library, kitchen, offices and staff areas to support early years education.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities beyond the classroom. Activities include golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball and football, alongside music, art and cultural excursions. Students can participate in robotics and chess, as well as dance, theatre, rhythmic gymnastics, taekwondo, skating, paddle and floorball. The programme also includes drama, modern singing, piano, guitar, drums, language workshops and academic support sessions to complement learning.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Robotics and chess clubs develop analytical thinking and strategic problem solving. Academic support sessions and language workshops help students strengthen their learning. Beyond the core curriculum, the school provides an extensive extracurricular program that broadens academic exploration. International mentors support international students with emotional, academic and social adjustment to facilitate integration.

Arts & Creative

Music, theatre, modern singing, photography, and visual arts are offered as extracurricular activities. Facilities include a recording studio, a photography classroom, and dedicated music rooms to support creative work. Debating, choir, and other arts activities are also part of the extracurricular program.

Cultural & Language

Beyond the classroom, students participate in cultural excursions. The International Study program offers language immersion in English and Spanish, with dedicated mentors providing support. International mentors assist with emotional, academic and social adjustment to help students integrate successfully.

Social & Hobbies

Sports and physical activities include golf, tennis, basketball and volleyball, with additional offerings such as football, rhythmic gymnastics and taekwondo. Arts and performance activities cover theatre, dance, music, photography and visual arts, along with robotics and chess as intellectual pastimes. Support classes and language workshops are available to bolster learning outside regular lessons.

Community & Service

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is a core part of the IB offering, fostering personal growth, social responsibility and community engagement through diverse activities. Leadership opportunities are visible across the school, including Head Students and roles within the student body, as well as youth parliament involvement. Debating, choir, arts and leadership activities provide platforms for service and community involvement.

Leadership & Professional

Leadership opportunities are available across the school, including student leadership roles and involvement in clubs such as youth parliament. The Sixth Form supports university and career planning through platforms like Unifrog and the Gatsby Benchmarks framework. The curriculum offers the IB Diploma, AS/A Levels and a structured university guidance program to prepare students for higher education.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The school describes itself as a nurturing, international environment where wellbeing is a central part of the education. International mentors support students' emotional, academic and social wellbeing during adaptation. Boarding facilities provide 24/7 supervision and a safe living environment to support student wellbeing. The overall experience emphasizes character development and wellbeing as integral to the school journey.
Languages

Language Provision

The vast majority of classes are taught in English. In primary and secondary there is one hour of Spanish (Spanish Language, Social Studies, Natural Sciences and Geography and History) as part of the curriculum, and students also learn French from Year 6 to Year 9 as part of the curriculum, with Year 10 offering it as an elective.

Immersion Programs

The Christmas Camp provides a 100% English language immersion program, with English learning delivered through practical classes, workshops and sports and leisure activities, guided by bilingual and native staff.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Initial contact and needs assessment. The admissions team takes the time to understand your child's needs and interests and designs your forthcoming steps around your family. A personalised admissions experience is provided from the outset. 2. Book a visit. Visits can be arranged throughout the academic year and tailored to your family's schedule. You may sit in on a class, meet the Headteacher, tour the facilities, or speak with current students and parents. 3. Request a place. Fill out the Application for a place and send the latest school grades and report for your child. The admissions team will review the application and guide you on next steps. 4. Visit the facilities. Arrange a guided tour of the school with the admissions manager or attend an Open Morning to see the school in action and experience the educational atmosphere. 5. Access test. Depending on the age of your child, a meeting with the relevant department director will assess your child's English level and abilities. 6. Offer of Place or waiting list. If the visit is positive and places are available, a formal offer is issued. If there are no places in the requested course, your child will be placed on the waiting list and you will be contacted as soon as a free place arises. 7. Admission documentation. If you accept the offer, complete the necessary admissions documentation and formalise the payment of the admission fee to secure the place. You will then pay the registration fee for the corresponding course. 8. Enrolment and optional services. After acceptance, complete the enrolment process and submit the Enrolment Form. Optional services include School Transport and Breakfast Club forms if you wish to use them.

Waitlist

If there are no places in the requested course, your child will be placed on the waiting list and you will be contacted as soon as a free place arises.
School Events
The school has not added events