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The O'Brien International School

Spain, Alicante

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees €4,300 - 4,950
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 50
Type Co-educational
Opened 2013
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages Spanish, Russian, English
Typical class size 12
Strengths Languages, Outdoor Education, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The O'Brien International School and College is a small, close‑knit British international school located in San Miguel de Salinas, ten minutes from Torrevieja. It delivers the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Upper Secondary, with Edexcel GCSEs and A‑Levels prepared for progression to higher education. The Early Years Foundation Stage is taught in English, with 10–15% of the curriculum delivered in Spanish to support bilingual and bicultural learners. Primary and Lower Secondary follow the English National Curriculum, taught mainly in English, with about 80% of the weekly 35 periods in core English subjects and 20% allocated to Spanish language and cultural studies. Upper Secondary (Years 9–11) offers around 10 International GCSE subjects, including English, Mathematics, and Spanish as compulsory, plus optional subjects such as Computing, Geography, and Art. The school emphasises personalised instruction, UK‑qualified staff, and a UK‑style academic calendar, alongside individualised career guidance and planning for post‑16 study.

C. Gran Vía Balcón Costa, 62, 03193 San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante, Spain

The Essentials

The O'Brien International School has 50 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante, Spain. Located in the town of San Miguel de Salinas, about ten minutes from the city of Torrevieja.

Stages
Primary through college, including A-levels.

Type
British international school following the British curriculum.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom (British curriculum).
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is privately owned and directed by John Doyle O'Brien, who serves as Head of Centre. A Deputy Director (Sabrina Patiño) and an Administration and Examinations Officer (Victoria Ferrandez) support governance and operations.
Fees

Annual tuition at The O'Brien International School ranges from EUR 4,300 to EUR 4,950 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration fee

- Registration (non-refundable): EUR 450.00.

Tuition fees by year group (quoted amounts and annual equivalents)

- Primary: EUR 430.00 per month. Annual equivalent (monthly × 10 months): approximately EUR 4,300.

- Secondary: EUR 495.00 per month. Annual equivalent (monthly × 10 months): approximately EUR 4,950.

- A-Level programme (4 A-Levels): EUR 565.00 (quoted for the 4-subject A-Level package). Annual equivalent (if billed over a 10-month academic year): approximately EUR 5,650.

(Annual totals above are shown as monthly rate multiplied by 10 months to give a standard academic-year equivalent; the school publishes the monthly figures and published yearly ranges align with these annual equivalents.)

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is quoted on a per-month basis. Specific term invoicing frequencies are not listed alongside the monthly figures on the published fee schedule.

- Exam fees: all exam fees must be paid by 31 January in the year prior to taking the examination. Late entries incur penalties (100% penalty for late entry periods as stated). Amendment fees apply when changing entry level and equal the entry fee plus any penalties incurred. An "Exams Fees in Advance" scheme is offered (payments from September to January may be accumulated for subsequent exam fees).

- A 5% sibling discount applies to tuition.

Boarding fees

- No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for The O'Brien International School. No boarding fees are listed in the school's published fee material.

Other costs and fees

- Stationery fee: EUR 135.00 per annum.

- Exam entry fees: charged per subject; costs for language and some international exam entries vary by exam board and subject (languages, Art & Design and some optional courses may have higher charges). These subject-specific exam charges and optional course costs are applied in addition to tuition and may require separate payment.

- Optional additional costs: some optional courses may require study or investigation trips at additional cost; Art & Design and some international language exam entries can be markedly more expensive.

Refund information

- The registration fee is explicitly non-refundable. Exam-entry penalties for late entries are charged at the stated percentages and are not refundable. No separate general tuition refund policy is published alongside the fee schedule.

Fee payment options

- No specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer or credit card) are listed on the published fee pages. Contact details for the school's admissions/accounts team are provided for arranging payment and enquiries: telephone 965 076 678, mobile 615 466 398; e-mails theobrienlanguagecentre@gmail.com and info@theobrienlanguagecentre.es.
Academics

The O'Brien International School teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
The O'Brien International School follows the British Council School Curriculum from the English Early Years Foundation Stage through Year 11, with mandatory Spanish instruction to ensure bilingual and bicultural learners. Early Years (Reception) is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the EYFS curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary (Key Stages 1–3) follow the English National Curriculum, taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week focused on core subjects in English and 20% dedicated to Spanish language and cultural studies. Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4 – Years 9–11) typically offers 10 International GCSE subjects, with 8 compulsory—English Language, Mathematics, Single Science, and Spanish—and 2 or more optional subjects including Computing, Economics, History, Geography, Sociology, Statistics, ESL, Business, Art, Music, Psychology, Physical Education, and Religious Studies; Career Guidance begins in Year 9 through the PSHE/Tutorial Programme and continues in Year 11 for post-16 planning. Sixth Form (Key Stage 5 – Years 12–13) requires English, Spanish Language, and Mathematics plus one from Business, Spanish, Geography, Economics, History, or Sociology, with individualised career counselling and university guidance to prepare for higher education. The curriculum includes a broad range of subjects across the arts, humanities, and sciences, with a strong emphasis on bilingual education and global citizenship.

Higher Education Progression
All Sixth Form students receive individualised career counselling and university guidance to prepare for higher education.

Gifted and Talented
The school provides for students who are particularly talented.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Personal, Social and Emotional Development is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The Early Years curriculum is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the Early Years curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary follow the English National Curriculum, taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week in English and 20% in Spanish. PSHE is included in the curriculum to support social development and oracy. The school values pupil voice, with pupil input actively encouraged and students involved in setting personal outcomes. The SEND policy describes a holistic approach to development, including emotional and social well-being.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The O'Brien International School provides Psychopedagogical Attention and Guidance with a dedicated Psychopedagogical Office to support learning, personal, emotional, and social development. Individualized Action Plans and tailored strategies address each pupil's needs, with comprehensive guidance for students and families. In-school support is provided during school hours with a constant support team, and external experts in neurodevelopmental disorders collaborate as needed. No child is refused admission based on SEND. SEN is led by a SENCo and follows a graduated Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle, with collaboration with external agencies as required. The school is accessible, with wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities, and ongoing accessibility improvements.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
As a British School Overseas, the school follows the British Council Curriculum, with the English Early Years Foundation Stage and the English National Curriculum through to Year 11. Early Years instruction is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the Early Years curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary instruction is taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week in English and 20% in Spanish. Upper Secondary typically offers 10 IGCSE subjects, with ESL listed as an optional examinable subject. The curriculum supports bilingual and bicultural learning.

Mental Wellbeing
The Psychopedagogical Attention and Guidance Office provides psychosocial support and guidance focusing on academic, personal, emotional, and social development. An individualized action plan approach and ongoing support are offered, with teacher training and family involvement. Pupil voice is valued, with pupil input and personal outcomes incorporated into planning. PSHE and Citizenship content in the curriculum support well-being and social development. Safeguarding and welfare are central to the school's approach.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding policy was updated in July 2025; a safeguarding statement was published in August 2022. The O'Brien International School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, with comprehensive policies covering signs of abuse, responding to abuse, safe recruitment, bullying, online abuse, image use, and whistleblowing. Designated Safeguarding Lead is Sabrina Patiño, with contact details provided. The school complies with Spanish Ley Orgánica 8/2021 and UK Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, including staff DBS checks where applicable. Staff must report safeguarding concerns to the DSL, with clear procedures for initial reporting and escalation. Security Lead Officer Cristina Viera oversees security, conducts risk assessments, and provides training.
Parent Experience

History
Established in June 2013, The O'Brien International School & College began as a licensed examination and language centre in San Miguel de Salinas, ten minutes from Torrevieja. It has grown into a small, close-knit school offering personalised instruction across primary through college levels with experienced staff. The school follows the British curriculum and prepares students for GCSE and A‑Level qualifications through Edexcel, with a flexible enrolment policy allowing join at any point in the year. Its curriculum aligns with the Department for Education's 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, and 2025–2026 updates include Citizenship for Years 1–6, additional stand-alone Maths/English for post-16, and attention to reforms such as V‑Levels, Triple Science, and the Oracy framework. The school was listed by the British Council in 2023 and inspected by Penta in October 2023, reflecting external recognition of its approach.

Community
The school's student community features events such as Graduation ceremonies in 2023, 2019, and 2018 and a Graduation video from 2018. It also hosts Christmas events and field trips, including Moratalla, plus Remembrance Day observances and other activities that foster community engagement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located in San Miguel de Salinas, ten minutes from Torrevieja, The O'Brien International School & College is a small, close-knit campus that emphasises personalised instruction. The school continually invests in modern teaching resources and student-focused facilities to support learning. The school environment is designed to support a British-style education and ongoing academic development.

Academic Facilities
The school delivers the English National Curriculum (ENC) and offers GCSEs and A-Levels, with a UK-style academic calendar. All teachers are trained with UK qualifications or have experience teaching in ENC schools. The curriculum and assessment are designed to support progression to higher education and professional pathways.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Graduation 2023 and Moratalla field trip are part of student activity and extracurricular offerings.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The O'Brien International School follows the British curriculum and prepares students for GCSE and A-Level qualifications through Edexcel. It is a small, close-knit school offering personalised instruction designed to help each student reach their full potential. The curriculum and policies align with the Department for Education's 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, emphasising structured progression and a broad, enriching range of subjects. This approach supports progression to university or apprenticeships and prioritises student choice and personal development.

Cultural & Language
Revision Classes Primary/Secondary are offered for students in the Spanish education system, from Primary through Bachillerato. The program runs two hours per week and is taught in Spanish by two native Spanish-speaking teachers. The language of instruction is Spanish, with small-group, personalised support. Remembrance Day is observed to honor those who died or suffered in conflicts, with readings, wreath-laying, and poetry.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
GCSE students spent a day away from desks and tablets in Moratalla, experiencing rivers, rocks, and canals and learning through measuring, observing, and photographing features. The field trip provided a practical, outdoor learning experience that complemented classroom work and helped students recall material for exams. The outing emphasises experiential learning and outdoor education as part of the school's approach to personal development and wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the main language of instruction; Spanish is mandatory across all levels. Russian is offered as a GCSE language subject (Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE). In Sixth Form, students are encouraged to study English, Spanish Language, and Mathematics, with continued language study integrated into the curriculum.

Bilingual Teaching
The O'Brien International School & College follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Year 11, with mandatory Spanish language instruction. Early Years (Reception, ages 5+) are taught in English, with 10–15% of the curriculum delivered in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary (Key Stages 1–3) use English for 80% of the 35-period week and Spanish language and cultural studies for 20%. In Sixth Form (Years 12–13), all students study English and Spanish Language as part of the bilingual offering.
Admissions

Admissions
1. The school uses rolling admissions; applications are evaluated as they are received, interviews are conducted, and admissions are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all class places are filled. Families are encouraged to submit an application and participate in an initial discussion to assess whether the school can meet the child's needs. 2. If places are not immediately available, the child's name will be added to a waiting list upon receipt of the application and the registration fee. Parents may request to remove their child's name from the waiting list at any time. 3. Upon offer and acceptance, families agree that their child will be subject to the school's Rules and Regulations. The school promotes values such as Respect, Honesty, and Consideration for others; bullying and all forms of anti-social behaviour are strictly unacceptable. 4. The Head has sole authority to exclude a student from the school. Exclusions may be fixed-term (up to 45 school days in one academic year) or permanent for serious misconduct. Before expulsion, a meeting is typically held with the student and parents; the Head may expel immediately if warranted. The Head informs the Proprietor of exclusions and, where applicable, the management reviews to determine reinstatement; there is a right to appeal.

Scholarships
Scholarship Information: The school invites Year 11 students from the local area to apply for the annual Scholarship Program. The scholarship is open to students from any local school, and the award is valued at over €11,900. To register interest or reserve a place, contact 615 466 398, or visit the school website. Past scholarship winners include Logan Barbour and Rosanna de Leo (joint) – 2025, Ellie Warren – 2024, Taylor Hirst – 2023. Register now to take the Scholarship Examination during May half-term.

Waitlist
Rolling admissions policy means applications are evaluated as they are received and interviews are conducted, with admissions on a first-come, first-served basis until all class places are filled. If places are not immediately available, the child's name is added to a waiting list upon receipt of the application and the registration fee. Parents may remove their child's name from the waiting list at any time. Offers are made as places become available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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