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Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Spanish, English
Fees £4,404 - 5,285
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 416
Type Co-educational
Opened 1972
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages Spanish, English, French, Latin
Typical class size 15
Strengths Languages, Sport, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch is a public international school in London affiliated with Spain and governed by the Embassy Educational Attache. It serves students aged 3 to 18, offering a Bespoke Curriculum alongside the British Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage. A distinctive feature is the Linguistic Project, a cross‑curricular framework that develops communicative competence and plurilingualism across all subjects and levels, guiding didactic-methodological and organizational practice as part of the Centre Project. The campus at 317 Portobello Road provides classrooms, a dedicated library, a laboratory, eight desdoble classrooms, and two ICT rooms that house desktops, laptops and tablets. On-site spaces include a staff room, reception, and offices for the director and head of studies, plus a dining hall with external catering and a packed-lunch option. Morning care is available, and a broad programme of after-school activities and language clubs complements academic study, supported by AMPA involvement throughout.

317-318 Portobello Rd, London W10 5SZ, United Kingdom

The Essentials

Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch has 416 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in Spanish, English.

Location
317 Portobello Road, London W10 5SZ, United Kingdom. Located in Notting Hill, within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Stages
Infant, primary, secondary, and Bachillerato (sixth form).

Type
Public

Additional learning support
Eight pupils have English as an additional language (EAL); no pupils have SEND.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with Spain; owned by the Kingdom of Spain and governed by the Embassy Educational Attache.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The canteen service is run by Etxeko Janaria Ltd, a Spanish catering company with UK experience, offering a variety of healthy meals with the traditional flavours of Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine. The daily cost of a meal is £5.45. Each term a letter with full menu details is sent to families. Packed lunch is available: students may bring food from home and use the canteen's microwaves. The cost of this option is £1 per day for Infants and Primary students and £0.30 per day for Secondary students.
Fees

Annual tuition at Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch ranges from GBP 4,404 to GBP 5,285 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- There is no separate non‑refundable application fee. The admissions process requires payment of the "cuota por servicios, enseñanzas y actividades de carácter complementario" (service fee) at the time of formalising enrolment.

Tuition and mandatory school fees by year group (academic year 2025–2026)

- Important note on who pays each charge:
- "Cuota por servicios" (service fee for complementary services and activities) must be paid by all pupils at enrolment.
- "Cuota de enseñanza" (teaching fee / precio público) is charged for pupils of nationality different to Spanish and must be paid in the instalments shown below.

- Education Infant (3 years)
- Service fee (cuota por servicios): GBP 1,350 (first instalment at enrolment) and GBP 1,160 (second instalment).
- Teaching fee (cuota de enseñanza, for non‑Spanish nationals): GBP 2,100 (first instalment at enrolment) and GBP 1,896 (second instalment) — annual total GBP 3,996.

- Education Infant (4 years)
- Service fee (cuota por servicios): GBP 408 (single payment at enrolment).
- Teaching fee (cuota de enseñanza, for non‑Spanish nationals): the annual teaching price applicable to Infantil/Primaria is GBP 3,996 (paid in the instalments and schedule set for Infant pupils).

- Education Infant (5 years) and Primary
- Service fee (cuota por servicios): GBP 489.60 (single payment at enrolment).
- Teaching fee (cuota de enseñanza, for non‑Spanish nationals): shown as two instalments of GBP 2,520 and GBP 2,275.20 (annual total GBP 4,795.20, which reflects the published annual price adjusted where applicable).

- Secondary (ESO) and Bachillerato
- Teaching fee (cuota de enseñanza, for non‑Spanish nationals): annual price GBP 4,966. Payment is made in two instalments (first at formalisation of enrolment and second in November). The amounts for each instalment are processed according to the centre's schedule. The annual price is subject to taxes required under UK law.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Timing of instalments (2025–2026 academic year):
- Infant: two instalments — first when formalising the matrícula (normally January/February) and the second in November.
- Primary, Secondary and Bachillerato: two instalments — first when formalising the matrícula (normally June/July) and the second in November.
- The "cuota de comedor y vigilancia" (canteen / supervision fee) and related charges are billed and collected on a trimestral basis.

- Payment method and terms:
- Payments are made by bank transfer to the accounts designated for each type of fee. Bank details (as used for enrolment payments) are provided by the centre. The centre may allow personalised payment plans on request and with authorisation of the Consejería; the Consejería may also authorise a tailored payment plan where justified. Grace periods and consequences for late payment are applied as set by the centre and the Ministry (short corrective periods are provided before further action).

Boarding fees

- The Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch operates as a day school and does not offer boarding provision; therefore there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and regular charges

- Canteen (school meals): GBP 5.45 per school day for the standard daily meal. Packed‑lunch service (use of microwave and supervision) costs GBP 1.00 per day for Infant and Primary pupils and GBP 0.30 per day for Secondary pupils. These charges are billed to families as the established canteen / supervision quota.

- School supplies and textbooks: the centre publishes textbook lists for each year; the purchase cost of books and routine classroom materials is a separate parental expense (textbook lists are published for the 2025–2026 course).

- Uniform / dress code: the school requires compliance with the centre's code of dress. There is no separate uniform fee listed as a mandatory school charge in the centre's fee documents for 2025–2026; any purchases of branded items or specific garments are handled outside the formal fee structure.

- Extracurricular activities, trips, examinations and optional services: these may be charged separately on a per‑activity basis and are billed in accordance with the school's policies and the applicable instructions for that academic year. Families will be required to pay the specific fees for optional activities they choose to use.

Refund and cancellation policy

- General rule: amounts paid are not refundable except for arithmetic or payment errors or in exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances expressly authorised by the Consejería / Ministry. There is no routine refund of instalments once paid.

Fee payment options and bank details

- The currently published payment method for enrolment and periodic fees is by bank transfer to the school's designated accounts. The centre publishes separate account details for "cuotas de servicios" and for "cuotas de enseñanza". Example account details published for payments (to be used as payment reference with the pupil's surname):
- Account name: INSTITUTO ESPANOL CANADA BLANCH. Bank: SANTANDER UK. BIC: ABBYGB2LXXX.
- Account for "cuotas de servicios": Sort code 09‑02‑22; Account Nº 10877030; IBAN: GB58ABBY09022210877030.
- Account for "cuotas de enseñanza": Sort code 09‑02‑22; Account Nº 10877043; IBAN: GB95ABBY09022210877043.

Late payment and non‑payment

- For the Ministry's public teaching prices, a corrective period for non‑payment is provided; the Consejería and centre may apply the administrative steps described in the applicable instructions, including short extra periods to regularise payment and potential suspension of participation in chargeable activities or non‑continuity for the following academic year in persistent non‑payment cases. The centre also sends written notification and allows the brief remedy periods defined in the instructions.

Reductions and exemptions

- Reductions are available for large families or special circumstances per the Ministry's rules: reductions apply (for example, discounts for multiple siblings enrolled and possible reductions or exemptions for economic hardship), and the Consejería may authorise reductions in exceptional cases. Specific reduction percentages and eligibility rules are set out in the admission and fee instructions for the year.

Summary of the most commonly billed items (typical immediate payments at enrolment)

- Service fee (all pupils): Infant 3 years — GBP 1,350 (1st instalment) + GBP 1,160 (2nd instalment); Infant 4 years — GBP 408 (single); Infant 5 & Primary — GBP 489.60 (single).
- Teaching fee (non‑Spanish nationals): Infant/Primary — annual GBP 3,996 (installments shown above for Infant 3; Infant 5/Primary figures include the applied adjustments shown in the centre's schedule); Secondary/Bachillerato — annual GBP 4,966 (two instalments as scheduled).
- Canteen: GBP 5.45 per day; packed‑lunch supervision: GBP 1.00/day (Infant/Primary) or GBP 0.30/day (Secondary).

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch teaches Bespoke Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Linguistic Project is a working document that integrates communicative competence in all areas of the curriculum. It covers the learning of the language in an interdisciplinary way in all areas of the curriculum and at all educational levels. It is a tool that improves plurilingualism and linguistic competence as a key factor of progress in all cognitive aspects. It covers both didactic-methodological and organizational aspects and must be a document agreed by all, with realistic work phases and commitments that can be fulfilled. It is part of the Centre Project.

Higher Education Progression
The school aims to enable access to higher studies in Spain and the United Kingdom. This aligns with its objective to prepare students for higher education in both Spanish and British education systems.

Gifted and Talented
There are 40 pupils identified as the most able in the school's population, and the curriculum is enriched for them.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Plan for Coexistence sets out how the school is organized and operates with respect to convivencia. It defines the general lines the school will adopt, the objectives to be reached and the actions to be taken to achieve them. Through this plan, the development of skills such as constructive communication in different social and cultural environments, tolerance, the ability to express and understand different points of view, and the capacity to negotiate with trust and empathy is promoted. People must be able to manage behavior that shows respect for differences in a constructive manner. Fostering equity, equal opportunities, respect for democratic principles and for fundamental rights and freedoms requires flexible and varied measures to adapt the school's structure and organization to the needs and demands of society and to the diverse aptitudes, interests, expectations and personalities of students.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Equity and equal opportunities are promoted and the school respects democratic principles and the rights and freedoms. Flexible and varied measures are implemented to adapt the school's structure and organization to the needs and demands of society and to the diverse aptitudes, interests, expectations and personalities of students.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Linguistic Plan is a working document that integrates communicative competence across all areas of the curriculum. It aims to cover language learning in an interdisciplinary way across all areas and levels. It is a tool that enhances plurilingualism and linguistic competence as a key driver of progress in all cognitive aspects. The Linguistic Plan covers both didactic-methodological and organizational aspects. It must be a document agreed by all, with realistic work phases and commitments that can be fulfilled. It forms part of the School Project.

Mental Wellbeing
The Health and Sport Promotion Project is an instrument for achieving student well-being and contributing to their holistic education. The Project forms part of Physical Education due to the close link between the curriculum of this subject and students' holistic development. Therefore it provides physical, cognitive, affective, emotional and social tools and promotes healthy lifestyles from self-knowledge and the potential to improve in any capacity through training, whether physical, mental or emotional. The Project's intervention proposals aim to maximize student participation in formative, recreational and physical activities and to establish a climate of well-being and healthy, stable and safe convivencia. Emphasis is on processes rather than results and on motivation, with the conviction that good practices and healthy habits gradually take root throughout the schooling period.

Safeguarding
The school has a Safeguarding Policy and a Safeguarding Newsletter. The page lists Safeguarding Newsletter issues by month, including June 2025, May 2025, April 2025, March 2025, February 2025, January 2025 and December 2024.
Parent Experience

Community
The school is owned and operated by the Kingdom of Spain and follows Spanish governance arrangements; the chief executive officer is the Spanish Embassy Education Attaché, and there is no UK-style board of trustees. Educational decisions are made by the Teaching and Learning Committee (Comisión de Coordinación Pedagógica). A School Advisory Board (Consejo Escolar) meets four times a year and includes leadership, teaching staff, parents and pupils; there is also a School Council with class representatives that meet at least once every half term to share views and make suggestions to the Deputy Heads. The Parents Association collaborates with the school in various activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Association (AMPA) is a nonprofit organization formed and managed by an Executive Board of mothers and fathers elected every 3 years. The Executive Board was renewed in November 2024. Chair: Alexia Aparicio; Secretary: Arnau Martínez; Treasurer: Anthony Bevan; Members: Julie Camacho, Ana López, Noemi Martos and María Rodríguez. Contact: ampavcbs@gmail.com. Our missions are to organize activities (Family reading, Catalan club, Parent School), promote the participation of families through our social events, guide families and facilitate dialogue with the Educative Team, represent families at the School Governing Board, manage the pre-loved uniform shop, and fundraise money for the school. In the year 2021/22, the AMPA donated £621.45 to the library. This year 2022/23, the AMPA hopes to raise £2000 to refurbish the Early Year Playground; so far, we reached £700. How to register? You can request your membership form via email at ampavcbs@gmail.com. Membership fee: £12 per family. How can you help us? Registering to the association and participating in our AGM; volunteering; attending our events and activities; becoming a class representative; following us on social media.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
317 Portobello Road, London W10 5SZ. The center comprises classrooms, a library and a laboratory, with desdoble (split) classrooms and two ICT rooms. On-site spaces include a staff room, reception, director's and head of studies' offices, and a secretary's office. A dining hall is available, with meals served by an external catering company and a packed-lunch option with microwaves. Morning care and other student-support spaces are provided on site. The digital learning environment is supported by two ICT rooms and a total of 70 laptops plus 20 tablets.

Academic Facilities
The centre has two ICT rooms (Salas TIC). The Primary ICT room provides 21 desktops and the Secondary ICT room provides 28 desktops. There are eight desdoble (split) classrooms and a dedicated library. Administrative spaces include a staff room, the secretariat, and offices for the director and the head of studies. The school houses 70 laptops and 20 tablets distributed across the campus.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Afterschool activities for 2025-2026 include Madrugadores, a morning club running Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 8:45 (£10 per month; Blanca Rodredguez, canadaclubmadrugadores@gmail.com). After School Dreams offers academic reinforcement from 15:15 to 16:30 (£40). MiniCooking runs on Mondays from 15:15 (£10). Boxing, Gymnastics, and Art-related classes run on various days after the school day ends, with prices up to £15. There are language clubs (Catalan) and a range of performing arts (Music, Dance, Theatre) as well as Photography, Chess, Knitting, and Coding. Football, Basketball, Handball, Tennis, Flamenco, and other sports are offered at different times, often with AMPA or external providers. Many clubs list contact emails and providers; fees vary by activity and are often AMPA-affiliated or club-based (examples include AMPA-supported chess and coding clubs).
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Academic reinforcement focuses on mathematics, language, and French, available Monday through Friday from 15:15 to 16:30 at £40 per term. Coding Club runs on Wednesdays for Primary 3–6 from 15:20 to 16:20, priced at £135 per term, run by Cypher. These programs extend learning beyond the classroom.

Arts & Creative
Arts/Artistic Instruments offer piano, violin, guitar, ukulele, and singing with 1:1 lessons at £42 per hour and group lessons at £13 per hour. Photography classes run on Wednesdays for students from year 3 upwards, 15:15–16:15 and 16:00–17:00, at £235 per term, organized by Penia Photo Studio. Creative Writing Workshop runs Thursdays in two groups from 15:20–16:20, £15 per session, contact canadawritingclub@gmail.com.

Cultural & Language
Catalán language sessions run on Wednesdays and Fridays from 15:20 to 16:45, price £15 (AMPA members £12). Organized by AMPA, contact ampavcbs@gmail.com. Francés sessions run on Thursdays from 15:15 to 16:30 (Infantil 4–Primaria), price £12.

Social & Hobbies
Morning Club (Club de Madrugadores) runs Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 8:45, price £10, in Spanish; contact Blanca Rodríguez. After-school clubs cover a wide range of activities including Multideporte, Ballet, Tennis, and Football, with sessions scheduled on various days and prices. These offerings support physical activity and leisure opportunities across the week.

Community & Service
The Asociación de Padres y Madres de alumnado (AMPA) collaborates on activities and clubs, with a dedicated contact and events coordinated through AMPA channels.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Structured routines are provided through the Morning Club and a range of after-school activities, supporting daily organization and wellbeing. A broad selection of sports clubs—including football, basketball, gymnastics, boxing, and dance—offers physical activity across the weekly schedule.
Languages

Bilingual Teaching
The Linguistic Plan is a working document that integrates communicative competence across the entire curriculum. It aims to cover language learning in an interdisciplinary way across all areas and educational levels. It enhances plurilingualism and linguistic competence as a key factor in cognitive development. It covers both instructional-methodological and organizational aspects and forms part of the Center's Project.
Admissions

Admissions
Infantil (Early Education) admissions for the 2026/2027 course: Applications for admission are submitted from November 10 to November 28, 2025. The Admissions Committee reviews applications and conducts interviews from December 1 to December 12, 2025. Provisional lists of admitted and non-admitted students are published on January 9, 2026. Objections to provisional lists may be submitted from January 12 to January 14, 2026. Definitive lists of admitted and excluded students are published on January 19, 2026. Enrollment formalization for admitted students takes place from January 21 to February 11, 2026. In the 2026-27 academic year, another 3-year-old class will be opened, increasing places from 20 to 40.

Primaria, Secundaria y Bachill erato (Primary, Secondary and Baccalaureate) admissions: Ordinary pre-registration window runs from November 10 to November 28, 2025. Applications are ranked until December 12, 2025. An entrance test is held on December 15, 2025. Provisional lists of admitted and excluded students are published on January 9, 2026. Appeals against provisional lists may be submitted from January 12 to January 14, 2026. Definitive lists of admitted and excluded students are published on January 19, 2026. Appeals to the education authorities may be submitted from January 20 to January 22, 2026. Ordinary enrollment for admitted students runs from February 9 to March 27, 2026.

Definitive lists of admitted, excluded and wait-listed students for the 2026-27 course are published.

Días de visita al IEVCB (Open mornings): Open mornings are available for visiting the center. To sign up, complete the online form.

Pruebas de acceso (Entrance tests): To be admitted, a placement test is required, consisting of: - Educación Infantil and 1st year of Primaria: to determine, among other aspects, the applicant's knowledge of the Spanish language; after reviewing the report from the applicant's previous center, the Admissions Committee will invite the parents/guardians and the student to an interview. Knowledge of Spanish is not a requirement for admission to these courses. - Primaria 2º–6º, ESO and Bachillerato: A written competency exam in Spanish, English and Mathematics. The date and time of these tests are determined by the Admissions Instructions for each course; for late applications, the student will be called individually. Some previous-year exam models can be downloaded, including: Modelos de pruebas de admisión de Lengua Castellana Primaria; Modelos de pruebas de admisión de Matemáticas Primaria; Modelos de pruebas de admisión de Lengua Castellana ESO y Bachillerato; Modelos de pruebas de admisión de Matemáticas ESO y Bachillerato; Modelos de pruebas de admisión de Inglés ESO y Bachillerato.

Cuotas de matriculación (Enrollment fees): In accordance with Royal Decree 1027/1993, tuition for Spanish and foreign students at centers run by the Spanish State abroad is determined by the Ministry of Education and Professional Training. Annual prices for each course year are published in the BOE around June and can be consulted in the secretariat documents section.
School Events
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