British Council School of Madrid (BSMADR)

The British Council School of Madrid, founded in 1940, is one of the oldest established bilingual schools in Europe. The school is located in Somosaguas, in the western outskirts of Madrid. A small Infant Section in central Madrid will be transferred to a new Early Years Centre due to open in Somosaguas in autumn 2004.

The school is inspected by British and Spanish inspectors in accordance with the Spanish Ministry of Education requirements for foreign schools. The school is recognized by the Local Education Department as a British School to Year 11 and as a Spanish School in 'Bachillerato 1 and 2' (Years 12 and 13).

The student body is 99% Spanish and usually enters the school at the age of three. The curriculum is British to IGCSE. Some subjects are also taught to A/AS Level. Spanish and Spanish Social Studies are taught in accordance with the Spanish national curriculum. All students are prepared for UK and Spanish University entrance.

Students may also sit the Cambridge FCE, Advanced English and Proficiency examinations in which a high success rate is obtained each year. French is the principal foreign language and a very high standard is achieved in this subject.

Drama, art and music are compulsory subjects and the school has an excellent choir and orchestra. Art exhibitions in school are always of a very high standard. There are both annual Spanish and English plays.

Outside the curriculum, the school has a Sports Club which offers a variety of sports and other activities after school. Flamenco and ballet classes are also offered. Some students also participate in creative, and community service activities.

In July, there is a summer school in music and drama and another in English and sports.

Admission to the English school is invited in November for entrance the following academic year. Priority is given to siblings and children of former students. Students aged over five must satisfy entrance requirements in English and Spanish. In Primary and Secondary, the students also take tests in maths and science.