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The British School of Barcelona - BSB Castelldefels

The British School of Barcelona (BSB) is a leading international school in Spain, accredited as ‘Outstanding in Every Category’ by the British Government's Department of Education. It is the only school in Barcelona to hold this distinction, recognizing its excellence in teaching, student support, and overall educational approach.

With over 65 years of experience, BSB has a strong reputation for providing world-class education across its campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels, and Sitges.

The school has two campuses in Castelldefels -BSB Castelldefels and BSB Nexus- both of which provide state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance both learning and personal development.

Primary Language(s)

English

Curriculum

British

Qualifications

IBDP, British iGCSEs , British iA Levels

Age Range

3 - 18 years old

Welcome Note 

Graded as ‘Outstanding in every category’ in our recent inspection, we have a proud, well-established reputation for providing a world-class international education to students from two to eighteen.
Academic outcomes are very important and BSB students obtain excellent examination results which enable them to access top universities in Spain and around the world. However, in order to thrive in a rapidly evolving world, young people need more than just top grades. They need to develop the skills and attributes they will require in a world where many jobs will be automated and distinctly 'human' qualities – creativity, curiosity, collaboration – will be prized above all else.
School should also be fun and BSB offers a nurturing environment where young people can flourish and emerge ready to take on the challenges that await them with confidence and certainty.
We'd love you to come and visit our campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels and Sitges to find out more about why BSB could be the right school for your child.
Neil Tetley
Executive Principal

School Ethos

The British School of Barcelona is a caring, learning community with high expectations.

Our Educational Aims
• Academic: We inspire all to be creative, curious thinkers within a culture of support and challenge.
• Character: We provide individual growth through high expectations; demonstrating commitment, resilience & respect for all.
• Global: We are global citizens, embracing difference, cared for and caring, and principled in our beliefs.

Languages

Primary Language

English

Additional languages offered

English is the school's vehicular language, complemented by the progressive teaching of Spanish and Catalan from Primary School onwards. In Secondary, pupils can choose between French or German as a foreign language, with the option of continuing with the language until Pre-University. It also offers after-school clubs for Russian, Chinese, French, Catalan and Spanish.

Language support available

We offer an extensive programme of EAL (English as an Additional Language).

Curriculum

The British School of Barcelona follows the British Curriculum and the vehicular language is English. This means that students become fluent in English as if they were native English speakers, regardless of their country of origin. For Spanish and Catalan language and culture subjects, the school follows the guidelines of the Catalan Department of Education and the Spanish Ministry of Education.

In the British model, the curriculum is highly personalised to facilitate independent and creative learning. Students can choose their own activities and subjects throughout Secondary and Pre-University to acquire a well-rounded education adapted to their interests and abilities.

BSB offers a holistic education that combines academic excellence with the development of key qualities and attributes such as communication, creativity, critical thinking and leadership. Its pedagogical approach is based on the development of nine BSB Learning Habits, structured in four areas: emotional engagement, critical thinking, strategic learning and collaboration.

The school encourages autonomy, teamwork and problem-solving, promoting learning that prepares students for the challenges of the future with confidence and security. It follows an inclusive and highly personalised model which ensures that all pupils reach their full potential.

Qualifications

Secondary students take the internationally recognised GCSE exams.
In Pre-University education, students can choose between A Levels (British curriculum) and the International Baccalaureate (IB), both of which can be validated with the Spanish Bachillerato.

Facilities

BSB Castelldefels is a culturally diverse campus for students from 3 to 16. It offers purpose-built, modern facilities for students in Early Years, Primary and Secondary. This optimal setting supports and enhances effective teaching and learning that lead to consistently high standards of achievement. Each part of the school has its own distinct and age-appropriate learning and play and social spaces.

• Early Years: This includes classrooms with direct access to outside play spaces where the Continuous Provision framework can be further developed.
• Primary: Learning takes place in well-equipped classrooms and support and specialist rooms. The Primary school also has a well-shaded play area with enhanced playground facilities.
• Secondary: There are faculty areas with dedicated rooms for all subjects, including IT; nine modern science laboratories; a purpose-built art block; a large, purpose-built music department with a main teaching room and five practise rooms, a Learning Resources Centre and a Wellbeing Centre.
• BSB Nexus is a purpose-built Pre-University campus for students aged 16 to 18, offering a university-style environment with dedicated study and social spaces that foster independence and 21st-century skills.

Shared facilities across both campuses include a 376-seat theatre, music practice rooms, art rooms, and extensive sports areas such as an indoor gym, outdoor courts, and a 9,000 m² rugby and football stadium.

Students also benefit from the adjacent BSB STEM Centre, equipped with cutting-edge laboratory technology for hands-on scientific research, further reinforcing BSB’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

First Year Joining Fee

The matriculation Fee (non-refundable single payment) is €3,200. Subsequent siblings are €1,600.

Annual Tuition

Fees for the academic year 2024-2025:

Early Years (BSB Castelldefels)

Age 3 – Nursery
o 3 full days: €8,315
o 4 full days: €10,400
o 5 half days: €7,300
o Full-time: €11,200

Age 4 – Reception
o Full-time: €11,200

Fee includes: Tuition, lunch, snack, morning "Guardería" service (from 8:30 am), school materials, books, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.
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Primary (BSB Castelldefels)

Age 5 – Year 1
o Annual fee: €12,820

Age 6 – Year 2
o Annual fee: €12,820

Fee includes: Tuition, lunch, snack, school materials, books, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.

Age 7 – Year 3
o Annual fee: €15,300

Age 8 – Year 4
o Annual fee: €15,450

Age 9 – Year 5
o Annual fee: €15,450

Age 10 – Year 6
o Annual fee: €15,450

Fee includes: Tuition, lunch, snack, school materials, books, 1-to-1 devices & EdTech, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.
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Secondary (BSB Castelldefels)

Age 11 – Year 7
o Annual fee: €16,950

Age 12 – Year 8
o Annual fee: €16,950

Fee includes: Tuition, lunch, school materials (including licenses for online textbooks), 1-to-1 devices & EdTech, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.

Age 13 – Year 9
o Annual fee: €15,200

Age 14 – Year 10
o Annual fee: €15,950

Age 15 – Year 11
o Annual fee: €15,950

Fee includes: Tuition, school materials (including licenses for online textbooks), 1-to-1 devices & EdTech, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.
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Pre-University (BSB Nexus)

Age 16 – Year 12 (A-Level): €17,800

Age 16 – Year 12 (IB): €18,300

Age 17 – Year 13 (A-Level): €17,800

Age 17 – Year 13 (IB): €18,300

Fee includes: Tuition, pre-university program, school materials (including licenses for online textbooks), 1-to-1 devices & EdTech, school insurance, and education continuity insurance.


Additional Fees

• External Examination Fees
• School Uniform
• School Lunch from Year 9 to Year 13 (lunch included at BSB City up to Year 11)
• After-School Activities
• School Transport
• Childcare Service before and after school
• Lockers’ annual maintenance fee from Year 7 to Year 13
• Educational visits, field trips and residentials.


Discounts

• Discount on the matriculation fee is available for siblings (50% off).
• Discounts on the tuition fee are available for siblings from the third child onwards.
• The school fees are annual and are paid in ten instalments throughout the school year.
• There is a prompt annual payment discount of 2% received by bank transfer before the start of each academic year.

Fees

School in Numbers

School size

2175 students across all BSB campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels and Sitges

Classes per grade / age

At BSB Castelldefels Early Years there are two classes per year group
In Primary, there are two or three classes depending on the year group
In Secondary, there are 7 form groups per year group
At BSB Nexus Pre-University there are 9 form groups per year group

Class sizes

At BSB Castelldefels Early Years there are 20 students maximum per class
In Primary School, 24 students maximum per class
In Secondary, an average of 24 students per class
At BSB Nexus Pre-University, an average of 16 students per classroom

Nationalities 

71 nationalities

Student Support

What learning needs the school can support

The British School of Barcelona has a Student Support Department that provides assistance and guidance for students' learning, emotional, social, and behavioural needs.
The team offers both in-class and out-of-class support, as well as workshops and fully personalised assistance, whether academic, emotional, or social. Support is provided when a student has a need identified by their teachers, family, or the student themselves. A student may require additional support for a limited period or throughout their entire school journey. The support is always tailored to the individual needs of each student.
The Student Support Services team holds a wide range of qualifications and specialisations, including:
o Psychology
o PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)
o Master’s in Intervention for Learning Difficulties
o Postgraduate Certificate: National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination
o Specialisation in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Children and Adolescents
o Master’s in Neuropsychology
o Postgraduate Degree in Emotional Education and Wellbeing
o Master’s in Inclusive Education
o Speech and Language Therapy

What support staff are available

The student support department is made up of:
- Director of Student Support
- Child Protection and Wellbeing Coordinator
- Personal Development Coordinators
- Learning Support Coordinators
- Specialist Learning Assistants

Admissions

Details of entry criteria

Early Years: Children applying for Nursery and Reception places are not required to have any prior knowledge of English.

Primary: Pupils applying for places at Years 1 and 2 must have an age-appropriate level of spoken English. Pupils applying for places in Year 3 and above at BSB School must have an age-appropriate level of spoken and written English. They will be required to sit an English language assessment. Previous school reports and a reference will also be requested. A meeting between the Head or Deputy Head of Primary and the pupil will be arranged.

Secondary: Students applying for places in the Secondary department (Years 7-11) must have an age-appropriate level of spoken and written English. They will be required to sit an assessment of English language. An academic school reference and the most recent school reports must be submitted. A meeting between the Head of Secondary and the pupil will be arranged.

Pre-University: Pre-University candidates (Years 12-13) will be required to provide evidence they have achieved five 9-4 GCSE’s, or their equivalent, in their previous school. Candidates will also be required to present past school reports and an academic school reference. Candidates will sit an English language assessment and a Maths assessment designed to assess if they have a level of English and Maths that will allow them to participate in the Pre-University curriculum. Beyond this, candidates may be asked to sit exams specific to the subject areas they wish to study, depending on each candidate’s individual application. These exams will be appropriate to the candidate’s year group.

Details of entry tests

In Primary and Secondary, students are required to sit an assessment of English language.
In Pre-University they are also required to sit a Maths assessment.

Further Information

Joining BSB follows an easy 7-Step Process:
1. Contact Us – Get in touch with our Admissions Team to discuss your child’s needs, check availability, and learn more about BSB.
2. Visit BSB – Attend an Open Day, book a private tour, or join a virtual event to experience our welcoming school environment.
3. Apply for a Place – Submit an online application with school reports, ID/passport, and any required references.
4. Assessment & Interview – Depending on your child’s age, they will complete an assessment and/or an interview with the Headteacher.
5. Offer of Place – If successful and a place is available, we will send a formal offer. If full, your child will be placed on a waiting list.
6. Complete Admissions Documents – Secure your child’s place by submitting required documents and paying the matriculation fee.
7. Start at BSB – Enjoy a smooth transition and become part of the BSB community!

Extra Curriculars

After-school activities take place from Monday to Friday, from 16.15 to 18.00h (times vary depending on the club)
Clubs include: Football, basketball, rugby, handball, volleyball, tennis, paddle tennis, netball, chess, guitar, piano, singing, choir, gymnastics, languages, plastic arts, technology, dance, climbing, fencing, hockey, skateboarding, taekwondo, table tennis, trampolining, yoga, zumba, swimming, cheerleading, jewellery, cooking, knitting, calligraphy, book club, mini science, mini robotics, video game programming, STEM, ballet, drama, hip-hop, aloha (mental arithmetic), Leaders of Tomorrow, languages.

Additional Info

Accreditations and Memberships