English Academy Santa Claus vs International Rural School

	E English Academy Santa Claus Barcelona, Spain	I International Rural School Barcelona, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €8,025 - 9,775	Fees / year €7,980 - 8,580
Age range	Age range 3 - 12 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils 100	Pupils 51
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Spanish	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1965	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Lleó XIII, 12, 08022 Barcelona, Cataluña, España. The school is in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.	Location The school is located in Llinars del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain, at Disseminat 133 Can Ribó, 08450. It is in a rural, forested setting near the village center, accessible by local roads.
Stages	Stages Early Years; Primary Education	Stages Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and post-16 (A-Levels).
School type	School type Private family school; Montessori philosophy	School type Private British co-educational day school; BSO-accredited (British School Overseas).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Spain	Country affiliation Spain (Catalonia).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Start 8:30; end 17:30	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details School bus service is available.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & one‑off fees - EUR 1,405 Inscription fee, paid once during the child's entire schooling. - EUR 525 Annual matrícula (registration) fee, payable from the second year onward. Tuition fees by year group (monthly and annual amounts) - Infant School (Reception, Kinder & Prep): EUR 750 monthly (paid September to June). Annual total (10 months): EUR 7,500. - Primary — Ciclo Inicial (Form I & II): EUR 820 monthly (paid September to June). Annual total (10 months): EUR 8,200. - Primary — Ciclo Medio (Form III & IV): EUR 870 monthly (paid September to June). Annual total (10 months): EUR 8,700. - Primary — Ciclo Superior (Form V & VI): EUR 925 monthly (paid September to June). Annual total (10 months): EUR 9,250. Billing schedule and payment terms - Regular tuition is billed as a monthly fee for the period September to June (10 monthly payments at the amounts listed above). - Inscription is a one‑time payment at enrollment; matrícula is charged annually from the second year. Specific invoice dates, late‑payment penalties and formal payment terms are not published in the fee document. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. The school is an early years and primary day school; no boarding or residential fees are published. What the tuition covers and additional charges - The published tuition amounts include tuition, meals, textbooks, materials and outings. - The only explicitly listed additional charge is the cost of official English exams for Primary pupils; the fee amounts for those exams are not specified. Other costs or fees - Official English exam fees (Primary): additional and not specified. - Uniform costs, optional extracurricular charges, transportation, deposits, sibling discounts and other potential extras are not listed in the published fee document. Refund information - No published refund policy or schedule for fee refunds appears in the school's public fee document or contact information. Refund terms and conditions for any of the fees listed are not specified. Fee payment options - The published fee materials do not specify accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, direct debit, bank transfer). Contact details (telephone and email) are provided for enquiries, but specific payment channels are not listed. Summary of missing details (items not published in the fee schedule) - Exact per‑term fees (the school publishes monthly charges for September–June rather than per‑term amounts). - Specific due dates, late‑payment penalties and formal payment terms. - Fees for official English examinations and any uniforms or optional activities. - Accepted payment methods and a published refund policy. (Note: amounts above are shown in EUR and reflect the figures published in the school's publicly available fee document.)	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Enrolment (registration) fee: EUR 780 per year. - Extracurricular enrolment fee: EUR 50 per year (applies to after‑school/extracurricular activities). Tuition fees by year group (as published) - Early Years Foundation Stage; Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (Nursery, Reception, Primary): EUR 5,800 per academic year. This is shown as a monthly charge of EUR 580, billed September through June. The published fee package explicitly includes tuition, school material, books, instrument lessons, swimming lessons and school insurance. - Key Stage 3 (lower secondary): EUR 6,400 per academic year. This is shown as a monthly charge of EUR 640, billed September through June. The published fee package explicitly includes tuition, school material, books, instrument lessons, swimming lessons and school insurance. - Key Stage 4 (GCSE/IGCSE years) and post‑16 (A‑levels/IB/baccalaureate) fees are not listed in the published fee schedule provided. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is shown as a monthly charge billed from September to June (10 monthly payments). The published schedule presents both an annual fee and the corresponding monthly charge for those months. - The annual enrolment/registration fee is charged once per year. - Sibling discount: 10% discount on fees when children from the same family are simultaneously enrolled. Boarding fees - No boarding fees are listed; the school's published information presents standard day‑school hours (Monday–Friday 08:30 to 16:30). Boarding is not indicated as an available option. Other costs and recurring extras - Lunch service: Regular use EUR 135 (as listed); occasional use EUR 10 per day. The published schedule lists these charges for the lunch service. - Extracurricular lessons (Monday to Friday, 17:00–18:00): 1 day per week EUR 50; 2 days per week EUR 80. An extracurricular enrolment fee of EUR 50 per year is shown. - Summer camp (published dates shown for the camp period): EUR 480 for the full period indicated (lunch included) or EUR 160 per week. - Items not specifically priced in the published schedule include uniforms, transport/bus, examination/assessment fees, textbooks replacement beyond those listed as included, specialist trips, and some optional extracurriculars. These items were not given specific charges in the published fee sheet. Refund information - The published fee document does not specify a refund policy or detailed terms for refunds or cancellations. No refund schedule or conditions are listed in the fee sheet. Fee payment options - The published fee document does not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, direct debit, credit card) or invoicing details. No payment method details are listed in the fee sheet. Notes about the published fee information (summary of limitations) - The available published fee schedule found is presented for Year 2019–2020 and supplies core figures for Early Years/Primary and Key Stage 3 only. Several categories that parents commonly require (detailed fees for Key Stage 4 and post‑16, explicit payment method instructions, a formal refund policy, uniform costs, and any boarding fees) are not included in that published fee sheet. The figures and line items above reflect what is shown in the school's published fee document.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school has a polo uniform; polo shirts are available in the school shop.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Homemade meals for students are provided; lunch is available for a regular fee (Lunch Regular Use 135€; occasional use 10€ per day).
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is a private family school and is governed by a school board.	Governance and ownership The school is authorized by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Centre 08075979) and is accredited as a British School Overseas with triple accreditation: British, Cambridge and Spanish.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Total immersion in English for Early Years (ages 3–6), with children communicating in English through academics and play. Educational materials are from Britain and reflect British teaching methods. The Montessori philosophy underpins a practical, active and experimental approach while maintaining academic rigor. Primary Education provides a trilingual curriculum in English, Catalan and Spanish, with fluency in all three by the end. The program blends Anglo-Saxon and Spanish models and uses the same English-language materials as Great Britain. Core subjects include English, Catalan, Spanish, Mathematics, Natural and Social Sciences, Arts, Music and Physical Education, and Trinity (1º–4º), Cambridge (KET/PET), and Generalitat de Catalunya exams are taken with success; the school has over 50 years of experience and emphasizes a close, personalized environment and a stimulating academic approach.	Curriculum details The school offers a balanced and broadly based curriculum. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. It follows the national curriculum, providing pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge they need to be educated citizens and helping engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement. There is time and space in the school day and each week, term and year to range beyond the national curriculum specifications, with the curriculum providing an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons to promote development of pupils' knowledge, understanding and skills as part of the wider school curriculum. Core subjects are English, Mathematics and Science. Foundation subjects include Art and design, Citizenship, Computing, Design and technology, Languages, Geography, History, Music, and Physical education.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes. There is a teacher and a teacher assistant per class, with reinforcement teachers available.
Exam results	Exam results Primary students complete Trinity College London oral exams in 1º–4º. In 5º–6º, they take Cambridge Exams (KET and PET). They also sit the Generalitat de Catalunya official exams in 3º and 6º with success. The school reports good results across these official exams.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning English Academy Santa Claus provides an environment that supports social and emotional development. It reinforces values such as respect, understanding of others and harmony with the surroundings. The school prioritizes the relationship between students and teachers, and mutual respect among students. It is a rigorous school where awareness of limits, respect for those around us and good manners are highly valued. Over more than 50 years, it has adapted to social, environmental and technological changes, addressing academic, social, cognitive and emotional aspects with new methodologies and programmes. Students are encouraged to develop empathy and teamwork and to flourish physically, emotionally, creatively and cognitively.	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Emotional education is primordial. The school provides an atmosphere in which boys and girls flourish physically, emotionally, creatively and cognitively. It fosters empathy and teamwork and supports management of emotions through philosophy, ethics and civics, debates and tutorings. The approach emphasizes the importance of emotional development as part of the educational project.	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Onsite kitchen provides meals prepared by our own staff. Food is seasonal and of good quality, and local products are used. Menus are healthy and balanced and analyzed by nutritional specialists. The school is a private family environment guided by the Montessori philosophy and offers trilingual education.	Facilities overview Facilities include a vegetable garden for hands-on learning, and homemade meals are provided for students. Transportation is available via a school bus, and monthly trips to museums and cultural sites are organized. Work experiences are offered for secondary students. The school maintains small class sizes with a teacher and teaching assistant per class, plus reinforcement teachers to support individual learning.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Sports activities take place at partner venues: Tennis & Padell at Club Deportivo Bonasport, with the school accompanying students to the club and parents collecting them there. Jazz & Hip-Hop dance takes place at Danza Menchu Durán, with the school accompanying students to the venue and parents collecting them there. Tae kwon do takes place at Club Deportivo Bonasport, with the school accompanying students to the club. Swimming takes place at Club Tennis Barcino, with the school accompanying students to the club. Football is offered at Camp de l'Àliga and at Club Esportiu Europa, with supervision by the school. Basketball takes place at Club Deportivo Bonasport, and Chess is taught on campus.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Total immersion in English for the early years; children aged 3 to 6 communicate in English through academic and play activities. Educational materials are from Britain and reflect British teaching methods. The program develops language across speaking, reading, and writing in English, Catalan, and Spanish, especially in Primary Education. Mathematics is taught using manipulative tools such as Unifix, Regletas, and Numicon. Students progress toward official English exams such as Trinity and Cambridge, as well as Catalunya's Generalitat.	Academic facilities International Rural School is a private British school in Llinars del Vallès teaching Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary, and Secondary, with A-Levels equivalent to Bachillerato-Selectividad. The curriculum follows the English National Curriculum and emphasizes music as an interdisciplinary component, explored through instruments, history, and language. The school pursues personalized education with roughly one teacher for every 12–15 students, and learning occurs in classrooms, outdoors, and through weekly outings. The pedagogical approach draws on Decroly, Dewey, and Freinet to foster curiosity, confidence, and responsible citizenship.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities French and Mandarin Chinese are offered for students from Form I to Form VI, with sessions at the school. Art classes are held on Wednesdays, and Study & Homework sessions take place at the school. English lessons for alumni are available in the evenings, with small-group formats and Cambridge exam preparation. Other extracurricular activities include a focus on study habits and broader language development. The school also provides access to English language programs and Cambridge exam preparation for alumni.	Extra curricular facilities Core subjects and extracurricular lessons during school time include piano, violin, robotics, chess, Chinese, and swimming. The program includes workshops and weekly projects. A vegetable garden and homemade meals are provided, and monthly trips to museums and cultural sites support learning beyond the classroom. School-based work experiences for secondary students supplement academic study.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History English Academy Santa Claus is a private family school based on personalised education. It follows the Montessori philosophy, emphasising practical, active and experimental learning while maintaining a solid theoretical base. The school has over 50 years of experience adapting to social, environmental and technological changes. It was founded in 1965 by a founder who wanted to provide an education with a British character and total English language immersion in the early years, with Spanish and Catalan taught later in primary. It is located at Lleó XIII, 12, Barcelona, Spain.	History —
Community	Community From Form IV upwards, students participate in the annual Trip to Great Britain organized by the school. Destinations have included London, the Isle of Jersey, Exmouth, Plymouth and Exeter in recent years. These trips enable students to use English spontaneously, learn about another culture and ways of living. They also foster autonomy, responsibility, companionship and friendship during away-from-home experiences.	Community The learning process is promoted in different educational environments: in the classroom, in the open air, and weekly outings in the neighbourhood. The school offers monthly trips to museums and cultural trips. Olympic Week is described on the site as a themed learning event with activities such as vocabulary, art, and physical activities. The school nurtures cordial coexistence and social skills among students as part of their personal development.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school is a private family school with personalized education. It offers a superior quality of teaching and individualised attention. It follows the Montessori philosophy while incorporating new pedagogical tools and academic programmes. It has over 50 years of experience adapting to social, environmental and technological challenges to support students' academic, social, cognitive and emotional development.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school values creative endeavours such as art and craft, theatre and language from the very beginning. Art, music and drama are integrated into the curriculum, encouraging creativity, curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. The environment welcomes tradition and creativity, and emphasizes expressive projects across multiple disciplines.	Arts & creative The school provides artistic activities, music and theatre, storytelling and cooking activities linked to topics students explore. Students engage in creative expression as part of their learning. Projects arise from the children's own interests and the classroom environment. Artistic activities are integrated with language and science topics to support engagement.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language English Academy Santa Claus is a trilingual school. In Early Years, there is total immersion in English language. In Primary Education, students learn English, Catalan and Spanish, achieving fluency in all three languages. The program blends Anglo-Saxon and Spanish teaching models and fosters awareness of cultural realities and knowledge of other cultures.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Students develop social skills through active, experiential learning and participation in school life, building a solid work ethic and sense of responsibility. Oral skills in all three languages are reinforced through activities such as theatre, radio work and debates. The school emphasizes empathy and teamwork as core values to support collaboration and personal growth.	Social & hobbies The school nurtures cordial coexistence and social skills among students to support personal development. Social development is fostered through daily interactions and collaborative activities. Students learn to collaborate, communicate and respect others as part of their routine. These dynamics contribute to a positive classroom community.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Students become enterprising and independent young people by overcoming obstacles and discovering their strengths. They gain a solid base to confront future challenges. Active and experimental education fosters leadership, responsibility and personal development. The teaching staff is highly qualified and the program remains rigorous and innovative.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sport Activities include Tennis & Padle, Jazz & Hip-Hop, Tae Kwon Do, Swimming, Football, Basketball and Chess, with activities scheduled through the after-school program. The school accompanies students to clubs and parents collect them from the premises. Summer Camp offers academic, artistic and sport activities in a familiar environment. From Form IV upwards, there is an annual Trip to Great Britain to practice English and gain autonomy.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Languages taught are English, Catalan and Spanish; by end of Primary, students can communicate fluently in all three. In Early Years, English immersion uses materials from Britain. Primary subjects include English language, Catalan language, Spanish language, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Philosophy, Arts and Music, and Physical Education. Official exams include Trinity exams for 1º-4º Primary, Cambridge KET and PET for 5º-6º Primary, and Generalitat de Catalunya exams for 3º and 6º Primary.	Language provision English is the language of instruction and the school follows the English National Curriculum. Chinese is taught as a subject.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Early Years provides total immersion in English. The educational material is from Britain and follows British teaching practices. Primary Education introduces Spanish and gradually Catalan, delivering a trilingual education in English, Catalan and Spanish by the end of Primary. The English language remains foundational across subjects, with English, Catalan and Spanish taught.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Total immersion in English is provided in Early Years. Language develops in all areas of the curriculum and daily school life. Oral skills in all three languages are reinforced at Primary, and written language is developed in all three languages.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations British School Overseas (BSO); Triple accreditation: British, Cambridge and Spanish certification
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Placement begins with a personal interview with the school board. To arrange a visit, provide your contact details to request a time to meet.	Admissions —
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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