ISCAT International School of Catalunya vs The Olive Tree School

	I ISCAT International School of Catalunya Barcelona, Spain	T The Olive Tree School Barcelona, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €8,925 - 13,650	Fees / year €9,300 - 13,600
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 16 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum British Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 150	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2007	Opened 2010
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location La Garriga campus in La Garriga, Barcelona, Spain. The main address is Manuel Raspall, 8, 08530 La Garriga, Barcelona. The campus comprises four buildings (Blancafort, Manuel Raspall, Xavier Calls and Caselles) and can accommodate up to 300 students from Nursery to Year 13. It is about 30 minutes from Barcelona city centre and from the Costa Brava beaches; La Garriga is green and safe with a train station nearby for easy access to Barcelona.	Location Carrer les Modistes 8, Sant Pere de Ribes, 08812 Barcelona
Stages	Stages From 3 to 18 years (Nursery through Year 13).	Stages Nursery & Reception (Saplings); Primary School; Secondary School; ages 3–16
School type	School type British international day school.	School type British international school following the British Curriculum; NABSS-regulated
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Pupils come from 30 nationalities; English is the common language
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Support is led by qualified SEN practitioners who shadow progress, liaise between students, teachers and parents, and plan and deliver the Emotional Education programme. When ongoing specialised attention is required, ISCAT collaborates with external professionals and a visiting psychologist is available weekly; parents are involved in interventions.	Additional learning support Inclusive SEND policy; SEND specialists and classroom teachers ensure needs are understood and met; SENCo leads provision, coordinating universal and targeted support and PPPs; staff training and family involvement.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation British international school following the National Curriculum of England and Wales.	Country affiliation United Kingdom affiliation; British International School following the British Curriculum; NABSS-regulated
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Morning: 7.30–8.15 am (Early Morning); 8.30 am start with flexible arrival for Early Years until 9.00 am. Lunch: 12.45–2.00 pm for Early Years; 1.00–2.00 pm for Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 5. Afternoon: 2.00 pm start; 4.00 pm end; after‑school activities until 5.15 pm; after‑school care until 6.00 pm.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details ISCAT offers school transport with two routes: Mataró Parc Shopping Centre (Mataró) for families on the Maresme coast (about 30 minutes) and Barcelona (Plaza de Alfonso Comín, exit 6, Ronda de Dalt). Public transport options include Renfe Rodalies line R3 to La Garriga (La Garriga train station is about a two‑minute walk from campus) and Sagales bus service from Granollers to La Garriga.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Enrolment Fees - Enrolment fee (one-off): EUR 2,200. - Entrance test fee (for Secondary and A‑Level candidates only): EUR 50. - Sibling discount: third child onward receives 20% discount when siblings are enrolled simultaneously; the third child's enrolment can be free in the enrolment-fee line described. Tuition fees — annual (by age / year group) and termly (calculated) - Early Years (Nursery / Reception, ages 3–5): Annual EUR 8,436. Termly (annual ÷ 3) EUR 2,812.00 (calculated). - Key Stage 1 / Primary (Years 1–6, ages 5–11): Annual EUR 9,039. Termly (annual ÷ 3) EUR 3,013.00 (calculated). - Key Stage 3 (Secondary, Years 7–9, ages 11–14): Annual EUR 10,393. Termly (annual ÷ 3) EUR 3,464.33 (calculated). - Key Stage 4 (GCSE stage, Years 10–11, ages 14–16): Annual EUR 12,803. Termly (annual ÷ 3) EUR 4,267.67 (calculated). - Key Stage 5 (A‑Levels, Years 12–13, ages 16–18): Annual EUR 15,665. Termly (annual ÷ 3) EUR 5,221.67 (calculated). Notes on what the annual tuition includes: - Tuition, school materials, books and school insurance are included in the annual fee for the listed stages; re‑enrolment/pre‑inscription is also listed as included in the fee for the relevant stages. PE activities are specifically listed under some secondary stages. Other recurring costs and optional services - School lunch (monthly): Regular use EUR 200 per month; Occasional use EUR 14 per meal; Packed lunch option EUR 35 (monthly). - Early Morning Care (7:30–8:00): Regular use EUR 65 per month; Occasional use EUR 7 per day. - After‑School Care (16:15–18:00): Regular use EUR 75 per month; Occasional use charged at EUR 6 per 30 minutes. - School transport (monthly by route): typical full monthly charges shown are EUR 180–205 depending on route; occasional single‑journey price EUR 15. Transport must be paid termly, in advance, for full‑service users. Examination and exam‑related charges - GCSE (Year 11) exam fee: EUR 150 per subject. - AS Level (Year 12) exam fee: EUR 195 per subject. - A Level (Year 13) exam fee: EUR 315 per subject. - Additional exam charges: Special access arrangements EUR 35 per subject; re‑mark / re‑sit fees follow the same subject rates above and late entries incur double fees as noted. Boarding fees (if applicable) - No boarding fees appear in the current school fees document for the fees schedule provided. A historical boarding schedule (Academic Year 2019–20) exists showing examples of boarding charges (for reference only): Registration EUR 1,000; Full boarding (7‑day) EUR 39,500; Weekly boarding (Mon–Fri) EUR 30,000; one‑term option EUR 16,000; refundable deposit EUR 3,000. The current fees document does not list boarding charges. Refund information - The current fees document does not specify any general refund policy for tuition or enrolment. The historical boarding schedule (2019–20) explicitly listed a refundable boarding deposit (EUR 3,000) in that older boarding schedule. No refundable‑fee rules for current tuition or enrolment are specified in the current fees document. Billing schedule and payment terms - The fees document explicitly states that the school transport tariff for regular users must be paid termly, in advance. The fees document does not provide detailed general tuition billing dates, payment‑deadline schedule, or standard late‑payment penalties within the fees pages provided. Fee payment options - The current fees document does not list accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, direct debit, credit card) or specific bank details. Short summary of missing items in the published fees document - The published fees material lists annual tuition by stage, the one‑off enrolment fee, ancillary monthly charges (meals, care, transport) and examination charges, and it specifies that transport is paid termly in advance. The published fees material does not state a detailed tuition billing schedule (specific payment dates or term‑dates for tuition), does not list accepted payment methods, and does not include a general refund policy for tuition/enrolment. Historical boarding fees are available in an older boarding schedule but boarding is not listed in the current fees document.	Fee details Registration & Admissions Fees - Registration fee: €2,830 payable on admission for pupils entering above Nursery/Reception; this fee is paid once and is non-returnable. - Reduced registration fee for a second child: €1,830. - Waiting-list fee: €300 per child to join the waiting list; this fee is non-refundable and is deducted from the registration fee if the child subsequently registers. Tuition fees (annual amounts by year group) - Nursery (age 3): €9,300 per year. - Reception (age 4): €9,300 per year. - Year 1 (age 5): €11,900 per year. - Year 2 (age 6): €11,900 per year. - Year 3 (age 7): €11,900 per year. - Year 4 (age 8): €11,900 per year. - Year 5 (age 9): €11,900 per year. - Year 6 (age 10): €11,900 per year. - Year 7 (age 11): €13,100 per year. - Year 8 (age 12): €13,100 per year. - Year 9 (age 13): €13,100 per year. - Year 10 (age 14): €13,600 per year. - Year 11 (age 15): €13,600 per year. (Annual tuition figures as published for the current school fees schedule). Sibling discounts - A 30% discount in tuition is applied for a third child and any subsequent children from the same family. Billing schedule and payment terms - The public fee materials list annual tuition amounts and registration/ waiting-list fees but do not publish a detailed billing schedule (for example: per-term invoice amounts, instalment deadlines, required deposits, or late-payment penalties). The school requires payment of the registration fee to secure a place. Boarding - Boarding fees: Not applicable. No boarding programme or boarding fees are listed in the school's publicly published admissions and fees materials; the school operates as a day school for ages 3–16. Other costs and regular extras - School lunches: Contracted school lunch price is €8.95 per day when taken every weekday of the month; occasional daily lunches are priced at €9.95 per day. - Uniform, books, learning resources, exam fees, extracurricular clubs, individual music tuition, transportation, or other optional charges are not itemised in the published annual-fee graphic. Specific optional-cost items and their prices are not publicly listed. Refund information - Registration fee and waiting-list fee are explicitly stated as non-returnable/non-refundable. No public, detailed tuition-refund scale (for withdrawal part-way through the year, prorated refunds, or exceptional refunds) is published in the fee materials. Fee payment options - The school's publicly available fee pages and admissions information do not specify accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit/debit card, direct debit) or invoicing methods. The registration fee is required to secure a place. Brief summary of missing or unspecified items (for clarity) - The published materials provide annual tuition amounts by year group, registration and waiting-list fees, sibling discount and lunch prices, but they do not publish: a full per-term breakdown or instalment schedule; payment deadlines or late-payment penalties; accepted payment methods; a detailed list of additional compulsory fees (uniform, learning resources, exam or activity fees) or their prices; nor a formal, detailed tuition-refund schedule for mid-year withdrawal. These items were not located in the school's publicly posted fees and admissions pages.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The International School of Catalunya follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales from Early Years through to A-Levels. Year 10 Secondary students (aged about 15-16) take IGCSE examinations. A-Levels are a two-year programme preparing students for university. Official exams include SATs, I/GCSE, and International A-Levels. The Early Years Foundation Stage begins in Reception (3-5 years) and Primary education starts in Key Stage 1; Secondary begins in Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9) and continues to Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11).	Curriculum details The Olive Tree School offers pupil-centred learning for 3-16 year olds. Montessori- and Waldorf-inspired pedagogy places thinking, exploration and creative problem solving at the heart of learning; the curriculum sits alongside the British framework, with pupils taking UK GCSE assessments at age 16. The Olive Tree School is a Pearson Edexcel GCSE centre. Class sizes are small, about 20 pupils, and the total pupil roll is around 200.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes around 20 pupils. The school has about 200 pupils.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results GCSE results show strong progress across 2015-2025. 64% of pupils achieved grade 7 or above across all subjects and 94% achieved grade 5-6 or above. In English, 67% achieved grade 7+ and 100% achieved grade 4+; in Maths, 82% achieved grade 7+ and 100% achieved grade 4+; in Science, 43% achieved grade 7+ and 99% achieved grade 4+.
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 —	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 —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Book a private visit. The admissions process is designed to be enjoyable and straightforward. Meet the admissions team at the school for an initial interview with our director to view facilities, meet teachers and students, and ask all questions regarding our educational programme. Submit enrolment forms and all required documentation. Early years: Families aspiring to enter Early Years will have an initial interview with the school director, and subsequently complete and submit the enrolment form and other documentation as outlined in the enrolment pack. Reception: Families aspiring to enter Reception, should there be places available in this year group, complete and submit the enrolment form and other documentation as outlined in the enrolment pack including, where applicable, a copy of the child's last school report. No knowledge of English is required for entry to the Early Years programme. Primary: Families aspiring to enter Primary, should there be places available, will be asked to complete and submit relevant enrollment documentation on offer of a place. These students are usually required, as part of the admissions process and without any further obligation, to spend at least half a day in their prospective class. This replaces the traditional 'entrance test' and allows our teachers to evaluate the level of English and social disposition in a natural and holistic way, at the same time giving the child the opportunity to experience a day at ISCAT. For students entering Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) no previous knowledge of English is required, although this would be a distinct advantage. Students entering Key Stage 2 (from Year 3 to Year 6) are required to have some knowledge of English. Secondary & A-Levels: Students aspiring to enter Year 7 and above will be asked to attend an initial interview with a member of the secondary teaching team. Should a place be available, candidates are then required, as part of the admissions process and without any further obligation, to spend at least half a day with their prospective class. This replaces the traditional ‘entrance test' and allows our teachers to evaluate the level of English and social disposition in a natural and holistic way, at the same time giving the child the opportunity to experience a day at ISCAT first-hand. If ISCAT deems the student to have the necessary competencies and level of English to join the group, the enrolment form and other documentation as outlined in the enrolment pack should be completed and submitted to the school office, together with copies of the child's school reports for the previous two academic years. Please note that all students wishing to enter the school in Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 (Year 7 and above) must have an adequate level of spoken English. Open enrolment: Get to know in-person our school! We will accompany you personally and answer any questions you may have about the school, our learning spaces and the different educational stages.	Admissions 1. Express interest and initiate the admissions process: Families contact the admissions department to express interest in joining The Olive Tree School. Admissions staff pass the family's details to one of the four headteachers to arrange a visit and discuss the child's profile, including educational history and any needs. Previous school reports for the past two years and any educational psychologist's reports are requested to inform the assessment. The school provides English education for ages 3–16 and teaches the British National Curriculum. 2. Documentation review and language/SEND assessment: The headteachers consider the previous reports and any additional documentation provided by the family. They evaluate the child's level of English and any special educational needs. The process takes into account the child's age, educational history, and language needs. There is no formal exam or entry test. 3. Two-day taster and family visit: If the headteachers believe the school may meet the pupil's needs, a two-day taster visit is offered for the child in the classroom. The family is provided with a tour of the school and a meeting with a headteacher. The aim is for the class teachers to further evaluate the child's suitability to join the class and the school. The process ensures the family can experience the environment before a decision is made. 4. Two further taster days and pre-trial form: The two taster days take place; Parents complete a ‘pre-trial' form before or on the first day. Observations are made by the teacher and passed to the headteacher. The headteacher makes a decision regarding the child's admission. 5. Communicating the decision: The admission decision is communicated by the admissions department. If admission is denied, the family is given clear reasons why the school cannot meet the child's needs. The headteachers may offer detailed guidance in finding a more suitable school. 6. Registration and waiting list option: If admitted, the family is guided through the administrative process; registration forms are completed and the matriculation fee paid. If there are no spaces in the desired year group, the child may be added to a waiting list. 7. 8-week evaluation after joining: After joining, the pupil's progress is monitored for eight weeks. Any concerns are relayed to the headteachers and the SENCo, with transparent communication to the family. If no concerns arise, the child remains on the school roll. 8. Monitoring and potential withdrawal if concerns persist: If initial concerns arise, targets are set and monitored from weeks 2–4. By Week 8, headteachers decide whether the child can continue at The Olive Tree or whether the place should be withdrawn under the registration terms. If withdrawal is decided, the school offers support and guidance in finding an alternative school.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Joining the waiting list is possible when there are no spaces in the relevant class. Joining the waiting list does not guarantee a place for September 2026. The fee to join the waiting list is 300€ per child and is non-refundable; if you subsequently register your child with us, the fee is discounted from the registration fee. Places are allocated strictly in chronological order from the date the child entered the waiting list. From 1 April 2026, places that become available are assigned to waiting list children strictly in chronological order from their waiting list entry date.
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