Richmond International School vs The Olive Tree School
Richmond International School and The Olive Tree School are both in Barcelona, about 1 km apart. Both schools offer British programmes. Richmond International School also offers Cambridge IGCSE, and The Olive Tree School also offers Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Published annual fees are €13,100 at Richmond International School and €9,300 - 13,600 at The Olive Tree School, which puts Richmond International School roughly 14% higher. Richmond International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and The Olive Tree School from 3 to 16. The two are similar in size, at around 163 and 200 pupils. Typical class sizes are 15 at Richmond International School and 20 at The Olive Tree School.
The school is located at 14-16 Rambla del Garraf, Sant Pere de Ribes, 08810 Catalunya, Spain. It sits in the Sant Pere de Ribes area in the Barcelona region and is well-connected with good transport links. A Google Maps directions link is available on the contact page.
Location
Carrer les Modistes 8, Sant Pere de Ribes, 08812 Barcelona
British international school following the British Curriculum; NABSS-regulated
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Many nationalities are represented, mainly European, including the United Kingdom and Spain; other nationalities include France, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Latvia, Ukraine, and the Netherlands. There are also students from China, the United States, and South America. The main language of instruction is English, and most classes are taught in English.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupils come from 30 nationalities; English is the common language
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school is fully inclusive, with personalized attention to each student and education grounded in values.
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
Authorized to offer British education to students of all nationalities; NABSS member.
Country affiliation
United Kingdom affiliation; British International School following the British Curriculum; NABSS-regulated
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs from 8:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fees
- The school does not publish a fixed public application or registration fee schedule.
Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- Richmond International School does not make a detailed fee schedule (per year group, per term) publicly available. Published fee tables for specific year groups are not provided. - Independent press and school-directory summaries give ballpark figures used by parents and local guides: reported monthly fees in media coverage have been described in the region of approximately EUR 750 to EUR 1,100 per month; an average annual tuition figure is reported around EUR 13,100 in third‑party listings. These figures are estimates reported externally and do not replace a formal fee schedule from the school.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- A published billing schedule (for example: annual, per-term, or monthly instalments), payment deadlines, and standard contractual payment terms for tuition are not publicly posted. The school's formal policies address complaints and finance-related matters but do not set out a public timetable of fee instalments.
Boarding fees (if applicable)
- There is no published indication that Richmond International School operates boarding accommodation. The school is described as providing Early Years through Year 13 education (day provision). No boarding fees are listed.
Other costs and fees (uniform, materials, extras)
- The school operates a uniform shop with itemised prices for uniform pieces. Examples of current listed retail prices are: - Polo shirt: EUR 21.59. - Blazer (americana): EUR 39.95. - Bermuda shorts: EUR 42.99; blouse: EUR 12.99; jumper: EUR 49.19; sports trousers: EUR 17.59; full‑length uniform trousers: EUR 39.99. - The school runs educational trips and excursions as part of its programme; associated trip costs and charges for extra‑curricular activities, school meals (lunch/food service), transport, special programmes, exam fees, or learning resources are not published as a consolidated fees list. Additional charges for trips, meals and activities are customary but specific amounts are not made public.
Refund information
- There is no publicly posted, itemised refund policy for tuition and enrolment fees. The school's published complaints policy addresses dispute procedures but does not present a public fee‑refund schedule. Any refund rules would be set out in the school's admission/enrolment contract rather than in a public fee table.
Fee payment options
- Specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, direct debit, credit card) are not published in a public fees or admissions schedule. Parents should expect standard methods used by private schools, but the school has not posted a public list of payment options.
Summary for parents
- Richmond International School does not publish a full, public fee schedule broken down by year group and term. Published public information includes uniform item prices in the school shop and external estimates of typical tuition ranges used in local guidance and directories. For precise, student‑specific tuition and contractual billing details, the school provides formal figures directly through its admissions and enrolment process rather than in a public fee table.
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
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
We are a multilingual international school in Barcelona. The school emphasizes personalized attention to each student, values-based education, and academic excellence with a creative approach to learning. The curriculum reflects British values and uses the latest technologies, while actively promoting multilingualism in several languages. It aims to prepare students to contribute meaningfully to society as leaders in an increasingly complex world. The program fosters excellence across science, technology, the arts, sports, and music, and supports belonging within the school community.
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
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Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes around 20 pupils. The school has about 200 pupils.
Exam results
Exam results
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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
Graduates from the 2021-2022 cohort are pursuing degrees at universities in Spain and across Europe, including Moscow State Institute of International Relations (International Business & Finance), University of Groningen (Artificial Intelligence), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Medicine), Esade (Bachelor of Business Administration), Utrecht University (Business), Universitat de Barcelona (Architecture), and Rubika Montreal (Animation).
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Schedule a visit. You can schedule a visit from the 'Schedule a visit' tab in the top menu. The visit marks the beginning of the admissions process. A personal interview and an English language assessment follow the visit.
2. Personal interview. During the visit to the center, we will conduct an interview with you and your child to ensure we are the right school for your child. The interview takes place during the visit. This step is part of the admissions process.
3. English language assessment. We will perform an English language proficiency assessment. The assessment is not conducted in Nursery, and it is not required if the student can already demonstrate proficiency.
4. Admission application. Once the three preceding steps are completed you may submit the admission application to Richmond. The application form can be in Spanish or in English.
5. Enrollment. When you receive the acceptance confirmation by email, your child may sit the entrance tests for their stage if required. After passing the tests, you must fill out the admission form. You will receive by email all the documents required to finalize your child's enrollment.
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
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
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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.