The Ark Christian School vs The British School of Málaga

	T The Ark Christian School Malaga, Spain	T The British School of Málaga Malaga, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €4,545 - 9,005	Fees / year €8,780 - 11,080
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Catholic Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 350	Pupils 960
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 23
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2009	Opened 2000
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Calle Río Darro, 1, 29651 Las Lagunas de Mijas, Málaga, Spain. The Ark Christian School serves students aged 3–18 and operates in the Fuengirola area on the Costa del Sol.	Location The school is located at Centaurea, 8, 29018 Málaga, Spain.
Stages	Stages Early Years; Primary; Secondary; A-Levels	Stages The school offers Early Years through Sixth Form.
School type	School type British international school; independent, charitable (non-profit) organisation	School type The school is a British international school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix The school has over 50 nationalities represented and more than 25 languages spoken.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support The school has an ALN Department providing support for ALN, including English as an Additional Language (EAL) and signposting to professionals such as psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and play therapists.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation British	Country affiliation The school has a British affiliation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Christian	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Primary: 9:00am–3:00pm (Mon–Fri); Secondary: 9:00am–4:00pm (Mon–Fri)	School day structure The school day runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with a Breakfast Club from 8:00 am and a Snack Club from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details The school has a bus service with seven routes.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Registration / Application Fees - Non‑refundable registration fee for a new student: EUR 500.00. - Registration fee for renewal: EUR 295.00. - If registration for Year 10 or Year 12 is completed after the first term, the registration fee is increased by EUR 400.00. Tuition fees by year group (annual and monthly breakdown) - Pre‑reception and Reception: Annual fee EUR 4,545.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 454.50. - Years 1 and 2: Annual fee EUR 4,829.20 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 482.92. - Years 3 and 4: Annual fee EUR 5,446.70 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 544.67. - Years 5 and 6: Annual fee EUR 5,820.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 582.00. - Years 7, 8 and 9: Annual fee EUR 7,003.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 700.30. - Year 10: Annual fee EUR 7,850.00 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 785.00. - Year 11: Annual fee EUR 8,829.00 — billed as 9 monthly payments of EUR 981.00 (special billing period applies). - Year 12: Annual fee EUR 8,883.50 — billed as 10 monthly payments of EUR 888.35. - Year 13: Annual fee EUR 9,005.40 — billed as 9 monthly payments of EUR 1,000.60 (special billing period applies). Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing: school fees are payable monthly, due before the 10th of each month. - Standard billing period runs from September to June. - Exception for Year 11 and Year 13: fees are billed from September to May (9 months). - Receipts are issued between the 1st and the 10th of each month. - On acceptance a deposit of EUR 1,000.00 is required. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school (no boarding provision); no boarding fees apply. Other costs and routine extras - Early morning care (08:30–09:00): EUR 3.00 per day or EUR 45.00 per month. - After‑school club (15:00–16:00): EUR 6.00 per day or EUR 72.00 per month. - Examination fees for Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 are charged separately and are payable in January of the year the examinations are taken. - Textbooks and materials are included in the published school fees. Discounts that affect fees - Sibling discount: 5% for the second child; 50% for the third child; 50% for the fourth child. - Full‑year payment discount: a percentage discount is applied if the full year is paid by the specified early‑payment deadline (discount deadlines and rates apply; check billing communications for the current deadline). Deposit and refund information - The acceptance deposit is EUR 1,000.00. - The deposit will be refunded when a student leaves after Year 11, Year 12 or Year 13 provided all fees have been paid in full. - The deposit will be refunded when a student leaves earlier if a full term's notice has been given and all fees have been paid in full. - If a student leaves without having given one term's notice, the deposit is forfeited. - If fees are in arrears when a student leaves, the deposit will be used to cover arrears and any remaining balance will be returned. - If the full year's fees are paid in advance and the student leaves early, the pre‑paid months are not refundable. - The registration fee is non‑refundable. Fee payment options and related terms - Payments can be made by bank transfer or by credit/debit card. - Receipts are issued monthly (between the 1st and 10th). - When paying by bank transfer, the student's full name must be provided and the payment concept specified. - The school reserves the right to withhold admission, notes, reports, or student records until financial obligations are met.	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - Registration fee (one-off, new students only): EUR 1,100 per child. The registration fee is a single, non‑refundable payment. - Annual enrolment fee (renewal): EUR 1,100 per child, charged each year for enrolled students. Tuition fees by year group (published annual amounts, and monthly / per‑term conversions) Note: The school publishes annual tuition and offers a default 10‑month instalment option; the monthly figure below is the published annual fee divided by 10. The per‑term figure below is the published annual fee divided by 3 (three academic terms) and is shown for convenience. - Early Years - Nursery (age 3): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 8,780. Monthly (10 payments): EUR 878. Per term (approx.): EUR 2,927. - Reception (age 4): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 8,780. Monthly: EUR 878. Per term (approx.): EUR 2,927. - Primary (Ages 5–11) - Year 1 (age 5): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 9,530. Monthly: EUR 953. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,177. - Year 2 (age 6): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 9,530. Monthly: EUR 953. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,177. - Year 3 (age 7): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 9,780. Monthly: EUR 978. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,260. - Year 4 (age 8): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 9,780. Monthly: EUR 978. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,260. - Year 5 (age 9): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 9,980. Monthly: EUR 998. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,327. - Year 6 (age 10): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 9,980. Monthly: EUR 998. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,327. - Secondary (Ages 11–16) - Year 7 (age 11): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 10,680. Monthly: EUR 1,068. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,560. - Year 8 (age 12): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 10,680. Monthly: EUR 1,068. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,560. - Year 9 (age 13): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 10,850. Monthly: EUR 1,085. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,617. - Year 10 (age 14): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 11,650. Monthly: EUR 1,165. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,883. - Year 11 (age 15): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 11,650. Monthly: EUR 1,165. Per term (approx.): EUR 3,883. - Sixth Form / A‑Levels (Ages 16–18) - Year 12 (age 16): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 12,050. Monthly: EUR 1,205. Per term (approx.): EUR 4,017. - Year 13 (age 17): Registration EUR 1,100 • Enrolment EUR 1,100 • Annual tuition EUR 12,050. Monthly: EUR 1,205. Per term (approx.): EUR 4,017. Billing schedule and payment terms - Default billing method: 10 monthly instalments (September to June inclusive) by direct debit. Returned direct debit charge: EUR 20. Unpaid invoices must be settled within 10 days; a 3% interest is applied to outstanding amounts. Annual upfront payment (paid in full before 31 July) receives a 5% discount. Third‑child discount: 50% discount applicable from the third child on the enrolment fee and tuition fees only. Annual payments are non‑refundable. Boarding fees - Boarding: not applicable. The published fee schedule lists day‑school tuition and additional day services (bus, clubs, breakfast/snack) but does not list boarding facilities or boarding fees. Other costs and additional fees - School lunch: included in the published tuition fee (school lunch is mandatory and included). - School accident insurance: included. - Uniform: compulsory for Nursery through Year 11; uniform must be purchased through the school (prices not listed in the fee schedule). - Chromebook/device: compulsory purchase required for students in Year 3 through Year 11 (price not listed in the fee schedule). Chromebook licences and some digital licences are included in the listed “included” items. - Intensive EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme (for new students): EUR 1,150 per year in KS1 and EUR 2,200 per year in KS2 and KS3; payable in monthly instalments. - External examinations (IGCSE, A‑levels, and official validations) are not included in the published tuition and are charged separately. School trips are not included. - After‑school clubs and extra activities: charged separately. Sample published rates (termly / additional services): - Breakfast/Snack Club (termly): Single ticket EUR 6; 1 day/week EUR 65; 2 days/week EUR 110; 3 days/week EUR 155; 4 days/week EUR 185; Full week EUR 200 (combined with bus or after school lower rates apply). - After‑school general activities (termly, sample): Standard (2 sessions/week) EUR 175; Basic (1 session/week) EUR 145; Extended (3 sessions/week) EUR 205. - Other activities (termly, sample): Standard EUR 200; Basic EUR 170; Extended EUR 220. - School bus (annual/termly options shown as published): Local stops (within Málaga city): Return EUR 555; One‑way EUR 345. Suburban stops (outside Málaga city): Return EUR 600; One‑way EUR 390. (September only/first month pro‑rata termly figures are listed separately in the schedule.) Refund information - The registration fee is explicitly non‑refundable. Annual payments per child are stated as non‑refundable. No other refundable amounts or a broader refund schedule is published in the school's fee document. Returned direct debit charge and late‑payment interest provisions apply as noted under billing terms. Fee payment options - Published payment options and mechanics: default method is 10 monthly instalments by direct debit; the school accepts an annual upfront payment (with a 5% discount if paid before 31 July). The published fee document specifies returned direct debit penalties and late‑payment interest. Specific alternative payment channels (for example, credit card or bank transfer) are not detailed in the published fee schedule. If you need these amounts presented in a different format (for example, separated by monthly instalments per line or per‑term rows for a database import), the figures above are given as published (annual), with the monthly instalment shown as the published annual fee divided by 10 and the per‑term figure shown as the published annual fee divided by 3 for convenience.
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 British National Curriculum for ages 3-18, leading to IGCSE and A Level examinations; British and Spanish Curriculum.	Curriculum details Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) British curriculum with language immersion. Primary School uses the British national curriculum, complemented with Spanish Language and Cultural Studies. Secondary School progresses with the British national curriculum and leads to IGCSE results, while continuing Spanish classes and ESO preparation. Sixth Form advances to A Level and Spanish university access exams, with a personalised curriculum and the option to study Spanish alongside English to support access to universities in Spain and worldwide. The school holds accreditations from Cambridge International Examinations, Pearson Qualifications, AQA, Cambridge English, and OxfordAQA.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have access to universities in the United Kingdom, Spain, and globally. Students typically choose four A Level subjects and must pass at least three to gain direct access to Spanish public universities. In the United Kingdom, admissions follow the UCAS points system. The school assists with university entry, including EVAU-related registration through UNEDasiss in Malaga.	Higher education progression Graduates progress to universities in Spain and worldwide.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented The curriculum develops each child's individual talents.	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 —	Admissions 01 Get in touch today. Get in touch to schedule a campus visit or online meeting, or participate in our monthly virtual open days. Enrolment is open all year round, and the admissions team provides personalized guidance throughout the onboarding process. 02 Join us for a tour. Visit the campus in person to gain a deeper understanding of your child's needs and interests. We discuss the curriculum and show the facilities, offering a glimpse into the learning environment. 03 Taster Day/Online interview. Your child's previous school report may be requested if applicable. We may invite them to experience a taster day at the school or arrange an online interview with the admissions team. 04 Acceptance. After the taster day or online interview, you'll receive a written offer. You'll have 10 days to accept and proceed with the registration process while a registration fee is mandatory to secure a place. 05 Welcome. Congratulations! You're now part of the BSM Family. Families are welcome to attend a Taster Day to experience firsthand how a school day operates, and ongoing communication with the school supports the onboarding journey.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Scholarships & university partnerships exist as part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network. The school has 100+ global university partnerships that open doors to top institutions, with students awarded over €2.6 million in scholarships to support their success. Through exclusive scholarships, students have opportunities to study with some of the world's most renowned institutions.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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