Willow International School vs Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus
Willow International School and Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus are both in Alicante. Both schools offer British, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes. Willow International School also offers Cambridge International AS Levels and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, and Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus also offers Japanese, French and BTEC Qualification. Published annual fees are €5,520 - 12,300 at Willow International School and €5,900 - 14,800 at Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus, which puts Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus roughly 16% higher. Willow International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus from 1 to 18. Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus is the larger school, with around 450 pupils to Willow International School's 87. Typical class sizes are 12 at Willow International School and 20 at Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus.
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum, French Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Cambridge (Secondary)
Pupils
Pupils
87
Pupils
450
Typical class size
Typical class size
12
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Spanish
Opened
Opened
2020
Opened
1994
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The Willow International School is located at Avenida del Mar 2b, Local 6-7 Pueblo Bravo, 03170, Alicante, Spain. It is a UK National Curriculum School based in Ciudad Quesada, Alicante. It sits in the Pueblo Bravo neighbourhood of Ciudad Quesada, Alicante. The school delivers the British Curriculum in English, with strong Spanish language learning and a nurturing, multicultural environment.
Location
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Stages
Stages
Early Years – Reception (Age 3-5) follows the Early Years Foundation Stage. Primary Education covers Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2. Secondary Education covers Key Stage 3 & Key Stage 4. A-Level Education provides Sixth Form.
Stages
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School type
School type
UK National Curriculum School.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Pastoral care and wellbeing support are provided, including Primary School Support with a dedicated pastoral and wellbeing leader, and Secondary School Support with a designated tutor and PSHE-based guidance.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
United Kingdom.
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Christian values are integrated from an ecumenical perspective; religion is part of the SMSC provision with opt-out on request.
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
Registration 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM; Lesson 1 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM; Lesson 2 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM; Break 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM; Lesson 3 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM; Lesson 4 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM; Lunch 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM; Lesson 5 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM; Lesson 6 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM; Extra Curricula Activities 3:00 PM – Various.
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 & Registration Fees
- Enrolment / one-time administration (registration) fee: €600, payable at registration. This fee is non‑refundable and secures a pupil's place once paid.
- Primary 1 (Sparrows): €552 per month. Annual equivalent (10 months, September–June): €5,520. Per school term (annual divided by three terms): €1,840.
- Primary 2 (Robins): €552 per month. Annual equivalent: €5,520. Per term: €1,840.
- Primary 3 (Owls): €578 per month. Annual equivalent: €5,780. Per term: €1,926.67.
- KS3 (Key Stage 3): €600 per month. Annual equivalent: €6,000. Per term: €2,000.
- KS4 (Key Stage 4): €615 per month. Annual equivalent: €6,150. Per term: €2,050.
- AS / A2 (Sixth Form) teaching: €225 per subject per month (fee shown in the school fee schedule under cohort tuition). For reference, this charge is applied per subject taken. Annual and term totals will depend on the number of subjects and months enrolled.
Additional compulsory / annual fees and resources
- Platform & Microsoft licence fee: €350 annually, due by 1 June. This covers digital platforms (including White Rose Maths provision, English SPaG, and Spanish provision in Primary).
- Annual registration fee for continuing (current) students: €200, payable by 1 June.
- Textbooks for KS3/KS4: parents receive an ISBN booklist by 1 June each year and are responsible for purchasing required textbooks.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is payable monthly from September through June (10 monthly instalments). Additional annual charges (platform licence, continuing‑student registration) are due by 1 June. The one‑time registration/enrolment fee is payable at the time of registration.
- A place is confirmed only when registration and resource/enrolment fees are paid. Parents must notify the school by 1 June if their child will not be returning in September.
Boarding
- Boarding is not offered by this school (the school operates as a day school).
Other costs (uniforms, meals, extracurriculars, transport)
- Uniform: All official uniform items for the school year must be purchased through the school's approved supplier; orders are placed online through the approved retailer. Uniform items are compulsory (with limited exceptions for some PE items). Parents should budget for a full uniform set per child.
- School meals (compulsory for Primary): KS1 lunch cost: €5.00 per day; KS2 lunch cost: €5.50 per day; Secondary lunch cost: €6.95 per day. Budget for daily lunch charges where applicable.
- Curriculum resources & textbooks: Parents are responsible for purchasing required KS3/KS4 textbooks from the provided ISBN lists. Additional charges for optional trips, activities, or external exam fees may apply when relevant.
Refund information
- The enrolment / registration administration fee of €600 is explicitly non‑refundable. No separate published refund schedule for tuition instalments or other fees is provided in the available fee information; withdrawal notification by 1 June is required for changes to the following September intake.
Fee payment options
- The school's published fee pages and policies list the amounts and due dates but do not specify the accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.) in the publicly available fee summary. Contact the school office directly for the school's accepted payment channels and any bank details or card‑processing arrangements.
Brief note on available information
- The school publishes monthly tuition rates (September–June), the one‑time registration fee (non‑refundable), the annual platform licence charge and continuing‑student registration charge, the requirement to notify the school by 1 June for withdrawal, uniform purchasing arrangements, and per‑day meal charges. No boarding charges are published because boarding is not offered. Specific detail on accepted payment methods and a detailed published refund schedule for tuition instalments were not provided in the publicly available fee documents.
Fee details
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Uniform is compulsory. Uniform items can be ordered online for 2025/2026 from the official supplier. Girls may wear skirts with detachable straps or long trousers; boys may wear long trousers or shorts. Primary pupils wear plain black shorts or bottoms for PE with a white and black PE top; PE long trousers and the tracksuit jacket are not compulsory.
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
School meals are provided and compulsory for Primary. Meals are nutritious with an 8-week rotating menu. Primary KS1 lunch costs 5.00 euros and KS2 lunch 5.50 euros per day; Secondary lunch costs 6.95 euros per day. Packed lunches are allowed for KS3/KS4, and Year 10–13 may leave campus during lunch; there is no option to heat food on site.
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
The school is a UK National Curriculum School based in Ciudad Quesada, Alicante. The British Curriculum is taught in English, with strong Spanish language learning and a nurturing, multicultural environment. Reception (Age 3-5) follows the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum; Primary Education covers Key Stage 1 & 2; Secondary Education covers Key Stage 3 & 4; and A-Level College provides Sixth Form.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
OFSTED 2024 Inspection Report rated OUTSTANDING.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
There is a smooth pathway to UK, European, and global universities.
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
Pastoral Care provides guidance and support for pupils. Primary pupils are supported by the class teacher and a learning assistant, with a dedicated pastoral and wellbeing leader coordinating care within the curriculum and assembly programme. In the Secondary School, a designated tutor-group teacher supports the academic and social welfare of each group, with the PSHE programme, year group assemblies, and the daily tutor period. Senior staff oversee the PSHE programme and broader pastoral care, with ongoing staff training to ensure effective guidance. The school emphasises strong home–school communication through newsletters, handbooks, and parent consultation opportunities.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school has a Special Educational Needs & Disability Policy. SEN support is provided through the class teacher and learning assistant model, with the pastoral and wellbeing team coordinating provision to meet pupils' needs within the curriculum.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
The school delivers the British Curriculum in English and includes strong Spanish language learning. Native-level English education is provided. Small class sizes and personalised learning support pupils' progress.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Pastoral care includes a wellbeing leader who works with staff to support pupil wellbeing. In the Secondary School, PSHE supports mental wellbeing and social development. Regular communication with families via newsletters and reports supports student wellbeing.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
The school has a School Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy updated September 2, 2024. Related safeguarding policies include Health & Safety, First Aid, and Preventing & Tackling Bullying.
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
Willow International School provides modern, high-quality facilities that enhance learning and support development. Classrooms and common areas are climate-controlled to ensure a comfortable environment year-round. Each classroom is equipped with state-of-the-art interactive whiteboards and reliable Wi-Fi. There is a dedicated primary building with well-equipped classrooms, independent bathrooms, and access to play areas. The infant playground offers high-quality equipment and safe surfaces for outdoor play.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
On-campus sports amenities include a 7-a-side artificial pitch with integrated basketball and volleyball courts. Through partnerships with outside agencies, sports facilities are expanded to include a full-size football pitch, tennis courts, an indoor gymnasium, and an outdoor swimming facility. These facilities enable a wide range of sports and physical activities for students throughout the year.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
ICT facilities include a dedicated ICT suite with printing facilities, with primary pupils beginning use from Year 5 as part of the transition programme. Interactive whiteboards and reliable Wi-Fi support technology-enhanced teaching in classrooms. Remote learning is supported via Microsoft Teams to ensure continuity when needed.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Extra Curricular Activities at Willow International School enrich the student experience and foster personal growth, creativity, and teamwork. Spanish Conversation Club meets Mondays from 3:00 to 3:30 PM. Board Game Club meets Tuesdays from 3:00 to 3:30 PM. English Additional Language Club meets Wednesdays from 3:00 to 3:30 PM. Storybook Creating Club meets Thursdays from 3:00 to 3:30 PM. These clubs provide opportunities to practice languages, develop thinking skills, and collaborate with peers.
Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
Willow International School is a UK National Curriculum school based in Ciudad Quesada, Alicante. The school delivers the British Curriculum in English with strong Spanish language learning within a nurturing, multicultural environment. OFSTED 2024 inspection is noted on the site, conducted by Penta International. The site features a Recent News section that highlights announcements, events, and achievements, reflecting the school community.
Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
Friends of Willow is the school's parent-teacher association. EUROMARINA is listed as part of Friends of Willow, and Barbara Cobos is named in connection with the association.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Willow International School is a UK National Curriculum school based in Ciudad Quesada, Alicante. The British Curriculum is delivered in English, with strong Spanish language learning. Early Years follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary covers Key Stage 1 and 2, Secondary covers Key Stage 3 and 4, and there is an A-Level College for post-16 study. It provides a pathway to UK, European, and global universities.
Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Extra Curricular Activities provide enrichment beyond the classroom. The program includes Spanish Conversation Club, Board Game Club, English Additional Language Club, and Storybook Creating Club. These activities foster creativity, teamwork, and storytelling.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Spanish Conversation Club helps practice Spanish; English Additional Language Club supports improving English; The British Curriculum is delivered in English with strong Spanish language learning.
Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Recreational clubs include Board Game Club and Storybook Creating Club, providing opportunities for social interaction and collaborative hobbies after school.
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
Pastoral Care provides guidance and support for pupils; A dedicated pastoral and wellbeing leader supports younger pupils; In Secondary, a designated tutor group leader oversees academic and social welfare; PSHE and SMSC development are integral to the curriculum; The school emphasizes parent–school communication and hosts events; On-campus sports amenities support physical wellbeing.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English is the language of instruction; Spanish language learning is included as part of the curriculum; native-level English education is provided.
Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school delivers the British Curriculum in English, with strong Spanish language learning integrated and a nurturing, multicultural environment.
Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
null
Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
null
Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. The application process begins with completing the downloadable Primary & Secondary Application Form. After submission, a member of our admissions team will contact you to discuss your application and outline the next steps. The process is designed to be straightforward and supportive to guide you through enrollment. A one-time registration fee of €600 is payable upon enrolment and is non-refundable; for tuition and other fees, refer to the comprehensive fee structure. Admissions are accepted throughout the year. 2. For the 2025/2026 academic year, there are Age & Course Guidelines to place students into the correct Willow year group. The guidelines show date of birth ranges and the corresponding Willow year group and Spanish equivalents. This placement helps ensure the curriculum and cohort are appropriate for each child. 3. The Admissions Checklist lists documents required to complete the application: an online or paper application form; a photocopy of a valid Visa for non-EU students; a photocopy of the identity documents of both parents; a photocopy of the account holder's identity if not the child's parent; an official medical certificate indicating the child has no infectious or contagious diseases; a photocopy of vaccination book; two passport-size photographs; end-of-year school reports for the last two years (where applicable); and a photocopy of the birth certificate, Libro de Familia, identity card or passport. 4. Interested families can download the Primary & Secondary Application Form or the A-Level Application Form to begin enrollment. You can also book a tour to see Willow International School in person. The school looks forward to welcoming your family and supporting your child's educational journey.
