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Portugal, Algarve
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The school has a uniform: a grey polo shirt and purple sweatshirt, with grey, blue or black trousers/shorts/skirts/leggings. Students wear sensible shoes; a hat for summer; a grey Barlavento hoodie for winter. All clothing items should be labelled with the child's name.
Healthy and nutritious school lunches are available to purchase from the school office. The menu is European with Portuguese influence from a local restaurant, with a balance between fish and meat dishes and a weekly vegetarian day. School meals cost €25 per week and include a starter (soup) and a main course daily. Children may also bring packed lunches from home, and free fruit is provided during morning breaks.
The building and management of the school have been under the directors of Aljezur International School since August 2020, Karen Whitten and Sílvia Catarino. Pedagogic management was transferred in 2013 to the Nobel group. The school was previously managed by a group of governors.
Barlavento International Primary School provides an English-language international primary program for children aged 3 to 11, based on the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum of England, adapted for an international community living in Portugal. The campus sits in the Algarve countryside near Lagos, with extensive outdoor space, forest schools, wildlife areas, fruit and vegetable gardens, and two large shaded play areas. Four bright classrooms, a library, an IT room and a large sports hall with a stage support a range of activities, from daily lessons to performances and sports. The curriculum combines core English, Maths and Reading with Portuguese, Mindfulness, Gardening and Drama, delivered through thematically linked topics such as Our Wonderful World and Mission to Mars. Lunchtime clubs include yoga, art and chess, and the school collaborates with link-schools worldwide to nurture an international community focused on wellbeing, curiosity and responsible citizenship. Here families feel welcome.
