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Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Portuguese, Spanish, French, Dutch, English
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
IPS Cascais British International School sits in Bicesse, north of Cascais, Portugal, serving learners from age 3 to 18. It delivers the National Curriculum for England, adapted for an international context, with Cambridge IGCSE studies in Years 10–11 and a Sixth Form delivering Cambridge A Levels planned for the future. In Primary, English, Mathematics and Science underpin core learning, with Portuguese and Dutch language provision and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In Year 7, pupils sample French and Spanish before selecting a language option from Year 8 onward. The school currently operates across a Primary site and a Secondary site, with a new Secondary School campus due to open in September 2026 to deliver Years 7–13. Facilities include eco-friendly Primary premises, a modern Secondary building, bright classrooms, an atrium, a library, specialist rooms, and a dining room with meals cooked onsite. After-school VivaHUB, a British-style House System, Student Council, and partnerships with WWF and Eco-Schools underpin a rich, community-focused experience.
IPS Cascais British International School has 440 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.
Location
IPS Cascais British International School is located in Bicesse, north of Cascais, Portugal. It is 25 kilometres from the centre of Lisbon. The campus address is Rua da Lagoa 171, 2645-344 Alcabideche, Portugal. The school serves a diverse international community with students from over 40 nationalities.
Stages
Foundation Stage to Year 9 is offered. iGCSEs are taken in Year 11. 6th Form (Years 12–13) coming soon.
Type
British international school delivering the National Curriculum of England.
Pupil Nationality Mix
440 pupils from over 40 nationalities.
Additional learning support
Learning support and EAL rooms are available.
Country affiliation
Portugal
Fees
Annual tuition at IPS Cascais British International School ranges from EUR 11,548 to EUR 17,755 for 2026/27.
Initial / Application charges
- Registration (one‑off, non‑refundable on acceptance): EUR 4,000. Split into two equal payments if the child starts in Nursery (FS1) or Reception; the second payment is due on entering Year 1. - Annual enrolment/registration charge (invoiced annually): EUR 925.
Tuition fees (per term) — full detail by year group
- Nursery (mornings only) — per term by number of mornings: - 1 morning: EUR 2,705 - 2 mornings: EUR 2,825 - 3 mornings: EUR 2,950 - 4 mornings: EUR 3,065 - 5 mornings: EUR 3,190 - Nursery (full days) — per term by number of full days: - 1 day: EUR 2,780 - 2 days: EUR 2,970 - 3 days: EUR 3,170 - 4 days: EUR 3,360 - 5 days: EUR 3,541 - Reception (per term): EUR 3,612 - Years 1 & 2 (per term): EUR 4,514 - Years 3 & 4 (per term): EUR 4,838 - Years 5, 6 & 7 (per term): EUR 5,144 - Years 8 & 9 (per term): EUR 5,343 - Year 10 (per term): EUR 5,610
All per‑term tuition figures above are published as the standard per‑term charge. Family discount for third child and subsequent (applied to the youngest children): 20%.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard due date: fees and other charges are due on or before the first day of each term. Alternative instalment schedules are available where published; when paying in three instalments for the academic year the due dates for the three instalments are: 1st instalment by 26 August 2025, 2nd instalment by 26 December 2025, and 3rd instalment by 26 March 2026. - Payment conditions: acceptance of a place is confirmed only once required initial charges and completed documentation have been received; enrolment and registration fees are not refundable if the child does not attend. Late payment may attract interest and outstanding reports/documentation may be withheld until accounts are settled. Specific cheque clearance periods apply (Portuguese cheques: 2 days; UK cheques: 15 days; other cheques: 20 days). Payment by certain voucher systems must be processed in advance to allow for handling time. - Acceptance for less than a full term: enrolment during the first half of a term attracts a full term's fee; enrolment during the second half of a term attracts a half‑term's fee. Notice of withdrawal must be given in writing at least 90 calendar days before expected departure. If proper notice is not provided, one term's fee may be charged in lieu of notice.
Boarding fees
- Boarding provision is not listed among the school's standard fee charges for the current primary/secondary provision; there are no published standard boarding fees in the school fee schedules for the current academic provision.
Other costs and regular additional charges
- Lunch: - Nursery & Reception — per term: EUR 440; per day (1–4 meals/week): EUR 8.00 - Years 1 and up — per term: EUR 509; per day (1–4 meals/week): EUR 9.00 - Occasional lunches (payable on the day by 10:00): EUR 9.50 per day. - Bus transport (per term) — standard routes and fares: - 0–5 km (examples: Alcabideche, Estoril, Linhó): EUR 1,087 per term - 5–10 km (examples: Carcavelos, Cascais, Malveira da Serra, Oeiras): EUR 1,181 per term - +10 km (examples: Paço de Arcos, Lisboa): EUR 1,418 per term - Occasional trip (daily rate): single ride EUR 23; return EUR 31 - Discount on transport: second and subsequent children at the same address: 10%. Additional charges may apply for addresses outside usual routes. - Additional services / charges (examples and per‑session rates): - Special Education Needs (SEN) support: EUR 35 per session (30 minutes) - EAL / language tuition: EUR 35 per session (30 minutes) - Psychological & orientation services: EUR 40 per session (45 minutes) - Student transfer process administration: EUR 50 per student - After‑school VivaHUB activities and other extra‑curricular programmes are charged separately (prices vary by activity). Uniform items are charged separately (uniform cost varies by item and purchase).
Refunds and cancellation
- Enrolment/registration fees are non‑refundable once paid and a place is accepted. If a child is enrolled but does not attend, enrolment and registration fees are still payable and non‑refundable; the first term's fees remain payable. Refunds of tuition are not made if the school is forced to close for reasons beyond its control (force majeure). Refunds will be made for lunch or transport services that have not been provided; lunch credits may be issued when a child is absent for three or more authorised days. Notice and withdrawal rules (90 calendar days' written notice; charge in lieu of notice where applicable) apply as stated in the school's payment regulations.
Fee payment options
- Accepted payment methods: Bank transfer; TICKET, EDENRED, COVERFLEX or UP Portugal (voucher/payment providers); bank cheque; cash. Bank transfers should be made to the school owner's bank account; payments via voucher providers must be made four weeks prior to the first day of each term to allow processing; cheque clearance times apply as above. Credit card payment is not listed among the standard options. All bank charges are borne by the payer unless otherwise arranged.
Discounts
- Family discounts noted in the current fee schedule: third child and subsequent: 20% discount applied to the youngest children. Transport discount for second/subsequent children at same address: 10%. Other sibling discount structures or early‑payment discounts may be specified in the school's published payment regulations.
(Amounts and procedural dates are the school's published charges and terms for the current published fee schedule.)
Academics
IPS Cascais British International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
IPS Cascais follows the National Curriculum for England, adapted to an international context. In Primary, core subjects are English, Mathematics, and Science, with additional language provision including Portuguese and Dutch, and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In Year 7, pupils receive a language taster in French (Term 1) and Spanish (Term 2), before choosing a language option from Term 3 onward. In Secondary (Years 7–11), pupils follow the National Curriculum for England and prepare for iGCSEs, with iGCSE study beginning in Year 10 and examinations in Year 11. A Sixth Form (Years 12–13) with A Levels is coming soon, and a new Secondary School campus will open in September 2026 to deliver Years 7–13.
Student Teacher Ratio
The school has a 1:10 staff-pupil ratio. Average class size is 22 pupils.
Higher Education Progression
Globeducate pupils secure places at leading universities worldwide; in 2020/2021 our students gained admission to 25 of the world's top 50 universities.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral care nurtures pupils in a supportive, inclusive environment. A buddy system helps integrate new students and ensures no child feels left out. Staff collaborate closely with families, and parents are encouraged to contact staff about concerns. The safeguarding and wellbeing framework supports social and emotional development through PSHE and classroom activities, promoting emotional health and safe relationships. The school emphasizes respectful relationships and peer support to help pupils thrive academically and personally.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support and EAL departments provide extra help and guidance. Additional English language classes are available for non-native speakers who need extra support to adapt to school in English. The school is fully accessible to all students, no matter their needs. The learning support services help ensure inclusive participation in the curriculum.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Learning Support and EAL departments provide extra help and guidance. Additional English language classes are available for non-native speakers who need extra support to adapt to school in English. The school is fully accessible to all students, no matter their needs.
Mental Wellbeing
Emotional well-being is a focus within the safeguarding curriculum. Safeguarding in Curriculum covers emotional well-being and how to seek help from trusted adults through PSHE and Computing lessons, assemblies, and external input. The approach supports students' resilience and ability to seek support when needed.
Safeguarding
IPS Cascais is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. The Safeguarding Leadership Team includes a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy DSLs. Key safeguarding policies include the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, Online Safety Policy, and Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy. Safeguarding in the Curriculum weaves safeguarding through learning and assemblies, including healthy relationships, online safety, personal safety and consent, emotional well-being, and how to seek help from trusted adults. Safer Recruitment is followed to ensure suitability of staff and volunteers, and staff receive regular safeguarding training, with a culture of vigilance and partnership with families.
Admissions
Admissions
IPS Cascais welcomes children from all over the world and is currently enrolling, accepting applications throughout the school year. IPS Cascais offers the National Curriculum for England to primary and secondary-aged students and is a proud member of Globeducate. The admissions process comprises six steps: express your interest; visit the school or schedule a meeting; submit the Registration Form and send previous school reports; pupil sits an entry task; confirmation of place; pay charges to secure the pupil's seat. Places are mainly awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability. Priority is given to siblings of current students; children whose first language is not Portuguese or who have had the majority of their education in English; first-language English speakers; and families from organisations with whom IPS has long-standing protocols. A new Secondary School opens in September 2026; it will move to a new campus with specialist facilities near the current site and will deliver an educational programme from Years 7 to 13, preparing pupils for universities worldwide.
FAQs
What curriculum does IPS Cascais British International School follow?
IPS Cascais follows the National Curriculum for England, adapted to an international context. In Primary, core subjects are English, Mathematics, and Science, with additional language provision including Portuguese and Dutch, and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In Year 7, pupils receive a l...
Where is IPS Cascais British International School located?
IPS Cascais British International School is located in Bicesse, north of Cascais, Portugal. It is 25 kilometres from the centre of Lisbon. The campus address is Rua da Lagoa 171, 2645-344 Alcabideche, Portugal. The school serves a diverse international community with students from over 40 nationalit
What age range does the school serve?
IPS Cascais British International School serves students from age 3 to 18, covering Foundation Stage to Year 9 is offered. iGCSEs are taken in Year 11. 6th Form (Years 12–13) coming soon..
How many students attend IPS Cascais British International School?
Approximately 440 students are enrolled at IPS Cascais British International School.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition ranges from PHP 11,548 to PHP 17,755 depending on year group.
Is the school co-educational?
IPS Cascais British International School is co-educational.
When was IPS Cascais British International School founded?
IPS Cascais British International School was founded in 1982. IPS Cascais British International School is located in Bicesse, north of Cascais, about 25 km from central Lisbon. The school began with 5 pupils and has grown over the last 40 years into a united int...
What languages are taught at the school?
The curriculum is delivered in English by native speakers, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for pupils who do not yet speak English. The main additional language offered within the curriculum is Portuguese. Dutch is offered for Dutch-speaking families with 2–3 hours p
What facilities does the school offer?
IPS Cascais Primary School moved into purpose-built, eco-friendly premises in September 2010. The Secondary School site is a brand-new development located about five minutes away from the Primary. The buildings are designed to support learning and are arranged to create a cohesive, safe and inclusiv
Does IPS Cascais British International School offer special educational needs support?
Learning Support and EAL departments provide extra help and guidance. Additional English language classes are available for non-native speakers who need extra support to adapt to school in English. The school is fully accessible to all students, no matter their needs. The learning support services h...
What is the admissions process?
IPS Cascais welcomes children from all over the world and is currently enrolling, accepting applications throughout the school year. IPS Cascais offers the National Curriculum for England to primary and secondary-aged students and is a proud member of Globeducate. The admissions process comprises si
What extracurricular activities are available?
Regular visits and field trips complement classroom topics and provide practical, real-world context. Overnight stays and extended visits occur annually for children from Year 3 up. The Journey outdoor learning program develops practical skills such as shelter building, knots, fire and cooking, and
What accreditations does IPS Cascais British International School hold?
COBIS; Globeducate member
Who is the head of school?
The head of school at IPS Cascais British International School is Mr. Chris Starling.
