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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Preschool, Primary School
Introduction
Tickles International School in Portugal offers an early years to primary programme within an international Cambridge framework, for students aged 0 to 10. The Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary components are authorized from 2025/2026 and are taught as a supplement to the national Portuguese curriculum rather than a substitute. The Cambridge Primary program covers Art and Design, Computing, English as a Second Language, Global Perspectives and Physical Education, alongside Cambridge subjects, with English taught as a second language where needed and Cambridge Primary Progression Tests for Years 2–4. The school operates Nursery, Day Care, Pre-School and Primary, with a strong English component across creche and pre-school and a daily English lesson from Year 1. Facilities include healthy meals, a multidisciplinary support team, and after-school activities. The campus emphasizes Project-Based Learning API, Reading Club, Robotics, Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy, and cultural and artistic engagements with local institutions in the community.
R. São João de Brito Nº 344, 4100-283 Porto, Portugal
The Essentials
Tickles International School has 600 pupils, instruction in Portuguese, English.
Location
Rua São João de Brito, 344, 4100-452 Porto, Portugal. The school is located in Porto city. Contact: +351 226 182 000, +351 914 667 874; tickles@tickles.com.pt. The school offers pupil transport services.
Stages
Nursery; Day Care; Pre-School; Primary School; Cambridge
Type
International school
Additional learning support
Support and therapeutic services provided by a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team to complement development and well-being.
Country affiliation
Portugal
Bus service
School transport is provided; children are transported in appropriate seats by a team of qualified professionals; fees for journeys are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Fees
Annual tuition at Tickles International School ranges from EUR 5,115 to EUR 5,662 for 2026/27.
Application and registration fees
- Pre-registration (non‑refundable): EUR 100. - New registration (one-off, includes school insurance): EUR 390. - Renewal of registration (one-off, includes school insurance): EUR 330.
Tuition fees by year group (monthly and semestral/annual where published)
- Berçário (Nursery) - Monthly tuition: EUR 470. - Material fee (charged in September): EUR 105. - Semestral tuition: EUR 2,585.00. Annual tuition (11 months billed as the school's annual figure): EUR 5,066.60.
- 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (Primary / 1st Cycle) - Monthly tuition: EUR 470. - Material fee (charged in September): EUR 140. - Monthly lunch (when on monthly lunch plan): EUR 140. Lanche avulso (single snack): EUR 3.00. - Optional bundled tuition that includes lunches (where offered): tuition with 1 lunch EUR 515; tuition with 2 lunches EUR 560. Semestral tuition: EUR 2,585.00. Annual tuition: EUR 5,066.60. Semestral lunch: EUR 770.00. Annual lunch: EUR 1,540.00. Lunch by occasion (avulso): EUR 7.50 per meal.
Additional recurring or one‑off school costs
- Digital class (Aula Digital), charged in September: EUR 55. - Financial literacy (Literacia Financeira) for 3rd and 4th years, charged in September: EUR 32.50. - Biology kit for 1st year (charged in September to 1st‑year or new students; validity 4 years): EUR 95. - Study room / after‑school study (45–60 minutes per day, after classes): EUR 120. - After‑hours care (applies from the first hour after 19:00): EUR 15 for the first hour; EUR 25 for each following hour. - Material fees for school year are charged only in September of the current school year. Optional enrichment activities and field trips are charged separately and must be paid before the activity. Meal fees for missed days are not refundable.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Monthly billing: invoices must be paid between day 1 and day 5 of the respective month; the school's annual billing covers 11 months (September to July). - Semestral payments: due at the start of September and the start of March. - Annual payment: if paid in a single installment by the start of the first month of attendance, an annual payment discount applies (published discount: 2% when paid in September). - Second‑child sibling discount: 10% applied to the younger sibling(s) when applicable. - New registrations and pre‑registrations must be paid at the time of enrollment/registration. Renewals are handled in January. The month of July is invoiced and settled in June. - Late payment and non‑payment: invoices not settled in the prescribed period incur penalties. A late payment aggravation of 10% applies; persistent non‑payment may cause all remaining installments to become immediately due and can lead to termination of the service contract and the student losing their place. �.
Fee payment options (accepted methods and bank details)
- Accepted methods: cheque, cash, or bank transfer to the school's IBANs. When using bank transfer, identify the payment with the student's name. - Bank accounts (IBANs as published for payments): - PT50 0007 0509 0002 1920 0079. - PT50 0036 0489 9910 6008 2175 2 (identify transfer with student name).
Boarding (residential) fees
- Boarding is not part of the Tickles provision (school operates nursery, creche, pre‑school and 1st cycle day services). No boarding fees are published.
Refund and cancellation rules
- The pre‑registration fee (EUR 100) is non‑refundable. - Withdrawal/cancellation during the school year does not automatically entitle the family to reimbursement of amounts already paid and does not relieve the obligation to pay outstanding or upcoming instalments, except in specifically evaluated cases by school management. Meal fees for absences are not refundable. Failure to provide the required written notice of withdrawal (60 days where applicable) can incur an additional month's tuition charge.
Summary of how fees are presented and charged
- Tuition figures are published both as monthly amounts (used for monthly billing) and as semestral/annual totals (used when families opt for semestral or annual payment). Material fees and certain kits or program fees are one‑off charges collected in September. Optional services (study room, after‑hours care, digital class, specific kits, enrichment activities) have separate published amounts and billing rules. Late payment carries a financial penalty and may lead to loss of enrollment if unresolved.
Academics
Tickles International School teaches Cambridge (Primary) for students aged 0 to 10.
Curriculum
Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary are part of Tickles' Cambridge Pathway, authorized to teach from the 2025/2026 academic year. The programs cover pupils from kindergarten through Year 4 and are taught as a supplement to the national Portuguese curriculum, not a substitution. The school earned Cambridge school code PT777 on 12 September 2025. The Cambridge Primary component includes Art and Design, Computing, English as a Second Language, Global Perspectives and Physical Education; these sit alongside a broader set of Cambridge Primary subjects. English remains a strong component across the curriculum, with English taught as a second language where needed. Cambridge Primary assessments include annual Cambridge Primary Progression Tests for English as a Second Language and Global Perspectives in Years 2–4, and the weekly timetable shows Cambridge Primary hours by year.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Tickles offers an educational experience focused on emotional, cognitive, social and physical development. The school aims to develop confident, autonomous students with an international outlook. The learning environment emphasizes well-being, collaboration and resilience, supported by a multidisciplinary team offering therapeutic services.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Tickles provides a broad range of optional student support and therapeutic services, delivered by a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team. The aim is to complement development and well-being across the educational community. These services support diverse learning needs and promote overall welfare.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English has a strong component across Nursery, Day Care, Pre-School and Primary Education, with a Cambridge Primary program. Cambridge introduces structured learning to equip students with essential knowledge for academic and professional futures. English language development is a central feature of Tickles' curriculum in the early years.
Mental Wellbeing
Tickles focuses on emotional, cognitive, social and physical development to prepare students for a changing world. The school emphasizes student well-being as a core objective, including healthy meals that promote well-being and nutrition education. The school offers a range of support and therapeutic services to complement well-being, delivered by a multidisciplinary team to support mental and emotional growth.
Safeguarding
The internal regulation includes safety, health and hygiene provisions for children. Personal accident insurance is mandatory, and students are covered under the insurance included in tuition. For safety, parents must keep the entrance and exit doors closed, evacuation norms exist, and hygiene and health safety measures are audited and enforced.
Admissions
Admissions
Start your admissions journey: The admissions process can be started at any time during the school year by contacting the school directly or by completing the online pre-enrolment form. Pre-enrolment does not guarantee a place. Assessment and Introduction Meeting: After the application, the candidacy is analyzed by the Pedagogical Direction. Parents or guardians will be contacted to arrange an introduction meeting, where they can learn about the school's educational approach, facilities, and environment. Ideally, both pupil and parent/guardian attend. Place Confirmation and Enrolment: Once the application has been reviewed and a place confirmed, the parent/guardian will be contacted with instructions to complete the enrolment. Enrolment is final once the service agreement is signed. The school reserves the right to admit pupils at its discretion, and the agreement may be amended during the school year if necessary. Waiting List: If applications exceed the school's capacity, an updated waiting list will be maintained. When allocating places, priority is given first to siblings of pupils already enrolled, followed by children on the waiting list in the order in which their applications were received. Complete your pre-enrolment easily through the online form.
Waitlist
Waiting List: If applications exceed the school's capacity, an updated waiting list will be maintained. When allocating places, priority is given first to siblings of pupils already enrolled, followed by children on the waiting list in the order in which their applications were received.
FAQs
What curriculum does Tickles International School follow?
Tickles International School follows a Cambridge curriculum. Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary are part of Tickles' Cambridge Pathway, authorized to teach from the 2025/2026 academic year. The programs cover pupils from kindergarten through Year 4 and...
Where is Tickles International School located?
Rua São João de Brito, 344, 4100-452 Porto, Portugal. The school is located in Porto city. Contact: +351 226 182 000, +351 914 667 874; tickles@tickles.com.pt. The school offers pupil transport services.
What age range does the school serve?
Tickles International School serves students from age 0 to 10, covering Nursery; Day Care; Pre-School; Primary School; Cambridge.
How many students attend Tickles International School?
Approximately 600 students are enrolled at Tickles International School.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition ranges from PHP 5,115 to PHP 5,662 depending on year group.
Is the school co-educational?
Tickles International School is co-educational.
What languages are taught at the school?
Portuguese and English are taught. There is a strong English-language component in Day Care, Pre-School and Primary School. Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary programmes underpin the international education, with Cambridge Primary providing an internationally recognised framework and certif
What facilities does the school offer?
Tickles offers Nursery, Day Care, Pre-School, and Primary School within an international Cambridge framework. The Nursery is a warm, family-like space where babies grow, thrive, and form secure attachments with their families. Day Care supports holistic development with activities guided by pedagogi
Does Tickles International School offer special educational needs support?
Tickles provides a broad range of optional student support and therapeutic services, delivered by a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary team. The aim is to complement development and well-being across the educational community. These services support diverse learning needs and promote overall we...
What is the admissions process?
Start your admissions journey: The admissions process can be started at any time during the school year by contacting the school directly or by completing the online pre-enrolment form. Pre-enrolment does not guarantee a place. Assessment and Introduction Meeting: After the application, the candidac
What extracurricular activities are available?
From Year 1, students have a daily English lesson with a specialized English teacher. The 1st cycle follows the Portuguese national curriculum and is complemented by the Cambridge Primary program from Cambridge Assessment International Education, including English as a Second Language and Global Per
Does Tickles International School offer a bus service?
School transport is provided; children are transported in appropriate seats by a team of qualified professionals; fees for journeys are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Who is the head of school?
The head of school at Tickles International School is Cristina Taveira da Gama.
