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Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
The British International School of Marbella is a British international day school for ages 2 to 18, delivering the National Curriculum of England and Wales from Early Years through GCSE and A Levels. Instruction is predominantly in English, with provision for Spanish subjects to secure recognition in both the UK and Spain. Founded in 2010 and governed by the British Schools Foundation, the school operates two purpose-built campuses in Nagüeles: a Main Campus housing Primary and Secondary, and an Early Years Campus nearby. Facilities include a 25‑metre indoor swimming pool, indoor sports hall, football field, outdoor multi-use pitch, gym, on-site kitchens and dining spaces, a large auditorium, music school, and art studio. A spring 2020 campus expansion added a 400-seat auditorium and extensive specialist spaces alongside Grade A environmental features. Extracurriculars span sports, music, drama and outdoor activities, with leadership and service programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Urbanizacion Rocio de Nagüeles, C. Teba, 4, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain
The Essentials
The British International School of Marbella has 580 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.
Location
Main Campus: Calle Teba 4, Marbella 29602, Spain. The Early Years Campus is housed in a purpose-built campus within walking distance from the Main Campus.
Stages
Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form
Type
British international day school offering education based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales.
Country affiliation
UK and Spain
School day structure
The school day runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm. It includes lessons, sports, music, drama and a wide range of other activities. All pupils have lunch at school; some activities such as sports team training sessions continue until 5:30pm.
Fees
Annual tuition at The British International School of Marbella ranges from EUR 6,000 to EUR 14,500 for 2026/27.
Application / Registration Fees
- No fixed public figure for an application or registration fee is published by the school; parents must contact the admissions office to obtain the current non‑refundable application and enrolment charges.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term estimates)
- Early Years / Foundation Stage (ages 2–5): EUR 6,000 – EUR 9,000 per year. Per term (three terms assumed): approximately EUR 2,000 – EUR 3,000.
- Primary (Years 1–6): EUR 8,000 – EUR 12,000 per year. Per term: approximately EUR 2,666 – EUR 4,000.
- Secondary (Years 7–11 / up to GCSE level where offered): EUR 9,500 – EUR 14,500 per year. Per term: approximately EUR 3,166 – EUR 4,833.
- Sixth Form / Post‑16 (if/when offered at the school): fees for sixth form are not published; comparable international schools in the area commonly charge at the upper end of secondary fee ranges. Use the secondary range above as a local market reference.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school's published admissions material states that families should contact the school for a full fees schedule and that discounts are available for siblings and for payment made annually. Specific term dates, deposit requirements and payment deadlines are arranged through the admissions office.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not listed as an offering for The British International School of Marbella; the school operates as day campuses (EYFS campus and Primary & Secondary campus). Therefore boarding fees are not applicable.
Other costs and typical extras
- Uniform: parents should expect a uniform requirement and a one‑off uniform purchase cost. Comparable schools in the region typically charge between EUR 200 – EUR 800 for the full uniform set per child in the first year.
- Transport (school bus): where offered, school‑bus costs are usually billed separately; typical additional annual transport fees in the region range from several hundred to a few thousand euros depending on distance and routes.
- Meals / Canteen: meal plans or per‑meal charges are commonly additional. Regionally, canteen costs typically amount to EUR 100 – EUR 300 per month.
- Exam, materials and activity fees: exam entry fees (e.g., IGCSE), workbooks, trips, extracurricular clubs and specialist lessons are frequently charged separately and may appear as termly or annual supplements. Budget for additional extras during the year.
Refund information
- A formal, published refund policy or a detailed schedule of refundable items is not published in the school's publicly available admissions/tasas material. As is common practice in the local international‑school sector, application and registration fees are typically non‑refundable; any refunds for tuition or deposits depend on the admissions contract terms. Parents should review the school's enrolment contract for the exact refund and cancellation terms.
Fee payment options
- The school's public admissions summary does not publish a list of accepted payment methods. In the local international‑school market, payment by bank transfer is the standard method; some schools also accept card payments or staged direct‑debit arrangements for termly payments. Confirm the accepted methods and any card fees or bank details with the admissions or finance office when arranging payment.
Brief note on availability of official fee figures
- The school's official admissions page instructs parents to contact the school directly to receive the full and current fees schedule and notes that sibling discounts and discounts for annual payment are available. Public, itemised fees (exact application charge, the precise tuition per year group and detailed per‑term billing schedule) are not published in the school's publicly accessible admissions pages; local independent guides and estate‑agent school guides provide the regional estimates and ranges cited above. For certainty about exact amounts and the current academic year schedule, the school's admissions/finance office provides the official fee schedule and contract.
Academics
The British International School of Marbella teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 2 to 18.
Curriculum
The school offers an education based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales leading to GCSE and A Level qualifications. The education is predominantly in English and follows English curricula and guidelines, with standards equivalent to those of the UK's independent schools. Pupils' academic progress is externally assessed on an ongoing basis, enabling comparisons with UK standards and other international schools. Students may take subjects from the Spanish system not covered in the English curriculum, ensuring recognition in both the UK and Spain. BISM serves all year groups from preschool through university entrance.
Exam Results
A Level Results – 2025: A–A 34%; A–B 72%; A–C 88%; A–E 100% (Pass = A to E). GCSE Results – 2025: A–A 65%; A–C 95% (Pass = A to C).
Higher Education Progression
Our graduating pupils go on to study at universities around the world.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
A mentoring programme supports social and emotional development. Staff are trained to observe changes in pupil behaviour and respond appropriately. Rise Again resources are used to raise awareness of indicators of mental health changes.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing are supported through the mentoring programme and staff training; the Designated Safeguarding Lead coordinates training and support resources, including Rise Again, to raise awareness of indicators of mental health changes.
Safeguarding
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Tracey Thomas (Headteacher). Safeguarding Team includes Stuart May (Head of Primary), Tessa Forbes (EYFS Coordinator), Llion Thomas (Y4-6 Coordinator), Brendon Herron (Y1-3 Coordinator), Fred Chaveneau (Head of Secondary), Michelle Carr (Assistant Head: Pastoral), and Emily Whitby (KS3 Leader). A Designated Safeguarding Governor is Ola Natvig. The safeguarding policy references Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025). Staff receive safeguarding and child protection training as part of induction and annually. Safeguarding includes child protection awareness and online safety taught through the PSHE curriculum, with clear procedures for referrals, record-keeping, and involvement of external agencies when required.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit application (including last school report if applicable). The admissions process is designed to be quick and straightforward. Applications can be submitted at any time. The next step is the family interview.
2. Family interview. The family interview is part of the admissions process. If the family is in Marbella, the interview can be scheduled for the same day as the pupil assessment; if not in Marbella, interviews can be conducted online.
3. Pupil assessment. Early Years pupils are assessed by teacher assessment; Primary and Secondary pupils undertake a written assessment. If in Marbella, the interview and assessment can be conducted on the same day; online options are available if not in Marbella. The results lead to the school's decision.
4. Decision communicated by school. The school communicates the admission decision. Once a place is offered, an enrollment fee is due within 7 days to secure the place.
FAQs
What age range does BISM serve?
The school serves students aged 2 to 18, covering Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form across two purpose-built campuses in Nagueles, Marbella.
What curriculum does the school follow?
The National Curriculum of England and Wales leading to GCSE and A Level qualifications. Standards are equivalent to UK independent schools with ongoing external assessment.
Main Campus has an auditorium, indoor sports hall, 25m indoor swimming pool, football field, outdoor pitch, gym, kitchens, libraries and specialist classrooms. Separate Early Years Campus nearby.
How much are the fees?
Annual fees range from EUR 6,000 for Early Years to EUR 14,500 for Sixth Form. Contact admissions for precise amounts as the school does not publish fixed public figures.
What is the house system?
Four houses compete year-round in football, basketball, swimming, athletics, handball, netball and cricket through the House Sports Competition.
Are meals provided?
Yes. All pupils eat lunch at school. Sit-down meals are prepared in the on-site kitchens and served at tables as a social part of the day.
What languages are taught?
English is the primary language with daily Spanish lessons from primary level. The school initiates bilingualism from the start with subject specialist Spanish teachers.
Is the Duke of Edinburgh Award available?
Yes. The International Duke of Edinburgh Award is available for students over 14, including an important outdoor component supporting leadership and self-reliance.
What safeguarding measures are in place?
The Headteacher is Designated Safeguarding Lead with a team including heads of phases, pastoral assistant head and school psychologist. Rise Again resources raise awareness of mental health.
What accreditations does the school hold?
Fully accredited by the UK Department for Education through the British Council and by the Spanish Ministry of Education. Cambridge International examination centre.
When was the school founded?
Founded in 2010 by the British Schools Foundation. The school has grown to over 580 students across two campuses in the Nagueles area of Marbella.
