The O'Brien International School

San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante, Spain. Located in the town of San Miguel de Salinas, about ten minutes from the city of Torrevieja.

Primary through college, including A-levels.

British international school following the British curriculum.

United Kingdom (British curriculum).

The O'Brien International School follows the British Council School Curriculum from the English Early Years Foundation Stage through Year 11, with mandatory Spanish instruction to ensure bilingual and bicultural learners. Early Years (Reception) is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the EYFS curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary (Key Stages 1–3) follow the English National Curriculum, taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week focused on core subjects in English and 20% dedicated to Spanish language and cultural studies. Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4 – Years 9–11) typically offers 10 International GCSE subjects, with 8 compulsory—English Language, Mathematics, Single Science, and Spanish—and 2 or more optional subjects including Computing, Economics, History, Geography, Sociology, Statistics, ESL, Business, Art, Music, Psychology, Physical Education, and Religious Studies; Career Guidance begins in Year 9 through the PSHE/Tutorial Programme and continues in Year 11 for post-16 planning. Sixth Form (Key Stage 5 – Years 12–13) requires English, Spanish Language, and Mathematics plus one from Business, Spanish, Geography, Economics, History, or Sociology, with individualised career counselling and university guidance to prepare for higher education. The curriculum includes a broad range of subjects across the arts, humanities, and sciences, with a strong emphasis on bilingual education and global citizenship.

All Sixth Form students receive individualised career counselling and university guidance to prepare for higher education.

The school provides for students who are particularly talented.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The Early Years curriculum is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the Early Years curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary follow the English National Curriculum, taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week in English and 20% in Spanish. PSHE is included in the curriculum to support social development and oracy. The school values pupil voice, with pupil input actively encouraged and students involved in setting personal outcomes. The SEND policy describes a holistic approach to development, including emotional and social well-being.

The O'Brien International School provides Psychopedagogical Attention and Guidance with a dedicated Psychopedagogical Office to support learning, personal, emotional, and social development. Individualized Action Plans and tailored strategies address each pupil's needs, with comprehensive guidance for students and families. In-school support is provided during school hours with a constant support team, and external experts in neurodevelopmental disorders collaborate as needed. No child is refused admission based on SEND. SEN is led by a SENCo and follows a graduated Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle, with collaboration with external agencies as required. The school is accessible, with wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities, and ongoing accessibility improvements.

As a British School Overseas, the school follows the British Council Curriculum, with the English Early Years Foundation Stage and the English National Curriculum through to Year 11. Early Years instruction is delivered in English, with 10–15% of the Early Years curriculum taught in Spanish. Primary and Lower Secondary instruction is taught primarily in English, with 80% of the 35-period week in English and 20% in Spanish. Upper Secondary typically offers 10 IGCSE subjects, with ESL listed as an optional examinable subject. The curriculum supports bilingual and bicultural learning.

The Psychopedagogical Attention and Guidance Office provides psychosocial support and guidance focusing on academic, personal, emotional, and social development. An individualized action plan approach and ongoing support are offered, with teacher training and family involvement. Pupil voice is valued, with pupil input and personal outcomes incorporated into planning. PSHE and Citizenship content in the curriculum support well-being and social development. Safeguarding and welfare are central to the school's approach.

Safeguarding policy was updated in July 2025; a safeguarding statement was published in August 2022. The O'Brien International School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, with comprehensive policies covering signs of abuse, responding to abuse, safe recruitment, bullying, online abuse, image use, and whistleblowing. Designated Safeguarding Lead is Sabrina Patiño, with contact details provided. The school complies with Spanish Ley Orgánica 8/2021 and UK Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, including staff DBS checks where applicable. Staff must report safeguarding concerns to the DSL, with clear procedures for initial reporting and escalation. Security Lead Officer Cristina Viera oversees security, conducts risk assessments, and provides training.

1. The school uses rolling admissions; applications are evaluated as they are received, interviews are conducted, and admissions are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all class places are filled. Families are encouraged to submit an application and participate in an initial discussion to assess whether the school can meet the child's needs. 2. If places are not immediately available, the child's name will be added to a waiting list upon receipt of the application and the registration fee. Parents may request to remove their child's name from the waiting list at any time. 3. Upon offer and acceptance, families agree that their child will be subject to the school's Rules and Regulations. The school promotes values such as Respect, Honesty, and Consideration for others; bullying and all forms of anti-social behaviour are strictly unacceptable. 4. The Head has sole authority to exclude a student from the school. Exclusions may be fixed-term (up to 45 school days in one academic year) or permanent for serious misconduct. Before expulsion, a meeting is typically held with the student and parents; the Head may expel immediately if warranted. The Head informs the Proprietor of exclusions and, where applicable, the management reviews to determine reinstatement; there is a right to appeal.

Scholarship Information: The school invites Year 11 students from the local area to apply for the annual Scholarship Program. The scholarship is open to students from any local school, and the award is valued at over €11,900. To register interest or reserve a place, contact 615 466 398, or visit the school website. Past scholarship winners include Logan Barbour and Rosanna de Leo (joint) – 2025, Ellie Warren – 2024, Taylor Hirst – 2023. Register now to take the Scholarship Examination during May half-term.

Rolling admissions policy means applications are evaluated as they are received and interviews are conducted, with admissions on a first-come, first-served basis until all class places are filled. If places are not immediately available, the child's name is added to a waiting list upon receipt of the application and the registration fee. Parents may remove their child's name from the waiting list at any time. Offers are made as places become available.