St. George's British International School

St. George's follows the English National Curriculum from Pre-Nursery, having completed a progressive switch from the Spanish system in the upper years. Students take IGCSEs at the end of Year 11 and international A-Levels in Years 12 and 13 (Pearson exam boards, according to the fee sheet), plus Spanish EBAU subjects that allow them to obtain the Spanish baccalaureate title through UNED validation. Cambridge English and DELF certificates are prepared, and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is offered from Year 9.

Early Years (Pre-Nursery from age two, Nursery and Reception) follow the EYFS with English immersion. Primary covers Key Stage 1 (ages five to seven) and Key Stage 2 (seven to eleven). Secondary includes Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) leading to IGCSEs, and the Sixth Form (Years 12-13) prepares A-Levels together with Spanish university entrance requirements.

The founder's original aims – academic excellence, fluency in English and solid values for life – still guide the school. It speaks of four pillars, Achieve, Shape, Enrich and Challenge: high academic standards, character values such as integrity, kindness and resilience, a broad range of experiences beyond the classroom and stretching every child. Close partnership with families and a caring environment are central.

The purpose-built school was designed with plenty of space and natural light, with areas set aside for the needs of each subject. Classrooms are adapted to every age group from two to eighteen, and there are well-equipped science laboratories and a library used for silent study and research. For sport and movement the school has outdoor courts for several sports and a multi-sports indoor gymnasium that is also used for dance and gymnastics.

The school kitchen prepares fresh, homemade meals daily, adapted to individual dietary needs and served at tables laid with tablecloths under teacher supervision. Buses run to Getxo, central Bilbao, La Bilbaína and Castro Urdiales, and primary pupils can use extended hours from 8:00 to 17:00. A shop on site sells uniforms and sports kit. Educational psychologists in the SEN department support learning difficulties and gifted pupils, and an active PTA organises events and fundraising.

The extracurricular programme includes skating, boxing, basketball, football, tennis, dance, computing and robotics, Mandarin lessons, theatre and the Greenpower project, in which teams design and build electric cars to race. The school's music school teaches piano, acoustic and electric guitar, violin, viola, flute and other instruments, along with music theory, vocal training and orchestra. Swimming is a compulsory activity from Year 2 to Year 6.