The British School of Catalunya to be opened in 2012

Barcelona (ACN).- The British School of Catalunya will be opened by September 2012. It is the latest addition to a series of international schools in Catalonia, which infuse an international and intercultural perspective into their teaching programmes, or they directly follow a study programme from another country.

Argentona, a small town 35 kilometers north of Barcelona, will welcome, in September 2012, the British School of Catalunya. This will be the first centre that the St George’s School Group opens in Catalonia. The private school will follow the British curriculum so, that when they finish high school, the students will be able to attend any public or private university either in Spain or in the United Kingdom. The school will test the students through the University of Cambridge and the University of London.

English will be the main language of the British School of Catalunya, but Catalan, Spanish, German and French will also be offered as optional language subjects.

International schools in Catalonia

In Catalonia, attending an international school is not as uncommon as one may think. Only in Barcelona and its Metropolitan Area, more than forty schools from seven different countries can be found. Traditionally, French schools have been very well considered in Spain. In Barcelona there are schools like the Lycée Français de Barcelone, the Écoles Françaises or the Ferdinand de Lesseps school, which teach pupils in French and follow France’s curriculum. These schools prepare its students so they can go to any French university without abandoning the Spanish and Catalan language and culture.

German schools also have their place in Barcelona. The Zurich Schüle, located in probably the most exclusive area of the city, teaches in German, Catalan, Spanish and English. In Sant Cugat del Vallès there is the Japanese School of Barcelona, which depends directly on the Japanese Ministry of Education. The Japanese School of Barcelona complements its academic program, similar to the Catalan ones, with specific cultural subjects like calligraphy, Japanese cooking or the tea ceremony.

American schools like the Benjamin Franklin International School and the American School of Barcelona have also gained great status and recognition. Their students participate in international trips and sports leagues as well as receiving rigorous classes of Catalan and Spanish.

The largest group of international schools is the British one. There are more than fifteen British schools in Catalonia, like the John Talbot School, the Princess Margaret, St Peter’s School, Kensington School, the English School or the Oak House British School. Next year, the British School of Catalunya will be added to this group.