I’ve been looking at schools for my child recently, based in Madrid, and I’m mainly considering international schools with a British education system. After some research, I found that Kensington School gets discussed quite a bit, so I decided to look into it more deeply. I also chatted with some parents whose children currently attend the school. I’ve compiled the information I gathered to serve as a reference for other parents who are also in the process of choosing a school.
Kensington School, fully named Kensington International Baccalaureate Group, is one of the more established British schools in the Pozuelo de Alarcón area of Madrid. The school was founded in 1968, so it has a long history. The campus environment looks pleasant, with plenty of greenery and comprehensive facilities. While it doesn’t have a brand-new, modern style, it is well-maintained and exudes a mature academic atmosphere.
Curriculum and Teaching
The school offers the complete English National Curriculum from Nursery all the way to Year 13, a key consideration when comparing different types of institutions like Spanish IB international schools. This means that students will take the IGCSE and A-Level exams. This is a significant draw for families planning to apply to universities in the UK or other Commonwealth countries. According to current parents, the school is academically rigorous, and most of the teachers are native speakers from the UK, providing authentic accents and teaching methods.
School Features
In addition to academics, the school places great importance on teaching Spanish language and culture—after all, it’s located in Spain. Specialized Spanish classes are offered starting from primary school, ensuring that children’s Spanish skills develop alongside their English-based curriculum. Furthermore, the school offers a rich variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and art, to cater to different interests. Admittedly, compared to some larger schools, KIBG’s campus size and hardware facilities are not top-tier, but they are more than adequate, fitting the description of a “small but refined” institution.
Application and Fees
Finally, let’s talk about the most common concerns: the application process and fees. The application process generally involves submitting an online application, a school tour, and a student interview/test. For younger students, the assessment might just involve simple play to observe their behavior, while older students will have a written academic test. Academic performance is a key factor, similar to how schools are often ranked by Spanish IB results. As for the tuition, it’s certainly not cheap, as expected for a private international school. I’ve put together a rough fee table based on 2023-2024 data, which serves as a general guide similar to this list of Madrid IB tuition fees. Keep in mind that there may be slight annual increases, so you should always check the official school website for the most accurate information.
| School Stage | Monthly Tuition | Registration/Meal Fees, etc. |
|---|
| Nursery / Reception | Approx. €800-900 | Charged separately |
| Primary | Approx. €950-1,100 | Charged separately |
| Secondary | Approx. €1,200-1,300 | Charged separately |
| Sixth Form | Approx. €1,400 | Charged separately |
In summary, Kensington School is a traditional British school with a strong academic focus and a good reputation. Its strengths are stable teaching quality and excellent university placements. The potential downsides are its relatively small campus and the significant expense of tuition. Are there any parents on this forum whose children attend KIBG? Feel free to add your thoughts and join the discussion!
