I’ve been looking at schools for my child in Madrid. After checking out public, semi-private (concertado), and private options, I’m leaning towards private schools that follow the British curriculum. I’ve done some research, and Hastings School seems to be a popular topic. I was wondering if there are any experienced parents or families with children currently enrolled who could share some more ‘down-to-earth’ information? The official website is a bit too formal.
The main draw for me is its authentic British education. I feel it would provide a smooth transition if my child decides to attend university in the UK or other Commonwealth countries. Also, from what I’ve read in discussions about Madrid private schools, the school has a long history, which suggests it’s likely well-established in its teaching and management. It has several campuses across Madrid, apparently divided by age groups. This seems like a sound approach, giving different age ranges their own dedicated spaces.

However, I do have some questions. For instance, what’s the proportion of Spanish language instruction? Even though it’s an international school, we live in Spain, so I’d hope my child’s Spanish skills don’t fall behind. Then there’s the matter of tuition. Besides the tuition, registration, and lunch fees, are there other ‘hidden’ costs for things like uniforms, school buses, or extracurricular activities? What would the approximate total annual cost be?
Basic School Information
To facilitate discussion, I’ve compiled some basic information from the official website into a table. Please feel free to correct any inaccuracies.
| Item | Information |
| School Name | Hastings School Madrid |
| Year Founded | 1971 |
| Educational System | British National Curriculum |
| Primary Language | English |
| Student Age Range | 3-18 years |
| Key Features | Offers a complete British education from Nursery to A-Level (see related discussions on Madrid private school fees). |
Lastly, about applications and admissions. I’ve heard that spots at good private schools in Madrid are very competitive. How difficult is it to get into Hastings? Is there a long waiting list? Are the language proficiency requirements high for students? What does the interview cover? Any piece of information would be incredibly valuable to me
! I am also exploring other options like Colegio San Patricio
. Thank you all in advance! I’m hoping your insights can help an indecisive parent like me make sense of it all.