Kensington School Madrid, Private School Kensington in Madrid

• Year founded: 1968.
• Location: Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain.
• Number of students: 1100.
• Type of education: co-education.
• Type of institution: private international day school.
• Language of instruction: English and Spanish.

International private school in the Madrid suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón, one of the first Spanish schools with an international British programme, founded in 1968. Since its opening, education here has been built on a combination of an English language environment, a British educational programme, and strong Spanish academic preparation, which allows graduates to continue their education both in Spain and in other countries around the world.

Today Kensington is part of the international Inspired network.

Three lines stand out in the curriculum: language preparation, academic support, and the development of personal responsibility. The school has tutors and a psychological service, a well-thought-out model for supporting students in choosing a career and academic track, and the special programme Travesía helps students develop leadership qualities, collaboration skills, and social engagement.

The educational process at Kensington combines elements inherent to both British and Spanish traditional schools, taking the best from each tradition. Classes are conducted in English, while students also study Spanish and French.

Tutors, educators, and career and academic counselors help students choose subjects, prepare for exams, gather application documents, and build a study plan for the upper grades. Special attention is given to language support: students prepare for Cambridge English, DELF, and other international exams, and improve their academic writing and public speaking skills. Throughout the process, students are helped to analyze university requirements in Spain, the United Kingdom, and other countries, write personal statements, gather documents, and navigate application deadlines.

• Kensington School was one of the first schools in Spain to combine the British and traditional Spanish curriculum.
• For the youngest children, the school has created an atelier space — a creative environment inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, where children learn through exploration of materials, movement, play, and collaborative activities.
• Upper school students combine preparation for Spanish final exams with studying for international language certificates Cambridge English and DELF.

Children eat on campus, which has its own kitchen where meals are prepared daily. The menu is developed by a children's nutrition specialist taking into account the students' ages and balanced diet principles; special dietary options are available for children with celiac disease, diabetes, food intolerance, allergies, and for vegetarians.

A school bus network is provided, circulating through various districts of the Spanish capital and connecting the campus in Pozuelo de Alarcón with residential neighborhoods of the capital and nearby suburbs; several routes have been established for the convenience of families from different parts of the city.

Within the Inspired model, the school combines three areas: academics, sports development, and performing arts. The timetable and extracurricular program include music, theatrical productions, creative projects, public speaking, and STEAM subjects. In the lower years, the focus is on developing communication, confidence, and an interest in collaborative work, while older students' schedules already include debates, project-based activities, and other, more independent formats of participation in school life.

From Year 7 to 2º Bachillerato, the Travesía program operates, aimed at developing leadership, responsibility, and social skills. Through it, students participate in volunteer initiatives, mentoring, team projects, and school community events. Senior students can take on leadership roles and support younger pupils.

As part of the personal development program, Kensington pays attention to emotional well-being, digital safety, and responsible behavior: students study the principles of safe internet use, social media communication, cyberbullying prevention, digital reputation management, and mindful behavior in the digital environment.

Sports life includes training, team sessions, and school events for different age groups. Through the Inspired network, students gain access to international sports camps, academic exchanges, and a network of summer camps around the world.

• Operating since 1968, with more than half a century of British education experience in Spain.
• Part of the Inspired network, giving students access to international exchanges, summer programs, and group resources in academic and professional consulting.
• Accepts children from 18 months and accompanies them through the end of secondary school, allowing them to complete their entire educational journey within a single system.
• Multilingual teaching model: the main languages are English and Spanish, with French studied as an additional language.

Pozuelo de Alarcón is considered one of the most affluent suburbs of the capital: it is home to international schools, sports clubs, tennis centers, and family residential complexes. The campus is easily accessible by car via the M-40 and A-6 highways, as well as by school buses that run through various districts of Madrid and the western suburbs.

The infrastructure includes modern classrooms, science laboratories, a library, spaces for art and music, an auditorium for school events, and play areas. A separate educational environment has been created for early-age children: specialized classrooms, a creative atelier space, materials for development in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and a dedicated outdoor play area for Pre-Nursery.

The premises housing the primary school have been adapted to meet the requirements and standards of both the British national curriculum and the Spanish curriculum. As students grow older, they engage in laboratory-format work, study with subject-specialist teachers, and develop soft skills.

For sports, there is a multi-purpose indoor gymnasium equipped for basketball and five-a-side football, outdoor play and sports areas; in addition, students have access to a public stadium (located 6 minutes' walk from the campus), a swimming pool, and other sports facilities nearby.

Tuition is paid by trimester: invoices are issued in September, January, and April.

Additional expenses:

• registration fee,
• meals, accommodation,
• school bus,
• study materials,
• English-language textbooks,
• insurance,
• uniform, if required for a specific grade level.

You should also budget for pocket money.

Admission begins with an initial inquiry to the school. After reviewing the program, parents can visit the campus, attend an open day, or meet with representatives to discuss the appropriate level of study. This is followed by the document submission stage, after which Kensington evaluates the student's age, previous educational experience, and helps determine the most suitable academic pathway. Upon confirmation of a place, the family pays a registration fee and receives a calendar, uniform requirements, and information on meals, buses, and learning materials.

Kensington prepares graduates for admission to British and continental higher education institutions. Students in the Spanish track prepare for the EvAU exams, while students in the international track use their Diploma Programme results for admission abroad. The school guides upper school students in choosing universities, helps build their academic trajectory, and advises on preparing the application package for university.

Kensington typically requests copies of the child's passport or ID, previous school reports, medical information, and, if necessary, references from the previous school. The set of documents and the format of the assessment depend on the child's age and the chosen program. For younger students, the school may conduct classroom observation or a trial day, while older students typically face English and mathematics tests followed by an interview with an academic coordinator.

To enroll in international programs in the upper grades, a student must demonstrate confident English and strong academic performance; for the ESO and Bachillerato programs, the level of Spanish is also important.

Kensington is a member of the international academic project Inspired, under which the special Nsouli Scholars Programme scholarship operates for talented students with high academic or sports achievements, as well as distinctions in music and dramatic arts. It provides full tuition coverage for selected candidates throughout their studies at schools in the Inspired network.

When multiple children are enrolled simultaneously, a sibling discount applies: the third child receives a 50% tuition discount, and the fourth and subsequent children receive a 100% tuition discount. The discount does not cover additional expenses.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision