Sarah Osborne-James
Principal
At Hamelin-Laie, we take a holistic approach to education. We'll prepare your child for the world by nurturing their personal and social growth alongside their academic development.
Learning here, your child will have everything they need to earn fantastic results and thrive in the classroom. Working closely with their teacher, they'll follow a bespoke programme that's based on the Spanish National Curriculum. Our expert educators will tailor instruction to unique interests and talents, and offer support and challenge at the right level.
This personalised approach will help your child to prepare for the next stage of their international education at 16 – the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or Nacional Bachillerato. On these renowned programmes, our students outperform global and national averages, which opens the door to the top universities in the world.
We have organised the information available for this school into 11 sections and 38 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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1410
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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48
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Most common nationality
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Our student life and learning experiences are enriched by celebrating the many cultures and traditions that make up our warm and friendly multicultural parent community comprised of over 45 nationalities.
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Native English, Catalan, and Spanish speaking teachers
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Language and Literature teachers are native speakers of the language.
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Language support for students not fluent in English, Catalan, and Spanish
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Yes
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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Chinese, German and French. In our IB Diploma Programme, we also offer Russian and Spanish.
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Max. number of students per class
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28
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Average number of students per class
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23-25
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes
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Use of technology in the classroom
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Our teachers embrace the transformational power of education technology (EdTech) to help our students expand their minds and skills, reflect on their learnings – and become digital natives. Our classrooms have interactive smartboards and students work on iPads and laptops throughout their coursework.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)
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Yes
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Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?
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No
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External examinations or assessments available
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IB Diploma Programme and Cambridge Exams
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Results in these examinations
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Our IB Diploma Programme and Nacional Bachillerato cohorts average point score and pass rate consistently exceeds the global and national averages. And, we're proud to say that each year our IBDP students comfortably surpass the global average by at least two points.
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Yes
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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Yes
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The school supports gifted, able and talented students
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Yes
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Student access to education psychologist
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Yes
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Entry evaluation for students
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As part of our admissions process, we ask that all our students meet with a member of senior academic team. An English assessment may be requried depending on the student's level of English.
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Brief description of entry evaluation required
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We evaluate their academic performance, assess their English language level, and ask for a teacher's recommendation.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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Admissions at our school is open year round!
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes
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School start time
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9 a.m.
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School finish time
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5 p.m.
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Supervised care before/after school
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Our before and after school care service is a programme where our students have the opportunity to take part in supervised recreation, building strong, positive relationships with their peers, or simply catch up on school work. This service provides parents peace of mind and security of knowing that their child is engaged in safe, enriching, and constructive activities.
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School bus service available
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Our school bus service covers several areas of Barcelona, providing a safe and effiicent way for your child to get to and from school.
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School provided lunches
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Yes. We have a school restaurant with an in-house chef who prepares all food from scratch using locally sourced produce. We are proud to offer a variety of healthy and delicious food choices to all of our students.
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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Yes
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Uniform required
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Yes. our students from Early Years through to Secondary (4th ESO) wear a school uniform. In the IBDP and Bachillerato Nacional, students do not have to wear a school uniform.
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Facilities at the school
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Three dedicted science labs, dance studios, specialised primary and secondary art rooms, library, dedicated chess room, outdoor Greek amphitheatre, large auditorium, design and technology, lab, school cafeteria, Early Years physical development classrooms and so much more.
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Sports facilities at the school
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Astro pitch, outdoor basketball court and dance studios.
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Grades/ages available for boarding
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14 to 18
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Boarding facilities at the school
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Boarding students at Hamelin-Laie enjoy a range of amenities, including their very own private room with an ensuite, a fresh and deliciously prepared meal plan, and access to shared communal and social spaces. We always have several onsite house parents that offer 24/7 support.
Our school boarding facilities offer the perfect balance between privacy, fun and friendship. Set in beautiful green surroundings, our boarding houses are located on our school campus, just 20 minutes from the heart of Barcelona. With easy access to cultural events, sports shows, and leisure activities, our boarders take advantage of everything this amazing city has to offer.
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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A Happy and Engaged Learning Community
At Hamelin we inspire our students to explore new passions and set their own path. Exciting experiences in and beyond the classroom engage students in their learning, bringing the curriculum to life — and making sure they love coming to school every day.
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Teaching approach of the school
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Our holistic educational approach – which supports personal and social growth, as well as academic development – ensures our students get fantastic results. Experiences – including our exclusive collaborations with MIT and UNICEF – will develop the transferable skills valued by the best universities and employers. Our focus on wellbeing also nurtures our students' all-around growth, ensuring they’re safe, happy, and love coming to school.
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Early Years and Primary | Ages 1-11
Based on the Spanish National Curriculum, our bespoke early years and primary programme focuses on nurturing each child's natural curiosity and love for discovery. Students primarily learn in English, but also have opportunities to learn Spanish and Catalan. Through a great variety of stimulating activities, we encourage our littlest learners’ exploration, creativity, and physical movement.
In primary, we nurture open and curious minds, where students learn in multiple languages. As well as providing a strong academic foundation, our programme is packed with transformative experiences that deepen emotional, social, and critical thinking skills.
Secondary | Ages 12-15
In secondary school, we follow the Spanish National Curriculum with many integrated global contexts, from our international learning environment in Spain. Our students primarily learn in English, but also have opportunities to learn in Spanish and Catalan.
Our secondary students engage in collaborative projects that strengthen their teamwork and leadership skills, while encouraging values of cooperation, tolerance, and assertiveness. Through group projects, they bring their ideas together and create solutions.
All our students are enquirers – they learn how to formulate questions or hypotheses that lead to unexpected discoveries. In experimental subjects – technology, biology, physics, and chemistry – they work together in the lab to explore their questions and find solutions.
IBDP or Bachillerato Nacional | Ages 16-18
Taught in English, the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme sets our students up for the future. Offering an ideal combination of personal and academic development, the IBDP features a range of subjects and the chance to take part in research and hands-on service opportunities.
Taught in an equal mix of English, Spanish, and Catalan, the Spanish National Baccalaureate Programme puts our students in charge of their learning experience. Your child will develop vital academic, critical thinking, personal, and value-based skills. This holistic approach will prepare them for success at university in Spain and beyond.
Our Campus
Our campus is unlike any other. Situated in the safe and friendly town of Montgat, just 20 minutes from the historic heart of Barcelona, our modern, purpose-built school environment is surrounded by natural beauty.
Our cleverly designed, free-flowing areas enable students to take in everything our extraordinary beachside location offers. Sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and local mountains inspire them, as they learn and play indoors and outside.
Our impressive facilities feature:
✓ Bespoke music, art, and dance studios.
✓ State-of-the-art science, design, and technology labs.
✓ Interactive tech in every spacious classroom.
✓ A beautiful library and dedicated chess room.
✓ A seaside Greek amphitheatre.
✓ An Astroturf pitch and outdoor play spaces.
✓ Modern boarding facilities.
Boarding
HLIS is so much more than a school for our boarders. We’re a second family, a thriving international community in Spain, and a place where 24/7 care, guidance, and friendship inspire our students to make their mark in our globalised world.
Your child will join a closeknit community of up to 45 secondary students, supported by our caring house parents and dedicated staff. They'll be guided throughout their time here by our brilliant boarding staff, who are available around the clock to provide invaluable support.
Our boarding school in Barcelona features:
✓ Exciting weekend activities and trips in Barcelona and beyond.
✓ On-site academic support and pastoral care.
✓ Wellbeing, health, and medical support.
✓ Our exceptional location, only five minutes from the beach.
✓ A daily meal plan, with freshly prepared dishes by our in-house chef.
