Ian Walker
Headteacher
At St. George's, one of our principal aims is to prepare every student to live successfully in a globalised world, and educational excellence plays a key role in achieving this goal.
We employ highly qualified, experienced teachers and use the most appropriate teaching and learning methodologies to identify and maximise each student’s individual talents and abilities.
We provide personalised attention to every student and offer an all-round, integrated education, helping every student to identify their strengths and weaknesses and to achieve their full academic potential.
Educational excellence at St. George's School is based upon innovative and continually evolving teaching methodologies, a broad and balanced curriculum, an outstanding teaching team, and an excellent support structure. This includes our SEN Department which provides support and guidance for students, teachers and families.
These elements unite to provide a structured and forward-looking teaching and learning environment in which our students, and the school as a whole, can grow and thrive.
| Number of students |
300 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
18 |
| Most common nationality |
Spanish |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
85% of students are Spanish and 15% are from other countries. St. George's student body is mainly European, but it also has students from Asia, Africa, North America and South America |
| Native English and Spanish speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English and Spanish |
Language support |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
French, Basque |
| Max. number of students per class |
25 |
| Average number of students per class |
20 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Students at St. George’s are provided with iPads to support their digital learning, which includes beginning to explore simple programming and coding techniques and using educational games. We teach students how to use technology responsibly, and find that as students develop greater technological confidence, they take more initiative in their learning and research, and become more intellectually curious, interested and creative. |
| 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) |
Yes |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No, St. George's is a secular school |
| External examinations or assessments available |
We follow the English National Curriculum, so our students take IGCSEs in Key Stage 4 and the A-Levels in Sixth Form. |
| Results in these examinations |
Students at St. George’s work hard to achieve their goals, and we are proud of their success. This dedication is reflected in the 100 per cent pass rate in the Spanish university entrance examinations (Selectividad), and the consistently excellent results in the Cambridge English Language and DEFL (French) examinations. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
It depends on the age of the students. As a general rule, no homework is set in Early Years, but students are expected to take reading books home to read with their parents. In the Key Stage 1 and 2, from Year 3 upwards, students use a homework diary to record any homework they need to remember to do. Depending on their age, they are expected to do between one and a half hours of homework a week in Year 3, up to half an hour a day plus written work at the weekend in Year 6. In addition to the above, at St. George's British International School students are encouraged to read in both English and Spanish. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
We have a 100% pass rate. |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
SEN Department |
| Learning support offered |
The SEN Department offers professional help and practical support and advice to teachers, students and their families to ensure that any difficulties or challenges that might arise are resolved in the most effective and positive way. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
We are proud of the success of our students in all facets, and we support and help our students to achieve all their goals. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
We do an English evaluation and the last two years reports from previous school |
| Waiting list |
Depends on the academic year. |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Our enrollment period is open all year round |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| School start time |
8.30am |
| School finish time |
4.30pm |
| Supervised care before/after school |
St. George's offers an extended hours service for parents of students in its primary school, starting at 8.00am before school and extending to 5.00pm after school. |
| School bus service available |
Yes |
| School provided lunches |
Yes |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Skating, tennis, basketball, football, theatre, vocal training, music theory, instrument tuition, orchestra, dance, music live, computing, robotics. |
| Sports activities included |
A wide range of sporting activities are available at the school, including football, basketball, roller skating, handball, hockey, gymnastics and athletics. |
| Facilities at the school |
Library, laboratories, multiporpouse room, music room, computer room, art room, Infants garden, Early Years playground, playground for Primary and Secondary students and forest area and covered patio |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Outdoor sports court, multi-sports indoor gymnasium |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
St. George's British International School is a private international school in Leioa, Bilbao. St. George's teaches the English National Curriculum. St. George's school offers children a multilingual education from the age of 2, combining innovative methodologies and personalised attention to ensure that every one of its students reaches their full potential. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
St. George's aims to stimulate a lifelong passion for learning, encouraging every child to fulfil their academic, personal and professional goals. To do this, St. George follows the English National Curriculum, an internationally recognised and respected framework that opens the doors to prestigious universities throughout Spain, the UK, the USA, Europe and the rest of the world. |
Known as the Early Years Foundation Stage, these first years of education are vital to a child’s future success. Children are developing in many different ways: emotionally, physically, socially and cognitively. As children begin to adapt to school life they need to feel safe, nurtured and loved, in a warm and familiar environment.
During the Primary phase, children begin to develop a sense of independence and start to feel more “grown up”. During these years they make excellent progress in oral comprehension and expression, literacy, numeracy and social skills.
In September 2021 we begin the progressive conversion of St. George's into a British International School at all stages of education up to and including Baccalaureate. Currently, our pupils follow the Spanish system from Year 11 (4th ESO) onwards, and the transition to the English National Curriculum will be completed in 2025.
As our students reach Sixth Form, also known as Years 12 and 13, they will follow a combination of A-Level and Spanish Bachillerato. Whatever future path our students decide to take, we provide them with the skills, knowledge and understanding to successfully face the challenges that lie ahead.
Students at St. George’s can choose their A-Level courses from a wide range of subject options, which are accredited for access to both Spanish and international universities.
We are fortunate at St. George’s to have excellent purpose-built facilities, designed to meet our student’s needs at every stage of their educational journey. The school’s architecture was designed to allow for plenty of space and natural light, with specific areas dedicated to meet the particular requirements of each subject.
Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed for the age group they serve. Our labs are well-equipped, spacious rooms where students can experiment safely and enjoy the study of science.
We have outdoor courts for practising a variety of different sports and a multi-sports indoor gymnasium for activities including dance and gymnastics.
Check out the facilities in this interactive virtual tour.
At St. George’s we have created a full and fun-packed programme of extracurricular activities designed to enable students to enhance their skills in sporting, musical, artistic, technological and linguistic activities.
Among the many activities on offer are skating, boxing, basketball, soccer, tennis, dance, computing and robotics, mandarin lessons, the Greenpower project and theatre. Our students can also join our Music School where they can learn a wide range of instruments such as piano, guitar (acoustic and electric), violin, viola, flute among others as well as Music Theory, Vocal Training and Orchestra.
In addition, if a group of students comes to us with a shared interest, such as photography, we try our best to find an instructor and add the activity to our offering.
If you’re considering enrolling your child at St. George's British International School, we encourage you to get in touch with the school to find out more, organise a school tour, and begin the admissions process.
We’re looking forward to answering all of your questions and welcoming your family to our school.
