History

History of The British School of Barcelona

The school opened in the academic year 1958/9 in Castelldefels under the name of The Anglo-American School. The founder was Mr Pedro de Verda who decided to establish a school for the children of the officers of the American Sixth Fleet that was based in Barcelona. Children of other international backgrounds were then admitted and, interestingly, local families began to enrol their children in this English-medium school.

In 1966/7 the school was very small with a total of 70 pupils from the ages of 4-14 and was situated on the beach area. However, with the growing interest in this type of education and the learning of English, numbers began to increase. The school received authorisation to be a centre for the official U.K. examinations – O-levels (now called GCSEs) and A-levels. This allowed students to be taught up to university entrance.

In 1978 the first Royal Decree was published recognizing foreign schools in Spain and the studies of Spanish students were validated. The National Association of British Schools in Spain was formed to represent the school’s interests and the school was a founder-member. Over the years the school has worked closely with NABSS.

In 1989 the plot now occupied by the school was bought, but it was not until 1997 that the building was started. The school was transferred in 1999 to the new building and the name was changed to The British School of Barcelona to reflect the type of education offered.

It is thanks to parents who have believed in BSB that the school exists today, and the staff who have dedicated themselves over the years to their students.

Students have gained places in top universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, UCL, UB, Pompen Fabra and ESADE to name but a few. Recognition of their excellence has been given through CIE Brilliance in Spain Awards.