About Us
Welcome to The British School of Barcelona
I would like to welcome you to The British School of Barcelona (BSB) website, which I hope you find both helpful and informative. Whether this is your first experience of BSB, or your first visit, we hope to provide a clear picture of a caring, learning community with high expectations. At the BSB our educational aims are focused on three areas:
- Academic: We inspire all to be creative, curious thinkers within a culture of support and challenge.
- Character: We provide individual growth through high expectations; demonstrating commitment, resilience and respect for all.
- Global: We are global citizens, embracing difference, cared for and caring, and principled in our beliefs.
Founded in 1958, the The British School of Barcelona has always provided a great independent international education for our students. All are encouraged to become global citizens; self-confident enough to express and discuss their beliefs and opinions, whilst demonstrating a deep understanding and tolerance of different cultures. We follow the English National Curriculum and employ up-to-date, research based pedagogical approaches to ensure our students develop high level learning habits and skills.
We are a truly International school, fully accredited by the British and Spanish Governments, with our students graduating to some of the best International Universities around the World. However, our all-round education goes well beyond examinations; this includes the values which we hold dear and which our pupils demonstrate. We ensure our students leave school with a close group of friends, as well as the ability to make new ones, and that their academic achievements and skills will enable them to succeed at university and beyond, in an increasingly competitive world.
Having the opportunity to serve and work alongside such a dynamic internationally-minded school community, is an enormous privilege for me. I hope that you will enjoy finding out more about our school’s rich history, current successes and aspirations for the future.
We look forward to sharing our BSB experience with you and your child.
Jonathan Locke
Principal
The British School of Barcelona
Our Mission & Educational Aims
We inspire all to be creative, curious thinkers within a culture of support and challenge
We provide individual growth through high expectations; demonstrating commitment, resilience and respect for all
We are global citizens, embracing difference, cared for and caring, and principled in our beliefs
Our School
The British School of Barcelona offers an educational journey to students from 3 to 18 years that takes place on three different campuses:
Our History
Founded over 60 years ago, The British School of Barcelona has grown into a model of excellence of teaching which embraces a holistic approach to children’s learning and development.
The school is founded
The school is founded as The Anglo-American School, under contract to the American Navy
The British School of Barcelona
The British School of Barcelona is founded in the current facilities in Castelldefels
The British School of Barcelona joins Cognita
The British School of Barcelona joins the international education group Cognita
Cognita Group acquires International School of Barcelona
BSB Sitges becomes a campus of The British of Barcelona (formerly known as the International School of Barcelona)
BSB Nexus, new Pre-University Campus
BSB Nexus, a new Pre-University Campus in Castelldefels, opens its doors to offer a global pre-university experience to 16-18 year-old students.
New BSB Rugby Pitch
The British School of Barcelona adds a new 9,000 m2 rugby and football pitch to the school’s sports facilities.
Our Senior Leadership Team
The Barcelona British School Senior Team is committed to supporting students, parents and staff throughout all the stages of school life by leading and managing all aspects of the school’s work.
Mr Jonathan Locke | PrincipalThe British School of Barcelona | Jonathan Locke is the Principal of The British School of Barcelona since September 2018. He was the former Head of Leventhorpe School, in Sawbridgeworth, England, and having completed 20 years as a member of three senior leadership teams, the last ten as Headteacher, he has significant experience in leading school communities through change and innovation. Jonathan has a proven record of success at Leventhorpe, which was judged to be an Outstanding school by Ofsted and became a National Teaching School. He has been accredited as a National Leader of Education (NLE). Jonathan is committed to the principle of educating the whole person through equality of opportunity and the meeting of individual needs, and believes that students work best when they feel valued and that an effective school recognises individuals’ strengths and talents. Prior to his current headship, Jonathan has had a hugely successful career in senior leadership positions at Sir John Lawes School and Richard Hale School in the UK. He has also worked as a Mathematics teacher and as ICT Coordinator. He holds a Statistics and Management degree from the University of Wales, and a postgraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge. He has travelled the world as a rugby player representing England at various levels and Saracens 1st XV. In recent years Jonathan has coached a local junior team, something he wishes to continue here at BSB. Jon’s leadership style is focused on encouraging staff and pupils to innovate and work collaboratively, making learning far more powerful. He is highly empathic and positive, full of contagious energy, which is fundamental for the future development of The British School of Barcelona as a learning community. |
Mrs Heather Bell | HeadteacherBSB Sitges | Mrs Bell was appointed as head of The British School of Barcelona Sitges campus when the Sitges site was purchased in Spring 2016. Mrs Bell holds a Bachelor of Education with honours. She was an exceptionally successful headteacher and senior education advisor in the UK. |
Mrs Emma Overton | Head of Early Years and PrimaryBSB Castelldefels | Emma Overton was appointed Head of Early Years and Primary at BSB School Castelldefels effective from 1st September 2017. She was Head Teacher at a Primary School in the North East of England for 7 years, after 12 years of teaching across the primary age range and leading on a variety of subject areas. She holds a BA in Education (General Primary) from the University of Northumbria, is NPQH qualified (National Professional Qualification in Headship) with an additional Primary Executive Headship Qualification gained from the National College for Teaching & Leadership. |
Mr James Petrie | Head of Secondary and Pre-UniversityBSB Castelldefels and BSB Nexus | Mr Petrie has been Head of Secondary and Pre-University at The British School of Barcelona since July 2017. Previously he was the Deputy Head Academic in the Secondary School. Prior to this James was Senior Teacher and Head of English at Hereford Cathedral School. He is also an extremely keen historian and has regularly chaired events at the Chalke Valley History Festival in the UK. |
