Admission Policy

The School has two classes in each year group. The Board of Governors has decided that there will be a maximum of 18 pupils in each Primary class and 18 in each Secondary Section Form. Additionally, a maximum of two further pupils, who hold a British passport, may be admitted to each class. Any additions and/ or alterations are at the discretion and approval of the Board acting upon the advice/ recommendation of the Head Master.

In many year groups there are many more applicants than there are available places; the Governors have devised a very strict hierarchy of entry criteria. Over-riding the criteria is an expectation that the prospective pupil has the ability to follow the curriculum offered by the School. The curriculum is broadly based on the English National Curriculum in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (from Prep to Form 8), the IGCSE in Forms 9 and 10, and the International Baccalaureate in Forms 11 and 12. Teaching is conducted in English with the exception of Modern Languages and Portuguese History. Ability in that language is a crucial factor when considering the admission of an applicant.   The School has on its staff teachers who are qualified, experienced and skilled in offering learning support to pupils who may require this kind of assistance. The amount and level of support is, however, limited and the School is unable to provide the resources to pupils with severe learning difficulties.

The hierarchy of entry criteria is as follows:

Is or does the applicant: 

1. hold a British passport ? 
2. have a sibling in the School ? 
3. have English as his/her first language ? 
4. the child of a former pupil of the School ? 
5. attending an English, British or International School where the teaching language is English ? 
6. the child of a member of staff of the School ? 
7. attending a kindergarten recognised by the School ? 

No pupil shall be admitted without:

• an interview
• Submission of evidence of learning and behaviour from previous schools
• Having been given the appropriate test for their age
• A completion of medical information form and evidence of vaccinations
• Proof of identity

At the discretion of the Head Master, an overseas pupil may be provisionally offered a place provided all of the above are satisfied upon arrival in Portugal.

In the case of two or more applicants equally satisfying the criteria, the place will be offered to the one whose original application was received by the School first.

If we have any concerns about a pupil’s suitability for progression into the following year group, or into the Secondary Section (including the transition from F10 to IB), these will have been raised with parents by the respective Heads of Primary/ Secondary during the year. The Head Master reserves the right for a child to repeat an academic year and/ or not to offer a place in the following academic year based upon academic and / or pastoral concerns.