British School of Marbella to expand campus

The expansion of the British School of Marbella is great news for UK families hoping to move to the Costa del Sol

What are the signs which indicate that the Costa del Sol is a much-loved bolthole for Brits hoping to live abroad?

Is it the ubiquity of the English language? Not really – most corners of the world where tourists converge have English as the de facto number one language.

Perhaps the popularity of stylish bars, nightclubs and cafés all designed to cater for the tastes of the British? Maybe, but truth be told the attractions of Puerto Banús turn the heads of partygoers from all over the world.

Is it the prevalence of ‘cheap n’ cheerful’ beachside cafés that line the promenades of Fuengirola and Torremolinos, attracting punters with their tempting chalkboards promising all day breakfasts, cheap pints and Premier League football?

Getting warmer, but again, a fry up, a cool beer and the chance to watch the world’s most exciting football are three attractions that really do have a global following.

No, the  surest sign that the Costa del Sol is a hotspot for heat-seeking Brits is the prevalence of international schools designed to cater for British families by following the British curriculum. Which makes the news that the British School of Marbella is set to expand its campus even more heartening, because it means that demand for places is growing again as more and more Brits decide that southern Spain is the best place for them in which to raise a family.

Due to be officially opened in time for the 2015-16 school year, the new campus at British School Marbella will be located right next door to the picturesque Monte Paraiso Golf course. The extra room means the school can also take on an extra year, so from September British School of Marbella (BSM) will add a Year 7.

“This is a very exciting time for BSM,” Sian Kirkham, BSM’s headmistress told The Olive Press. “The beauty of it is that we get to completely design our own classrooms exactly how we want them.

“Every year we’ve added the next age group so we’ve grown with our students and we always prefer to build gradually so that the fees don’t increase on the onset.”

The new campus will have more than mere classrooms. The facility will boast football pitches, basketball and tennis courts, indoor sports facilities, a science lab, a music room, an art studio and a theatre, ensuring children have access to the best state-of-the-art teaching facilities available.

All teaching staff at the BSM are UK-trained, with all lessons set alongside the British curriculum, meaning pupils leave having been schooled in the best of British traditions, and having earned qualifications that are recognised at British universities.

“We provide a very warm atmosphere as we are a family school where the parents can be confident that every teacher will know their child and be involved in their development process,” added the headmistress.