Quick summary of key school information
School details
Number of students |
670 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
6 |
Most common nationality |
Spanish |
Ratio of local students to international students |
50-1 |
Native English speaking teachers |
Yes, our French teachers are French, we have Spanish teachers for Lengua and Cultura and our teachers of the English curriculum are all native speakers of English predominantly from the UK or Ireland. |
Language support for students not fluent in English |
English is the 2nd or 3rd language of most of our students, but the level is very high (we confirm their levels using GL Assessments). All students irrespective of learning need are offered support and differentiated teaching. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
Spanish and French. |
Max. number of students per class |
26 |
Average number of students per class |
25 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes - from Nursery up to Year 2 |
Use of technology in the classroom |
We have interactive white boards connected to projectors, and sets of interactive tv screens. Each child from Yr 3 to Yr 13 is issued with their own school Chromebook, and we use the Google Classroom suite. |
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) |
All our classes went online throughout the Covid quarantines. Our children are currently back at school, but our classes can be streamed home as necessary. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Children follow the Catholic religion. |
How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
The school is a Catholic school although we do have children who are not Catholic. They join in with everyone else. |
External examinations or assessments available |
IGCSEs and A Levels. |
Results in these examinations |
Our IGCSE and A level results are published on our website. |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes. |
Approximate hours of homework given |
10 mins for Yrs 2-4, 30 mins for Yrs 5+6, 1 hour for Yrs 7+8, 90 mins for Yrs 9. For Yrs 10 to 13 it depends upon the load of each subject. |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes - we employ three Learning Support teachers. |
Learning support offered |
We have an external school psychologist, an external school paediatrician, and three qualified special needs teachers. |
The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
We do not label children 'gifted & talented' and neither is any pupil labelled 'lower ability'. For those more able pupils, all of our teachers for all of the lessons must offer extension or challenge material. All of our teachers offer differentiated teaching. |
Student access to education psychologist |
Yes - as required (via a referral procedure). |
Entry evaluation for students |
Yes - for English, mathematics, and sometimes science. Students applying to join Holy Mary from a British school may be exempt from our entry tests. |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
For English, mathematics, and sometimes science. Students applying to join Holy Mary from a British school may be exempt from our entry tests. Where possible, we also ask prospective new pupils to spend a trial day at school. |
Waiting list |
Yes - normally in every year group. |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
No deadline exists. We are an oversubscribed non-selective school. If we have a place to offer then it is offered. Otherwise the applicant goes onto our waiting list. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes - except in years 10 to 13. |
School start time |
08:45 |
School finish time |
16:30 (slightly earlier for the younger children). |
Supervised care before/after school |
No. |
School bus service available |
Yes - although each year we ask all our parents if they wish their children to travel to and from school by bus. We normally start the school year with either 0, 1, 2 or 3 bus services. |
School provided lunches |
All of our students must eat a school-prepared lunch at school. Our school fees include the cost of school lunches. |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes, separate diets is prepared for students with special dietary needs. |
Uniform required |
Yes, and very lovely it is - the uniform has appeared in magazines. |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
We run after-school football, ballet, modern dance, flamenco, robotics, table tennis, cooking, and multi-sports classes. |
Sports activities included |
The full range of sports are included - in particular football, basketball, volleyball, handball, badminton, athletics, and tchoukball. |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes - although in Spain most talented sports individuals do not wish to represent their school teams. They play 'federated' sport within the magnificent sports programme offered by Madrid - and everywhere else in Spain. |
Facilities at the school |
Specialist areas in secondary: three science labs, an art room, and a small library. |
Sports facilities at the school |
We have three separate sports areas, although secondary sports classes take place off campus at one of two rented sports installations. |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
We are a unique British Catholic school in the heart of Madrid. All children are educated through strong morals and with excellent behaviour. Boys and girls learn alongside each other. Children learn to have respect for each other, to support each other and to enjoy learning together. All teachers are motivated to teach to the best of their ability and all children are encouraged to achieve their full potential. |
Teaching approach of the school |
It is very British: differentiated lessons; research-based pedagogy; effective questioning; instilling a growth mindset; live feedback; mid-lesson learning stops; technologically enhanced; inclusive; pair-work; group-work; public speaking; justification of opinion; values-driven; supportive and challenging.. |