Sotogrande International school - Cadiz

[BegoniaBampot]

Anyone any knowledge or wxperience with this school? TIA

I don't really have any experience of SIS as such, but I did have an interview for a position there about 4 years ago and liked the (then) principal. I did not take a position as the salary would not have been sufficient to live comfortably with my family. I definitely would have accepted had it been better paid.

It is a full IB school, which can seem a bit strange if you are new to this, especially the MYP (normally from Y7 to Y11).

Another international school that I would recommend would be EIC (English International College) just East of Marbella, they follow the English curriculum and do IGCSE and A'level. I used to teach there a long time ago (in the 80's), but is very well established and has a good reputation.

Thanks very much, will have a look. Can you remember if it was a mix of nationalities or mostly British?

Mix of spanish, British and others. My dd goes to nursery there but considering changing Schools due to high cost.

My two go there, they are in primary. It's a good school, lots of changes afoot with the new head, but changes for the better I think (hope!). Strong on sports, drama, good 'community' feel too, feels quite 'nurturing' for the little ones.
The school is a mix of Spanish and British with a smattering of other nationalities, my only criticism would be the Spanish programme (in primary at least) is poor - my two have barely learnt any Spanish in the two years they have been there.
Hope this helps!

Espresso the Lack of spanish is another issue i have with sis. Unless spanish native or living in a spanish Home the Children will hardly speak spanish. My dd is in her 3 year at sis and struggles with sp. Perfect if you are here for a few years with plans to move on or return to uk. Not great if like we plan to stay. Apart from that my dd loves going to School, the way they teach is great and Kids seem happy.

Thanks folks. can I ask where abouts you live and what kind of housing you have?

begonia, that really depends on the budget your company or dh wordk gives you. 80% of the people living here live on an expat package. Big budget=villa, smaller budget=townhouse. You find apts in the marina, not so great with children, some urbanisations with townhouses and gardens or villas with private gardens... good luck finding your home!

Please note that Sotogrande International School was acquired by a for-profit company called Inspired in recent years and the changes at the school are seismic such that any reviews prior to the last couple of years are no longer valid. Out went an excellent Headmaster, in came a 'CEO'..

Previously the school advertised itself as 'proudly non selective', however, in a drive to increase its IB scores for marketing purposes, the school is now highly selective, both at entry and at age 16, where only the higher performing students are offered the IB program.

If not offered the IB program, the school effectively forces students out by only offering an alternative qualification that is not accepted at EU universities (American High School Diploma). So if you have children asiring to an EU university, be aware that you may have to find alternative schooling at age 16 depending on how strict the selection is at that time.

My eldest is currently at university and on course for a 2.1. Looking back, he would not have met SIS's current selection criteria to continue with IB, so we would have had to leave the school. As it was in the pre-Inspired, pre-selection years, he was able to continue into IB and ultimately to an EU university where he is doing well. The current regime would have denied him this path. I think it is important for parents entering the school to undertand that the advertised high IB scores come at the price that their children will be forced out of the school at age 16.