Founded in 1932 as a co-educational school, it is on a single, suburban site, close to the sea about 10 miles from Lisbon. The heart of the school is a very handsome 18th century palace which has been adapted. Modern extensions and additions provide good facilities. The buildings lie in attractive grounds and gardens. It is a Christian foundation and non-denominational. There are Portuguese and English sides to the school, following their respective national education systems; the English side has both junior and senior sections and a house system operates. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:9 which permits a good deal of individual attention. Pupils are prepared for GCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Music and drama form part of the curriculum, and extra-curricular activities include music, sport and drama. Sports and games facilities are on site, and tennis, volleyball, basketball, hockey, athletics, football and karate are available. The school is part of an inter-school sports league with other international schools.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 1082 day pupils on the English side (547 boys, 535 girls). Senior department 11-18, 499 pupils (250 boys, 249 girls). 25% are children of former pupils. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 11 and 16. Interview used and diagnostic tests if necessary; for sixth-form entry, good report and 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B if taking on to IB Higher level). Ability to follow an academic curriculum looked for; no religious requirements.
2 pa academic scholarships, value 50% of fees (1 awarded at 14, 1 at 16). Variable number of bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Drawn from Portuguese professional and commercial community, from the British community (both full-time resident and contracted), from the NATO base, and from Lisbon's diplomatic and international residents; 41 countries represented.
Headmaster: David Smith, appointed 2000. Educated at universities of York and London. Previously Head of an international school in South America; taught in state and independent schools in England. Teaching staff: 106 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover under 12%. Average age 35.
GCSE: 58 in upper fifth, 90% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. IB: 60 in upper sixth, 96% pass the IB diploma with 6 subjects; average of 34 IB points.
All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 30% in science and engineering, 10% in law, 20% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design, 20% in other subjects. Majority go to university in UK; others attend university in Portugal, USA or in a total of 10 other countries.
GCSE and International Baccalaureate. 16 subjects offered to GCSE, 17 to IB. Languages: Portuguese (compulsory from age 6) and French, both availalble at GCSE and IB; beginning German, Italian and Spanish. Regular school trips eg to Italy, India, Holland. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 120 computers for pupil use (8 hours/day), many networked and with email and internet access.
Music: 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument. Musical groups include school orchestra. Drama: Many pupils are involved in school productions. Art and design: On average, 23 take GCSE, 10 IB. Some 3 pa accepted for art college.
Sport: Soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, rugby, trampolining, athletics, cross-country available. Activities: Community service as part of the IB. Clubs include computers, drama, music, karate, gym.
Uniform: School uniform worn; for formal occasions only in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, appointed after consultation. Religion: Non-denominational. Attendance at religious worship not compulsory. Social: Part of an inter-school sports league with other international schools in the area. Regular trips abroad eg to Kenya, Russia, Greece; language trips (eg Italy) and skiing. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals formal. School tuck shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to receive a warning, followed by detention; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect to be expelled.
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