Cities / Barcelona / Kensington School Barcelona
Kensington School Barcelona
Family-founded British school in Pedralbes, now part of Inspired Education Group. Around 260 students from 50 nationalities, ages 3 to 18, following the British curriculum through GCSEs and A-Levels. Founded in 1966; current head Duncan Giles is the son of…
In brief
The oldest British-curriculum school in Barcelona, opened in 1966 and still small at around 270 pupils across 3 to 18. Families who want a tight, family-feel English school in Pedralbes pick this over the bigger British operators.
One form of entry per year keeps classes small and teachers visible. Parents new to the city consistently single out how Kensington absorbs late arrivals, including a free Spanish programme for parents that softens the landing. IGCSE and A Level outcomes are solid for the size.
The flip side of small is fragile. Communication from the office can feel thin, with decisions arriving without much consultation, and fee increases of 5 to 10 percent a year are a recurring frustration. Teacher turnover has caused some grumbling when long-tenured staff are replaced by newer hires.
The Pedralbes location is residential and 20 to 30 minutes from the centre by car. Families wanting a large peer group, on-site swimming pool, or full IB should look at Oak House or BSB; Kensington's pull is the small, anglophone, settled feel.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| EYFS and Junior School (ages 3-11) | 3 | Annual | €13,941 |
| Senior School (ages 11-18) | 11 | Annual | €18,690 |
| Entry Registration Fee - Junior / EYFS (one-time) | One-time | €4,647 | |
| Entry Registration Fee - Senior (one-time) | One-time | €6,171 |
Reviews
- Long-running British school in Barcelona, founded 1966, with Pearson Edexcel pathways and small year-group sizes.
- Recurring parent praise centres on warmth and small classes. One parent said the individual attention was 'amazing'; others describe children as happy and motivated.
- Parents say the school has helped families through messy arrival situations, and that free Spanish classes for parents have eased the move into Barcelona.
- Counter-signal exists. Parents on directory reviews flag poor communication, decisions taken without notice or consultation, limited facilities for the size of fees, and annual fee increases of 5-10% with new charges added on top.
- Independent forum traffic is light. Reddit mentions are mainly comparative ('look at Kensington alongside BFIS and ASB'), not focused review.
Head of school
Duncan Giles
Duncan Giles serves as the Headmaster of Kensington School Barcelona, continuing the legacy established by his late father, Edward Paul Giles, who founded the school in 1966. Under his leadership, the school maintains a commitment to small class sizes, personalised learning, and academic excellence within a supportive, family-oriented environment. Mr. Giles is actively involved in the international education community in Spain and was elected as the President of the Barcelona International Schools Association (BISA) in 2024. He emphasizes the importance of pastoral care and ensuring each student reaches their full academic potential through the British curriculum.
Academic results
- GCSE Grades 9-7 (2025) 65%
- A-Level A*/A (2025) 61%