Cities / Madrid / Hastings School
Hastings School
British school across five campuses in central Madrid serving ages 2 to 18, offering IGCSE, A-Levels and IB Diploma; part of the Cognita group and ranked in the top 100 schools in Spain five years running. 2025-2026 fees run from…
In brief
Hastings is a non-selective British school in central Madrid, founded in 1971 and now part of Cognita. Around 1,375 students aged 2 to 18 spread across six age-specific campuses in Chamartín, Arturo Soria and Conde Orgaz, connected by a school shuttle.
The school runs IGCSEs, A Levels and the IB Diploma, with around 20 percent of curriculum time given to Spanish language, history and geography taught in Spanish. A Level results sit around 51 percent A*/A and recent IB cohorts have averaged 35 points with 100 percent diploma pass rates. Fees run roughly EUR 7,700 to EUR 20,750.
Families like the central-Madrid footprint, the small intimate campus feel at each age, and the genuine attention to individual children that comes with the multi-site model. The grumbles are practical: shuttle logistics for siblings split across sites, and sports facilities that families feel are average for the price. Best fit for British and bilingual families wanting a non-selective British education without leaving the city for the suburban international-school belt.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Nursery | 2 | Annual | €7,700 |
| Nursery and Reception | 3 | Annual | €9,360 |
| Year 1 | 5 | Annual | €10,790 |
| Year 2 - Year 4 | 6 | Annual | €11,240 |
| Year 5 - Year 6 | 9 | Annual | €11,820 |
| Year 7 - Year 8 | 11 | Annual | €13,820 |
| Year 9 | 13 | Annual | €14,050 |
| Year 10 | 14 | Annual | €15,650 |
| Year 11 | 15 | Annual | €16,300 |
| Year 12 - Year 13 (A-Level) | 16 | Annual | €17,800 |
| Year 12 - Year 13 (IB Diploma) | 16 | Annual | €20,750 |
| Registration Fee (Pre-Nursery) | One-time | €950 | |
| Registration Fee (Nursery) | One-time | €1,250 | |
| Registration Fee (Reception) | One-time | €1,500 | |
| Registration Fee (Y1 to Y13) | One-time | €1,850 |
Reviews
- Reviews are polarised. A 2021 commenters is the most pointed: one parent said the school "changed ownership" and that "the program was gutted", and warned other families away.
- Aggregator reviews include parents who praise the teachers and pastoral care. One parent described "amazing teachers and care environment" and another said they were "in love with the school".
- Recurring criticisms are confusing communication on academic progress, fees seen as high for what is delivered, and limited support for ADHD and additional needs.
- Teaching staff are largely UK-trained with class ratios around 1:10. The English curriculum runs through GCSE and A Level.
- Operator is Cognita. Multi-site footprint across central Madrid, with the secondary site as the main destination from Year 7.
Head of school
Mr Ian Piper
Mr. Ian Piper is the Principal of Hastings School, dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching educational environment for all students. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and personal development, he leads the school in preparing students for future challenges.
Academic results
- IB Diploma 2024 average 35 points
- A* / A at A Level 2024 47%